Making Strides

This year, I changed things up a smidge. This year I did not cover Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure. And if you have scrolled through my blog or my website, you know that that event was one that I always looked forward to. I missed it. I missed the community and the familiar faces. I missed the atmosphere.

Enter the American Cancer Society and their Making Strides Walk!

Yep. On Saturday, October 24th, I returned to the community that I was missing. At 5am, my alarm was going off, and by 6, I was hitting up Dunkin Donuts for some much-needed coffee with some of the members of my shooting team before heading down to cover another amazing event.

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event is held at Yeatman’s Cove in Cincinnati, Ohio. The route takes walkers across 2 bridges and along the Ohio River on both the Ohio and Kentucky sides.

I had the privilege of shooting alongside several area photographers. Some of which had covered events with me previously, and a few new faces joined in on the fun as well. Everyone had a great time and captured some amazing moments!

So, without further adieu, please enjoy some highlights from the day…

The entire image collection from the Making Strides Walk can be found here: http://www.eclecticallyforyou.com/strides2015

Thank you to Carrie, Hannah, and the other amazing individuals at the American Cancer Society that invited my friends and I to cover this awesome event.

And a HUGE THANK YOU!!! to my friends/colleagues that donated their time and talents to helping me capture every nook and cranny of this event!Team Photographers:
Tiffany S. with TSI Photography
Pamela S. with Stevens Photography
Steven K. with Steven Kohus Photography
Kasie F. with Kasie Fisher Photography
Tara F. with Tara Fahlberg Photography
Monica J.
Lindsey D. (that’s me!) with Eclectically for You Photography

My Very Pink Day 2014

Sunday, September 14th was the 17th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Cincinnati.  And I was back with my camera gear, my booth, my pink hair, and a team of talented photographers. This year saw a few changes: the date was moved to a Sunday; the 10K competitive run and the kids’ run were both canceled; and the event was relocated to Coney Island.  Don’t get me wrong, I love photographing that pink sea of people covering Freedom Way, but this location added a bit of whimsy to it.

This event was also a little more challenging for me.  Along with the venue change and the usual last minute alterations, this was my first big gig after maternity leave, and it followed my sister in-law’s wedding the night before. Late night of party fun! (Congratulations, Annye and Zeke!)

I was lucky enough to have a team of 9 photographers this year!Let me repeat that… 9 wonderfully busy humans donated their Sunday morning to capturing this awesome event!  Not only were there 9 of us photographing this event; Jill, my favorite henna artist and friend (see my Henna for Heroines post) offered up free henna at my booth.  AND, my Grandma also came out to hold down the fort and man the EfyP booth.  Basically, I was surrounded by amazingly generous individuals.  The 5:30am wake-up call was not so bad.So, if you’ve never attended one of these events (or read my previous Komen posts,) the morning starts with registration and the opening of the Expo.  The ‘Expo’ encompasses sponsor and vendor booths, kids activities, food at the Komen Kafe, etc.  This is where people can personalize back signs “In Celebration of…” and “In Memory of…”  And most all booths have fun takeaways (knick-knacks to takeaway and keep,) so of course I like to join in on the fun.  I had my safety pin ribbons, made lovingly by hand while watching Game of Thrones; and new this year (and a very last minute addition,) a photo booth, sans the back drop!  I made the props myself (I’m kinda proud of my glue gunning skills -no burns!)After you worm your way through the Expo area, you make your way to the Main Stage, which was next door to the Start Line this year.  The Main Stage holds Jeff and Jenn from the Jeff and Jenn Morning Show on Q102, general event announcements, check presentations, work-out/warm-up instructors, and performances.  As the morning progresses, the area is gradually filled in with breast cancer survivors, friends, family, runners, walkers, and media types. At 8:45am, the first gun shot is fired, triggering the 5K competitive run.Following the competitive runners, the 5K run/walkers line up at the Start Line, and my short self is finally hoisted above the crowd in a baby scissor lift.  At 9:20am the shot gun pops and the 5K run/walk begins.As people start their journeys, Jeff and Jenn announce the teams and team signs as they pass by.  “Bailey’s Brigade,” “Team Carol,” “Team Grandma,” “Kellie’s Believers,” “Peace Out Cancer,” “Team CANcervive,” “Connie’s Crusaders,” “Walking with Double D,” “Team Diana,” “Burke Team of Hope,” “Jan’s Rack Pack,” “Patti’s Posse,” etc….

