The Midway of Louisiana State Fair 2012 Baby Onesie

What excitement the thought of a state fair evokes, and what fond memories, too! The sounds, the screams from the ferris wheel, the excitement of the rides, the smell of a funnel cake or state fair hot dogs; all should bring a smile to anyone's face. I shot this photo at the 2012 Louisiana State Fair in Shreveport, Louisiana. Founded by a group of Shreveport's leading citizens in 1906, the State Fair of Louisiana is celebrating its 106th year. The founders' primary interests were to provide an institution to assist in developing the agricultural and industrial resources of the area and for the betterment of the citizens.

I have always loved to take pictures. My first job, at age 16, was receptionist for our local newspaper, but the owners soon included me in taking photos, darkroom and writing articles. Years later, a terrible event in my personal life brought back a love of taking photos that I had not been pursuing to any great extent. My only child passed away at the age of 22. He was such a wonderful guy and I feel blessed that God chose me to be his mom. Reeling from his death, I sought some sort of diversion, needing to get my mind focused on anything besides my great loss. After a bad fall that resulted in surgery, I was recuperating at home and stir crazy. My husband took me out for drives in the country. We bought a new digital camera...