perspective

Sometimes life gets a bit overwhelming, then something can happen, literally, figuratively, or both, that can totally put things into perspective...and then you realize you are really just fine.

There are some new things on the horizon here for me that are keeping me pretty busy, details to come soon! :)

Live your life full of photos...and love.

10 years ago...we still remember.

10 years ago today, I remember it vividly.

I was a sophomore at OU, that particular morning, my class wasn't until 10am, I had taken a shower and was in my room listening to the radio and getting ready for class. The radio broadcast was pretty somber and I was just about to switch the station when I heard, 'reports out of New York are saying an airplane has hit the World Trade Center'. I immediately raced downstairs to turn on the TV and saw the most disturbing sight, one of the towers was on fire...not too long after that, I saw the second airplane fly into the other tower-my stomach sank to my feet. I called my mom in tears, this couldn't be happening...all this talk of possibly terrorism as the suspect, I didn't even know what terrorism was!

I ended up not going to my class, but did go to work that afternoon at a local physical therapy clinic. My entire 7 hour shift, not 1 patient or fitness member came through the doors, all of the employees were glued to the TV in the gym. What an incredibly terrifying day in American history, but at the same time, how unifying for the country. We came together that day 10 years ago, it is important we continue to show solidarity, we cannot let 'them' win.

So, today, I felt like I HAD to do something. I went to a memorial ceremony at a local fire station, honoring the service men that helped and lost their lives on that terrifying day 10 years ago. The ceremony was very nice, the fire chief spoke, the fire chaplain led a prayer, kiddos from a local elementary school sang some beautiful songs and there was even a piece of steel from the World Trade Center that was dedicated today.

Talk about powerful, seeing that piece of steel, knowing where it was 10 years ago today was pretty intense, imaging what all the people went through that were in that building that the steel was supporting-very overwhelming.

Lastly, on this day of remembrance, I would like to share a poem by Laurence Binyon (written after the bombing of Pearl Harbor) that was part of the memorial service that I went to today:

They shall not grow old,

as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

we will remember them.

Lest we forget.

Live your life full of photos...and love.

So ethereal...

The end of summer/beginning of fall is a beautiful time of year, especially when there are sunflower fields nearby. Domino Farms in Ann Arbor has BEAUTIFUL sunflower fields that just beg to be photographed.

So, last Friday night, in the 95 degree weather, I decided it was a good idea to grab my camera bag and head out to Ann Arbor (of course I bribed my sister into driving since the air conditioning in my jeep is on the fritz). Some of the field was trimmed back and the mosquitos were incredibly ridiculous, but the setting was surreal. With the sun just beginning to go down and bathing the golden sunflowers in beautiful light, it just seemed like a fairy tale setting. How can you NOT love when all you see around you are these beautiful flowers?!?!

It was such a calm and peaceful setting, so quiet and beautiful (besides the buzzing of the mosquitoes!), next time though, I will bring a step ladder...I saw a photographer carrying one into the field as I was leaving-such a good idea, shoot right over the top of the sunflowers...definitely something shorties like myself cannot accomplish without some sort of height enhancing aide!

This weekend brings a mix of emotions, my 30th birthday celebrations and my sister competing in her first baking competition (apple pie!!!) but it is also the 10th anniversary of a terrible day in American history. God Bless America.

Live your life full of photos...and love.

A rehearsal of sorts...

A couple weeks ago, a coworker of mine asked me if I could take some photos for her. Her son was getting married and they were having a large rehearsal dinner with a lot of people in attendance because most of their guests were in from out of town. I had no plans that night and figured I could take an hour or two out of my Saturday night to get some memorable images for them to have.

I decided (along with some words of encouragement from a very dear friend) to shoot entirely in manual mode (I usually shoot entirely in aperture priority) because I wasn't happy with the sharpness/clarity of some of my images. Also, due to the lighting situation, I had to use my off camera flash, which is entirely scary to me! This $700 piece of equipment scares the hell out of me, I always feel I don't use it correctly and my photos turn out bad. However, this night the stars aligned and me and my equipment decided to get along. Alot of the images turned out grainy (I think because my ISO had to be pretty high, again because of the lighting conditions) but I definitely got some good images for my coworker and her family to enjoy.

I think I need to start taking my photography outside my comfort zone and learn some new things, expand on what I already know. With that, I am beginning to read "The Hot Shoe Diaries" (a book club with my Shutter Sister, Meghan) to help ease my fears of my off camera flash. Stay tuned...

Live your life full of photos...and love.

Big Sister Sophia, announcing Baby Brother Nicholas!

There are some friends that come into your life and leave a mark, regardless if you do not see them often, you might not even speak with them in years...you can always leave off like it was just yesterday that you spoke or saw each other.

As a young child growing up, we had fantastic next door neighbors. Our parents were friends, all the kids were friends...we were very close, just like family. Erin was the big sister of the group, while Joey and I were the same age (in the middle) and Emily and Jamie were the 'babies'. As we got older and it was time for school, they moved away--not far, just a few miles, but it might as well have been 100. We saw each other less and less, over the summer we would get together with our 'baby sitter' even though we were plenty old enough to be home by ourselves. Then we started graduating from high school, moving for college, graduating from college which led to moving for work and some of us got married; and now, are having the cutest little babies :)

Erin met Tim in Colorado, he is a pilot and she was a flight attendant. Of course they fell in love and got married...then Miss Sophia came along in October of 2009. Soon after having Sophia, Tim and Erin decided to move to Michigan-Tim's home airport being out of Detroit and Erin's family living in Michigan. Score for us...they were back in the Mitten! Baby #2, Nicholas was born on July 29, 2011. He is an adorable little peanut, all roly-poly and snuggly.

