2020 Year in Review

 

"You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the signpost up ahead—your next stop, the Twilight Zone." — Rod Serling

Wow!

Did anyone else feel like we all got stuck inside an extended episode of the Twilight Zone or Netflix's Black Mirror in 2020? The year is finally over, and all I want to scream is, "Don't let the door hit you on your way out...!!"

I have to admit, as far as my business goes, it really wasn't that bad of a year, despite a few months in lock down hiding from society's germs.

The goals I made in December of 2019 quickly became unrealistic as all the events disappeared, but they were replaced by some interesting and unusual highlights that I didn’t see coming.

So let's dive into a review of the year, in no particular order...

Your next stop.... the Twilight Zone

Most photographers have a bucket list of places or things they want to eventually photograph. My list tends to grow every year with little movement in terms of accomplishing any of it.

For about five years I have been talking about visiting a junk yard located in the middle of nowhere, in a place called White, Georgia. (Yes the town is actually called "White.")  The stories abandoned cars could tell....well it's something out of a Rod Serling script.

In August of 2020, my husband and I came face-to-face with Serling's signpost that he mentions in his opening monologue when we visited my coveted junk yard,  "Old Car City USA."

When the pandemic made it too dangerous to fly a kid to his new college located in western Alabama, I immediately mapped the distance between his school and the junk yard. Bingo! It was now conveniently on the way home (ok, so maybe there was a slight 3 hour detour...)

Old Car City is not like any junk yard you've seen before (assuming you frequent junk yards....) It was established in 1931 and was originally a small general store that eventually grew into a 34 acre car graveyard. There are over 4000 abandoned classic cars, trucks, vans scattered throughout dense vegetation. Two hours in the August heat was all we could take but, the museum did not disappoint! Check out my entire gallery of junkyard images.

The FAA is my new BFF....

Growing up as an only child, I was always bored and looking for something new to do or try. This may explain why I’ve acquired a few experiences like jumping out of airplanes and helicopters, deep sea diving to over 100 feet, riding my Harley and the latest addiction, flying my drone.

So while not on my bucket list, but in hindsight it should have been, I had an opportunity in late August-early September to attend a week-long drone training school. I learned enough to be dangerous and apparently pass my FFA Remote Pilot test. By mid-September I had an FAA license in hand and by early December I had purchased and flown my first drone. I’m looking forward to seeing how I can incorporate aerial photography and video in 2021.

Richmond, Virginia Skyline December 2020 Sunset

Re-discovering YouTube! 

So as a result of spending most of March through May indoors (and not creating any new pictures), I discovered that I enjoy making videos since I have thousands of pictures. I produced a dozen videos over the year, check them out on my YouTube Channel and let me know which ones you like. Below are my two favorites.

A Day in the Life of a Quarantined Photographer:

Own Your Journey (Military Transition):

The Gift That Keeps Giving

Ironically, my last photo shoot before lock down was probably the most published work I have done to date. During the last week of March, I was hired to support The City of Alexandria and Visit Alexandria in showcasing artist, Olalekan Jeyifous, and his new public art exhibit that highlighted the City of Alexandria's trade history. 

While the physical waterfront exhibit didn't get as many visitors as anticipated due to the pandemic, the story and pictures were published numerous times in Forbes Magazine (twice), Architectural Digest, Washington Post and in many local art news outlets across the U.S. The timing of this exhibit coincided with the nation's attempt to grapple with racial tension and social unrest. The exhibit also highlighted that Alexandria was an epicenter of domestic slave trade, with one of the largest slave markets in the U.S.   I also highlighted the photoshoot in my April 2020 blog post.

Artist Olalekan Jeyifous Posing With His Art

Scaffolding Never Looked So Sexy...

One of my favorite highlights of the year was capturing the progression of the United States Naval Academy's Chapel Dome Renovation.  The USNA Alumni Association featured one of my pictures on the March 2020 Alumni Magazine cover. I had one opportunity to go back to see the progress in September. 

Who knew you could make a construction site look so exciting. 

My Alma Mater is of course my favorite place to photograph, which is surreal considering I was in a big hurry to escape it when I was there in the early 1990's.  I hope to capture the completed dome in 2021.

March 2020 Cover of Shipmate

                  USNA Chapel Dome Copper Restoration Progress, September 2020

 

"Life is beautiful not because of the things we see or do. Life is beautiful because of the people we meet."  -Simon Sinek

Last But Definitely Not Least....

Without the amazing people I meet there is no Laura Hatcher Photography. My camera and I crossed paths with many individuals, business and families throughout the year. With the world going completely virtual, we all gained an appreciation for quality photography, not only in a headshot, but for our personal and business branding. I am truly grateful to all my clients who chose me to help them tell and document their stories and legacies.  

While I missed photographing the usual military retirement ceremonies, I hosted many new friends in my Old Town, Alexandria studio and I look forward to navigating 2021, knowing that even 2020 didn't hold me back.  Happy New Year!

The Faces of 2020

The Families of 2020

Laura Hatcher is a retired Naval Officer, Mother, Harley Rider and Published Professional Photographer located in Northern Virginia.  Her Studio is on 218 North Lee Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

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