My friend Elizabeth Craig is hosting a boudoir photography workshop here in Pittsburgh in a few weeks. If you are a photographer interested in learning more about photographing boudoir sessions, this is a great deal! She'll be sharing some tips, plus you will be able to apply what you've just learned by photographing a live model. Here's the scoop:

Thank you so much to everyone who helped organize, participated, volunteered, and attended Drink for the Cure on Saturday. I had a fabulous evening, and most importantly, we raised over $2000 for breast cancer research!

Thank you.

Which led me to raise my Race for the Cure goal to $3100. (Which is a somewhat arbitrary number, I know, but I'll be turning 31 the day after the race, so it seemed fitting). Once Saturday's bounty is added, I'll be about $600 away from my new goal. If you'd like to make an online donation to help me obliterate this new goal as well, you can do so via my Race for the Cure page.

Here are a few images from throughout the night:

This is Jia, who was essentially the catalyst that made the entire evening a) happen at all, and b) happen awesomely. I'm not entirely sure what he was saying when I snapped this, but if I were to guess, I'd imagine it has something to do with infinity and beyond.


Love, love, love this image of Vyora, doing her thing...


Our emcee extraordinaire for the evening, Kellee Maize, who also performed a set from her latest album.
 


After Jonäno's runway (barway?) fashion show, there was a live auction of three pieces from their lingerie line, the proceeds from which were generously donated to the pot.
 

David from Komen got up on the bar at one point to issue a challenge: he asked people to give $20, and for every $100 raised, he would match $100. This image is of the money being counted at the end.


It was at this point-  while David is standing in the bar and people are handing him twenty dollar bills- I was looking around the room, and I was a little overcome with emotion. There were all of these people, the majority of whom I had never met, giving their hard earned money to support a common goal. It was a really powerful moment.

Because here's the thing: this night was never really about me. My story is just one of many. Of too many. Too many people who have been affected by cancer.

This night was about Charissa, who lost her husband last year - at age 31- to Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She formed BRICKS for young adults in Pittsburgh, an organization that aims to connect young adult cancer patients to people and resources that may be helpful to them as they undergo treatment and beyond.

This night was about David, who came to speak on behalf of the Komen Foundation and Race for the Cure, whose mother is a 5-time breast cancer survivor.

This night was about Jay, who spoke on behalf of Gilda's Club. Jay was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 36.

This night was about Alison, a women I met earlier that day who also has the BRCA2 mutation, who is a lymphoma survivor, but lost her father to breast cancer. (Yep, her father.)

This night was about my sister, who died from leukemia at 32. And for her children, who never really got the chance to know her.

This night was about my mother, who couldn't attend because she is at a long-term care facility, attached to a wound vac and a morphine pump, after complications from her double mastectomy in March.

This night was for you, or someone you know, who has been affected by cancer, in any form.

Which is probably every single person who reads this, whether it is themselves personally, or someone they love. That is not ok. What can you do to support them? Donating money? There are a half a dozen great organizations listed throughout this post, if you need some ideas. Perhaps you're shorter on money and longer on time. Could you join me at Race for the Cure on Sunday (you can walk, if you're not a runner)? Could you make someone a meal? Give them a ride to the doctor? Sit with them and hold their hand while they get chemo? Call them up to say you're thinking about them? Send them a card? Be a mentor to a child who has lost a parent?

To see so many people come together, to choose to spend their Saturday evening in support of a common goal, was amazing. Because if we can do this, what else is possible?

What can you do today to reach out to someone in need?  

I want to officially thank the following:
Firehouse Lounge
Jia Ji and Couchange
Kellee Maize and Nakturnal
David Malli from Komen Pittsburgh
BRICKS for Young Adults
Jonäno
Gilda's Club
Hot Metal Muses- bellydancers
Vyora and Scheiny- bellydancers
DJ 7up
Cancer Caring Center
Tobi Makinde
Natalie Gable
LMFC
Laura Petrilla, who was there with her 'Pin Me Up' calendar, whose sales benefit breast cancer research.
Ginny, for giving my story a shout out on That's Church, and coming out to support the cause. Ginny for Mayor!
The volunteers who made the night run smoothly, and the models who made the night sexier. I *think* this is a complete list of everyone to who contributed to making the magic happen:
Anna Bender
Ashley Baker
Ashley Van Schaeffer
Bonnie Siefers
Bree Van Schaeffer
Charissa Hamilton-Gribenas
Chelsea Lupkin
Dajia Thomas
Edan Yago
Eric Redinger
Eric Venuto
Fernando Espejel
Jay Santa
Jessica Seibert
Jim Semonik
Jocelyn Wrzosek
Julie Philp
Lani Redinger
Lila Espejel
Lily Pietryka
Lisa Considine
Luisa Groher
Margaret Campbell
Marta Napoleone
Patrice Langford
Pian Shu
Robin Beruh
Rod Mcshane
Sarah Scheinman
Serena Bond
Spencer Warren
Sondra Woodruff
Stephanie Strasburg
Tao Wu
Tatsuya Graham

Also, I didn't have my camera with me all night, so I didn't get any images of some of the later speakers and performers. If you attended and took pictures that you have available online, leave a comment on this post with a link to where we can view your photos.