Of course I had to go and visit the newest member to 'the family' and I can never keep my camera at home when I see Sophia (and now Nicholas), there is such sweetness, I couldn't miss capturing it! Sophia wasn't feeling great when I visited, so her photoshoot was kept at a minimum, but Nicholas really couldn't object :)

Here are some of my favorites of the cuties:

Sleepy Nicholas

Wide awake Nicholas

So precious!

Just hanging out, playing bubbles :)

Mom! Paparazzi!!

Keep your friends and family close, until next time...

Live your life full of photos...and love.

Team Meghan Malley Rally

I have been thinking about this blog post for quite a few days now, how could I accurately describe the weekend, the emotions felt; the tears, the smiles, the friendships that were made or made stronger, all of the hugs exchanged, the stories told...a blog post that could accurately describe Susan G Komen's The 3 Day...60 miles walked on foot over 3 days to raise money and awareness for breast cancer prevention and research???

I have realized the answer is: I can't.

The event is incredible, so many strong and empowered women (and men) coming together for a common goal, to end breast cancer through early prevention and research. To truly understand, you have to witness or participate in The 3 Day, which I HIGHLY recommend.

Team Meghan Malley Rally...THANK YOU! Thank you for walking 3 Days through the streets of Novi, Plymouth, Livonia, Dearborn, etc. Thank you for keeping on when your body said stop, when your knees hurt, when your feet were screaming because of blisters. Thank you for telling the story of our courageous and strong friend Meghan. Thank you for being such strong women...I am so proud of each of you! xo

This post is short, sweet and to the point. Words cannot describe the incredible events of last weekend, nor can they describe the selflessness of Team Meghan Malley Rally or the strength and courage of my Shutter Sister, Meghan.

You will just have to trust me on this one :)

God bless Team Meghan Malley Rally, and God bless you, Meggie-Poo! xoxo

Team Meghan Malley Rally

Meghan, she is beautiful, isn't she?!

Live your life full of photos...and love.

Team Malley

March 2011, the last couple weeks were a bit rough to digest. Meghan, a dear friend of mine, sent me a quick email saying she had some tests ran on a lump she found in her breast (this is not the first lump she has found), prayers were sent that the tests came back negative. During that time we celebrated Meghan's 29th birthday. 2 days after her 29th birthday, Meghan got the phone call that no woman wants from a physician, her biopsy came back positive. More tests were done, positive in the lymph nodes and...positive in the spine...Stage 4 cancer, a healthy 29 year old, my friend, was dealt some of the worse news ever. She sprung into action, getting on top of treatment and very anxious to get it started, she began a blog to keep everyone up to date on how she is going to whoop cancer's booty and we all got busy praying and helping in any way that we could.

I am a 'do-er', when something happens, I just can't sit back and relax, or in this case, sit back and cry. I had to do something!! So, while searching Susan G. Komen's website, I found that Michigan was hosting their 2nd Ride for the Cure in August. I would have to raise $500 to ride the 30 miles through Ann Arbor on my trusty Schwinn. So, I signed up and got busy!

I sent out emails and got many donations off the bat, then things got real serious. I started making breast cancer bracelets, initially I made them for our group of girlfriends, then I decided to start selling them. Well, need I say that the power of Facebook is incredible! I posted photos of them on Facebook and my little bracelet fundraiser became huge!

Family, Friends, Family of Friends, many people I didn't even know were ordering bracelets! Needless to say, I was a bit overwhelmed and I didn't exactly enjoy making the bracelets (I would be so frustrated, I would sweat!), however, I think overall I gave/sold around 100 bracelets!

Ride for the Cure was yesterday, August 6, 2011. It was a fantastic event, full of amazing people, kind hearts and many hills of Ann Arbor. The 30 Miles weren't too bad, miles 19 and 20 were entirely up hill, but other than that I felt great! I also had some pretty great cheerleaders along the route that definitely helped :) I *heart* you Team Malley! Overall, with the support and generosity of MANY MANY people, I was able to raise $2055 towards breast cancer awareness, prevention and research!

Meghan, I am so proud of you, your strength is such an inspiration to all that know you. I am happy to call you my friend and 'shutter sister'. I love you! xoxo

GO TEAM MALLEY!!!

Here I am, ready to ride!

My reason to ride...love you Meg!

Just part of my Cheering Crew :)

Mom and Sis

My Cheering Crew @ the 1st stop (thanks guys!)

30 Miles done! And the sweetest, sweatiest hug ever! :)

What an event, if only there was more I could do, believe me, I definitely would. However, I urge all of you to do your part, we have all been touched by cancer (not necessarily breast cancer) in some way; we can help make the difference.

Next weekend is The 3 Day, Team Malley Rally will be there in full force and I will be there cheering them on, so proud of you ladies! xoxo

Live your life full of photos...and love.