#WWPW2016 ~ World Wide Photo Walk 2016 ~ on The Historic Woodstock Square with photographer Ken Farver

The Woodstock Farmers Market on a delightfully drizzly Saturday morning.

It was a little cold, a little rainy, and a little overcast on Saturday October 1. But our Scott Kelby World Wide Photo Walk 2016 fearless leader Ken wouldn’t let a little rain spoil our fun.

Photographer Ken Farver headed up our walk on the historic Woodstock Square. It is a place that I am familiar with, but this walk reminded me that sometimes you cannot see the beauty that hides in your midst. Sometimes you need someone else to open your eyes to the extraordinary that lies within your ordinary.

Ken did just that.

We first headed out to wander around the Woodstock Famers Market. This market has been ranked at the top in all categories – both locally and nationally – in the American Farmland Trust’s summer-long Farmers Market Celebration. I could take photos here on any given Saturday (or Tuesday for that matter), but walking around with a handful of other photographers and some fancy cameras can inspire the artist in anyone – and suddenly my little town had become that much more magical as I saw it through the eyes of others.

With cameras at the ready, we shot gingerroot, we shot pumpkins, we shot tons of fall produce, we shot mushrooms, we shot transactions between customers and we shot honey bottles.

And then, the drizzle became a little more intense.

Ken quickly (and wisely) suggested that we head into the historic Woodstock Opera House for some photo ops. I performed there for many years – as a child, I danced there; as a college student and beyond I danced, acted and sang on that stage. Now, I take my children there to appreciate the local talent and whet their appetite for musical theater. 

One thing I never have done, however, is taken my big camera inside. How lucky was I, then, that we found the stage being prepared for the next show? I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic and choose a monochrome look for these images. Thank you, Ken, for this rare photographic opportunity!

He also took us to Ethereal Confections to photograph the interesting lighting and the chocolatiers at work. Not only was it an artistic opportunity, but it also gave us a chance to explore our technical aptitude as we took pictures of lights and trays of elegant chocolate treats. We ended our walk with a group lunch at the Public House ~ where Ken enjoyed a bowl of pumpkin soup, complete with whipped cream, cinnamon and a graham cracker garnish.

Flanked by a posse of paparazzi, some fancy cameras and a fearless leader, I felt much more comfortable nudging my lens into these beautiful scenes (that I am guilty of taking for granted) on our Square than I might have on my own.

Thank you, Ken, for this opportunity. Thank you to the market organizers and vendors, the Opera House staff, Ethereal Confections and the Public House for your graciousness on this walk.

Go out and photograph your world!

Blue Loom's produce display.

Hand-spun, hand-dyed yarn.

One of the photogs from the walk ... hiding amidst the shrubbery.

Autumn flowers.

Rain droplets on the railings sending our crew inside for a bit.

I love the ambiance this sign provides inside Ethereal Confections.

Delicious specialty chocolates waiting to be served and smelling incredible!

I absolutely loved having the opportunity to take photographs from the balcony!

The beautiful Woodstock Opera House on the main floor.

Production Manager Joe McCormick adjusting the lighting on the sign for the upcoming Woodstock Musical Theater Production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.

Ken working his photographic magic capturing the Elvira the opera ghost's seat!

Ken's delicious pumpkin soup at the Public House on the Historic Woodstock Square.