With the Labor Day weekend upon us I thought it would be fun to share some of our instructor’s favorite things about the holiday and what we all will be doing with the long weekend.
Whether you’re staying in town or traveling, we hope you thoroughly enjoy this last weekend of summertime. Feel free to share any exciting images with us on Facebook or tag us on Instagram, #capitalphotogcenter.
MARIE JOABAR
“It’s hard to get away on weekends because there are so many classes running. However, on holiday weekends when there are few if any classes, my husband and I make our great escape to Shenandoah Valley. We have a little cabin in Mt Jackson and it’s like being worlds away. No traffic, no noise, beautiful mountain views and we operate on Valley time… which is simply s-l-o-w!
When I return home, I’m like a new person, fully charged and ready to go!
Labor Day weekend is the last weekend of the Shenandoah County Fair and is one of my favorite things to enjoy and photograph. From the colorful neon midway to the livestock barns and 4H animal competitions, to the tractor pulls and more, it’s just tons of country fun and I look forward to it each year.”
E DAVID LURIA
“Laboring Day and the Joys of Self-Employment!
On a day that celebrates labor, a day on which we are supposed to take a day off from labor, what am I doing? Laboring!
Is there no rest for the weary? Is there no mercy shown by “The Man?” But wait: “The Man” is me! Hey, maybe he’s not so bad after all…
As owner-operators of our own small businesses, Marie Joabar (president of Capital Photography Center) and I (director of Washington Photo Safari) now have many years of experience working long hours and weekends not only for the income but also because (drum roll, please) we enjoy it! As teachers of photography, we get our kicks hearing a client say: “Ooh! So THAT’S what that button does!” or “Darn! I just WISH we had taken this class before my trip to Italy last year!”
Marie and I are among the legions of self-employed in this country who have found joy in self-employment. Both of us had spent long enjoyable careers in salaried positions, and both of us have experienced the tragedy of being fired when our employers had financial setbacks.
But both of us have also found self-employment to be very liberating. You are your own boss, you set your own work rules and hours. You work harder than you ever did when working for others, but it just doesn’t seem like work! It’s more like getting paid for having fun!
There are many obvious hazards to self-employment. There is no safety net, no paid vacation, no health plan, no retirement plan, no family leave. And there is the distinct possibility that you can fall flat on your face and be left with NO income!
So we say to all of you aspiring photographers out there: “Are you SURE you want to do this? If so, join the ranks of the self-employed and celebrate your Labor Day….working!”
KAREN MESSICK
“This Labor Day I will be enjoying some beach time in South Bethany Delaware. I love the ocean and beaches so I’m going to make the most out of this long weekend and soak in the sun and take a few dips. I’ll enjoy a community cook out and will definitely make some images at sunrise!”
COREY HILZ
“This year on Labor Day weekend I’m looking forward to being at Yosemite National Park. It will be the beginning of a week-long rock climbing trip, and my first time climbing out west. I enjoy rock climbing for its physical and mental challenges, as well as the opportunity to spend more time out in nature. I can’t wait to explore one of our wonderful National Parks!”
ROY SEWALL
“For the last 2 years my wife and I have been enjoying Seattle during the summers months as our daughter lives here and our son and his family live nearby. Our daughter just got certified to sail keelboats so for Labor Day weekend my wife and I are going sailing with her and her boyfriend on Elliot Bay. In September, it’s back to the grind and I’ll return home to Maryland.”
EMILY CARTER MITCHELL
“This Labor Day weekend it looks like the summer heat will finally break. Excited with cooler days, it’s no surprise that what I’ll be doing is getting out and enjoying nature.
When I’m not behind a camera, I spend a lot of time with my horse. It’ll be perfect time for me to load her up on a trailer and head down to one of my favorite hidden natural treasures. Governor’s Bridge Natural Area near Route 50 and Route 301 offers trails, woods, ponds and streams. Even my mare, Remy Martin, loves to visit.
Wishing you a wonderful Labor Day weekend and get out and enjoy the great outdoors.”
DONNA VANCE
“Traditionally on Labor Day I take time to spend with the ones I love and cook all the foods we love to eat… but probably shouldn’t. 
We are a homeschool family and we begin school after Labor Day weekend, so we always take the time to just be together and have fun on this weekend before life gets crazy again.
I know we’re going to definitely hit up a beach somewhere and have sinfully delicious burgers!”
ERIKA NIZBORSKI
“The past few years on Labor Day weekend I’ve been on assignment or photographing a wedding. This year I’m looking forward to a weekend back home in Chester County Pennsylvania where I’ll relax, enjoy the last bit of Summer and canoe down the Brandywine river.
I hope to make it back in time for the Doggie Dive-in. My neighborhood pool in College Park lets everyone bring their dogs to swim in the pool before it’s drained for the season. It’s a really fun time!”
CHRISTINA ASCANI
“This year on Labor Day weekend, I’m going to be spending time in some of our National Parks! More specifically, I’ll be exploring Bryce Canyon, Zion and Death Valley. I’m so excited to see more of this beautiful country we live in and take some landscape photos. I normally photograph people so to be able to focus on different subject matter will be fun and challenging!”
Have a great weekend everyone! Be safe, laugh a lot and celebrate the last of summertime!