Hawaiian Dancers at Celebration 2006 by Nancy E Photography

These images were so colorful and vibrant, I had a hard time chosing my favorites, so I think they deserve a show of their own.... don't you agree? : )

Celebration on the Hill 2006 Entertainers by Nancy E Photography

As one of the "official photographers at the American Cancer Society Celebration On the Hil 2006 in Washington DC on September 19 and 20. I had the honor to hang out like a groupie and photo these incredible muscians that donated their time for the limelight on stage that glorious day - September 2006. Celebration was such an emotional event with the survivors walking the reflecting pool in front of the capital and the luminaria ceremony to close the celebration that evening.

Here is a photo of me, with my gear around my neck wandering the grounds as "Joe Photo" for the event - my time with Rick Lubrant, the official ACS photographer was amazing - - I learned a lot from this great pro photographer and came home to buy my 80/200 VR lens for the Nikon D50. My photography during that time rose to a new level. I have more photos to share, but these were my faves from the entertainers.... I will have to do some research to get the names to update this slide show, but I thought you all would enjoy the images!

A new name to my photo business "Nancy E" is making its mark! : )Now I need to work with Shelley on my logo, now that life is calming down...

Brand Awareness

Loved this quiz and thought I would share - - click here to take the quiz. I got 10 out of 15 - see if you can beat that! Great corporate factoids in here too!

CLICK HER TO TAKE THE QUIZ!

"Carol"

My friend Carol from Cincinati, Ohio (photo taken in Dallas at the National Relay Summit last August) - - I saw this photo and needing a photo of the day - this smile made me smile, so I thought I should post and write a little bit about Carol. Funny thing about Carol was that the day we met she blew me off. Yes sir! Forgot all about me - stranded awaiting her warm car at the airport when I flew in to present at the Ohio Summit and meet with her that day. I waundered, waiting, and finally called her - left a message and then caught a cab to the hotel.

Well - she was horrified - a brand new staffer to the Ohio division she felt REALLY bad. It really was no big deal (nobody ever picks me up anyway... I always take cabs). She met me at the restaurant with this big group of "Relayers" that I knew from years past... it was a fun night with that group and Carol was able to join us - again - feeling so bad. I still (jokingly) give her a hard time for blowing me off at the airport! : )

We spent the next day meeting and preparing and "hanging" out - our friendship was immediate, we were a lot alike (she worked 10 years with the Red Cross - where I had spent 2 years) and she had such great energy and enthusiasm for her new position with the ACS - I love people like that! It was a great weekend, working on stuff together. The beginning of a good friendship. She has been so supportive to me this year with all the corporations and trainings, always the first to volunteer and lend a hand. I truly value her as a colleague too! Definitely a top ten and a keeper for a friend! One of those "girlfriends" you can tell anything. Cheers to my friend Carol!

Chicken Chili from Kyla

If not tonight sometime soon I plan to enjoy this tasty recipe from my friend/ colleague in Chattanooga, Tennesee - -

The Triathlon Song

Wandering on You Tube I found this really funny video and cool song about triathlon training / racing. Pretty cool - had to share! I am thinking about training.... my trainer should be here tomorrow!

The Spirit of the Marathon

A great movie clip that my friend Stacy in Atlanta sent to me. A good one to watch and understand the mindset of the marathon runner - those in all categories. Nice for me to see and get psyched for Boston!

Spirit of the Marathon is the first ever non-fiction feature film to capture the drama and essence of the famed 26.2 mile running event. Filmed on four continents, the movie brings together a diverse cast of amateur athletes and marathon luminaries.

As six unique stories unfold, each runner prepares for and ultimately faces the challenge of the Chicago Marathon. More than a sports movie, Spirit of the Marathon is an inspirational journey of perseverance and personal triumph; a spectacle that will be embraced by runners and non-runners alike.

Panorama Ski Trip - coming up in March!

Thinking about our trip coming up in March to British Columbia - - I have never been to BC skiing - Steve has gone with Samantha & Stephen to Whistler, but has not been to Panorama. Steve will be leading some clinics with Mark who booked him after skiing with him at Mt. Hood last summer. We are going through ski.com for the package and staying at the Pine Inn in the mountain village. Here is a video I found on You Tube that although it is a home movie, shows the trail and the mountain pretty well.

We are definitely bringing the camera and the video!

"Hokey Pokey"

The girls from the Development Program are so much fun to ski with on the weekend- my co-coach Meg and I gather them at the sign and then the day begins! We start the day at 8:45 with a dash to the high speed quad to the top (as all the groups do this at 8:45 it is an overwhelming feeling at the quad - what a rally!) and normally we head to the North Face after a quick stretch at the top of the mountain. I noticed the last weekend others were stretching at the top - pretty funny all these groups in their circles... so we made a game of it - "Hokey Pokey". "you put your left foot in, you put your left foot out, you put your left foot in and you shake it all about...." and so on.... we marched around in a circle in place "you do the Hokey pokey and you turn yourself around"... that's what its all about! People would see us dancing in place and smile - we laughed a big laugh at the end and skied away!

