Reflections

I have been going through some of my old blog posts and I find myself amazed at how different my life is today, then it was at this same time last year. Last year I had what felt like all the time in the world. My blog was appropriately described as "My adventures as an up and coming mountain biker" Andy and I were meeting tons of new people in the mountain biking community, biking everywhere and during every second we could. We had both just finished up a successful MNSCS season and were sad we wouldnt see our new friends for half a year but thrilled with the up and coming winter mountain biking and snowshoeing season.



This year... now, I am satisfied with another great MNSCS season. However, this year I was the photographer for the series rather then a kick as* Citizen racer. Yeah thats right, I rocked the citizen class, bee otches!



There's this cute little joke for all the religious folk out there, yeah I know Im not religious but i beileve in fate and spirituality and all that jazz, but thats a whole nother blog post so here it is:



How do you make god laugh? .....



Ready.....



Here it comes.....



You make a plan!



My plan was to train all winter and race my butt off, literally, over the summer in the MNSCS sport class. Andy and I sat down and put our winter training schedules together and we were all set. Well winter came, I started school and my training went right out the window. I had just signed up for the peace coffee racing team again and had decided to hang my head low and rock the citizen class again, when I got an email from Jeff with the MNSCS. He had gotten my name from someone and was wondering if I would be willing to be part of the series. Possibly write some articles for the website and of course take photos of the riders. Photography was my fav past time. I was loving running out into the field to capture photos of the riders after I was done with my race. I discussed it with Andy and since my training fell through I decided to give it a go.



All summer I spent approx every other sunday out in the woods with Mckinley. We ran around and shot photos of the racers. It was much more challenging this year, I had all new gear that I was learning and I was trying really hard to do new and different things then I had done the previous year.



All and all I can see a great improvement from the beginning of the year to the end, and looking at last years picture. OMG! I have heard from many racers that they love looking at the photos so I have acheived my goal and I look forward to growing with the racers again next season.



Being the Official photographer of the series and a MORC member put me in touch with some other photographers in the area. I got to know a few of them pretty well and have shot with them a few times.. During a conversation with one of them, I say, "I dont want to shoot weddings, too much pressure, I like just hanging in the woods capturing the mountain bikers" I get the reply, "Yeah, why would you want to shoot weddings, its only the happiest day of these peoples lives, everyones happy, having a great time, and they look beautiful." K enough said!! I start seriously thinking about weddings, my photography, and where its going to go from here. Good deal my cousin is getting married in a few weeks. I give her a call, "Hey do you have a photographer" K, "Not really, we have a friend who is going to be doing our photos" Do you mind if I bring out my camera and shoot your wedding, hey, how about I come out early to get shots of you getting ready" And history was made!!! Thanks K & J!! I had soooo much fun shooting this wedding and honestly I was absoluetly astonished at how well my photos looked for being a first timer.



I owe a ton to Tony, hes helped me fine tune and tweak some things that I needed some help with and has just been there for guidance when I need it. He has been so open to letting me come along and shoot with him when he has gigs or weddings, I have gained a ton of experience and knowledge from him. So Tony, Thanks Man!!!!!



I cant help but feel like this post is leading into a really bad acceptance speech or something. Awards, Hmmm...... Best slacker?



So anywho, this is getting to be quite the story so all in all. I now have 3 weddings under my belt, 5 on the books for next year. I have shot families and a new born, engagement sessions, and more to come. So my blog description has been rightfully changed to "My adventures as an up and coming photographer". Dont be afraid to walk the new path life lays down for you because it just may be the best experience you've had so far!! I havent been on my bike in a few months because of school and photography but luckily I have a large expanse of mountain biking friends who are not letting me forget it. Things may have changed tremendously but I am very happy with where they have come and I look forward to the many adventures that lie ahead. I have a couple rides scheduled in the next few weeks! Woot, so quit reading this dang blog and get out and ride!!!!



Oh yeah, I posted this last year around this time and I thought it is extra appropriate in my life right now because free time has become all to obsolete. enjoy



Life
Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

Do you run through each day on the fly?

When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head?

Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow." And in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say "Hi?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away. ... Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.