Little hands, big thanks!

schreinerxmas09-58, originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo//Liz.

This Christmas, we are so very thankful for all of the people--big and small--who we have met through our photography in 2009. We are honored and humbled to have snuck into your lives for a few hours on a seemingly ordinary day, and captured moments that now hang on your walls, grace your refrigerator door, and travel far and wide with your holiday cards. Thank you for your continued support of our work and our dreams!
Wishing merry, merry, merry days to you and your loved ones! :o)

Let the sun shine in

Sun shining down, originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo//Liz.

Good fortune continues, and I am ever so thankful for it!

The thoughtful folks at ChiCrossCup.com asked to borrow this photo for their post on yesterday's race results. Of course, I said yes.

Result? A whole lot of new connections, and we're closing in over 4,000 views on my Flickr photostream for the last 24 hours.

:o)

See the full post here: http://chicrosscup.com/2009/10/25/bartlettsunrise-park-results/

Visit www.chicrosscup.com for more info about the awesome Chicago Cyclocross Cup series and to find more amazing pictures from other photogs at the event.

Communing with the power of the image

Bread, originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo//Liz.

The expansion of a business is always thrilling, but in this case it's especially wonderful because more business for us means more occasions where, for a few hours, our craft becomes intimately intertwined with the lives of others. As our client list continues to grow, we are adding some wonderful people to our lives, and some amazing images to our collections. The photographs most special to us after the events or sessions are over are those that retain their significance in life's big picture, and surpass their status as simple memories of that day.

On this particular September day, as I was nestled in a rear pew of the church while wedding attendees filed through the communion line, I watched closely as the bride and groom broke bread and shared it with their guests, patiently, quietly, thankfully. I keep coming back to this image on a weekly, sometimes daily basis, with all of this in mind, and it serves as a frequent reminder of the power of sharing, and all of the good that comes of it. A simple image, but powerful. Powerful in a way that I believe has the ability to catalyze important social change.

What do you see and feel when you look at this image? Do those feelings empower you to make a change, or do they affirm your way of being?

See the entire set from this amazing wedding.

Almost Famous

Alleyoop!, originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

I'm giddy.

This photo is appearing as the feature photo on the Chicago Public Radio homepage today! Check it out at www.wbez.org

Learn more about the Half Acre Cycling team at http://www.halfacrecycling.org/ and get the full scoop on the madness that is Chicago Cyclocross at http://chicrosscup.com/

Eye of the storm

Truck offering, originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

Recently someone asked if I'd ever worked with a bridezilla. Thankfully, the answer is no. I've also never worked with portrait session clients I didn't like. Even when working with subjects as unpredictable as children, I come away from our time together with amazing images that truly represent the family as a unit and as individuals.
This August session was no different. Even as "boys will be boys" chaos reigned supreme, there were several moments of calm and truce-making that opened a door of opportunity for some amazing captures.
See the entire set of this beautiful family.

Sometimes timing is everything

Kabula, originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

I pride myself on my timing. As a photographer who started in sports and has moved on to much more slow-moving endeavors (with the exception of the occasional rambunctious 3-year old), timing was my specialty. Sometimes, though, good timing has nothing to do with my quick trigger finger and everything to do with karma.

Last week we said goodbye to a dear friend whose time with us was wonderful and filled with walks, belly rubs, pigs' ears, squirrels, and lots of fun adventures. She was our surrogate dog-child when we didn't have one of our own, and was still one of our favorites even after we adopted ours. We did a shoot with half of her extended family in mid-August, and just three short weeks later, a tumor was discovered. It grew aggressively, and treatment options were limited.

So we said goodbye, tearful for the friend we were losing, but comforted in knowing that she would no longer be in pain, and that doggy heaven is the most wonderful place you could imagine. And we were especially thankful to have captured some wonderful images of her--looking majestic, as usual--that will keep her memories close to our hearts from frames hanging in hallowed spots on our walls.

What I'm working towards

Filled with overabundant glee, adorable innocence and reckless joy., originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

Had a family session a few weeks ago, and the darling of the hour was this little guy. He moved quick, requiring me to recall some of my sports photography skills. It was only after I sat down to edit this session that I noticed a series of shots like this one: eyes turned skyward, gleaming, head tilted, mouth WIDE open. What on earth could have caught his attention and have made him this excited?
It was nothing more than a tennis ball, tossed high in the air by his dad.
Oh, to be young! When life was simple. When the graceful flight to the top was just as enjoyable as the quick and vigorous descent to the bottom. It's this simplicity--this willingness to let happiness be the default setting on my life scale--that I'm working towards.

I can do this.