Do you remember how I said a little while ago how awesome my friends are? Here's an example:

I met Jia a few years ago while helping out with PodCamp. We've maintained one of those peripheral friendquaintenceships that I'm really good at, and when I posted about my surgery a few weeks ago, he dropped me a line.

Which led to us getting together for coffee, and chatting about projects that we're working on and projects we'd like to begin. He started an organization called Couchange, which is a social venture that raises money for nonprofit organizations by converting abandoned assets - such as leftover gift cards - into cash. He discussed making a donation to the Komen Foundation in my name to support breast cancer research, to which I replied that I was about to start fundraising for Race for the Cure, so he could do it through there if he felt so inclined.

So the next day he sends me an email asking how I feel about having a happy hour type fundraiser to help meet my Race for the Cure goal. I visualize a low key evening having some cocktails with friends and think: "Cool. Drinking is way easier than running. I don't even need to train for that. I'm in!"

The next thing I know, there are belly dancers and lingerie models and local artists and all of these amazing and talented people coming together to create this fundraising event that benefits the Komen foundation and my Race for the Cure efforts. (Which reminds me...no pressure or anything, but I guess I should start running...)

Sooo....here are the details:

Saturday, May 1st from 7-10PM at the Firehouse Lounge & Embury at 2216 Penn Avenue. (Embury, by the way, is rumored to have some rather delicious cocktails. Which I am looking forward to verifying for myself.)

The evening features a fashion show and lingerie auction, fire arts, bellydancing and other fun events, including:

• Master of Ceremonies, Kellee Maize (http://www.kelleemaize.com)
• Fashion Show and Lingerie Auction by Jonäno (http://www.jonano.com)
• Bellydancing by Hot Metal Muses, Vyora of Tribe of Azhar, and Scheiny
• Fire Arts by Erika May (http://www.erikamay.com)
• DJ 7up (http://www.steelcityfunk.com)
• Art by Natalie Gable, LMFC

Tickets are on sale now for $8 through ShowClix (http://www.showclix.com/event/9401) and Venmo (use your mobile to buy tickets now by texting "Pay Couchange 8 for DrinkCure" to 646-863-9557) or $10 cash at the door. Ticket cost includes the first drink for free and half off appetizers. Ages 21 and over, so parents, leave the kids at home.

All proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Race for the Cure, with additional awareness, information and speakers from BRICKS for Young Adults, Gilda's Club Western PA, and the Cancer Caring Center. I'll also have some information there about a new photography project I'm putting together, which I'm pretty excited about.

Also, just wanted to give a shout out and a huge thank you to Jia for spearheading this whole thing, and to the other organizers, entertainers, and artists who have donated their time and talent to the planning and execution of what is shaping up to be a great evening.

Now, I just have to make sure I don't get the dates for Drink for the Cure and Race for the Cure mixed up.

Just in case, if you happen to see a girl at Embury on May 1st wearing sweatbands and running shoes, it is most assuredly not me.

Well, I'm doing it again this year. I'm running in the Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure, to raise money for breast cancer research.

This will be my fourth year racing. This year, as you may know, my reasons for running are even more personal. As a result, I've upped the ante for the amount I'm hoping to raise: my fundraising goal this year is $2000. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so on my Race for the Cure page. Anything you can give is both helpful, and very much appreciated.

Of course, I use the term 'racing' pretty loosely. Because - just between you and me - I think the last time I ran was during last year's Race for the Cure. Which doesn't bode well for my:
endurance
physique
chances of coming out of this with any shred of ego intact

For kicks, I went through a list of more likely scenarios for me on race day:

Gimpy Shuffling for the Cure
Getting Lapped by Old Ladies using Walkers for the Cure
Publicly Humiliating Yourself in Front of Thousands of People for the Cure

Unfortunately, none of those have quite the same ring to them as Racing for the Cure. Which means I should probably go for a jog. Or perhaps begin with a brisk walk. I finally got the ok from my surgeon to start running again, so I have no excuses and exactly 4 weeks to make sure those alternate descriptions don't become my reality. Zero to 3.2 miles in four weeks. (Anyone care to place a friendly wager on what that likelihood of success might be?)

