My recommitment to the Pennsylvania State Park Challenge I’d set for myself at the beginning of the year led me to book a camping trip for the FOURTH time at Hickory Run State Park.
Category: photography
Travel Journal – Celebrating New Year’s Eve in St. Petersburg, Florida
Finding myself near the end of the year, I’ve reached AND exceeded that goal, and for that – I rewarded myself with this amazing trip to St. Petersburg, Florida to finish the year and start 2022 with a new perspective – physically, emotionally, and mentally.
2021 Travel Tales – The “Beach Year”
Today is the second to last day of 2021 and I’m sitting in my hotel room in St. Petersburg, Florida overlooking a beautiful pool within a garden of palm trees (my favorite), and in the distance, I can see Tampa Bay. After pivoting to building an online business in 2020 and now becoming a full-time…
2022 Photo Calendar NOW AVAILABLE!
Each year I offer a photo calendar of my travel photography and it is that time of year again!
Morning walks followed by afternoon swimming
This past weekend I strolled down shaded trails to discover beautiful landscapes, to hear the beautiful sounds of the forest, and to enjoy photographing nature. After my walk I cooled off by taking to the beach! All of this and more I experienced just one hour away from Harrisburg. On my continued mission to visit 52 Pennsylvania State Parks in 2021 I was able to add two more to the list.
Cherry Blossoms in DC
For years I’ve wanted to make it to Washington DC in time to catch the Cherry Blossoms and this year I finally got there. It’s been on my bucket list for years, but I just hadn’t made the time to travel there until this year.
Epic West Coast Road Trip, Part 8
On this final journal of this Epic West Coast Road Trip, I share with you my gratitude for this entire experience, and my ability to see that I’m privileged to have taken this adventure. If you’ve been following along, I’d shared last (in part 7) that after driving up the coast from Monterey to San Francisco, all the way up to Glass Beach, and then inland to Nice, California, we then headed to Sacramento, our final destination before flying back to Pennsylvania.
Epic West Coast Road Trip, Part 4
On my recent travels to Joshua Tree National Park I discovered not only about a wide variety of plants, animals, and strong winds, but also I learned more about myself. It was an adventure to spend two nights and three days under the stars, in excessive heat, and at times experiencing frustration while on a vacation.
Epic West Coast Road Trip, Part 2
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine Travel calls for adventure and a road trip isn’t complete without an unplanned stop, which is why when I found out that Cabrillo National Park was only 30 minutes away from where I was staying in La…
2020 Goals: Doing less, letting go, and opening time to possibilities
“If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” ― Thomas A. Edison Each year for the past four years I’ve chosen a word for setting intentions in the new year. Last year was the year of action. And was it ever. I set out to do so…
Find Calm Here 2020 Calendar~
Each year for the past eight years I have created a photo calendar curating the best of the year’s photos. I’ve offered this to friends and family over the years as so many are interested in supporting my work.
For this year, I’m opening it up to anyone who’s interested in purchasing a calendar and the theme for this year is Find Calm Here, destinations for mindfulness.
Reflecting on the Lancaster Balloon Festival offers perspectives for Gratitude
“I’d be smiling and chatting away, and my mind would be floating around somewhere else, like a balloon with a broken string.” ― Haruki Murakami, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle Lancaster is known for its Pennsylvania Dutch foods and the Amish population to most of the country but it also is home to the annual Lancaster Hot-Air…
New partners and projects: Learning to grow a photo business for success in 2020
By offering a portfolio not just on my website, but also on Adobe Stock, and Shutterstock, I hope to grow my visibility as a stock photographer. I’m also working to align with Creative Market soon to allow stock photography on their platform. So I am making a decision to try to grow a stock portfolio and see what happens over the next year with revenue. Now that I have some more clarity with the direction, and I’ve done some extensive traveling, I have a new body of work to share with the world and that’s exciting!
Repurposed photo slide curtain project brings memories to life
My grandfather was an avid photographer, carpenter, and pastor. He loved documenting the world around him and capturing moments in time. Years ago he had captured his mission trips to Alaska and parts of Mexico on slides. He would also capture his trips to Hawaii and the adventures of the northwest destinations and share them in photo slide shows with our family on many occasions.