After people make their way through the balloon-marked start line, I make my way to the Finish Line, which is already receiving the competitive runners.  (This is my favorite part of the day.)

At the final stretch of the 5K, the Finish Line forks.  “Survivors on the left,” The New 94.9’s Jay Kruz is joined by a whole bunch of energetic cheerleaders to welcome the survivors as they finish their race.  After the people in pink (this is a man’s disease as well) make their way through the paparazzi (teehee,) Kruz with his microphone, and the cheering cheerleaders, they are handed pink carnations and rejoined by their family and friends.Following the run/walk, event participants are invited to attend the Celebration of Hope ceremony to honor survivors at the Main Stage.  Q102’s Brian and Laura host the event and invite select survivors to the stage.  This is followed by the annual Survivor Group Photo and a performance of “Amazing Grace.”  And if the performance doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, the dove release just might do it. From there, some people filter home; while others stay behind to ride some Coney Island rides.

And then the rest of us went home…

THANK YOU AGAIN! to the wonderful photographers that made themselves available to help capture this event. And to Jill with Jaiswal Design, for her amazing henna artistry. They are all kind, local, and incredibly talented individuals!Please check them out!

• Samantha with Align Images
• Sarah with Sarah Anne Photography
• Pamela with Stevens Photography
• Wendy with Wendy Magee Photography
• Marcy with Wish Photography
• Tiffany with TSI Photography
• Erin and Sydney B.

All race images can be found at: www.eclecticallyforyou.com/komen/race2014

My PINK Saturday

My Saturday began at 4:30am with a pick through my pink hair, a pair of pink Strawberry Shortcake knee-high socks, pink capris, pink earrings, nose ring, pink mascara, pink eye shadow, and a purple team shirt.  PINK overkill?  Nah.  Just the perfect look for a perfect day at an amazing event.Saturday, September 14th marked my 3rd year photographing the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. I shoot for all of the survivors, their family and friends; but most importantly to  honor my Mom, a 13 year breast cancer survivor.  I take great pride in what I do and I love that I have the ability to share it with so many people.

Each year, I am joined by other local photographers that are awesome enough to donate their time and talent to covering this HUGE event.  This year, I had the privilege of working with these 4 amazing individuals: Sarah R. of Sarah Anne Photography, Samantha G. of SJG Photography, Lisa H. of Hezlep Photography, and Adam G. of Gabbard Photography.

L-R: Angie, my camera and human wrangler, Lindsey (me,) Sarah, Samantha, Lisa, and Adam.

Not only did I have a great shooting team to work with, but I was fortunate to have my Grandma K. graciously manning my booth space for a 3rd year.

And if that wasn’t enough, my favorite henna artist, Jill Jaiswall hung out at my booth too; offering up some free henna to race participants.Prior to all the running and walking, people congregated around the GABP for some breakfast at the Komen Kafe, takeaways throughout the sponsor expo, and a Jazzercize warm-up on the main stage.This year’s event consisted of a 10K run (8am,) a 5K run/walk (9am,) and a 2K family fun walk (9:30am.)THIS is the 5K crowd and THESE images do not do this crowd justice.
(And the purple shirt with the cutest kid in the world on his shoulders… those are my boys.)Did I mention that I love making new friends?The route took participants across and along the Ohio River, via two bridges and along the Newport Levy.All culminating at my absolute favorite shooting spot… the finish line.And if I could post all 700+ images from that spot on this blog, I would. (But, for those that do want to check out ALL of those finish line shots, I offer up this link.) The smiles, tears, hugs and high-fives were never-ending.  And I do not lie, my human wrangler, Angie has to drag me, kicking and screaming from the finish line every year to make the next deadline in the stadium.

