How you do Disney On Ice when you know a performer

Watching Disney on Ice is so much more fun when you know one of the principal performers.

My daughters’ ice house went as a group to see Disney On Ice present Follow Your Heart. Every year, Allstate Arena hosts a Basic Skills Night where groups of skaters from various local ice houses come together to be recognized and to enjoy the show. It never fails to be less than amazing. This year we filled over 100 seats with our group -- and we cheered pretty loudly when Crystal Ice House was called, because most of us knew Kyle, a Disney On Ice performer who grew up skating at our rink; his mother (and former Ice Capades professional herself) still coaches there.

Oh, and we had awesome seats ~ which was perfect for this photographer!

There were several featured shows in the program this year -- and so much athleticism and grace displayed in all of them, but scenes happen to be extra-special when your daughters' (yes, both had him as a coach at one point) one-time coach performs several of the roles.

'Coach Kyle' played a hockey player in “Inside Out,” Woody in "Toy Story," a fork in “Beauty and the Beast,” the Prince in “Cinderella” and Kristoff in “Frozen.” 

Despite performing in so many numbers (he must have been exhausted!), this extremely talented young man came out for a meet-and-greet with our ice house group. I frequently work backstage for our local ice shows where he often comes back to perform alongside our skaters. Often, he is in the wings and chats with students, coaches and backstage parents like me. He is genuinely kind, respectful and encouraging. And, he always is willing to take pictures with all his adoring fans. 

In addition to Kyle, there were, of course, other extremely talented skaters and some displayed extraordinary gravity-defying feats of aerial acrobatics high above the ice. It was magnificent (and a little terrifying)!

 Both of my girls were enamored with Anna and Elsa, Ariel, Cinderella, Tianna, Belle and Rapunzel ~ it turned out to be a magical night for them: princesses and getting to see Kyle again!

Overall, though, it was a great show – beautiful costumes beautiful and vibrant scenery. We haven't seen the Dory movie yet and my girls haven't seen Toy story either, but those numbers also were fun to see on ice - and so colorful.  I would flood your page with images, but I tried to set a picture limit for myself by sticking to images of Kyle or princesses (notice a theme here?)! If it comes to your area, I highly recommend it – it is a great show for parents and kids alike.

My girls and me meeting Kyle (AKA, Kristoff, Woody, Cinderella's Prince, a fork and a hockey player) after the show!

The beginning of the Inside Out number

Minnie Mouse

We know the fork!

Belle and the Beast

Belle and her human prince

The angry emotion from Inside Out

Kyle and his Cinderella

Ariel doing aerial

More aerial

Loved this Aladdin and Jasmine lift

Rapunzel and Flynn Rider

Rapunzel and Flynn Rider again

A scene from Dory

Tianna

Anna

Kristoff -- We know him! We know him!

Olaf and Anna

Kristoff waiving to his ice house crew ~ at least that is what I think anyway;)

Anna and Elsa

Kyle as Kristoff dancing with Olaf

Sisters in perfect unison

Let It Go!

On my birthday I photographed a U.S. Marine veteran and his lovely bride

My birthday was yesterday. I got to do something pretty awesome. I photographed a Marine and his bride on their wedding day.

And, my second-shooter was … my husband!

My birthday gift was a new 35mm, f/1.8 lens. I was a happy lady! It was perfect for this wedding inside a conservatory.

My husband bought me a 35mm f/1.8 lens for my birthday, and my kids bought my second camera body a new body strap and hand strap! 

Over the past several years, I’ve had the distinct honor of becoming friends with several Marines – whether through work, writing articles about them, photographing them or being introduced to them through other Marines.

So a wonderful Marine friend of mine (who I think boxed up some sun from Florida and sent it here just for today … because if you live in the Midwest, you know we haven’t seen sun in forever) introduced me to a Marine friend of his, who introduced me to his girlfriend, who then became his fiancé, who, yesterday, became his bride. And they asked me to do their photos.

Weddings are beautiful, but this wedding held a special place in my heart. The couple is courageous and deeply rooted in faith. It was so evident throughout the planning and the ceremony that the bride and groom were focused on the people whom this marriage would bring together – and the bond of marriage itself – rather than just this day. And that made the day all the more special. Throughout the day they demonstrated a focus on self-sacrifice, love, commitment and patience.