We work on our skiing, mogul clinic most of the morning on Bear Trap and a few drills here and there to focus and improve our skills and then over and over 7 times in a row on Bear Trap - with the music blaring from the towers - girls were playing air guitar with their poles.... it was a really fun day!

Here is a photo from Kat's house - I love the weathervane with the bicycle! We had such a great time last week, having snack with her family and going over our race results from the morning. Looking forward to the rest of the season with such a great group!

Side note:
I bought my bike trainer this week (a CycleOps Fluid Trainer) and hope to start my regime and bike mileage to get the base I need for Boston - - stay tuned!

"Snow Running"

Training in the winter time is a challenge. The darkness, getting out a warm bed to a cold outside, dressing with SO many layers, covering your face and hands if it is really cold... and the fact that they don't plow the roads very wide to give a shoulder to run on. I have been almost hit a couple times and had to dive into a snow bank. Now I just try to pick the quieter roads as much as possible and I have found the back way through the woods trails to get to the house through our property. It is an amazing workout to run in the snow. Tougher than sand I definitely think so, and the unlevel surface makes it more of a challenge. The ups and downs in the woods, partially on snowmobile trails and the rest in the snow that is semi breakable granular about up to the tops of my ankles. Oakley LOVES running in the woods and it is much better for him to go off leash to have fun!

This is the last HILL up to our house - such a happy sight with home just yards away!

"Kimmy"

My neice - my younger brother Chris' youngest and only girl. She is about 14 years old, lives in Georgia, VT where I grew up on the farm, just down the street from mom and Laura ... she has 2 brothers, Chris and Chester, who are very smart and creative (Chester is the academic and musician in the family). She has always been such a crazy one.... not sure where she gets it from (or maybe i do?), but she is out of the box (like me) for a Peck. : ) Adventurous, contemplative and always with a plan. Kimmy has had her challenges in life, but seems to be toughing it out! You can see it in her eyes..... She is on face book, which has given me the privilege to get to know her just a little more. I am glad that we are "connected". My niece "Kimmy"..... more on this story later... but you can see the resemblance..... family, love em!

"Walking in the woods"

The inspiration of my day - to wake up, see the forest outside our window - it is finally getting lighter earlier in the morning and I hope to be running, but we took the time this morning to try out the "new shoes" and to walk in the woods. We live on 42 acres and it feels like we are in the middle of no-where. Oakley LOVES the woods to shoe, to ski, to run in the sprinig, summer and fall. It was great to get outside this morning with my love. And his gorgeous feet!

I have three favorite photographers, Jana (of course, because she shot the wedding and did such a FAB job!), Shelly (from Washington, met her when she was Relay chair with Brian out in Tacoma - she started me on this blogging thing and it SO CREATIVE! and FUN! with her photos!) and Carla (friend of Jeremy and Sue Ann - who did some photos of Julie & Sue that were part of a show of women she had at the Hartford Public library). Well yesterday on Carla's blog she had this great video slide show of her feet photos.... so cool! You must check it out. She is an inspiration to me with my photography, and she really doesn't know me... but I know her, and she is TRULY an AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHER!

Airline Humor

Just in case you need a laugh: Remember it takes a college degree to fly a
plane, but only a high school diploma to fix one. This is great reassurance
for those who fly routinely in our jobs.

After every flight, UPS pilots fill out a form, called a "gripe sheet,"
which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics
correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots
review the gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that
ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance
complaints submitted by UPS pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions
recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers.

By the way, UPS is the only major airline that has never, ever, had an
accident.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit
S: Something tightened in cockpit

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute
descent
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny. (I love this one!)
S: Aircraft warned to: straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

And the best one for last.................
P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget
pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.

"A Cut Above"

My lucky day - I "won" the silent auction to benefit Schuyler's pre-K in Wilmot (about 3 years ago now...) with certificates to Amber's salon. A pedicure and a haircut - Jessica was able to use the haircut and then I visited for the pedicure. Amber has branched out on her own in her mid twenties with a beautiful shop - separate from her home with all the acoutemants that you would need in a salon and spa. I loved my pedicure - BEST EVER! My haircut? Well the testimonial is that I have so much respect for her skill as a stylist and her ability to chose the right cut for me (and anyone for that matter...) that I cannot go to anyone else (even though from where I am in Western MA it takes 2 1/2 hours to get there) - I waited almost 8 months for this last cut, and it is worth the drive and the time to spend and have the cut to make me feel really good! She has recently been a guest stylist at a salon in Boston (I will find out where) and is doing hair shows for her line of products that she reps and teaches about. She is a little on the shy side, so this is all a great endeavor for her and I must say as a friend, I am very proud of her! But bottom line - I love how she styles my hair, takes the time to curl, gel and make it just right! Take a look!

