348 Moments In Time During 2011
If there is anyone interested in the world of photography - I highly recommend doing the "dailies" . You can learn so much about your camera and all of the wonderful setting as well as lighting and so much more. The world all of a sudden opens up and you begin to see God's beauty in the simplest things. He has painted a beautiful canvas for us and it only takes a moment to capture it in time. Thank you for stopping in and taking a look around at something I am very passionate about .
"When gifts are given me through my camera, I accept them graciously" ~ Minor White
December 30, 2011
Friday, 1:13pm
Today Taryn got her Tattoo. My husband and I were both raised believing Tat's were what white trash got - I know it's very different now days..but when you are raised a certain way it's hard to get those stigmas out of your head. So, when our daughter came and told us she was wanting a tat our first response was No! But she is not only very persuasive, but if you know the story behind it - it's hard to say no. Also, she just turned 19 on the 22nd and she can do it with or without your blessing. In 2009 we lost a very special boy after he was struck by two cars. Nathan had down syndrome and had left a Blazer game after telling his sister he was going to the bathroom - instead he left the building. We use to watch over Nathan during youth group and he would come to our home after school. When Nathan went home to Jesus it was very hard, but for Taryn it was also a realization as to what she wanted to do with her life. She came to me one day and said I think God is telling me what I should do with my life and he has showed me through our loss of Nathan. I want to work with special needs kids. Taryn has always had a gentle heart and it was not a surprise when she told me this. Nathan's parents were in the process of starting their own church when he was killed - their church is called Radiant - A Jesus Church. Taryn wanted a tat that represented her journey she was on and how Nathan and God always had her back. The tattoo is the picture of a dove with Nathan's initials above one of the wings. A peace sign is in between the wings that represents Taryn. The outside of the Tattoo is the bible verse Psalms 34:5
to see the finished Tat go to : http://athomeplatephotography.smugmug.com/My-Life/2011/Taryns-Tattoo/20917015_prjK93#1661401018_vNgjc3DDecember 27, 2011
CSI
After 20 years I finally went on my first ride along with my best friend. Years ago before marriage and kids when she became a police officer she had invited me to go on a "ride along" - but life seemed to busy..and she worked nights..which did not work well with my schedule. Then came the kids..of course I could not do it then. Well both of my girls have gone on ride alongs and after Christmas I thought - now it's my turn. We only got one call that night - but it was a fun and facinating evening. Plus I got to see not only what my best friend does every night..but what my youngest wants to do with her life. I have a lot of respect for people that go into this field - lot of long hours and hard work. Thank you Tina - for everything, but mostly for being my bestest friend.December 17, 2011
Complete Player Winter Softball Clinic
Taylor participated in this softball clinic - which was a 3 day clinic put on by college coaches - great experience and exposure. At the end of the first day which worked strictly with pitchers and catchers - a guest speaker was brought in. The famous Ann Shatz who truly shared a wonderful and inspirational message. During her message she called out to see who her pitchers were. They raised their hands. She stated to them - get those hands up and be proud - your job is important. Then she called for the catchers - my daughter raised her hand and stood up - Ann liked her enthusiasm - that's my Taylor!CompletePlayerWinterclinic105fbTaylor CarboneAnn Shatzsoftball3 I'sInspireincludeinvolvecatcherpitcherComplete PlayerCP Fast PitchOregon Convention Center
December 4, 2011
The Neighorn kids
I have had the honor and pleasure to watch and care for these children during the school year from babies till pre school. This family is truly one of those amazing families that when you meet them you know it's a priviledge. Thank you Ron and Jill for being such fabulous parents and raising such beautiful childrenJune 26, 2011
Sunday, 11:44am
12U and 16 U A Riptide take time to pose together for a team picture. Coach Joe Stanfill is the head coach of both of these teams - we sure appreciate all the hard work he puts into this "unpaid" position...along with all the other coaches too. Blessed group of girls!
f/2.8, 1/250, 70mm, ISO 100June 5, 2011
Sunday, 12:27pm
Riptide 16A Takes 1st in Silver Bracket
Our first tournament of the season and first year 16A. We played four games on Saturday - winning the first and the last game. Won both our games Sunday and walked away with the 1st place trophy in Silver. Way to go Riptide Ladies!
f/2.8, 1/1250, 70mm, ISO 200June 1, 2011
Wednesday, 7:39pm
Jessie Vredevelt and Taryn.
Tonight Jessie presented Taryn with the "Nathan Vredevelt Scholarship". This is something very meaningful and special to our family. This is the first year this scholarship has been given - Nathan would have graduated from high school this year, but God took him home after he was hit by a car a few years ago. This scholarship is to be given to someone who wants to work with special needs kids. Nathan is the reason Taryn wants to pursue a career in this field. She feels God placed Nathan in our lives so that she would see the path she needed to follow. Thank you Vredevelt Family - for this special scholarship that will always help those remember Nathan - and for helping those pursue their schooling to work with special needs kids.
f/2.8, 1/40, 70mm, ISO 400,May 22, 2011
Sunday, 11:01am
Beau and Stephanie Holstad's Wedding
Erick and I had the most fabulous time shooting this wedding - full of love and emotion. It was at this wedding that I also realized that when two people get married more times than not God is apart of the wedding. However, there is a difference when the couple actually invites God to be a part of the wedding vs just being a honorable mention. This wedding He was very much a part of the entire event - so refreshing to see. God Bless you Beau and Stephanie.
f/3.2, 1/40, 1/40, 26mm, ISO 400May 13, 2011
Friday, 7:46pm
Ashley's Birthday Bash!
