Aileen Schlef
I am grateful to the photo team as I return to my photography after many years. Most of my work has been about the outdoors and special events, including NPC events. I am expanding my portfolio and like to focus the how interesting everyday experiences really are. That is not just because of the pandemic, but I am spending more and more time looking at fascinating every day places that we often pass by too quickly.
Electronic images
A Tree of Life at the new Mi Vida Restaurant on 14th Street NW
The restaurant opened this week and there is to much to take in, colors, levels of restaurant space and the energy of the patrons. The Tree has a calming effect; this is a peaceful, happy experience and there is so much more to discover.
At the pre-opening dinner, I studied the entire restaurant - I have worked in several restaurants for events and marketing. I take in the feelings, the culture and study the movement of the customers. This Tree of Life seemed to welcome everyone to a simple time and place with lots of color and grace.
Beautiful Memories of Central Park and the Iconic Tavern on the Green
It was a famous landmark. Not for its cuisine but for the entire experience and its beauty.
Central Park never loses its incredible appeal. People jog until they are so very old. There are the carriages, the families everywhere. And then there is the iconic Tavern on the Green. The now gave it a mystical appearance which is how I like to remember it.
The Fishmarket at the Wharf is Barely There.
It is hard to believe that progress meant getting rid of the main part of the fishmarket. Capt. White's. Even during the pandemic, people lined up at 6-foot intervals to select the fish. The traffic and crowds were part of the lore of the Wharf.
I always wondered how the fishmarket was set up. One day, Capt. White's barge pulled back and floated away. The developers call it progress. We in the Southwest call it a major loss to our diets and our community.
The Cherry Blossoms Bring A New Spring to DC, Tourists and No Masks
This year was different. The Cherry Blossoms have been photographed forever; however it was impossible not to capture the tourists, families and groups that came to experience the beauty, the outdoors and a time to socialize without masks.
The beauty of the Cherry Blossoms are historic in photos. I wanted to capture people who were celebrating a new freedom. Walking through the area was an invitation to see tourists and families daring to gather, celebrate life and take off their masks.