Through this experience I realized that sometimes – ‘just taking a risk’ and ‘asking’ can be the best decision you ever make! The outcome can simply be more than you ever expected and hoped for. About 2 1/2 years ago when the NBC show ‘The Sing Off’ was on TV, hosted by Nick Lachey I fell in love with the group NoTA. This amazing, talented and simply awesome group of guys from Puerto Rico.  Through watching the show and seeing them win they earned a fan in me…. A few weeks after their win I began to follow one of the guys on Twitter…. As I”m reading updates I realized that they were scheduled to come to Northern Virginia, (seriously, why? what could be here? where? and how do I get there and be involved?) —– I’m somewhat of a Google geek, I love the research and challenge of finding what I’m looking for. After spending some time doing just that I came across the reason for their visit —– introduce —– SingStrong —- at this point my head was spinning trying to figure out everything. So NoTA would be the headliners at an AMAZING a capella event at South Lakes High School (btw, I graduated from there)…. so here is where the leap goes – I decide ‘why not email the executive producer of the event and offer to photograph the event for free – Through some emails and conversations I met Jonathan Minkoff, this amazing and great guy that quickly became (and still is) a great friend!  He agreed to have me cover this event.

So here I was, spending 3 days photographing this awesome event, surrounded my the coolest talent around, meeting some great groups and making new friendships, and sure enough that’s exactly what’s occurred!

But wait, what you have to understand is that SingStrong is so much more than concerts, it’s about promoting a capella music to all age groups – it’s about learning, teaching, experiencing all while raising funds for Alzheimer’s research. I mean, really, can you be surrounded with   better people and with more focus on making a change than this event….nope! And that’s why through the past 2 1/2 years I’ve gained friends, I’ve gained an extended NYC family and a group of people that I thank God everyday that they are a part of my life.

Let’s see, this year will be year 3…. wow!! cool! But since then, I’ve had my own memories with these great people….. I’ve photographed head shots, maternity sessions, weddings, I’ve visited NYC with my kids to see them, my daughter has ‘beat boxed’ for Marty, and most of all they have made an impact in my life!

So year 3 is around the corner – come attend this event – see concerts, participate and surround yourself with awesomeness that SingStrong is!

 

Concerts

Friday March 23 @ 7:00pm

A CAPPELLA IDOL. A cappella groups compete in 10 minute sets to win a first prize of 1,000! We accept applications on a rolling basis until all spots are filled!

Saturday March 24 @ 2:00pm

HS groups have only 8 minutes to impress our panel of a cappella experts as they compete for trophies! The Single Singers and other acts perform while the judges deliberate!

Saturday Night March 24 @ 7:00pm

The best a cappella groups from around the world raise money for charity in the first of two hot concerts!

Saturday Night March 24 @ 9:30pm

The best a cappella groups from around the world raise money for charity in the second of two hot concerts!

Sunday March 25 @ 2:00pm

The best a cappella groups from around the world raise money for charity!

To see a complete schedule, click here. To see just the concerts, click here then click the orange button marked CONCERT on the right.

 

Mark your calendar for March 23 -25 – South Lakes High School, Reston VA

 

And a little add – June 20th I head to Puerto Rico to photograph the wedding of one of the members of NoTa but it’s not that, its a friend and I’m so excited!

Yea, I know, I really need to update this more often, but… it’s hard, I’m always on Facebook and other places…. here we are, January 31st and I’ve taken a photo every day just to document my daily life, not thrilling but it’s mine! I love looking back to it and seeing it! Take a peek!

Happy 2012! So many sessions looking back to 2011…. I did a breakdown to truly see how much I photographed! Here we go:

15 Weddings
9 Newborns
4 Maternity
6 Engagements
29 Families
11 Boudoirs
8 Corporate/Special Events

= total happiness to photograph that many people! Here is a peek at the highlights for 2011:http://animoto.com/play/kH2KnFltSBYycBWRmdlDrw

and already on the books 15 – 2012 weddings….