It doesn’t get more American than Fourth of July parades and a game of baseball.

Today was definitely an off day for me–maybe because parades are difficult to shoot in general because of all the commotion or maybe because the weather was in the mid-90s and humid. Perhaps the biggest annoyance was that literally every moment or person I tried to photograph they said something along the lines of “oh, I can stop my float so that you can take a photo of us smiling” or “I’ll just point and look like I am candid for you” or “take my picture camera lady!” A two-hour long parade with harsh noon light, kids looking miserable in the heat and people smiling at me made me want to rip my hair out.

Luckily I had a baseball assignment afterwards that made me forget my frustration.

Steph Anderson | Tribune-Review

Members of the New Haven Hose Company pipe band march during the Fourth of July parade on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 in Latrobe.

Jeff Mlinek of Mount Pleasant carries a cross on his back during the Fourth of July parade on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 in Latrobe.

A veteran hangs his arm out of a float during the Fourth of July parade on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 in Latrobe.

Unity’s Shawn Rause reaches for the ball as Latrobe’s Kevin Davoli tags first base on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at Legion Keener Field in Latrobe.

Latrobe’s Jordan Giannini attempts to tag out Unity’s Joey Puschnigg on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at Legion Keener Field in Latrobe.

Unity’s Dom Shojaie gets a hug from his coach on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at Legion Keener Field in Latrobe.