I can do this., originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

Traveling to a triathlon as a spouse sherpa instead of an athlete gives me time to observe the other athletes--who they are, their shapes and sizes, how they move, their competitiveness or sheer determination to finish. I wish I had hours to move among them, documenting their journeys through the water and across land and pavement.

Some of the captured moments cause reflection on my own journey to the sport of triathlon. In particular, I wonder what brings some women to the starting line: the desire to venture beyond a single sport, and a curiosity about its challenges; investment in personal or physical life changes; following through on a bet from a friend, or supporting that friend in her first racing endeavor; or needing to prove--to the spectators, to someone, to herself: "I can do this."

And as she crosses the finish line, she throws up her hands and affirms, "I can do anything."

Just for Today

Just for Today..I will have hope. And maybe for many days afterwards., originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

Affirmations. Not mine, but excellent words to live by. I am starting with the first one today and working my way through. When I get to the end, I will start over again until these become habit. Will you come along for the journey?
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Just For Today I will live one day only, forgetting yesterday and tomorrow, and not trying to solve the whole problem of life at once.

Just For Today I will be unafraid of life and death; unafraid to enjoy the beautiful and be happy. People are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Just For Today I will adjust myself to what is, and try not to make everything over to suit me. If I cannot have what I like, I will try to like what I have.

Just For Today I will be agreeable, cheerful, charitable, do my best, praise people for what they do, not criticize them for what they cannot do; and if I find fault, I will forgive it and forget it. I will try not to improve or regulate anybody except for myself.

Just For Today I will have a plan. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have one. It will save me from worry, hurry and indecision.

Just For Today I will get off my nerves and not get on theirs. I will appreciate them for what they do and what they are.

Just For Today I will not show it if my feelings are hurt.

Just For Today I will find a little time for quiet, to relax and to realize what life is and can be, and get a better perspective of myself.

Just For Today I will look at life with fresh eyes and discover the wonder of it; I will know that as I give to the world so the world will give to me.

Beach endeavors

Sunrise at Steelhead, originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

What a long weekend, but what a worthwhile effort to get up at 4:30am. Two days in a row. On a weekend. The second day, for me to race the Rock and Roll Half-Marathon in Chicago. The first day, to watch my amazing superhero friend Elena complete her first half-ironman triathlon.
If there's one thing this summer of training and racing has taught me, though, is that it's always worth getting up early: the quiet of the morning hours, both inside and outside my head, for starters. But the photographer in me says you can't really beat that early morning light, either. Heck, it almost makes 70.3 miles look like the most beautiful thing in the world. Almost.

Counting down

Powering through the pain, originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

Only a few days until race day. Not my favorite 13.1 race, which this photo is from, but a race that has the potential to be a favorite. 13.1 miles + 14 bands on the course + new shoes - achy knee = the inaugural Chicago Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon.
The race shown here was a painful one from Mile 6 onwards. I'm hoping that this time things are different, and I'm able to chase down my shadow.
Wish me luck!

Hope derived from one of the happiest places on earth

mondog-11, originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

When we got a dog,our lives changed drastically. There were the standard things, like getting up early and climbing the stairs at least two additional times per day, and making best friends with your broom and your lint brush. But there were non-standard things, too: less TV time and more outside time, for example. And meeting our neighbors, which has been important as we continue to settle into our new neighborhood.

Above all, I am amazed at how dogs truly simplify life. It's all about eating, playing, maybe working hard if there's a treat involved,and spending time with loved ones. This simplicity is welcome on days like today, when I come home with a brain full of work stress, and my wiggly best friend escorts me to the beach, where there's no denying the beauty of the light on the water, and the simplicity of this beauty overwhelms me and whisks my perceived problems far, far away.

In the beginning, I created...

I realized a few weeks ago that my other blog space was a bit directionless. Sure, it was chronicling my day-to-day, and taking up some important "life topics" for discussion, and I don't want to diminish the importance of that type of writing--it has its purpose, and it's fulfilling, but it wasn't accomplishing...well...anything important other than as a sounding board for me. Again, a much-needed outlet, but not what I needed to feel satisfied in moving forward in some way.

After attending the Shutter Suite at Blogher09 this past weekend and perusing some of the fantastic blogs of the women I met there, I realized that I hadn't found my voice yet. But there was something about being among that community that unearthed ideas that had been lurking nameless and faceless in the back of my mind. They've driven me towards this new forum--still a blog, but based in my photography--that will help me explore the work that I love, and the social change I know it's capable of bringing about. I invite you to come along on the journey of this conversation with me. And it's truly mean to be a conversation, even though questions aren't always asked. It's also mean to be a collaborative space--comments, questions, musings and general feedback are welcomed and encouraged!