Wow, this year has absolutely flown by hasn't it?! I was just chatting with my husband, Andy, about all of the stuff he and I have done. I took over the Charleston Center for Photography and continued to travel taking pictures.
I thought I would share some "behind the scenes" pictures and stories from all of my travels in 2009. Here goes...
I started my year by flying to Holland to shoot the Asian ad campaign for DSM Dyneema.
View my work on DSM Dyneema's Websites:
DSM Dyneema (USA)
After I wrapped on the DSM shoot, I flew back over the pond to Charleston. A few days after I got home, however, I jumped back on a plane with Andy for Washington D.C. What were we doing? Well, Andy did very well in the Military Photographer of the Year (MPOY) competition so I went to see him receive his awards.
On that same trip, we also went to the White House News Photographers dinner. We saw dear old friends and made many new ones. If you look on the left, you can just catch a glimpse of Andy and I all dressed up.
Here is a lady who needs no introduction. Yes, Oprah Winfrey. I received a call from one of Oprah's producers and was asked to come and talk with the "Super-Star" in person.
Just a couple of days after I got the call, Andy and I jumped on a plane to Chicago. We took a ride in a hired car to the Omni Hotel.
Here's a fun factoid... I didn't have an Oprah worthy outfit, so Andy and I ran to the mall to pick something up. It was not a quick endeavor! We had all of the sales girls fluttering about trying to find something suitable.
Having lived in Chicago a long time ago, I couldn't visit the city without enjoying some tasty Chicago-style pie with my hubby.
After getting my family fix, my intern, Des'ola, and I drove down to Milledgeville, Georgia, to launch 'War on Terror: Inside Out'. I sat on a panel and answered questions about documenting combat.
This year, I was asked to be a featured speaker. I was also teamed up with David Griffin and Gerd Ludwig. It was a lot of work and a ton of fun. After some very long days in New York, Andy and I switched time zones by flying to Maui for the Maui Photo Festival.
We got to teach a few different classes such as basic photography...
Portfolio editing and review...
and aerial photography. During the absolutely amazing workshop, we met up with an old freind, Eli Reed and also got to meet some new awesome folks like Scott Bourne, Rick Sammon and Dane Sanders. 
Since our trip to Maui, my head has been reeling. I has honored as an American Hero and was the grand marshal for the Charleston Veteran's Day Parade. 
To top it all off, I flew to San Antonio, Texas, for the annual Purple Heart Hunt. I photographed wounded warriors getting back behind the gun after being wounded in action. It was quite an experience. I am actually going to Alaska with that organization in the spring. I'm very excited. But, let's stick to 2009 shall we?
From behind the camera to behind the computer, I shot literally thousands of frames.
Between planes, trains and automobiles, I traveled thousands of miles.
Throughout it all, I always had Andy. What would I do without him? I "shutter" to think! LOL!
Only God knows just how crazy I am when left to my own devices (wink).
As I usher in the new year, I say goodbye to an extraordinary year. I have great hopes that 2010 will be even better! Happy New Year!
I started my year by flying to Holland to shoot the Asian ad campaign for DSM Dyneema.
View my work on DSM Dyneema's Websites:
DSM Dyneema (USA)
After I wrapped on the DSM shoot, I flew back over the pond to Charleston. A few days after I got home, however, I jumped back on a plane with Andy for Washington D.C. What were we doing? Well, Andy did very well in the Military Photographer of the Year (MPOY) competition so I went to see him receive his awards.
On that same trip, we also went to the White House News Photographers dinner. We saw dear old friends and made many new ones. If you look on the left, you can just catch a glimpse of Andy and I all dressed up.
Here is a lady who needs no introduction. Yes, Oprah Winfrey. I received a call from one of Oprah's producers and was asked to come and talk with the "Super-Star" in person. Just a couple of days after I got the call, Andy and I jumped on a plane to Chicago. We took a ride in a hired car to the Omni Hotel. Here's a fun factoid... I didn't have an Oprah worthy outfit, so Andy and I ran to the mall to pick something up. It was not a quick endeavor! We had all of the sales girls fluttering about trying to find something suitable. 
Having lived in Chicago a long time ago, I couldn't visit the city without enjoying some tasty Chicago-style pie with my hubby.
We talked about my tours in Iraq and my combat photography. I have to say that she is even nicer then I imagined. She certainly is a people person.
As if being on Oprah wasn't enough for 2009, The Air Force Band and PBS selected me as the Air Force veteran of the year. They flew me to Washington D.C. where Andy and I attended a concert which boasted several musical celebrities. During the concert, actor, Louis Gossett, Jr., performed a monologue reflecting my military service while a cinema screen played a video montage of my work.
After the D.C. trip, I ran out to Sacramento, California, for my brother, Chad's, wedding. I toured to giant redwoods with my mom and step-dad. I also let me hair down for a few days while visiting with my sister, Meggen. She and I even went for a refreshing river rafting tour together.
Piggybacking my trip to California, I headed on to Traverse City, Michigan. Most of my family, from my mom and dad's side, reside in upper Michigan. In fact, my dad is from Harbor Springs and my mom is from Petosky. During my trip, I balanced work with family chatter and BBQ's.
After getting my family fix, my intern, Des'ola, and I drove down to Milledgeville, Georgia, to launch 'War on Terror: Inside Out'. I sat on a panel and answered questions about documenting combat.
Once I got back from Georgia, Andy and I hopped on a flight to N.Y. Every year, we volunteer our time to the Eddie Adams Workshop.
This year, I was asked to be a featured speaker. I was also teamed up with David Griffin and Gerd Ludwig. It was a lot of work and a ton of fun. After some very long days in New York, Andy and I switched time zones by flying to Maui for the Maui Photo Festival. 
We got to teach a few different classes such as basic photography...
Portfolio editing and review...
and aerial photography. During the absolutely amazing workshop, we met up with an old freind, Eli Reed and also got to meet some new awesome folks like Scott Bourne, Rick Sammon and Dane Sanders. 
Since our trip to Maui, my head has been reeling. I has honored as an American Hero and was the grand marshal for the Charleston Veteran's Day Parade. 
To top it all off, I flew to San Antonio, Texas, for the annual Purple Heart Hunt. I photographed wounded warriors getting back behind the gun after being wounded in action. It was quite an experience. I am actually going to Alaska with that organization in the spring. I'm very excited. But, let's stick to 2009 shall we?
From behind the camera to behind the computer, I shot literally thousands of frames. 
Between planes, trains and automobiles, I traveled thousands of miles.
Throughout it all, I always had Andy. What would I do without him? I "shutter" to think! LOL!
Only God knows just how crazy I am when left to my own devices (wink). 
As I usher in the new year, I say goodbye to an extraordinary year. I have great hopes that 2010 will be even better! Happy New Year!
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