Fitness

It's that time of year again, guys!  Kelsey is back to help me create more fire!  Literally fire because we were supposed to shoot earlier that day but it was literally 100 degrees, so there's that.  Anyway, whenever she comes home, we just go ham with the photo sessions.  The ideas that we come up with all the way down to the execution makes us such an unstoppable team.  I can't wait till we schedule our next shoot.  I promise that it'll be even better than this one!  Also, if anyone knows how to get us a Nike sponsorship, let us know! *winky emoji*

This was kind of my first little fitness shoot that didn't involve athletes during competition.  What do you guys think about it?  I want to do more shoots like this with athletes of other sports.  Be on the lookout!  I'm going to be working with everyone I can to keep things interesting on the blog!

#BrittenStrong

On February 27, 2017, my coach, my best friend, my brother was hit and severely injured by an erratic driver.  This accident has left him paralyzed from the chest down and may never walk again.  Hearing about the news of the accident was not easy to digest but with many prayers and positive thoughts, I know healing is declared in Jesus' name.

I remember the first time we met back in 2012 at my district track meet at Nelson County High School in Virginia.  He walked up to me as cool as a cucumber and dapped me up like he had known me for years.  From that moment, it was like everything else fell into place.  I could feel God living through him, I could feel that genuine spirit, I could feel the friendship that was about to transpire.  Coach O was without a doubt a light for me and everyone he came in contact with.

Again, words can't describe how thankful I am for Coach O and there isn't enough time in the day to tell you all of our crazy stories.  I know that I don't have much to give but I hope to use my photography web site and resources that I have to make sure Coach receives all of the support he needs as he begins his journey.

If you have Facebook, I encourage you to take a few seconds to head over and like his support page (see links below).  There, you can view updates on his progress, read stories about how he has touched people's lives, and see countless photos!  If you have some cash to spare, please consider donating to help Coach and his family as well.

Please continue to pray and send positive thoughts to the Olinger family!  We're in this together.  #FaithFocusFinish #BrittenStrong

www.facebook.com/groups/brittenstrong & www.gofundme.com/brittenstrong

Overcome!

3x Olympian Lolo Jones

Olympians...  That is the only word to describe this year's JDL FastTrack Camel City Elite meet.  I got to meet Lolo Jones for the second time, Matthew Centrowitz, Jason Richardson, and Breanna Rollins.  It was another year of amazing opportunity and great people.  I got to connect with some really cool photographers, some who have done some crazy amazing things in their careers.  Not only did I get to meet cool photographers, I got to photograph the "world's greatest athlete" and 2012 Olympic champion Ashton Eaton.  Eaton was in the same preliminary section as one of my teammates in the 60 meter dash.  The next day, he competed against my roommate in the shot put and only beat him by a few inches.

I ran the 200 meter dash and didn't run the time that I had hoped but it's all good.  It is early in the season and there's a lot of room for improvement.  Only a few more weeks until our conference track meet.  Can't believe that this is my last indoor college track meet.  Wow... Where has the time gone? On top of that, I only have three more months until I graduate.  Like what?!  

I must say, 2016 has been pretty eventful and I can't wait to see what else comes along during the year.  Alright, guys, I'm signing off!

Ending a semester with JMU Athletics!

JMU students pose for a photo in front of the ESPN College GameDay bus.

Well, it has been one heck of a semester with JMU athletics and it was definitely one to remember.  It was great to get to know the athletes across town from EMU.  It was a great season for all of the fall programs.  First off, the football team had an outstanding year!  They had seven consecutive wins, beat SMU (an FBS school), had ESPN College GameDay come to campus and competed in the NCAA tournament!  I'd say that they had a pretty successful season and is looking to have another successful season next fall.

Janey Goodman celebrating after JMU receives a point against the College of Charleston.

Women's soccer won the CAA conference title this year and competed in the first round of the NCAA tournament.  Field hockey placed second in the CAA conference after an amazing game against the University of Delaware.  One of my favorite sports to photograph was the women's volleyball team.  Their celebrations were always really intense and super fun to capture!  Photographing cross country was fun too.  It was great seeing the ladies run but there was one meet where it poured down raining the ENTIRE time that they were running.  I was out in New Market with a super huge umbrella strapped between my back and my camera bag so that I was able to use both hands while shooting.  It was miserable for me with my umbrella, I could only imagine what it felt like to be running in that pouring rain the entire time they were running.

Men's soccer was great.  Those guys really know how to play some soccer.  Reminds me of the days when I was young and playing soccer myself.  The fellas came up short in their race to the CAA championship game as they were defending CAA champions.

Right now, we are photographing winter sports, which include men and women's basketball, and track & field.  So far that has been great!  Right before we went on Thanksgiving break, EMU and JMU played for the first time since 1975.  EMU lost but it was definitely a great game to watch, especially when it's the first time that both teams have met in 40 years. 

I will be continuing to shoot for JMU next semester as I finish up my final semester of undergrad.  Can't wait for softball and baseball to roll around!  This past spring, the softball team did really well and hosted the NCAA Regionals.  If all goes well, they could possibly host it again, so fingers crossed!

Be on the lookout for more blog posts as I will be posting more as time goes on!