Saratoga Photo Blog/Frozen Moments In and Around Saratoga on Saratoga.com

Hello! I’m Gail Stein, and I am so pleased to welcome you to “Frozen Moments In and Around Saratoga.” I am very excited to be sharing some of my favorite photos with you, as well as my impressions, thoughts and experiences as I continue to explore and familiarize myself with the beauty and history of Saratoga Springs, NY. As mentioned in my bio, I grew up nearby and have spent the majority of my life in Burnt Hills, NY, just a 20 minute drive away. As part of a series of major and exciting life changes for me, I sold my home of almost three decades, where I raised my two wonderful kids, and moved to Saratoga in early 2014. And there’s been no looking back.

I thought, since this is my first post, that I would just share some random shots, as well as my thoughts on the importance of photos in general and preserving your most precious memories.

Let me preface by saying that I am a photo enthusiast, NOT a professional photographer. I have an awesome camera with a hundred features that I am still learning to use. I have the greatest respect for the pros…and their knowledge, expertise and experience. I aspire to learn from them, but I do not claim to be on their level by any stretch of the imagination. What I do have is a genuine love of photography, a desire to learn all I can, and a passion to get out there and take countless shots in an attempt to catch that one perfect moment. And I DO manage to catch those perfect moments. Usually, I can tell even as I am snapping the shot that I have gotten something really special, and I know that the previous 99 tries will be deleted. But it is worth it to get that one that thrills me when I upload it to my computer. In the world of digital photography, why wouldn’t I try countless times to find that one perfect image?

As part of all the life changes I mentioned above, there have been some struggles and even some fears as I have forged ahead into what I am considering to be my “Very Awesome Chapter Two.” The changes have been welcome and much anticipated, but I have had my share of stresses. Picking up my camera and heading out into the woods, the State Park, or even our beautiful downtown has been therapeutic for me. Sometimes I don’t know where I will wind up, but it is always new, it is always breathtaking in some way, and it soothes the stresses while at the same time exciting me beyond reason. I am particularly fond of getting up before the sun and heading out. This past summer, I was delighted to realize that I could actually stop at Yaddo or the racetrack on my way to work! I would head to Dunkin’ Donuts for my coffee, and then relax for a little bit in the early mornings at either the beautiful rose gardens of Yaddo or trackside watching the thoroughbreds work out…always with my camera in hand (pics from each are below). Is there a better way to start the day? Many of you may think so but, as a morning person, this was my idea of heaven.

Finally, a personal belief regarding the importance of preserving your memories with photos. Photography allows you to freeze moments in time that would otherwise be missed or forgotten (hence the name of my blog!). They allow you to come back and re-live those moments over and over again. And I’m not talking about just the big events like weddings, graduations or new babies. Of course those are all very important and very memorable and, of course, they should be well-documented with photos! But what about all those random moments; the small blinks in time that might easily go unnoticed? Those special smiles, random gestures or reactions, spontaneous laughter, or just shots celebrating the simplicity of an ordinary day?

To me, that is what my photos are all about. They are freezing and holding onto all the random moments that move me. In future posts, I will share with you outings to Saratoga Lake or Ballston Lake for some spectacular sunrises, the grace and beauty of the thoroughbreds, as well as all the interesting people and scenes at the track, and the calm stillness of the snow both downtown and in Congress Park. There’s so much I still don’t even know about this place that I now call home. This blog will motivate and propel me to seek out and find all that I can that is beautiful, informative and passionate. And, in the process, I can pretty much guarantee there will be some hilarity and crazy stories to share as well. (My stories of Photo Safaris with two dear friends are always filled with mishaps, crazy adventures and tons of photos.)

So, please stay tuned. I will do my very best to make my posts entertaining, interesting and informative…and filled with beautiful photos. Thanks for joining me on this ride!

Have a blesssed and peaceful Thanksgiving with family and friends. Make memories, and be sure to take lots of photos!

A Little Bit of This and That…and a Heartfelt WELCOME!

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