So, what happens inside the Great American Ball Park, you ask?  First, the kids take to the field (well, the brown dirt part around the field) for the Annual Kids Fun Run!And then, every year Komen gets a group shot of all of the survivors in a creative way.  For the 2nd year in a row, this magic was created in the stands (baseball is apparently still happening.)  And along with the group photo, survivors and guests are entertained by performers and speakers. The speakers are amazing. The performances are amazing. The crowd is amazing. The survivors are amazing.  And the entire day (though it is over before noon) is beyond amazing and I cannot wait for next year.

And if you were at the race and would like to find yourself in the crowd OR if you would just like to see all the fun that was missed, please visit my website for the complete collection of images from the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 2013.

I will end this post with a series of photographer action shots. ❤ Lindsey

SGK: Color Me PINK! 2013

So, last Saturday was a fun time! April 27th was Kings Island‘s grand opening AND Susan G. Komen’s first ever color run!  The official name for the event is Color Me PINK! and it was held at Kings Island on Saturday morning, before the park officially opened it’s gates for the season.

Once again, I teamed up with some amazing local photographers to provide complete coverage along the entire 5K, powder-filled race route…

Registration opened up at 6am.  It was early and I was caffeine-free and a wee-bit delayed (totally left my memory cards for the back up camera at home.)The race officially started at 7am with the release of the first “wave” of runners.  There were 6 (maybe 7) waves total; which were released on a 10 minute interval.The race route started in the parking lot, just outside of Boomerang Bay.  From there, the runners were lead into the park and routed through the Action Zone, which holds some pretty awesome rides: Delirium, Face-Off, and Drop Zone.

The Action Zone also marked Color Station 1: Pink!Station 1: PINK images provided by Max Kimmich Photography

From there, the runners were lead through Oktoberfest and the Coney Mall area, which is home to the Racer, Vortex, Firehawk and Flight of Fear.Coney Mall images provided by Myndee Griffin Photography

The Eiffel Tower and Color Station 2: YELLOW came next.Station 2: YELLOW images provided by Sarah Anne Photography

And after the pelting from the Pink and Yellow teams, the runners journeyed over to Rivertown, home of the 2 best coasters in the park: Diamondback and the Beast.

Nestled in between the tracks, sat Color Station 3: Green.Color Station 3: Green images provided by Stevens Photography

Anyone else craving rainbows now, or is that just me?

After a jog through the woods, the race participants came to Color Station 4: RED.Color Station 4: Red images provided by Foto Life

And finally, after Color Station 4, the color-covered runners raced through Boomerang Bay waterpark and under the big, inflatable, pink Susan G. Komen finish line marker.Along with bananas and drinks at the finish line, the participants were handed powder packets in preparation for the big color explosion finale(s). The color explosions were timed for every 20 minutes until every person had their opportunity to participate and gain that extra color coating.  Both Q102 (Brian Douglas) and Fox 19 (Frank Marzullo and Tracey Johnson) broadcast live from the event.  The Fox 19 crew managed to escape the powder for one segment.  By the second, they joined in on the colorful fun.  And it was awesomely unexpected. And then it was our turn.  And by our turn, I mean mine and Max’s (everyone else grabbed their cameras and took a step back.) Lindsey Vs. Max images provided by: Sarah Anne Photography

We had a blast making some new friends…

This dude.  Yeah, I called him the Red Pixie.  Covered head-to-toe in red, he snuck up behind people and “secretly” powdered them. So, naturally…All in all, the day was awesome.  The event was awesome.  And the team was awesome!  I am still finding powder in my car, but it was well worth it.

Sending out a HUGE Thank You! to all of my teammates!
(left to right: Pamela Stevens, Lindsey Driscoll, Sarah Richardson, Myndee Griffin, David Abad, and Angie Hamm)And also Max Kimmich (not pictured above.)

And also a big Thank You! to the Susan G. Komen people for inviting me back to capture all of the fun!

ALL of the day’s images will be available on my website at: www.eclecticallyforyou.com/Events/Color-Me-PINK-2013/

If you have any questions about any of the photographers, images, etc. please feel free to contact me! lindsey@eclecticallyforyou.com

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.