20 Things You May or May Not Know About Me

I thought I would let you get to know me a little. 

1. I love to run.
Crazy running events like Ragnar Relay Races. 
Next year I will be running my 10th Ragnar race.

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The Meaning of My Business Name

When my Aunt Marion said to me a while ago, "I just figured out what BAK means." I thought I would share with you all the meaning of my business name. 

While a friend of mine was working in my classroom with me I started my business. 
I am a first grade teacher by day. :)
I love my firsties.  If you want to check out my other blog, here's the link:


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A Chilly, Fall Morning

I have known this family for a while. 
They were one of my first kiddos to photograph when I first got started. 

We ventured out on the trail. It was chilly. One of the first snows had fallen. These boys were troopers. They continued to smile through every picture, even when someone was hit in the face with a snowball...on accident. :)

I just love this trail. It doesn't matter what season, there is beauty every time I walk it. 
And this family added even more beauty.


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Not Photography Related...But Anyway...Marine Corps Marathon

Marine Corps Marathon

Let's go back to the beginning of the year in March when the lottery opened.
I put my name in. Why not? If I got in...I got in. If I didn't...I didn't.
Well, I didn't! I was relieved. Really. A marathon was not on my bucket list. I had surgery in 2010 on my back. Who does a marathon after back surgery?


THIS GIRL!!!
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Beautiful August Wedding




What makes a true love story...
Love at first sight?
Overcoming obstacles?
Family support?
Fighting for what's real?
Making it work?
Making sacrifices?
All of the above.

When it comes to these two, you know that their love is the kind that was "meant to be". 
It's natural.
It's perfect.
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Zoe Class of 2018

When you are asked to do your former first grader's photos...

It was the perfect time for light at Lorenzo. We set out to find some interesting spots.
There are so many at Lorenzo. It was easy to do.

Zoe, your future is going to be phenomenal. 

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Emma ~ Senior Photos ~ Class of 2018

This was my first time shooting at Hamilton College. It was such a gorgeous setting. 

What I didn't know going into this was the poise and confidence of this young lady. 

The result of this photoshoot...STUNNING!!!

Emma, you will move mountains. 



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Dad's Softball Tournament Syracuse 2017 Day 2



Warning...LOTS of photos!!!

The second day of the tournament ended the same as the first. They had two losses. :(
No worries, they will come back with a vengeance on day 3.





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Dad's Softball Tournament Syracuse 2017 Day 1

My dad comes up to Syracuse to play in a softball tournament each year. 
I love watching these guys play.
Man...can they hit the ball!!!
Not bad for a 65 and up team! :)


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Rhode Island Softball Team

I love going to my dad's softball games! I have so much fun with the players and their families. 
This time another team kept asking for photos. They were even posing for some of them. 



That was a first! 
This softball team from Rhode Island was a hoot!
I was called Fake News by #4. :)
By the time the game was almost finished, they convinced me to take some photos of them. 
Here you go guys. :)
Enjoy!
I hope to see you tomorrow so I can get more shots of your team. 
Good Luck in the rest of the tournament!

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Fireworks 2017

We rushed down to Empire Brew Company to get there as close to 9:30 as we could. 
We could see that they had already began when we were driving down the road. We quickly pulled into the parking lot and found a space where we could see through the trees. 

What a find!!! We had a spectacular view!

I wanted to keep this a secret for next year, but...oh well.

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Maternity LOVE!!!

I have been lucky enough to know this family from before their wedding and now to the upcoming presentation of their second son!

Maggie and John are two of the most fun-loving people I know!
They have already passed it on to their first son and now they have a chance to do it for their second. <3

We can't wait for you to make your arrival, little one!

Maggie and John, thank you so much for including me in on these wonderful adventures of yours. 
This little one is lucky to be coming into your family. <3

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Senior Ball



Oh Yes. It's ball time. 
These gorgeous seniors clean up pretty well!
We had such a fun time watching them grow up. :)



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My Baby

So this little  girl is a senior this year! Who thought it would go so fast?
Don't blink...right?

This is my third and last senior year for my kiddos. 
The lasts for the other two were so hard, but these lasts are the lasts of the lasts. 

Let's talk about this one...
10 days past her due date.
10 lbs. 2 oz.
Emergency C-section.
Funny
Energetic
Compassionate
Kind
Caring
Empathetic
Thinker
Athletic
Amazing
Smart

My baby. <3

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A Senior Recital

What do you do when your daughter asks you to come do a photo shoot for her and her friend?
You go, you cry, you laugh...


This is my daughter and her friend, Kara. 
They are putting on their Senior Recital together. 


