Marilyn Botta, Author at Marilyn Botta Photography

Phinizy Swamp 2015

August 16, 2015 by Marilyn Botta Leave a Comment

I recently went over to Phinizy Swamp to shoot some photos and could not find any ducks or wildlife in the water. As you can see from these images, there is not much water this time of the year. The abundant swamps are usually teaming with fowl but apparently the fauna has taken over. Even still, I got these lovely shots, but I would’ve liked to have seen some of the animals too.

Jamaican VBS Experience 2015

August 12, 2015 by Marilyn Botta Leave a Comment

Jamaican VBS Experience 2015: Since I am new to the bible, church in general, and West Town Community, when I saw that there was a VBS trip to Jamaica I questioned whether or not I was qualified to go. I didn’t think that I had anything to contribute, but Joyce said that was not true, so I jumped in, even with lingering doubts. I figured although I couldn’t really share my biblical knowledge, I could at least document the trip in pictures. So, that was my contribution. I believe that everyone on this trip had a unique talent, that when taken alone would not have been enough, but together each one of us contributed in our own special way. It made for a united front and a great team.

: Woody and Shanna at her house being built

: Ellie, Shanna, and Taylor at Shanna’s house

: Boy at VBS

: Face Painted Philip with kids

: Boy and Girl and church VBS

: Joyce and Sheree at VBS

: Group photo outside VBS

: Ellie, Taylor, Woody, and Pat at Youth Congress Sunday night

: Group Photo at VBS

: Pat at Youth Congress Sunday night

: Tim and Ellie

: Sheree and Tim at Youth Congress

: Shanna Lee at VBS

: Woody in his Sunday best

: Funny group photo at the hotel

: Group photo taken in our Sunday clothes the day before leaving

: Group shot on Sunday at hotel

: Outdoor Activities

: Joyce and Marilyn at hotel

: Philip and Antoine

: Playtime with the big kids at VBS

: Taylor, Joyce, Philip, Sheree, and friends

: Sunday Best at Norwood Church

: Ellie doing face painting

: Taylor face painting at VBS

: Joyce with the smaller kids outside

: Outdoor fun

: Steve with painted face and friends

: Butterfly painted face

: Little girls with painted faces

: Hugs with Tim and Philip

: Hugs and Love

: Kids at VBS

: Lovely kids

: Joyce and Pat at Straw Market

: Pretty Girl

: Little pretty girl with braids

: VBS kids

: Three Musketeers

: Fun with Philip

: Joyce leading Bible Study

: Jacob

: Sheree and Philip at Straw Market

: Pat flanked by Taylor and Ellie

: Happy little girl

: Girls at VBS

: Taylor outside church

: Girl with Attitude

: Happy Boy

: Tim doing Bible study at VBS

: Serious little boy

: Sheree giving Bible lesson

: Bernard’s wife, Faye

: Tim, Pat, and Joyce at church

: Taylor and Ellie at face painting station

: Craft time with kids

: Brittany and friends

: Best friends

: Philip, Woody, and Antoine

: Singing Jamaican praises

: Little boy at VBS

: Girls with Necklaces at VBS

: Girls with Attitude

: Sheree holding bracelet made by little boy who gave it to her

: Crafts at VBS

: Pastor Benard addressing kids at VBS

: Steve and friends

: Ellie and Tee Tee

: The Girls

: Woody keeping Bernard in line

: Jacob

: Philip and friend

: Joyce and Antoine

: Faye and Woody

: Three boys at church

: Philip and friends

: Philip and little girlfriend at VBS

: Happy little boy

: Shanna Lee and friend

: Ellie and friends

: Happy girls

: Philip, Shanna, and friends

: Hands in Unity

: Tee Tee

: Joyce giving Devotion in morning

: Taylor, Shanna, Ellie, Sheree, Joyce and Martin at hotel

: Ellie showing Journey Off the Map dance moves

: Outdoor restaurant

: Kingsley and daughter, Grace Ann

: Me and the gang

: First day in Jamaica

Macro Flowers

July 8, 2015 by Marilyn Botta Leave a Comment

I recently purchased a very versatile lens (18 – 270) on the advice of a friend. But I also purchased a Close Up lens and step up ring, to attach to my long lens (also advised by my friend, who is a master at Macros). The green flowers are actually mother’s day flowers, the orange tulips were found right in my neighborhood. The sunflowers were a real treat and found at the Blue House Farms blueberry patch. The bees were very cooperative in that they left me alone. They were mainly interested in sucking nectar from the abundant beautiful flowers. I used a tripod, my long lens, and the close up lens attached. I was pleased with the results.

