How was your Fourth of July? We celebrated for two days here in Reston, with a fireworks show on Saturday, and an all-day lake party on Wednesday. Here’s how Reston does July 4th.
After living here for seven years, we finally went to the Lake Fairfax fireworks show for the first time. It was much better than I’d expected! The kids loved it. Four-year-old Katie squealed gleefully with every explosion, and called out, “This is my dream come true!”
I brought my tripod and took some photos of the fireworks over the lake. The key to successful fireworks photos is a tripod — you need a long enough exposure to capture the streaks of light in the sky.
Here’s an example of a phone photo of the fireworks — without a tripod and long exposure, the lights in the sky look like spots instead of streaks. I took this photo to show my seven-year-old son using my tripod. I taught him how to do it, and he got an amazing photo! Check this one out:
Daniel took that one! It was the prettiest fireworks photo of the day, and he is the one who took it! Way to go, Dan. If anyone wants to buy this photo, please let me know. He would be so proud to sell a print of it.
A few days later was July 4th, and we celebrated with our annual tradition of cookout, a community party on the lake, and boating during the impromptu fireworks over Lake Anne.
Here I am with some of my family, decked out in our finest patriotic colors.
Sometimes I think our kids will never understand how lucky they are to have this lake as their backyard.
This photo cracks me up! Katie wasn’t so sure about the concept of holding things that are on fire.
Finally she got the hang of it.
At the end of the evening, we headed out on our boat and watched the neighbors set off fireworks. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I love this community.
Related posts:
20 photos that show why Reston, Virginia is an amazing place to live in the summertime
Some of my favorite scenic photos of 2017
The ultimate guide to outdoor things to do in the Reston area
Jamie and Mike: Garden of the Gods Club wedding on the Fourth of July
Fourth of July weekend in Durango
