Georgetown Fair Queen Spring Portrait Session with Heather Simpson

As the official photographers of the Georgetown Fair Queen in Illinois we do a lot of pictures with the fair queen, and some of the coolest pictures we do each year are for summer advertising and promotional purposes. These pictures are shot to illustrate the theme of the fair and the pageant, and you might see them in local papers, the pageant program and of course on social media and the official Georgetown Fair Queen Pageant website.

We did this photo session with 2017 Queen Heather Simpson back in April but we tend to not put them up on our blog until the Georgetown Fair Queen Pageant directors have started using them. By now you've probably seen a few new pictures of Heather turning up on the pageant website and a few other places, and we are excited to tell you that these are the pictures are a sneak peek from our spring session.

For those of you interested in a little behind the scenes, our spring session with Queen Heather was actually a combination of several locations plus a lot of time on the white seamless set that we built out at the fairgrounds. This literally took us an entire day, and we probably spent as much time driving and building out the white seamless set as we did actually shooting. We've really loved working with Heather Simpson because she works really hard with us on picture day to create these images. Its a rewarding, exhausting day for all of us so we are very excited when the pictures finally make it out into publication. For the photographers out there, we shot the white seamless stuff with six lights including four on the background and two up front that were the main and fill lights. The location stuff got done pretty simply with single light in a small octa.

We've loved all the pictures we've done with Heather, but as the summer gets going it will soon be time for another queen to be crowned in August. If you live in Illinois in the Georgetown area and would like to become a contestant or learn how to sponsor, visit the best fair queen pageant in Illinois online at the Georgetown Fair Queen official website. Things really get going for contestants the first week in July at the queen's tea and contestant orientation, and shortly after that we'll be doing contestant headshots. It's sure to be a busy summer so keep checking back right here for new pictures with Josh and Joe Travels!

Blue Heaven in Key West

We really enjoy being able to sit outside when we go out to eat in Key West, and one of our favorite places to sit outdoors is Blue Heaven. Lately we've really liked going to Blue Heaven for breakfast where Joe loves the shrimp and grits. We tend to get there pretty early before there is much of a wait, but at peak times be prepared to spend some time waiting on your table. Blue Heaven uses a check in system where they send you a text message when your table is ready. With nearly all of its seating outside this isn't the place to go on rainy days, but in the morning when its cool we thing breakfast is one of the best time to try Blue Heaven. So the next time you are in Key West go ahead and try the shrimp and grits at Blue Heaven just like Josh and Joe Travels!

Grunts Bar and Garbos Grill in Key West

With so many great places to eat in Key West we sometimes just want simple food, and Garbo's Grill is a food truck at Grunt's Bar on Caroline serving up some of the best tacos and hot dogs in town. Josh was eager to try Garbo's for the Korean bbq tacos and Joe tried a quarter pound hot dog. We went after sunset on a Saturday and probably waited around 30 minutes including the time we spent in line waiting to order and the time it took for our number to be served. Garbo's is popular with tourists and they have a good local following. We talked to a couple locals who hit Garbo's on a regular basis and we can see why. The Korean bbq is delicious and is served in good portions. So the next time you are in Key West and you want to try some great food on Caroline St, take a walk to Garbo's Grill just like Josh and Joe Travels!

Harpoon Harry's in Key West

We have a lot of favorite places to eat in Key West, and near the top of the list for Joe is Harpoon Harry's. Joe loves Harpoon Harry's because it is like a classic dinner right down to the daily dinner specials. Even though it is right across the street from the Historic Seaport you'll still find a handful of Conchs sitting at the counter, and on the counter is where you'll see the apple pie or carrot cake, which is probably what Josh likes most about Harpoon Harry's. We've been to Harpoon Harry's lots over the years for both breakfast and dinner and we appreciate the affordable, honest food at a place where you don't have to get dressed up or call ahead for a reservation. So the next time you are in Key West be sure to drop by Harpoon Harry's, and since they don't take credit cards be sure to bring cash just like Josh and Joe Travels!

Key West Farmers Market at Bayview Park

These past few months we've really enjoyed being able to go to the farmers market in Key West. The farmers market is on Thursday's at Bayview park which is in our neighborhood, so we can walk over and grab a few things that are hard to find at grocery stores. Joe is always on the lookout for key limes because he takes lime in his sweet tea (you should try it). At the market there is are vendors all the way from Homestead as well as a few more from around the Keys, so when you spend money at the farmers market you support your neighbors, and we think that is important, especially following a year when Florida was impacted by a major hurricane. Plus when you shop local you find special local products like keys bees honey and chocolate dipped croissants. One Thursday we even picked up our lunch at the farmers market - local bbq with brisket and ribs so we couldn't turn it down! So if you are in Key West and happen to be at the farmers market, be sure to stop and say hello if you see Josh and Joe Travels!

Georgetown Fair Queen 2018 Princess Luncheon with Heather Simpson

This March we were excited to be back in Georgetown for the annual princess luncheon, and this year Miss Georgetown Fair Queen 2017 Heather Simpson brought some special pixie power to the event. The day was full of activities including an art lesson with Queen Heather a several dances in front of the big stage. We were thrilled to be on hand to do the pictures and be part of one of the best events of the year at Georgetown. This spring things will really get going for Queen Heather as she makes appearances throughout the Georgetown area, so be sure to watch for her at local events and parades, and be sure to keep check back to see more pictures right here with Josh and Joe Travels!

Cruise Ships and Sunsets in Key West

Key West is always hopping with visitors, but during prime season from about Christmas to Easter things are especially busy, and a lot of those visitors come on cruise ships. Some of our friends might know that we had hoped to take our first cruise in 2017 and how we were looking forward to sailing on Empress of the Seas to Havana. Joe went to Havana years ago and is eager to visit again, and we thought cruising on the Empress was too tempting to resist. Even though things didn't work out for us to go on a Havana cruise, we still get to see a lot of the Empress because stopping in Key West is one of her most popular itineraries. Three ships in Key West at one time is a pretty busy day, and if they stay past dusk the cruise ships will block your view of sunset from Mallory, especially in December and January when sunset is early. This time of year we most often watch sunset from White Street because it is close to home, far less hectic, and parking is free and easy.

So with another year ahead of us we are still thinking about taking a cruise, even one that might visit Key West so we can see the island from a totally new perspective. Whatever 2018 has in store for us you can count on us to post the pictures right here on Josh and Joe Travels!