Back on the Golf Course for a Pink Cause

For the record, I know nothing of golf.  I can rock a putt putt course, but I’ve never hit a ball on an actual golf course.  This event marked my second golf outing in a 4 week period, so I feel like I should know golf, but no. Nope. Nada. No golf for this girl.  I do however enjoy riding around in the golf carts and absorbing golfer’s etiquette all whilst taking pictures of the game.Like all of the other Komen events, the Pink Ribbon Classic supports breast cancer research. And while I didn’t spend my day with any clowns at this event, I did surround myself with some pretty awesome, friendly people in pink.  Plus, my Josie girl was the Honorary Chair for the event, so it wasn’t like I was going to say no.  I love the Cincinnati Komen ladies!

Please enjoy!

The event was held at the Heritage Club in Mason, Ohio.  Registration opened at 11am; as did the raffles and silent auctions!Alongside the raffle prizes and silent auction items, golf participants had the option to purchase mulligans (DEFINITION HERE<-see, I can sound like I know what I’m talking about, but no) and balloons!  I love a good balloon release.12:30pm marked the balloon release and the beginning of the golf portion of the of the golf event. And so began my challenge: to capture all of the foursomes on the golf course before the game’s end. With the help of my partner in crime for the day (meet Sam,) WE WON (and with time to spare!)  Boy was it HOT and sunshiny!  I actually burned on my right side.  Love those split tans.  Better than the farmers, IMO.Alongside the actual golf game, participants were also invited to try their hand at some other skill challenges: Putting Contest, Hit the Banner, Buy a Pro, Closest to the Line, etc…

Following the main event, guests were invited back into the clubhouse to revisit the raffles, silents auctions and additional giveaways.

The evening favorites appeared to be the Champagne Raffle (buy a flute of champagne and match your number to win a diamond ring.) Bling!And the Party Wagon!  Lot’s of alcohol in that wagon.  The raffle tickets for this one were given based on one’s arm length; which entertained me quite a bit.And because I do enjoy hanging out with the Komen people, here is a collection of these beautiful individuals!Oh! And did I mention the food at this event?  Like all of it?   YUMM-O! And what Komen event would be complete without THE pink fire engine?!So, there you have it.  The next (and my most favoritest) Komen event is just around the corner!  Photographing the Race for the Cure is beyond explanation.  The best I can do is to simply say that I LOVE it!  If you are interested in participating this year, you can sign up by following this link.  <<<— Do it.  You know you want to!

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.