Veteran's Park - Kannapolis, NC

If you're wanting the opportunity to use two photo venues in one shoot, using Cannon Village and Veteran's Park in Kannapolis, NC is the way to go. You can get the small town vibe from Cannon Village and use the park to get your nature background for photos.

I had never spent any time in Veteran's Park before this shoot. As a child, I would see it all the time as a kid riding through downtown Kannapolis. To me, it was always the trees with the sun dial and stage near Circle Lake by Cannon Mills. Now, this place is a lovely park with ample opportunities to grab some great shots adjacent from Cannon Village and the N.C. Research Campus. Recently, I used this location to shoot three brothers as a Mother's Day gift to their mom. I'm going to include some unedited photos to show some of the area, so beware.

Josh sitting on center bench/slash tribute monument

Another view of the bench, and no I did not make them pose that way they were clowning around

Also, there are plenty of opportunities to use the trees in creative ways and any of the other surrounding shrubbery.

Josh wantet to use the 'V' tree in his photos

The token tree shot

Also, literally right beside the park there is a church that that I highly recommend you utilize for your photographs. You can get so creative at this location.

Dustin knelt beside the flower garden at the church

Shane by the old bell sitting beside the church

The boys in front of the church on the stairs

Veteran's Park is an open playing field for a photo shoot. Use anything and everything that is nearby. I hope to soon be able to go back to this park and then move into the N.C. Research Campus for some additional shots that I'll post with an update on the new venue.

You never know when you can turn a park bench into a mother's favorite photograph:

According to the City of Kannapolis' website Veteran's Park will be undergoing some reconstruction sometime in the future, and the site provides some photos of what this reconstruction may look like. So, enjoy the park as it is now because you never know when it may be given a new look. Well at least with a new look you can go back and shoot there and it's a like a fresh new venue.

Veteran's Park
North Main & East First Street
Kannapolis, NC

Cannon Village - Kannapolis, NC

I grew up in Kannapolis, NC and most of my family worked at Cannon Mills until it closed in the early 2000's. A staple for this mill town was the lovely Cannon Village, but as a kid, I didn't know how to appreciate the area. Recently, I decided to go back and see what I had been missing for all of those years -- apparently it was an amazing photography venue.

Cannon Village is a wonderful, colonial style village of shopping, history, and eating. Not to mention the staple of the entire area the Gem Theatre built in 1936. To me, it just screams Americana. Throughout its 75 years, the theatre has seen poodle skirts, bell bottoms, 12 cent movies, and anything else that makes you nostalgic for any of the decades. Keep each decades fashion, feeling, and attitude in mind when in Cannon Village because you can use those to your advantage outside of the Gem Theatre.

Gem Theatre

Box Office

Cannon Village has a lot of nooks and crannies that can be taken advantage of for photos. For example, beside of the Gem Theatre you have an alleyway with white walls and a rusted staircase. I utilized this area for a more masculine photo for a Mother's Day shoot, but I can easily envision a more high, fashion feel female shoot here too.

Alleyway

Up shot from the stairs

Rusted stairs

White wall

Throughout, the center of Cannon Village there is nothing but bricks, stores, and ornate design. Take advantage of the storefronts and the lamp posts to add a vintage look to your photos.

Storefront

Other side of the storefront

Building entrance

The features of Cannon Village include all types of greenery and sitting areas for you to enjoy the outdoors and the small town, upscale feel that this place affectionately known as "Idiot Circle" by car lovers who would cruise the circular drive around the shopping center. Again, take advantage of the little things that this place has to offer.

Picnic area and these are located throughout the village

Greenery growing up the sides of the walls at Forty Six

On the other side of Cannon Village, within the last decade a park area with a statue of racing legend, Dale Earnhardt. You can utilize the statue, the brickyard surrounding it, or even the Music Hall of Fame beside of it for your photos.

Park around the statue

Dale Earnhardt statue

Overall, I am in love with Cannon Village and all that it has to offer photographers. You just have to appreciate the vintage look enough to make it modern if that's not your or your client's style. Don't just stick to the areas that I have listed here. Walk around and look between every building and get different vantage points for your shots. You never know what kind of amazing photographs that will definitely make your client happy.

Cannon Village
200 West Avenue
Kannapolis, NC 28081

Baker's Creek Park

Recently, I had the opportunity to take some portrait shots of a very good friend for a class project. She had the idea of taking the shots at Baker's Creek Park in Kannapolis, NC. I always give every venue a chance, and I was blown away by the photos opportunities that this park had to offer.

They have a playground for children, putt-putt course, baseball field, tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court, picnic areas, lots of trees, a creek, tunnels, and walking trails. All of these places have plenty of opportunities to get creative.

The trees provide the perfect backdrop to add character for any portrait without being too distracting.

I mentioned that the park has a creek, hence the name. Depending on the amount of rain the area gets, the creek is either shallow or completely full. For the best results, look at taking photos when the creek is shallow. The large, shelf-like rocks are the perfect place to have someone sit for photographs. There is actually an area with a small waterfall that is perfect.

Also, all around the creek are additional rocks that can be used as props or sitting areas for your photos.

Finally, I was elated to find this spot at the park. Water flows into the creeks through man-made tunnels. Although extremely exciting to tackle and be adventurous in there are a few things that I want to remind everyone of:

1) Always wear your get-wet shoes when out shooting.

I wore Sperry Topsider shoes on this outing and managed to fully submerge them both in the creek water and sand. Even though they can get wet, it wasn't fun walking around the rest of the time in soaked shoes. I suggest some type of rainboot to fend off water.

2) Carry a first-aid kit with you at all times.

Being adventurous and climbing into the tunnels was fun, but it was also dangerous. I slipped and cut one of my fingers on the jagged contents of the tunnel walls. Having anti-bacterial sanitizer helps to prevent infections in sanitation-questionable areas.

The tunnels proved to be worth it after all of the hassle. I was able to get some great photos and it provided a scene that was fresh and new. The end product was wonderful.

Whether you take advantage of the dark tunnel for lighting purposes (like above) or for the texture (below), you can really get some great shots.

Baker's Creek Park is a wonderful place to enjoy the sunshine and snap some photos.

Be sure to check out this venue:

Baker's Creek Park
1275 W A St, Kannapolis, NC 28081