Truths & Travel: Making Memories
“What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it.” ― Gabriel Garcia Marquez Memories are made, and I can choose how to create them When I was in Mexico, I made memories with friends, using a coloring book and pencils I brought, which now remind me…
Truths & Travel: The Butterfly Effect in Mexico
“Change one thing, Change everything.” – The Butterfly Effect Rising early Thursday morning in my flat in Mexico, I was excited about the day ahead. One of my fellow travelers in our mastermind group titled “Lionesses” (A group founded following the DenEx trip with Location Indie) booked a handful of us a driver to transport…
Truths & Travel: Part 4
My brain stopped working I guess, and I felt stuck like I didn’t know how to explain to her. I started to “mime” what I thought made sense, the word “flow” by sweeping my arms from my head to my feet and saying the word “flow” like she understood any of it, it was the most obscure thing I’ve ever done. Just after that, I noticed that the tampons were behind her, and started to point to them, and finally, she understood me, pulled them off the shelf, and rung me up for them. I felt like an idiot. I mean, I “mimed” the word “flow” and I still can’t get over it. Every time I tell the story to people I’m laughing at myself. So the lesson here kids, learn some words in the language of the country you are visiting, and at least use the phone, that has a translator!
Spring brings Calming Clarity and Energetic Inspiration
“Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.” — John Muir The beating of the drums began and the sun shined bright. Even though it was only 50 degrees, it was feeling like spring. The aroma of blossoming plants, the crisp air, and the need for sunscreen all means that it’s finally a new season. I…
Family Firsts, Beach Vibes, and Cranberry Bogs in New Jersey
“Oh the places you’ll go” – Dr. Seuss This past weekend I took a trip to New Jersey to visit my aunt. While we were there, we decided to explore the area and found some amazing places. Our first stop was to Seaside Heights. Best Burgers in town! Along the Seaside Heights Boardwalk, we discovered Spicy Cantina….
Truths & Travel: Mexico, Part 3
Standing on a rock that is 65 Million years old, and at an elevation of 8,235 feet above sea level, I felt that I had defied not only gravity, but all the limiting believes I’ve ever had about myself. It was real. I was here, with people who inspired me to be a better person, and challenged my limiting beliefs.
Truths & Travel: Mexico, Part 2
“You are just as worthy, deserving, and capable of creating and sustaining extraordinary health, wealth, happiness, love, and success in your life, as any other person on earth. It is absolutely crucial … that you start living in alignment with that truth.” – Hal Elrod, The Miracle Morning My first Mexico Motivational Morning I first…
International Travel, Morning Commutes, and keeping Non-Negotiable habits
Driving down the highway, towards the Baltimore-Washington International Airport, I watched the sunrise while feeling a mix of emotions as I headed to catch my flight on my first trip ever out of the United States (Officially- I’m not counting the time I went to Canada for an hour). The day would be long, but…
Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival 2018
{Photos by Deb Schell created on March 11, 2018} I attended the 5th Annual Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival this past weekend. Check out my photos from some of the artists. More Photos
Artwork @ McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC
I’m proud to share this project that I worked with Nancie Hart on for the last year. It means so much that my artwork/photographs will be up on the walls of this office for many years to come. Nine of my photographs of the Harrisburg area have been selected for an art project, of which…
Travels to Pittsburgh
As I drive through the tunnels, get closer to the hills, and see the bridges, I know that I’ve arrived in Pittsburgh, PA. As a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Point Park University, I spent a good chunk of my life driving the roads and hills of this city. I grew…
Art, Music, and Beer!
My Harrisburg Places artwork and new work The City I See: Chaos and Calm, will be on display at the City House B&B starting April 3 – 28, 2017. The City House is located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s capital city, Harrisburg. Right along the banks of the picturesque Susquehanna River, this beautiful and charming urban…
Coffee & Art during 3rd in the Burg
Support local business on St. Patrick’s Day by coming out for 3rd in the Burg! Stop by Dalicia’s Bakery & Coffee Shop on Friday, March 17 from 6-9 p.m. for some great treats, coffee by Little Amps, and art by several local artists including me! The shop, open for just about a year, is located…
Peace Exhibit up at Yellow Bird Cafe
Digital Photography by Deb Schell/2017 The Peace Images Exhibit is a collection of photographs of peaceful and scenic landscapes, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. These images each remind me of a time when I felt at peace. While on a hike, while sitting by the river, while by the lake, sitting alone, or sitting with a…
Travel. Hike. Click. Write. 