"Worship the sky"

A beautiful image - the United Methodist Church in New London. On my way home from getting my haircut from my absolute favorite hairdresser of all time - "AMBER". She rocks! More on her in another post - she deserves one of her own, but here is the image for today of the church - what a great blue sky and the white, and the steeple reaching so very high - can you feel it? All of God's glory - I remember a Christmas season singing in the all denomination choir - friendly folks, beautiful music - I can hear the Christmas music and feel that community every time I pass.

"Creativity WITH skis"

My first photo shoot with the "snow princesses" at Mt. Snow was just so much fun - they skied and posed and smiled.... hugged some trees and really did shine on that cold day - it was so much FUN! After viewing the photos at lunch, the girls went out to their skis while I returned the computer - - they set up their skis in a flower formation and were so happy to see the photos! This is a classic shot from that day! I love the color, the snow and the memories of all the girls skis! Such fun!

Photography Tips

Looking through my archives I found some good stuff on Photo tips that I used for conference calls promoting this photo contest we had for Relay years ago (probably about 5 years ago now!). We got some great photos that year - but it was a LOT of work milling through all the entries!

I used to subscribe and get tips in my mailbox, but found this great section on Kodak that gives incredible tips for all sorts of photo opportunities - worth a look!


Rules to Live By

These rules for video photography were compiled by Rich Murphy, Chief Photojournalist WFLA-TV 8 in Tampa, Fla. He presented this and other tips to still photographers interested in learning more about video photography at Visual Edge. The weeklong sessions and workshops, sponsored by The Poynter Institute and the National Press Photographers Association, concentrates on how convergence impacts print, electronic media, and video. I think many of these tips apply to stills as well - enjoy!

"Prove the commitment of your story pictures"
"Shoot what is going away first."
"A sequence from every location"
"Don’t leave without a closing shot"
"The worst place for the camera is on your shoulder."
"Shoot & Move"
"Show something the eye wouldn't normally see."
"The eye does not zoom."
"Action -- reaction, motion -- emotion."
"Look around the frame." (For distracting objects, tripod etc.)
"Close-ups are the adjectives."
"Think inside your viewfinder."
"Get close."
"If your lens doesn't need cleaning at the end of a shoot, you didn't get close enough."
"Shoot with both eyes open."
"Do a 360 of the scene"
"A tight shot can get you anywhere"
"It’s easier to bring a extra battery and tape than walk back to the car"
"Don't shoot close-ups from across the room."
"Shoot at the subject's level."
""Be ready for the moment"
"Tripods aren't all they're cracked up to be."
"Sometimes your best shots happen in the viewfinder by accident."

"Neighbors from the forest"

At home working today - outside my window is the front porch and gardens.... From the corner of my eye I saw a little movement. Every day there are cardinals, black birds, chickdees and blue birds.... but today, milling around,scrounging for food perhaps?, were two full grown racoons. Oakley didn't notice at first but went a little crazy when he saw them moving from the window. I escaped to get out there just in case there was a photo op. This is the best picture that I got - they were pretty scared of me and I kept my distance.... it is really great to be in the woods, animals stop by quite often - we often joke that Steve has tried to catch those deer to get the lights to stay on them like the other houses... but no luck!

For the full montage of photos of this experience - go to Nancy E Photography!

"Wilmington Steeple"

I love architecture, especially images of steeples, cuppolas, weathervanes and chimneys all against the blue sky or with tree branches. This one is a new favorite I took while we were wandering around the Mt. Snow region getting to know the roads, lakes and area for potential real estate. We stopped at Dot's to have breakfast and tap into the free wireless with Steve's new IPOD Itouch. What an amazing device! Read here to find out more.....

But in the meantime - look at this photo and transport yourself to Southern Vermont...

"Shadow"

A beautiful horse, right down the driveway - we stopped to say hi every morning on our way to the school bus. Steve and Shadow have a great relationship for many years - - he calls her his "girlfriend", but lately she has been a little moody and not so affectionate (thought it was a teething issue, or envious of attention others give her new "sister" LaKota. But Shadow comes to the fence and reaches her head over to check out Oakley, say hi to Schuyler and it really makes our day! Such a wonderful smart horse and we love to watch her run around the paddock too - how the muscles in her legs flex and extend, truly majestic. This action photo shows her eyes look at us going back up the hill after dropping Schuyler to the bus. Her trot is framed by the wooden fence and her barn where she sleeps at night. A daily vision in our life that I had to share.