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.

Race for the Cure is Coming

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Two weeks from today is the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Cincinnati.  This will be my second year photographing the event and I am beside myself with excitement.  My mother is a 10 year+ breast cancer … Continue reading →

Batting Practice with the Musicians

I am going to start out this post with a bit of information.  Angelman Syndrome is a neuro-genetic disorder that occurs in one in 15,000 live births.  My Mother’s best friend is a Mom to one of the 15,000.  She had a little girl, named Madonna.  And since the day she received the diagnosis, Penny (Mom) has been giving everything she can to Madonna and doing anything she can for the Angelman Syndrome Foundation.  Each May, my family participates in the Angelman Syndrome Walk in support of the research and the many families that have Angel babies.So, how does this have anything to do with batting practice?  Well, this past weekend, Penny organized a benefit concert in honor of her daughter.  Named “The Madonna Jam,” the concert featured Eliot Sloan (from Blessid Union of Souls,) Regie Hamm (singer/song writer,) Brian White (singer/song writer,) and his wife Karyn Williams (Christian recording artist.)  Brian White and Eliot Sloan are from the Cincinnati area and both are HUGE Reds fans.  So as a thank you to everyone, Penny arranged for tickets to Saturday night’s Reds game and the full VIP batting practice experience prior to it.  Enter Lindsey!

From Left to Right: Brian White, Karyn Williams, Eliot SloanMy “job” was to meet and hang out with these amazing people (camera around neck) and follow them throughout the afternoon.  Unfortunately, Regie became ill and was unable to join us.

We gathered in the Marriott hotel’s lobby at Covington Landing and walked to the Great American Ballpark from there.It was HOT and very sweaty, but we all made it across the Roebling Suspension Bridge and into the stadium.  We were treated to an en route tour of the underground GABP tunnels.  We saw where the club house and media rooms were.  Then we were led up the stairs and onto the field. Our “viewing area” was just to the left of the Reds’ dugout and just off of the grass (no touching the grass.)  The children that were in our area were treated to the occasional ground ball, which would ultimately end with a few of the player’s autographs for their new collection.  We were told that we were not to interrupt a player, however if they approached us, we were more than welcome to chat. Have you met Todd Frazier? Hanging out with these incredibly talented individuals for several hours made my day; but to then have the opportunity to meet some of Cincinnati’s hometown heroes was an amazing experience!  Along with Todd Frazier, I had the opportunity to photograph Dusty Baker and Bronson Arroyo.  And then, because apparently all of that wasn’t awesome enough, Martin AND Charlie Sheen just happened to be enjoying batting practice with us.  Seriously?!So, yep it was a pretty spectacular day!Penny (the Mom who made it happen) and Your’s TrulyFor more information, please click on the following links:

• Angelman Syndrome Foundation
• Eliot Sloan/ Blessid Union of Souls
• Karyn Williams  *Karyn’s debut album “Only You” comes out August 28th! You can purchase a copy either on iTunes or at Family Christian Stores
• Brian White
• Regie Hamm

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.

Independence Day

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Nothing wordy…. I just wanted to wish everyone a Safe and Happy Independence Day!And please use precautions when lighting your explosives!❤ Lindsey, Eclectically for You Photography And for any present, past and future clients make sure to email me your … Continue reading →

For the Dads.

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I wished all of the Mommies a Happy Mother’s Day in May, so of course I wasn’t about to neglect all of the Daddies out there! First, Happy Father’s Day to my husband, father to our 4 year old son:Happy … Continue reading →

May 27th: Leah + Bobby

A week ago I shot my very first backyard wedding and it was beautiful! The bride was gorgeous in her tea-length dress and the groom looked ever so handsome in his grey-jacket suit.  The weather was HOT and the turn-out was amazing.

Leah had a huge family and I had the privilege of meeting ever member.  Each one was incredibly welcoming and rather humorous. 😉

I actually arrived to my first destination early and had the privilege of hanging out with the bride’s two nephews and their adorably new puppy, Rigby!  For those wondering, Rigby is a Bernese Mountain Dog.

The theme of the day was Chabby-Chic and every thing looked amazing and pretty darn chic!  There were fresh-cut flowers everywhere; beautiful, yet mis-matched china adorned every table; and one of my favorite decorations, framed mirrors hung next to the bride & groom’s table.Can you imagine my excitement when the bride asked me to do her a favor and take her picture with puppy Rigby?!  Seriously?  Like I would say no!!!Leah and Bobby’s first meeting of the day!Even with the heat index at 100 degrees, everyone stuck it out with me for the formal/wedding party photos!The bride’s family had this incredible collection of older/antique furniture.  (Did you notice the couch in the dress picture?) For the Daddy-Daughter Dance, Leah was surprised with a favorite era song, “Daddy’s Little Girl.”  And not only was she surprised by the song choice, but by the family members that sang it to her. (Notice Dad in this first shot)  Que the tears and Kleenex!  This was one of my favorite moments of the day!And at the end of the dances, my day came to a close.

Wishing the happy couple another HUGE Congratulations and a special thanks for inviting me to document the big day!  It was an absolute pleasure!

My Weekend at the Asian Food Fest

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The weekend of May 19th (and 20th) was a rather chaotic stretch for me.  My Saturday started with the annual Walk for Angelman Syndrome down at Theodore Berry Friendship Park. I have a personal connection to the cause, so I … Continue reading →

May 11th, 2012: Emily + Todd

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Recently, I had the privilege of photographing a wedding on May 11th, 2012 in Hamilton, Ohio. The venue was Lake Lyndsay (rather fitting, if you ask me) and the weather was perfect at 72 degrees on a cloudless day. It … Continue reading →

For the Moms.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the Mommies, Grand Mommies, Adoptive Mommies, Foster Mommies, Aunt Mommies and every amazing individual that has assumed the Mommy role!

I was hoping to post candid Mommy and Me images sent in through my EfyP May Giveaway. Sadly, even with all of the submissions I did receive, I did not have enough to complete my candid collage.  Thank you to everyone that participated!  (Winners posted below.)

Inspired by all of the image submissions, I decided to pull some of my own.                    The top 4 are of me with my Mother; the final image is of me with my Grandmother. And now for the moment you’ve been waiting for!

The Winner of the FREE Burgundy-Beaded, Photo Charm Bracelet is:   Amanda C!The RUNNER-UP, and Winner of a 50% DISCOUNT on their next EfyP Portrait Session is: Kristina S!Congratulations to both of you!  The next Giveaway will be announced in a few short weeks.  Don’t forget to sign up for my email list to get the news firsthand!  You can also check my website: http://www.eclecticallyforyou.com under the “EfyP Events” tab for current Giveaways and other happenings.

*Winners were selected via Random.org. Each image submitted equaled 1 line entry, with a maximum of 5 entries per applicant.

To all of my EfyP Mommies out there!