Life | Virtually Gina

A Day Spent in Philadelphia Is Never a Day Wasted

September 15, 2014 by Gina Marie

With its confluence of art, history, and architecture, the city of Philadelphia is a visual feast. Following are a few snapshots captured in Center City, Philadelphia, throughout the course of an early September afternoon/evening. Little Boy in a Big City Liberty Bell Doorway in Elfreth’s Alley (Oldest Street in the Nation) Life Size Chess Piece As Public Art Love’s Park Plaza Twin Cranes Near Reading Terminal The Marquee for Reading Terminal, A Year Round Indoor Farmers’ Market Construction in Olde […]

Categories: America, Architecture, Art, Life, Mural, Philadelphia, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Urban • Tags: America, Architecture, Art, Life, Mural, Philadelphia, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Urban

Easter Sunday Along the Schuylkill River Banks

April 21, 2014 by Gina Marie

The east and west banks of the Schuylkill River are part of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park which — at 4,180 acres — is the largest landscaped park in the United States. Following are a few pictures captured on Easter Sunday along the east bank of this majestic river. Flowering trees, a sparkling blue river, bridges, and towering skyscrapers lend themselves to an aesthetically pleasing panorama. A young couple snuggles together beneath a copse of Dogwood trees in bloom. Upriver, a pre-teen […]

Categories: America, Boxers, Life, Philadelphia, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Spring, Trees, Urban • Tags: America, Boxers, Life, Philadelphia, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Spring, Trees, Urban

Winter Wonderland

February 4, 2014 by Gina Marie

Today, tree limbs drooped beneath a heavy coat of snow. Yesterday’s accumulation shut down schools and local businesses, and snarled traffic notably. However, roads were mostly clear this morning and the sun was shining. I couldn’t help but think it was quite beautiful.

Categories: Life, Philadelphia, Photography, Trees, Winter • Tags: Life, Pennsylvania, Photography, Trees, Winter

A Nighttime Walk

January 30, 2014 by Gina Marie

Date: Mid-January 2014, in between snowstorms — the snow from Winter Storm Hercules had melted and the snow from Winter Storm Janus had not yet fallen Time: Late afternoon, perhaps five-thirty Place: Philadelphia’s Wissahickon Valley and surrounding environs Photographer: A human named Gina Marie (not pictured) Walking companion: A canine named Baby Girl (also not pictured) Camera: Nikon D3100 Lens: 55-200mm zoom Reason: Just for the heck of it! School House Lane — East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia Pine tree […]

Categories: America, Life, Philadelphia, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Trees, Winter • Tags: America, Life, Philadelphia, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Trees, Winter

A Storm of Herculean Proportions

January 3, 2014 by Gina Marie

Ah, the post-holiday afterglow: Chrismas lights still adorn houses, the air is cool, presents have long been unwrapped, and New Year’s toasts have all been exchanged. It’s time for a fresh start and, apparently, a fresh snowfall. (Thank you, Winter Storm Hercules.) I’m a Minnesotan by birth, so I should be used to this. Still, even I–who have lived in Philadelphia going on three years–was surprised by the intensity of last night’s storm. I attempted to capture it from my […]

Categories: America, Earth, Holidays, Life, Memoir, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Photo Essay, Photography, Trees, Winter • Tags: America, Earth, Hercules, Holidays, Life, Memoir, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Photo Essay, Photography, Storm, Trees, Winter

The Perfection of a Single, Falling Leaf

November 4, 2013 by Gina Marie

The Wissahickon Valley in Philadelphia’s northwest corridor has inspired creatives for centuries. Following are a few gifts–in the form of words and images–bestowed to me by the wild and wonderful Wissahickon. Contemplate the perfection of a single falling leaf: unannounced, unassuming like a simple, solitary sage who’s reached his expiration. The time comes to let go, to free fall–spin round and round– drawing circles from sky to ground, landing atop carpets of brown, orange, magenta. Time’s passage weathers one to a […]

Categories: Autumn, Inspiration, Life, Philadelphia, Photography, Poetry • Tags: Autumn, Inspiration, Life, Philadelphia, Photography, Poetry

Shutter-Happy

October 18, 2013 by Gina Marie

Sixteen photos inspired by Philly Photo Day. Biker along Kelly Drive East Coast Boxer Midvale Avenue Vain Futility Baby Girl the Boxer A woman searching for In Riva Restaurant. (I know this because shortly after I snapped this photo, she turned around and asked me if I knew where it was located.) John, the landscaper at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church Doorway to a mausoleum at Laurel Hill Cemetery Autumn afternoon on Allegheny Avenue. (Has a nice ring to it, no?) […]

Categories: America, Animals, Architecture, Autumn, Bicycles, Boxers, Dogs, Graveyards, Life, Pets, Philadelphia, Photography, Urban • Tags: America, Animals, Architecture, Autumn, Bicycles, Boxers, Dogs, Graveyards, Life, Pets, Philadelphia, Photography, Urban

Perfect Sunset

September 30, 2013 by Gina Marie

Crisp autumn evening, sunset reflecting on lake, a dog at one’s side. Shadow and Scott, (2013)

Categories: Dogs, Friendship, Life, Minnesota, Photography • Tags: Dogs, Friendship, Haiku, Life, Minnesota, Photography, Sunset

It’s What’s Inside that Counts

February 14, 2013 by Gina Marie

Some believe that a girl should never give up a good apartment—not even for marriage. However, I didn’t get that particular memo until long after I’d already married (and long after I’d traded in my studio for a larger unit, sans the dazzling skyline view). Do I wish that I’d kept the place, so that Jeff and I might have a cozy little unit in which to reside whenever we returned to Minneapolis for a brief visit? Not really. After […]

Categories: Boxers, Buddha, Dogs, Humor, Life, Love, Minneapolis, Personal, Philadelphia, Photography • Tags: Boxers, Buddha, Dogs, Humor, Life, Love, Minneapolis, Personal, Philadelphia, Photography