Northward!

So I did something crazy. Maybe not too crazy, but crazy enough. I signed up for a second season with Team In Training, this time I’ll be training for the Tour of Anchorage all the way in Alaska. Now maybe this doesn’t sound that weird, but it’s a huge deal for me. First and foremost, I’m not a skier. I’ve never even been on skis. Luckily I am a snowboarder, and I know how to be active in snow. But it’s going to be a monumental journey. I’ve also always wanted to go to Alaska. It always seemed to foreign, so far away. But I learned that only a three and a half hour flight from Seattle is in my way. There’s a first time for everything right?

Check out this cool video I found showing the 2011 race.

Kickoff for the Spring 2012 TNT season begins this Saturday. I’ll be training a lot, and I’m sure there’s going to be setbacks and tears. All the work going into this is nothing close to what a blood cancer patient endures. In case you don’t know, Team in Training works with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to raise money for research, outreach, and advocacy for people with blood cancer. It touches more people than you think. I learned that my first season with TNT.

I’ll be trying to pump out video diaries to share my journey, and the story of those around me. You can stay posted on everything here, and on my TNT Fundraising Page. Oh yeah, there’s that too. I’m raising over $3,500 for cancer research. Join the cause, fight the fight, and GO TEAM!

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Sweet Reunions

As it tends to, life has sped up so fast I can barely keep up. Changes at work, at home, all good, but very tiring. My artistic self has been cooped up, and I’m itching to get back out. I had a chance to play around with my photographer side a couple weeks ago for my dad’s 60th birthday. My step-mom organized a surprise party that brought my father’s siblings from all over Northern California. We haven’t all been together in years. The event brought together a couple siblings who had a falling out, and this special day was a way to move forward.

When I was young we were always with this side of the family. I have six cousins, not counting their spouses and children. With the whole group together, we take up a lot of space. The kids would play pool or computer games while the adults laughed for hours playing board games. I would cry every time we left my aunt’s house. We were always together. While I know a part of life is moving apart, I feel like we’re at the prime time to start coming back together. My cousin who I’m closest to in age is expecting his second child, a baby girl. I hope that someday my kids will play with his little ones just like we did. We always joke that my cousin’s little boy looks like my dad. I caught this adorable moment that really nudged at my “hey Michelle have some babies” nerve.

In the end the afternoon was full of smiles and love, and all a celebration for my dad. Creative juices are flowing once again. Funny how family can do that.

Check out the rest of the album here —>

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sfBIG Trailer

Last week I had the pleasure of watching my coworker and his band perform. Every year sfBIG has a battle of the bands. A large crowd of marketing folks looking for fun headed to the Great American Music Hall here in San Francisco. Last year my coworker’s band, Rainbow Brite and the Flaming Cobra Death Skulls, came in second. They were out for blood this year.

My first concert shoot, I came armed with my 60D and 5D. I worked a 50mm 1.8 on the 60D and a 28mm 2.8 on the 5D. I didn’t have a loupe for the 5D so focus was tough at times. I pushed myself front and center before each band, and tried to get back for wide shots as their sets progressed. I had a Zoom H1 in my audio bag at my hip, collecting sound for at least one song per set. Next time I’d love to be able to just drop a mic in front of a speaker so I can collect more. Between diving, bobbing, kneeling, and trying to get the shots, I was battling along with the bands. It was hard work, but well worth the payoff.

Watch the trailer above to see what went down. Stay tuned for a longer length video of all the bands, as well as a special showcase for the winners.

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Rave Pony

This is exactly what I always wanted to do when I was spending my summers at the barn. I even bought a camcorder with my own savings and started shooting. I just never made the actual jump over to editing my footage. My friend Seana sent this to me on Twitter as a joke, and now we’re both in love.

Obviously she has a lot to learn, but please girl stick with it. Horse people are a very special breed, and we LOVE stuff like this.

She’s been a bit of an inspiration actually. Rave Pony, I like the sound of that.

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Cornhole Kids

Back from a nice, hot vacation in New England, here’s my ode to bags. Shot with my 60D with a fader ND. This is my first real edit of the summer. My last being my Cribs entry for work, which was shot with a FlipHD for fun.

Pulling the camera out was good for me, and I’m ready for more. I’ll be shooting a battle of the bands next week for a coworker, so hang in there!

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