Today Ashley was celebrating her birthday and along comes a pitch that hits her up side of the head. She being the tough young lady she is took her base with her head held high...and maybe a little ringing in the ears. Way to go Ash!
f/3.2, 1/500, 200mm, ISO 800April 30, 2011
Saturday, 10:01pm
Senior Prom at the Portland Art Museum - what a fun evening - could not resist having a bit of fun with the naked statues that outline the ball room. I had to dare Nikki to go lay her hand on his bottom...and this is how she did it. Made me laugh
f/4, 1/60, 90mm, ISO 1600April 28, 2011
Thursday, 12:09pm
"Every 15 Minutes Assembly"
Today was the assembly at Gresham High School for the Senior Class - and it was powerful.
It started out with a slide show of students in the senior class - just hanging out through out the day...then began the every 15 minutes...the Grim Reaper coming to the school and walking into classrooms every 15 minutes and taking one of the pre-selected seniors that was "killed". As the day goes on the numbers grow until all 25 seniors are dead. There are pictures of them in the cemetery with their black robes and white face paint, in the classrooms next to their classmates...standing still in the hall ways as students rush to class. Very visual. The selected seniors all have to write a letter to their parents that starts off "Dear Mom and Dad, Did you know that a person dies in a drug and/or alcohol related vehicle crash Every 15 Minutes? Today, I died, and I never got to tell you... " Some of these letters were read during the assembly - spoke to your heart and soul. One boy mentioned how he knew he and his dad had been butting heads a lot lately and he was sorry. Part of growing up - it happens...but when you think that child can be taken from you in a instant - it stops you dead in your tracks and makes you appreciate them so much more. The kids also put on a dramatization of a group of kids at a party drinking and leaving that party to drive home. A drive home that ends tragically. My daughter plays the person that gets killed due to a drunk driver. Here she is shown as a spirit looking down upon her body asking what has happened?..in the back ground are two huge photos of cars in a drunk driving accident. We also watch a video of multiple drunk driving accidents - graphic! After this parents of one of the teens get up and speak about how they felt last night when the police came to their home with the news that their son had been killed by a drunk driver - and hand them a sealed bag with his belongings in it..His school Id, drivers license and his pocket sized bible. Even though you know it's not true - when they hand you your child's belongings in this small evidence baggy that has been signed off by a police officer - it feels real. Penny and Craig did amazing speaking about their experience..and it ended with their son Tanner walking up to them dressed in a black robe with a bouquet of flowers for his mom. Beautiful flowers - but nothing in comparison to the smile and touch of her oldest son.
Thank you Gresham Police for bringing this very effective program to our school - some people may not understand it...but the statistics speak for themselves. Prior to participating in this program, Gresham area schools lost students almost yearly to fatal DUII crashes. For the past 15 years - since this program began - we have not lost any.
f/4.5, 1/20, 95mm, ISO 1600April 27, 2011
Wednesday, 11:01am
Every 15 Minutes
Taylor stands in front of her sisters tomb stone as I pick her up from school. This is all part of the program "Every 15 Minutes". For those of you that don't know what this is and may think this photo is pretty morbid - it's to get your attention and mainly the students attention. It...'s prom week at Gresham High. Today pre-selected students are "killed" every 15 minutes when the Grim Reaper enters their classroom and takes them away. The dead students put on black robes and white face paint and then travel the halls and classrooms as silent reminders that people are killed by drunken drivers every day...every 15 minutes. These selected students are cut off from their family and friends until the next day when they return to school for a Senior class assembly. When we said "goodbye" to Taryn this morning we knew that we would not be able to talk to her until the next day. Even knowing it's a dramatization - it's still very emotional. As I left the school today - in the show case was my daughter's Rugby sweat shirt with her name and time of death. I teared up at that point..then I walked out the door and there was her tomb stone - something no parent wants to see their child's name on. Tonight a dear friend, whose son is also one the pre-selected will be visited by police officers and will see what it's like when the authorities come and tell you your child has been killed by a drunk driver. They will bring some of his belongings and a story of the crash. Any student or parent involved in this program knows..it's no joke - it's to get everyone's attention. This is why I said having the officer pulling over a drunk driver in front of our home on Monday was so ironic. I know tomorrow will be tough and very emotional - but if it saves just one persons life - it's worth it. I pray this impacts all that are involved and makes them stop and think before they doing something that can change their life forever.IMG64470001 Gresham High SchoolGreshamOregonEvery 15 MinutesDrunk DrivingTeenagersPromDrivingDrugsSchoolAlcoholtomb stonesseniors
April 25, 2011
Monday, 11:33pm
"D.U.I."
How Ironic this is! It's prom week for Gresham High School this week - which means the program "Every 15 Minutes" will be taking place. More regarding the program will be shared as the week goes on.
Tonight as I was crawling into bed - all of a sudden my bathroom light lit up with flashing lights. I peaked out the window and saw the police had pulled over someone. As my husband and I sat in the dark front room watching the police go through the steps when handling someone who was driving under the influence I thought "how ironic that this is happening in front of our home this week". I thought about waking my daughter up to come and watch, but realized she would need her sleep - for the week ahead will be an emotional one.
Thank you Gresham Police for doing a great job and saving a life by removing this person from their car...before they hurt themselves or someone else.
f/4, 3/10,70mm, ISO 1600 TVIMG63780001 Every 15 MinutesGresham PoliceD.U.I.Gresham High SchoolPromdrunkalcohol
April 22, 2011
Friday, 3:47pm
Beautiful Sunny day in the Northwest - you would think we would be playing ball - but nope it's picture day for the team instead. The photographer for the high school sports use to teach at Gresham and is such a dear man and is always willing to teach - thank you Gene.!
Well after he was done these lovely young ladies asked if I would take some buddy pictures of them - I was honored. thank you Emma and Kaitlyn
f/4.5, 1/400, 70mm, ISO 400