YPA's Where Are They Now: Leah Schonauer
YPA News feature updating my adventures and photographic career since being a part of the YPA Mentorship Program in 2014.
Extremely honored and humbled are the only ways I can describe seeing my name on the Young Photographers Alliance News page. These past two years since the YPA Mentorship Program has been a whirlwind, with lots of different directions in my photographic career and life in general. Find out my recent adventures in my self-written article on the YPA website!
Read my YPA Where Are They Now: Leah Schonauer article by clicking the link or the photo below.
Live by faith & share through fotos.
Yosemite
Checking off my bucket list.
We all have personal goals, whether it be people we want to meet, places we want to see, or something we want to learn. Sometimes these goals are out of the question for the time being, but we always secretly hope to make them happen.
Going to see Yosemite has been one of my goals for years. I don't know what interested me so much about it, other than photographs I had seen in textbooks throughout my school years and always wanted to see it from my own perspective. As a nanny in Los Angeles, I've had incredible opportunities to travel around California and other places that I never thought would be possible for me. If you have a dream you want to make a reality, then you have to be aware of possible opportunities and make the best of them. Some goals we have for ourselves are small: maybe to run a mile, to perform at a big event, maybe it's a dream job. In order to do any of these things, we need to be dedicated and start with small steps, working our way up to the goal and maybe pushing farther than what our original goal was. We also need to remember to be open to God's plans and opportunities given to us (I like to think they're little winks from God).
I was able to stay in Yosemite for only a few hours, but I am happy I had this incredible chance to see such a beautiful place. The first view I saw of the valley, I have to admit that I teared up a little. There's something about this artwork completely made by the hands of God that gets me, and I am glad to have been able to have the chance to see one of his "pieces" first hand. I'm sharing some photos (some iPhone photos thrown in too) from the day at Yosemite spent with my cousin Becca, but I hope someday you'll be able to see these sights first hand.
Live by faith & share through fotos.
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas
Portraits of my friends Lynzie & Bronson in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Since I've started living in the Los Angeles area, I've had unexpected and long awaited traveling opportunities with some of my "life goal" destinations. Not only have I been given the chance to see places around Southern California, but another spot on my list to see was Las Vegas, Nevada.
It was an amazing opportunity to meet up with my friends Lynzie and Bronson in Las Vegas. They had been planning their trip out for months, and I only a week, but I wanted to meet up with them when we were just hours away (a lot closer than being across the country!). Lynzie and I have been friends since kindergarten and they both live near where I am from in Ohio. So, in order to meet up with them, we in a way did a 'photo for travel' trade and I got to see the city in the process. Nothing like traveling with your friends and taking great photos along the way! Here are some of my favorite shots at Caesar's Palace and on our walks around downtown. (More to come in the future of my adventures traveling in Vegas and other places!)
Live by faith & share through fotos.
Los Angeles: Part 4
Simple is key.
Week 4
January 23-29
A simple week. And simple images to reflect it.
Live by faith & share through fotos.
Los Angeles: Part 3
A pretty sweet view of the mountains, s'mores, and my new obsession In-N-Out Burger.
That moment when you're driving up a mountain and then think, holy smokes, is this even real?
Week 3
January 16 - 22
We went to Lake Arrowhead, California to help Todd's uncle move into his new home. This was the perfect opportunity to see some views in the mountains (and not even the tallest ones). They are along the San Andreas fault line and the view overlooks San Bernardino below. Here are some fun views along the way. Look for the jeep in the second image and the houses built on top of the mountain in the third image.
The beautiful view out the back door of the house at Lake Arrowhead.
In-N-Out Burger. It happened. Oh man. I finally understand what all the hubbub is about with this place. It felt like we were at an auction or a fair waiting for our order. I mean, it was actually a lot of fun waiting in line, who would have ever guessed! I went the traditional route and ordered a cheeseburger, fries, and a strawberry milkshake, and my verdict is that I better start working out more and get a another job to keep up with my cravings of this place.
Michelle and Lana ate there for the first time, too. Lana tasted a little bit of Michelle's vanilla shake and then wanted to drink the whole thing. She literally cried when it was all gone, which isn't that far fetched of a reaction.