Their perspective made me reflect on my own marriage and how blessed I am, thirteen-and-a-half years later, that there is a comfort and a love that sustains us as we continue to navigate the waters of marriage. This couple’s love for each other was unmistakable throughout the evening ~ and it made me even happier that I was there to shoot alongside my own husband.

Photographing kids makes me happy. And this wedding had a lot of them.

Watching the groom wait for his bride made my own heart flutter. I couldn’t help but smile as he eagerly anticipated catching a glimpse of his future wife. What a beautiful time -- those moments in between seeing your fiancé and calling her your wife!

The bride’s smile was contagious. Her heart was so focused on taking care of everyone at her wedding and her reception. She is truly a kind and generous person. I watched her tend to crying children, hug family, run to the door to welcome others as they walked in and make certain that, above all, people knew that they were loved.

And, also, it was a Marine Corps wedding – Semper Fi and Oorah were heard early and often throughout the night. There is something beautiful about the Marine Corps loyalty. I was honored to be asked to capture some of its magnificence on display tonight.

 

Congratulations, L and C ~ your marriage and your family truly are blessed!

After the ceremony, the after party was hosted by Gene’sPlace, owned and operated by a U.S. Marine veteran, and there a nice little nook to take some photos of the groom and his fellow Marines looking serious with the Marine Corps flag behind them.

Another shout out to Steve with Ahoj Productions for doing the videography.

A wild mustang named Batman and the people who touch his life

One of the wonderful parts of my job is that I am able to interview people who often inspire me. These interviews humble me. They make me feel honored, knowing that people entrust some of their story to me and allow me to share bits and pieces of it with others.

Recently I interviewed a U.S. Air Force Veteran and a stroke survivor who have found new hope through equines.

For those who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, working with horses – particularly mustangs – can be therapeutic. As Ron explained, the peace and the patience learned through working with a wild mustang can change a life. He is a testament to that.

He attributes his work with Batman, the featured mustang in my recent piece with WildHeart Mustangs, to his ability to be a better son, husband, father and grandfather. How huge is that? He said that where once he spent his days in virtual solitude, he now cherishes every minute with his family – and he wants to be around them again. There is such emotion and power to his story when I hear him tell it. It is so clear that not only is he being helped through his work with this mustang, but that he desires to help others find similar healing as well.

He was among the first veterans to work with Batman as the wild mustang set foot on BraveHearts soil. Each first – a hand feeding, a hoof in a hand, a first success in putting a saddle on – any of these accomplishments required dedication and commitment. Ron was determined to see this mustang through … and, as he did, he learned patience, commitment and awareness – which benefits him in all of his relationships. Being around the horses and learning to focus recharges him so that he can be more present in everyday situations.

The opening of a door, crowds of people or unexpected situations can easily startle wild mustangs. In a similar way, Ron said he shared the same anxieties. As he helped Batman acclimate to his new surroundings, Batman helped him acclimate to civilian life.

What a remarkable reciprocal effect!

Another inspirational woman who suffered a stroke ten years ago and continues to wrestle with the effects of that stroke works alongside Batman as well. She credits him with helping her regain more control of her arm and leg left weakened by the stroke.

Joan explained that she feels completely whole when she is with Batman and the other horses at the barn. She feels as though she can live in the moment when she is looking into their eyes and standing beside them or singing to them in a stall. Batman accepts who for who she is – and she accepts Batman for who he is.

Batman was just two when he came to BraveHearts Therapeutic and Educational Riding Center. The President and Chief Operating Officer picked him out of a group of young mustangs in Rock Springs, Wyoming, after the Checkerboard Roundup. He was chosen as much for his distinctive markings as for his long legs and substantial size – which would be beneficial in his future work with veterans and other adults.

Batman never ceases to live up to his name. In addition to his shiny black coat and his desire for goodness and kindness, he brings with him courage and mystery, Ron said.

When I see the great strides these men and women have made, I am inspired to overcome the little things that are hindrances in my life. When I see how far they have come, I feel that, in some smaller way, I can do the same … because they have lead by example. They have paved the way. And, despite their many victories, they live humbly ~ championing the cause of the underdog as well as the fighter.

These images were from a few years ago in dark lighting, when Batman was raw and untouched.

A U.S. veteran participating in Operation Mustang spent a long time waiting for this moment when Batman would eat from his hand.

This moment of bonding between Batman and another U.S. veteran in the round pen was exciting to capture.

An early image of Batman in the beginning of 2015

BraveHearts President and Chief Operating Officer initially picked Batman as much for his markings as for his substantial size.