Photo Essay | Virtually Gina

Red Doors

April 25, 2016 by Gina Marie

When I see a red door, I am drawn to its whimsy and vibrancy. Inspired by the audacity of whoever painted such a color, I find myself wondering: what is the story here? It turns out there are quite a few reasons a person might paint their door red. In the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui, a red door is said to draw welcoming energies into a home. Many Christian churches have red doors, a tradition stemming from an Old Testament story wherein the […]

Categories: Doors, Urban, East Coast, Photography, Photo Essay • Tags: Color, Doors, East Coast, iPhoneography, Photo Essay, Photography, Portals, Urban

The Princeton 15

July 10, 2015 by Gina Marie

Is it possible to fall in love with a university campus? If so, then Princeton has won my heart. I hope my sweetie Jeff doesn’t get too jealous. I drove 45 minutes west from my new hometown on the Shore, and lo and behold, found myself on the campus of one of America’s most prestigious institutions of higher education. I brought my camera and preserved 99 images on my trusty Nikon, of which I’ve whittled down to the following 15 for your pure […]

Categories: Architecture, Bucolic, New Jersey, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Princeton, Sculpture, Travel, Urban • Tags: Architecture, Bucolic, New Jersey, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Princeton, Sculpture, Travel, Urban

Thirsty Thorsday

March 5, 2015 by Gina Marie

We interrupt the regularly scheduled broadcast of Chicago travel posts to give you an update on Winter Storm Thor currently transpiring in parts of the Midwest and Northeast United States. The following pictures were captured in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. Now, time for some hot tea. Thanks for joining me on this Thirsty Thorsday!

Categories: America, Architecture, Life, Philadelphia, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Trees, Urban, Winter • Tags: Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Winter, Winter Storm Thor

Another Day in Chicago

February 26, 2015 by Gina Marie

“What do you want for Valentine’s Day, honey?” my husband Jeff asked. “A Michael Kors handbag,” I replied without batting an eyelash. “But you know, for the same amount of money, we could take a trip somewhere cool.” In the end, we settled on the latter. And by “cool,” I wasn’t kidding around. With temps in the teens for much of our trip, we had little recourse than to seek indoor activities. We visited Second City and Zanies, two well-known Chicago […]

Categories: America, Architecture, Chicago, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Urban • Tags: America, Architecture, Chicago, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Urban

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

Ice World

February 9, 2014 by Gina Marie

Here in Philadelphia, we’re having what one might call a “real winter.” Snowstorms, subzero temps, dangerous road conditions, loss of power — you name it, we’ve had it. Last week’s ice storm closed roadways, toppled trees, and left thousands without electricity. Four days later, many residents are still without power. Ice storms are deceptive in that they start out like any other rain. “The rain in Spain falls gently on the plains.” It sounds almost soothing, does it not? But that rain quickly […]

Categories: Life, Philadelphia, Photo Essay, Photography, Winter • Tags: Ice Storm, Philadelphia, Photo Essay, Photography, 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