Some of the other fun activities of the week included shrimp + cilantro tacos at Cafe Rio in Manhattan Beach, s'more night by the fire pit (yes, this happened in January, I am totally pumped about the weather out here), game night featuring Mancala, blueberry pancakes at Uncle Bill's Pancake House in Manhattan Beach, and the Farmers Market in El Segundo on Main Street.
Of course I can't leave out photos of my adventures with Lana around town through the week. This week we went down to the beach, the farmer's market, and even took a ride with Uber (which is probably the most convenient idea ever). Also as a side note: she is quite the stylish little lady.
Live by faith & share fotos.
Los Angeles: Part 2
Santa Monica, The Revenant, and Lana.
Week 2
January 9 - January 15
This past week's adventures included a little more (okay, a lot more) of the beach. On Saturday morning I drove to Santa Monica. I even drove on the 405 (fun fact: in California, they call highways "the-405" rather than "I-77") with 6 lanes of cars and enjoyed it, I'd like to think Pittsburgh traffic prepared me for such nonsense. I walked from where I parked all the way to the pier and I passed the time with some touristy shopping for postcards and keychains until all the shops and vendors started opening around 11:00 AM. The pier is filled with rides and a ferris wheel, musicians and an arcade, and even restaurants. The pier is a fun atmosphere and the view at the end is just incredible, the ocean always amazes me.
Saturday night I couldn't help myself, I needed to watch The Revenant and I am so happy I did. Such a beautifully done film and that goes to credit the acting, cinematography, music, and story. A must watch especially for photographers and artists, especially.
Sunday morning I went with a neighbor to a church service held at El Segundo High School, which is actually used a lot in movies and TV shows including Superbad, The Hot Chick, Joe Dirt, 90210, and others.
In the midst of these fun outings, I was kicked with some type of cough/sickness. But what better way to forget about a runny nose when you can walk along the beach and see the mountains!
Here are a few of the outings Lana and I took this week around town.
Shot of the week. We had just went outside and walked a little down the street. Good little Lana waved to every person she saw, and some trees and inanimate objects thrown in there too. She was a little bummed when they didn't wave back. It's so easy to just settle for iPhone photos, but I'm hoping to bring my camera with me more often.
Live by faith & share through fotos.
Welcome to Los Angeles!
New adventures for 2016, starting off the New Year in beautiful Los Angeles!
Big news for 2016, I moved to the great and wonderful Los Angeles on the first of the year. This has been an incredible opportunity so far and I've decided to do a weekly blog about my adventures on the west coast.
This first week has been a dream! I flew out of Cleveland, OH which was actually my first flight, ever. I had a layover in Chicago and then was off again to LAX. Luckily I had the window seat for the first flight, but not so lucky with the second flight. But regardless, I made sure I was able to see out the window and get some shots of the gorgeous sunset. I will never forget as we were about to land in Los Angeles, the sun was just setting and lights were just starting to come on, it looked like a Christmas tree! As I looked out and saw the ocean, the flight attendant spoke, "Welcome to Los Angeles".
So the reason behind moving out to Los Angeles.. I was given the opportunity to work as a nanny for the sweetest family. The parents, Todd and Michelle, have an 18 month old, busy, bundle of happiness named Lana. I can easily say this is the most entertaining and favorite job I've ever had, and it's only been a week.
Week 1
January 1 - January 8
So far, I've been able to see around the town I'm living in, and travel to several beaches along Southern California. I've been able to see El Segundo Beach and bike through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and all the way to Redondo Beach Pier along The Strand, which is a biking path. The weather has been a little strange off and on with El Niño, rain and thunderstorms after having a drought for four odd years. Oh well, at least it reminds me a little bit of the midwest weather.
This experience has led me to meet some amazing people, and I'm excited to see where else it will take me! Lesson of this developing story: don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and go exploring the world, if it's across town or across the country. Do new things, talk to new people, enjoy yourself, and give thanks for the blessings and opportunities God puts in your path.
Live by faith & share through fotos.