: Bee on Sunflower

: Orange sunflower with bee

: Sunflower in field of bees

: Orange sunflower

: Blueberries

: Sunflower field

: Sunflower and bees

: Sunflower close up

: Flower bud close up

: Orange flower

: Green flower

: Green flower

: Flower with droplets

: Flower bud

: Flower bud

Abandoned House

July 7, 2015 by Marilyn Botta Leave a Comment

I have driven by an old abandoned house at least once a week for a few months. However, every time I drive by, I am in a hurry and I do not have time to stop. Also, every time I think I will stop and take some photos, I cannot find any place to pull in and park my car. So, one day I just make up my mind that I would drive over there when I had time and scope out a parking space. Luckily I decided to pull into a subdivision and park rather than just parking on the lawn next to the house. Upon further inspection, I saw that the lawn had a built in trench dug out and my car would’ve been badly ruined if I had driven in. Luckily my instincts just told me, “Hey just park on the other side and walk across the street.” The house was very interesting because it actually still had furniture inside (mattress, chairs) and also had paneling on the walls as well as curtains. It would make a good hiding spot for a homeless person.

: Window into house

: Window

: Side of house

: Back side of abandoned house

: Abandoned House

: Inside abandoned house

: Porch

: Porch

VBS West Town Church

June 17, 2015 by Marilyn Botta 1 Comment

From June 1 through June 5th the West Town Community Church hosted a wonder VBS (Vacation Bible School) to the children. It was a wonderful experience for me to document these amazing and adorable children having so much fun worshiping God.

: Sherrie and Vangie

: VBS

: KIds Celebrating

: VBS

: Face painting

: Painted face

Macro Photos

April 7, 2015 by Marilyn Botta Leave a Comment

These are photos taken with a Macro lens, tripod, and shutter release. They started out as pretty little buds with raindrops, progressed to big buds, and culminated with beautiful pink flowers. The roses were in bloom for just a short time so I wanted to capture the image before their leaves dropped off.

: Rain soaked bud

: Rain soaked bud

: Flower Bud

: Flower Buds

: Flower bud

: Flower in bloom

: Bloomed bud

: Bud about to bloom

: In Bloom

Marilyn Botta is a writer, and amateur photographer. She recently became interested in digital photography and is constantly perfecting her craft. Please visit her Blog: https://awomanspeaksout.com for some interesting commentary about life.

Serenity Massage Open House

March 24, 2015 by Marilyn Botta Leave a Comment

Serenity Massage and Wellness Spa opened another location. To celebrate, the owner, Laurie Pratt hosted an Open House which took place on March 19, 2015. Although the weather was less than ideal–pouring all day long–lots of people turned out for the event, including members of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. The food and fellowship were well worth braving the soggy conditions.

: Therapists at Open House

: Marie and Connie

: Sunny in massage room

: Serenity Open House

: Michelle and Friend

: Rachel and Marie

: Demetria and Sunny

: Serenity Therapists

: Friends at the Open House

: Serenity Open House

: Owner Laurie

: Laurie and Travis

: Laurie and Friend

: Travis, Craig, and Laurie

: Travis, Craig, and Laurie

: Laurie, Craig, and Dad

: Travis and Granddad

: Rachel and Crystal

: Couples Room

: Serenity Massage Room

Wedding Photos – Isabel and Andy

January 15, 2015 by Marilyn Botta Leave a Comment

Isabel and Andy met 6 years ago on New Years Eve. So, it was only fitting that they get married on New Years Eve 2014. It was a lovely day at the Julian Smith Casino, Barbecue Pit. It seems evident from the pictures that they are very much in love.

: Bride and Dad

: Wedding Gift

: Hugging Dad

: Beautiful Bride

: Committed

: In Love

: Happy Couple

: Love Birds

: Before Ceremony

: Daddy’s Girl

: Dad and his Mom

: Bride and Mother in Law

: New Guest

: Dancing at Reception

: New Baby

: Conga Line

: Saying Goodbye

Wedding Photos – Elsa and Juan

January 15, 2015 by Marilyn Botta Leave a Comment

Elsa and Juan got married at the Gazebo of Julian Smith Casino. This was a very lovely, balmy December day of about 67 degrees. It was very sunny that day, which presented challenges for us, as photographers. After the ceremony, the reception moved inside to celebrate the happy couple. Cake cutting was very interesting when both the bride and groom competed to see who could make the most mess while shoving the confection into each others’ mouths. But it was all in fun and made for some great shots.

: Bride getting ready

: Groom and Best Man

: Groom getting ready

: Bride Primping

: Bride and Friend

: Friends at Wedding

: The Kiss

: The Vows

: Happy Couple

: Hooray

: Hugging

: The Toast

: High Five

: Friends of Couple

: Happy Friends

: Bride and Family

: Family and Bride

: Friends of Couple

: Wedded Bliss

: Happy Guests

: Bride, Groom, and Mama

: Family

: Groom and Friends

: Groom and Best Man

: Happy Couple

: Fun with Cake

: Cake Smearing

: Groom after Cake

: Happy Messy Groom

Thanksgiving at Janet’s House

December 6, 2014 by Marilyn Botta Leave a Comment

I have so much to be grateful for this year because my friend Janet was well enough to host Thanksgiving. Last year she was fighting the effects of chemotherapy for the MDS that literally threatened her life. She was not well enough to even think about having Thanksgiving at her home. It just wasn’t Thanksgiving without my friend and her family, who have become like my family. These photos are of her new additions to her family, her grandchildren, Nolan and Bella. Also, Jason’s daughter, Pat. It was a wonderful day.