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April 17, 2012 Personal

The Boston Marathon 2012

Yesterday, I was able to head into the city and watch the 116th Boston Marathon. I am not a runner. I never have been. I knew no one running in the race. It was rather impromptu. It was… amazing.

When I first got off the Train at the Arlington stop, it took a lot of hiking to even get close to Copley Square where the finish line is, since the streets had been blocked off.  I treked all over the city to get as close as possible to the finish line. I ended up first about 200 yards from the finish and witnessed some pretty inspiring stuff. Simply standing and seeing the people push through to the end was enough to get me all verklempt. There were waves and waves of people and whenever a runner would slow down or start walking, (and who could blame them??), the crowd would cheer and clap and get them back up running! The most touching moment I witnessed was a runner stop and start to sway. He was completely done for. He couldn’t put his left foot on the ground anymore and he was literally 200 yards from the end. Two other runners, passing by, stopped and put their arms around him, and carried him to the finish. I balled. I couldn’t help it! I read later that another runner, Remus Medley, walked across the finish line on his hands, after his legs gave out on him, steps from the finish.

I walked to another spot, at the 26 mile marker. It was right where people started seeing the finish line. They were all smiles! It was so sweet to see everyone get excited because they knew that they were almost there. I also walked down to see the end of the race, where the runners walk through and get their finisher medals. While I was there, I saw a PREGNANT runner! There’s something that should make the pregnant ladies feel wimpy, (which you are NOT). Her shirt said “Baby on Board.”

On one of my many relocation walks, I stumbled upon a small crowd of people with their kids, taking photos of a wheelchair racer. Being the photographer that I am, I sniffed out the photo op and asked who he was. It turns out he was Joshua Cassidy, the winner of the wheelchair race! He even broke the world record with his time of 1 hour, 18 minutes and 25 seconds, beating the world record by 2 seconds. Talk about amazing…

The spectator crowd was an ocean. It reminded me of when Dan and I went to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you don’t like big crowds, you should probably book a hotel room with a view of the race from the window. Otherwise, you are in for it.

I want to congratulate the runners of the Boston Marathon 2012. It was an honor to see you race! Thank you for being an inspiration for never giving up.


 

March 19, 2012 #bdtravlin, Personal

Anniversary Getaway: Martha’s Vineyard

When Dan came home from work on Thursday, he told me to pack a bag and get ready because we were heading out for the weekend in 30 min! Talk about a surprise!!! I was so excited I didn’t know what to do with myself. I packed my seabag and got Hattie ready for our friend Casey to watch, and got in the car. At this point I still didn’t know where we were headed, I just knew that we were headed somewhere.

We dropped Hattie off and headed south. It wasn’t until we hit the ferry docks that I realized we were heading to Martha’s Vineyard! How romantic right? We got to the Harbor View Hotel and Resort late that night. In the morning I actually got to lay eyes on the adorableness that is Edgartown.

Our four year anniversary was spent exploring the island. It was a day that reminded me a lot of our wedding day, meaning the weather was less than desirable to the average person. I actually like weather like this though. Overcast, drizzle, chill… the sky was white. The mood created in weather like that it calm for me. I always feel like I can focus better on days like this. My snugly sweater and snugly husband were exactly what I wanted on that day. There was no one out and about and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. Talk about perfect, at least in my opinion. We visited Oak Bluffs and the impossibly small little gingerbread houses that litter the town.  They were born of tents pitched when the Methodist Church and its members would gather for the summer and have open air meetings. Eventually they decided to make some more permanent structures.  Dan thought it was a bit eerie, because it just didn’t seem real. However that could have a lot to do with the fact that it was foggy, drizzling, and cold. Tiny little houses can seem that way in that kind of weather. We also went to Gay Head, where there are huge clay cliffs meeting the ocean on a pebble beach. Dan said it was his favorite part of the trip, just walking on the path to the beach and then walking on the beach together, (he’s so romantic!). We had dinner at the Newes from America Pub, in Edgartown. There was an Irish band playing there and I cried. Shocking I know… but it was just so awesome!

The next day, St. Patrick’s Day, we got to see the First Annual, First Ever, Edgartown St. Patty’s Day Parade. It was under two min. long, and adorable. We then went shopping and found a vintage shop with aluminum letters for sale, which we scooped up as our souvenir/gift to one another. There are definitely perks to having a 3 letter last name. The ferry back was a joy. Dan and I love being on the water, any way shape or form. It was fun to point out the land and places we have been and wanted to go. Dan told me all about the currents and all the places he wanted to kayak with me. I love that man.

What a fantastic Anniversary. I have always wanted to go on a surprise trip and Dan delivered. I had no idea it was coming and I have to hand it to him. Well done Dan!!

February 1, 2012 Portland Maine, Portraits

Natalie and Thad’s Portland Portrait Session

When Natalie called us and asked if we could schedule a portrait session with them since the missed out on an engagement session, we jumped at the opportunity. These two are so in LOVE and it’s just so nice to be around that. We met them at the Casco Bay Lines, right where we had met them before their wedding last September. It was crazy cold outside. Thad, like a true “Mainer,” went without a coat for most of the shoot, which blew my mind! They have recently moved to Lake Tahoe and it’s not much warmer there either. It was just so fun to see these two again and start the year off right with a hot couple, totally in love, in a beautiful place. Who could ask for more right?

January 30, 2012 Personal

Full Time!

You may or may not know that we both “had” full time jobs in ADDITION to a full-time wedding photography business. We have been working 40 hrs a week each since March, as well as 40 hours a week on our photography business. Day’s off from our jobs at the Kayak Shop and Ski Track, were full days on with Bethany and Dan Photography. Granted our full time jobs where great when compared with most jobs out there, but we worked on OUR business after work, before work, and during our lunch breaks. As crazy as that sounds, it was true. We really care about every bride and groom and are willing to do whatever it takes to deliver a great experience!

Over Christmas we realized that there we needed to take care of what matters the most to us, which is each other. Who is richer the person, the one who works every day of there life and has all the money they need, or the person who  has enough to live and actually has time to live?  No more checking email and working late into the night all the time. We wanted to be able to focus on our business 40 hours a week, and focus outward and inward the rest of the time. We wanted our life to be structured like this: Our Faith, Our Marriage, Our Family, Our Friends and then our Business. It feels like things have been out of order for a while now, so coming to the decision of having Bethany move to only being wife, friend, and photographer seemed like a no brainer. Can I get an Amen?

We cannot wait to be there for all your lovely 2012 weddings.

January 19, 2012 Personal

In loving memory of Tracy Elizabeth Turpen

It is with a heavy heart the we tell you about the passing of one our friends, Tracy Turpen.  The news was shocking and sudden, and her family, especially her fiance Tyler, and her three year old son Evander, need your prayers.

Tracy was the person who lead us to become wedding photographers. She was an accomplished wedding photographer with accolades and ovations that would stun you. Her work is magical. There is no other word for it. Bethany was blessed enough to work by her side for a year, as her second shooter and intern. We have her to thank for setting our feet on the path to running a succesful wedding photography business. Whenever we are stumped for what to do in a shoot, Dan says “What would Tracy do?” and we get back into the groove. The photography community has lost a gem.

The most important thing is that Tracy was so much more than an artist. We can treasure the fact that we got to know her as a friend. She was a loving mother, and a carefree person, FULL of adventures and ideas with no reservations about going for them. She is, and always will be, loved and missed.

Tracy Elizabeth Turpen
August 11, 1984 – January 15, 2012