NC Zoo - Asheboro, NC

Everyone should visit a zoo at least once in their lifetime. If you're in NC or visiting, you should consider visiting the NC Zoo in Asheboro. The NC Zoo offers a wide range of photography opportunities that obviously include wonderful photographs of exotic animals. My fiancé was lucky enough to win four free tickets to the NC Zoo, so most of the family took a day trip to the zoo.

When, we first got there I was extremely excited to see my two favorite animals, the zebra and giraffe. This was the perfect opportunity to snap some "in the wild" photos.

Of course, the zebra's weren't as cooperative, so I won't post a photograph of a zebra bent down eating or a photo from behind.

On a brighter note, the elephants were out and ready for some photographs. Here I took advantage of incorporating the animals with a family portraits.

Brothers Shane and Josh

Keep in mind that this photo worked perfectly because the boys were in the foreground while the elephants were really far away in the background. To get a great shot of only the elephants you would need to use a zoom. For the photo below, I used a 70-300mm telephoto lens; from the viewing deck, I had to zoom to 210mm to get this shot:

Luckily for the kids, we were stumbled across a helicopter display and education area further down the path. Most zoos have some educational booths and displays that are perfect photo opts.

Gabbi and Sierra riding in the helicopter

Not too far from this exhibit Gabbi wanted her picture taken at the Swamp Ghosts display.

Gabbi loves being the center of attention

Swamp Ghost White Alligator

The gorilla exhibit is the most interactive photography opportunity in the park, in my opinion. Most of the time, the gorillas love to approach and taunt the audience that is gathered against the glass. You are able to grab some great still frames of these animals with ease.

Baboons are equally as interactive, if you catch them at the right time. Sometimes you can even catch some great photos that are rare and wonderful surprises to see.

While you're walking between exhibits or taking a break from the heat, be sure to keep your eye out for special moments you can capture to add to your memories of the day. You never know what you're going to catch.

Gabbi cooling off

Finally, there is no way I could end my overview of the photography opportunities at the zoo without including a photograph of a polar bear and a comical snapshot I was able to capture while standing in the crowd at the polar bear exhibit.

Polar Bear

What a wonderful coincidence

The NC Zoo is a wonderful place to visit and take photos, so before you decide to make the trip be sure to check out their website for all that the zoo has to offer. I loved this time spent with family and all of the photos that I was able to capture to share with everyone.

Ticket Prices: Adult, $12; Senior (62+), $10; Child (2-12), $8; and Child (under 2), FREE.

Hours of Operation:
April - October 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
November - March 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The Zoo is open year round except for Christmas Day

Be sure to check out this venue:

4401 Zoo Parkway,
Asheboro, NC 27205
1.800.488.0444

Take Lots of Photos

It is too often that families are grief stricken by the loss of someone they love. It's always easier to look back after you've said your final farewells and wish that you would have had more memories, more photographs, and simply just more time with your loved one. I've been there quite a few times, and just tonight, a part of my family is grieving because of an unexpected loss.

Photographs are never a nuisance, but always a wonderful reminder of those around you. Unexpected deaths can leave you empty and full of regret. Have fond memories through photographs to look back on.

Snap photographs at family functions. Take this opportunity to capture your loved one in candid moments of laughter and conversation. Impromptu photos are usually the best.

Yes, also take the time to try to group people together for portraits when you've got the family together. This happens on holidays usually, which gives these photographs more importance. Rare occasions like these need to be documented.

Do not take the time you have with people for granted. Take photos -- take LOTS of photos. Good, bad, or otherwise you do not have to be a great photograph to document a moment in time. These photographs are not about great composition or balance, they are about being able to look back in a time of grief and smile.

With photographs you'll never have to fear forgetting because you'll always have something tangible to remind you of your loved one.

Because of the personal influence on the creation of this post, I would like to remind all readers to take the time to look for and see motorcycles when they are driving on the road. It only takes a one second of negligence to end a motorcyclist's life.

Motorcycles SEE THEM