Relay for Life of the Soul 2015

I spent my Friday evening with volunteers and participants of the Relay for Life of the Soul event at the Woodward Career Technical High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. The event is held by the American Cancer Society, in support of cancer survivors and those that have been lost to the disease, as well as their caretakers. And as you can probably guess, this was a variation of the well-known Relay for Life events put on across the country.

Relay for Life of the Soul is an overnight event, featuring the survivors’ walk, dinner, dancing, Zumba, and many other activities throughout the evening. The event helps to bring more awareness to the African-American communities about early diagnosis, treatment, and support.

I had such a wonderful time photographing and meeting so many amazing individuals! “Thank you!” to Carrie and Bev for inviting me.

To view all of the night’s images, please visit my Relay for Life of the Soul gallery on my website. And Please, PLEASE help to pass along this information!
Event website
Facebook page
NJBC Mime website

Race for the Cure 2012

Last Saturday was the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Cincinnati, Ohio.  The event is both the largest and the most inspiring event for me to photograph.  This year I teamed up with another 5 photographers, 4 of which are fellow FILM Project photographers.My shooting crew (left to right): Adam Gabbard, Gabbard Photography; Lindsey Driscoll (me,) Eclectically for You Photography; Pamela Stevens, Stevens Photography; Sarah Richardson, Sarah Anne Photography; Amanda Davidson, Amanda Davidson Photography; and Samantha Gunning, SJG Photography

Our morning started around 7am down at the Great American Ballpark and we spidered out from there.

The mainstage provided check presentations as well as the National Anthem, sung by Eben Franckewitz (American Idol.)  Frank Marzullo, from Fox19 acted as MC, along with Jeff and Fritsch from Q102.

8am began the first ever Race for the Cure 10K!  And 9am led the way for the 5K (survivor/family walk.)  Leading the walk, as they’d done many times in the past, were the girls in Pink from Fox19, Sheila Gray, Tricia Mackey, Stephanie Woods, and Katy Morgan.  Once the crowd passed by (which, by the way went down several blocks and wrapped around the corner) we hopped off of the scissor lift and headed straight for the finish line.   This is by far my favorite location to shoot.  The high fives, the tears, the success! Words cannot describe the emotions underneath the big, pink inflatable finish line.  Runners, walkers and survivors were greeted by Jay Kruz with Rewind 94.9, cheerleaders, and bunches of cheering spectators.  Survivors were given medals as they crossed their finish line.

(I don’t normally prefer to show off my backside, but…) I’d like you to meet Josie.  I photographed her last year as she danced in the flash mob.  I met her again this year.  She’s been through it, going through it again and still always with a smile on her face.Photos by: SJG Photography

Immediately following the race, came the Kids for the Cure race inside of the GABP.  The finale is the Celebration of Hope Survivor Ceremony.  Awards are handed out to some of the race finishers, as well as some of the amazing teams and individuals that raised an outstanding amount of money for the cure.  Our MCs for the event were Frank Marzullo with Fox 19, Brian (a fellow Kings alumni and photographer) and Laura from Q102.  Eben also returned to sing “What a Wonderful World” during the balloon release.And for my finale, I climbed onto a knuckle truck (I’m getting pretty good at knowing my lifts) and grabbed some shots of the amazing sea of pink, smiling and waving at me from the stands.  Again, no words…And now you’re thinking, “Seriously, 6 photographers; 19 thousand attendees and that’s all the images you’ve got to post?!”  I have tons, literally TONS of images to go through.  I am working as fast as I can and will have EVERY SINGLE IMAGE posted as soon as possible on my website.  Please check back for new additions: www.eclecticallyforyou.com/Events/Race-for-the-Cure

A special shout-out, hugs and kisses to my mother.  A 12 year breast cancer survivor!  Looking amazing in pink.  Photo by: Amanda Davidson Photography (ground-level)

Big hugs and thank you’s to my family and friends for being there.  And to my bestie, Angie for carrying the clipboard for the day. 😉

Survivor Portrait Sessions
I am hosting my 2nd annual day of mini-sessions (family portraits) for breast cancer survivors and their friends/family on October 20th at the Heritage Village, inside Sharon Woods.  For more information, please click this link or visit my website, under the “EfyP Events” tab.

Natalie’s 6th Annual Fly Thru the Park 5K Run/Walk

Saturday, July 14th was Natalie’s Fly Thru the Park 5K run/walk event at Miami Meadows Park, in Miami Township/Milford, Ohio.  We were in desperate need of rain, and of course that much needed rain came Saturday morning, along with all of Natalie’s supporters, volunteers, joggers and walkers. This year makes 6 for this fundraising event and marked my 2nd time photographing it.  Usually the event occurs in conjunction with the Midsummer at Miami Meadows festival, but due to a lack of funds, the carnival had been cancelled for the year.
(Btw, if you are a Milford/Miami Township resident and you have any suggestions to provide for a possible festival next year, please contact: Mary Makley Wolff, Miami Township trustee, mary.wolff@MiamiTwpOh.gov)

Not only was I honored to be invited back to cover the event, but I was also acknowledged as a Gold sponsor, which I am completely overjoyed by.So, who is Natalie and what does her event support, you ask?
Natalie was a little girl who lost her life during an ice storm in 2007.  She was only 9 years old, but was quite the budding philanthropist.  According to her parents, family, friends and her diary, she had big plans for the charities and organizations that mattered most to her.

To honor her memory, her parents, David and Melisa Fossier created the Natalie Fossier Memorial Fund.  They hold fundraisers every year to raise money for local causes.  Some  of the organizations that receive these donations are: the Clermont County Humane Society, McCormick Elementary School, local nursing homes and a scholarship fund for the Milford School District.  In addition to the annual Fly Thru the Park run/walk event, they also host a silent auction.

To see all of the images from this year’s Fly Thru the Park event, please visit my website under the “EfyP Events” tab or simply click on this link. (20% of all print sales will go to the Natalie Fossier Memorial Fund.)

• For more information on the Fossiers and to read Natalie’s story, please visit the memorial site that they have created: natalie-fossier.memory-of.com
• The Fossiers in the News: Milford Community Press and WCPO
• You can also “Like” their newly created Facebook page under “Natalie Fossier Memorial” or click here!
• If you are a runner/walker and would like to participate, the Fly Thru the Park event is held every July at Miami Meadows Park. Registration will be available on the Natalie Fossier Memorial website.