I went to Nazareth to capture some photos for them. 
It went straight from here are some really great spots to silly photo shoot! :)
We had an amazing time.


I am so proud of you, Katie!

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Avery Alice

This little peanut did not want to sleep. She was WIDE AWAKE through the whole session!


She is just gorgeous! Look at those eyes!
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Beautiful Alaa

“Let her sleep 
For when she wakes, 
She will move mountains.”




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RWB Volunteering at the Lake Effect Half Marathon


I had the wonderful pleasure of volunteering with my fellow RWB Eagles this past weekend at the Lake Effect Half. 

I LOVED it!

What a wonderful group of people!

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The Fazio Family

Fun in the snow.
It was cold and snowy. This wonderful family braved both to go out and have their photo session at the family farm.

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Before and After

Here is a little sneak peek into a before and after. 

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Oh Yeah! And then there's this guy!

When we were sitting in the back seat of Annie's car while her mom asked me over and over again if I had my glasses, I never would have believed that I would be taking our kids' senior photos together. :)

It has to be one of the most surreal experiences. He is so much like Annie. :)

This photo shoot was relaxed and FUN!!!

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When you photograph your youngest daughter's senior photos...

 Because I take so many senior photos, I wanted Janie's to be extra special. 
We chose some places that meant something to her. 
My parents have a cottage on a very small lake. Janie loves to go down with the whole family or to spend time with her grandparents and cousins. 
This seemed to be the perfect spot to take some photos. 

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Inspiration

There is a lot of inspiration out there. 
One thing that inspires me is learning and trying new things. 

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How did I get here?


How did you get into photography?
When did you start taking photos?
Who inspires you?

These are questions I am sure every photographer gets a lot.

I figured people want to know, so I'll tell you. :)

My dad was a hobbyist. He loved taking photos. Some of my favorites are up on my fridge. 


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My Day

I get up at 4:30 am. Yep! Really, I do.
My alarm goes off, sometimes I snooze it, sometimes I don't. 



I let the dogs out, make the coffee, and get to work on my computer. 
I edit, prepare, blog, create, and have my social media time. 
I feel I get the most out of me in the morning. 
Probably because there are little distractions. 

Except for these two. 
Rosie and Vader

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A Comparison

 As you know, I am doing a 52 week photo challenge with my daughter. 
Beth at bethadilly.com supplies the prompt and we shoot the photo. I am so excited to be doing this with Janie. 
Head on over to wildflowerphotos on Instagram to check out her photos. She is so talented. She gets it from her grandfather...just ask him! :)

I wanted to share these two photos. They remind me that I have to take my time, relax, and look for beauty. These are from the same prompt:
4/52 Depth
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52 Week Project

These assignments were tough.
I tried to think of something that would represent my style.
I have grown so much since the beginning of my journey. I try to continue to grow and change with study and practice. 

Vader (we're raising him to be a service dog for Canine Companions for Independence) and I went out for a little walk this particular morning. The fog was covering the valley below us. It was absolutely breathtaking (not in a Seinfeld way :).

I got him to sit in the cornfield across the road. He must have seen something at this moment. He was hyper-focused on it. 

I just love the colors in the sky.
While I may consider this to be my style for the day. I am sure it will change tomorrow, and the next, and the next, etc. 

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The beginning of my 52 week project


Janie and I have decided to do a 52 week project together.

Check out Janie's Instagram.

We are doing this many other people on bethadilly.com.
If you have not gone over to check out her blog, you need to.

1/52 Documentary


This is the view from our backyard. We enjoy this view all the time. 
I take many photos from our backyard. It never disappoints. 
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Walk to Battery Park and why we were really here. :)


We decided to take advantage of a chilly, but beautiful day.
We took the train to Battery Park and walked around. 
We saw the Statue of Liberty and happened upon the National Museum of the American Indian.
What a great find!
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9/11 Memorial


My husband and I went to New York City.
We jammed so much into a little amount of time. 
My husband had never seen the WTC Memorial. We didn't go to the museum, the line was outrageous and we didn't have much time. 
This is my second time visiting. 
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Sunflower Wedding

These two lovebirds met when they were just young teenagers. Their love has blossomed into something that everyone wishes they had in their lives. 

I had the amazing fortune of shooting this wedding with my daughter. It was very special. 

This wedding was set on a little pond overlooking beautiful countryside. Up above the venue was a gorgeous sunflower field.

The bride and groom met each other on a baseball field when they were teenagers. It was love at first sight. Since then, it is very apparent their love has grown into something so special.

Congratulations, Korena and Jeffrey! 













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