Well this summer has gone by in a complete whirlwind. I always have every intention of keeping up with this blog, but I never seem to get around to it. But I guess I owe my readers an update. It’s about time, eh?
First of all, my last post was a qualified new beginning for me. Cinco de Mayo in Mexicantown – of course I was just itching to go. I’m always up for an adventure and how cool is that? Plus it was with a group of my peers – something that really never happened for shy little me. It was a lot of fun, and a turning point. I could just tell that more adventures were to follow.
Of course, things never change unless you do something about it. And I really have been working hard for a better life. I put my heart into my new photo club so that other people would have a chance to experience some photography adventures. Plus I knew that I needed another way to meet new people, and what better way to meet people than to start a club? The college really had a need for a photography club, and no one else was going to bother starting one. So I guess my random burst of initiative has been successful. It has certainly lead to some memorable adventures.
Our first official trip was to a Detroit Tigers game. I think everyone only saw the game through the viewfinders of their cameras.
We went to the Red Bull Air Race and watched from various free spots along the Detroit River (until security kicked us out of course)
We went to the Toledo Zoo for a day and photographed the animals
This is from the annual "Mud Day" in Westland - it was totally unique to photograph. Plus I couldn't resist joining in the fun!
I got my second experience as an official wedding photographer last month. I got to drive all the way out to northern Ontario (Canada rocks!) to photograph the wedding of Jessica from 'The Bottle Chronicles'.
That was an adventure that I will always treasure. Jessica and I have been friends since middle school. We both have MHE and have had many surgeries, so we can totally relate. Back in seventh grade, we got to see each other in Chatham, Ontario. She was the first person outside my family I’d ever met with MHE. But anyway, I got to drive nine hours to see my amazing friend and be there for her wedding. It was an experience other wedding photographers could envy – complete with guys in top hats and waterfront scenery! I’m so glad I was there and have some great photographs to remember it by. To see the wedding photos, check out Jessica’s blog post at The Bottle Chronicles.
This is from "The Michigan Challenge" - the largest hot air balloon event in Michigan. It is held every summer in Howell, MI.
This year I brought a couple members of the photo club to the "Fire Muster" festival in Frankenmuth, MI. My uncle owns a yellow antique firetruck so we got to take photos of all the other trucks right from the middle of the parade on the back of our own firetruck. I know riding a firetruck in a parade is a bit dorky, but doesn't it sound like fun?
So these photos are just a sample of my adventures from this summer. They are all totally worth blogging about, so I want to give them each their due post. While I still have loads of adventures planned, this fall is bringing a bit more responsibility to my plate. I still plan on helping with the photography club, but I can’t be the president now that my new job as Photo Editor for The Schoolcraft Connection newspaper has started (college rule: no student can be an officer in more than one club – bummer.). I am still excited – this job is going to be A LOT of work, but an amazing experience. I work with some great people and I now have the chance to get creative and put some of my style into the paper. Plus I’m responsible for the staff photographers, so I can work with them and teach them some of my tricks. I think that responsibility is going to be exhausting, but I actually like teaching (despite my shyness) so it should be good for me.
Of course, this all means that I now live, breathe, and sleep photography. I’ve got my club, the newspaper, my computer graphics classes, and not to mention my freelance career. I have done three weddings now and have another three scheduled in the next year. Plus I have a few gigs for portrait shoots. At least it’s all fun. Anything to build my portfolio, right?
So this semester is definitely going to take everything I’ve got. I recovered from that left ankle surgery in the spring pretty quickly, and I’ve been doing pretty good this summer. Unfortunately, good ol’ MHE just has to keep sending me challenges. My right ankle has a couple tumors that have been getting worse. I really figured I’d be able to wait until Christmas break for that surgery so it won’t interfere with the newspaper schedule, but I don’t think I can wait. I’ve got my first round of blood tests next week and then I gotta make another appointment with my oncologist. Sheesh. It’s a good thing I’ve realized I can handle anything.