To help motivate myself, I hung up a picture of me after last year's race:



Ok, fine.

It was maybe a little more something like this:


(You may be wondering why I appear to have the body of a man in these images. I haven't been able to find a scientific explanation for it, but it only happens when I run. Weird, I know.)

Some images from Unwrapped, the Union Project's annual holiday fundraiser. They had a circus theme this year, complete with jugglers, a tarot card reader, hula hoopers, and slackliners.

Good times!

A few of the delicious details from Say I Do on Thursday evening, an eco-chic bridal cocktail party hosted by Simone Hudson of 5 Senses Events:


The other fab vendors that offered their services to help make the evening a success:
All Occasions Party Rental
ADS Lighting
DJ Jeremy Ganss
Coca Cafe
Grey Box Theatre
Dozen Bake Shop
Katy D Invitations and Greetings
Lendable Linens
M Catering
Mocha Rose Floral Design
Heather Ganss Custom Jewelry
Molly's Trolleys
and of course, yours truly
Kimberly Reed Photography

The lovely and talented Simone at 5 Senses Events has put together a bridal cocktail party that is shaping up to be quite the must-attend event for brides-to-be. I've attached the invite below, and I have to point out that space is limited and you must rsvp and purchase your ticket in advance here.

There's a gallery show in Braddock this weekend that I'll have a few prints in. I know several of the other photographers who are participating, and it looks like it will be a cool event. Food + Art + Supporting a great cause = you should go and have a great time. Bring a friend, or make one there.



Here's the info from their press release:
OBSCURAE Photography Exhibition & Art Lottery Event
Fundraiser sponsored by Braddock Redux hosted at the UnSmoke Systems Gallery
1137 Braddock Avenue, Braddock, PA
Curated by: Jenny Fremlin & Jodi Morrison, with special guest curator John Ryan Brubaker

Friday, December 5, 2008: Public Viewing / Preview Reception 7pm-11pm
Saturday, December 6, 2008: Public Viewing: 2pm ; Art Lottery: 4 – 7pm

Lottery Tickets: $45 through website; $55 at the Door
www.obscuraegallery.org

Art Photography Featuring Braddock Will Be Raising Funds for Community Projects

Braddock Redux, a community based non-profit, announces its sponsorship of a two-day photography exhibition/fundraiser, The event, OBSCURAE, will occur on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6, 2008. Benefiting the group’s continuing revitalization efforts of this historic steel mill town, OBSCURAE features more than 125 donated and framed photographs of Braddock from over 25 photographers that ticket holders will win and take home at the OBSCURAE art photography lottery. Public viewing of the work, open to all and free of charge, begins Friday from 7 – 11pm and continues Saturday at 2pm; the art lottery commences at 4pm Saturday. Those attending OBSCURAE, held at UnSmoke Systems Gallery at 1137 Braddock Avenue, are invited to take part in the gallery’s interactive photo booth designed by installation artist Merissa Lombardo and taste fresh-baked pizza by Josh Tonies made in Braddock’s very own outdoor wood-fire community oven located next to UnSmoke Systems. There is no charge to attend OBSCURAE and view the exhibition; visitors wishing to take home a work of art can purchase lottery tickets for $45 through the website, www.obscuraegallery.org, or for $55 at the door. The lottery offers supporters the opportunity to contribute to Braddock art and community projects with a partially tax-deductible ticket purchase. At the same time, supporters will be able to enjoy the exhibit, local food and drinks, the photo booth installation, AND leave with a limited edition framed art photograph. Photographs included in the lottery range from 8x10 to 13x19 and are mounted and framed using a variety of reclaimed materials. All pieces are stunning to display or give as a gift this holiday season.

Change is underway in Braddock as groups working with and within the community bring renewed energy to a town that many wrote off. Inspired by the town’s potential for grassroots urban renewal, many artists, social entrepreneurs, community organizers, urban homesteaders and others with a pioneering spirit are using the inherent energy in Braddock to fuel their creativity. It is with this spirit that OBSCURAE views the maligned town – turning a photographic eye towards the borough’s oft-overlooked beauty and the spaces amidst the former grandeur and “urban blight” that Braddock has come to represent for many in the Pittsburgh area.

Curated by Braddock residents Jenny Fremlin and Jodi Morrison, with special guest curator John Ryan Brubaker, OBSCURAE pays homage to Braddock’s unique post-industrial urban beauty. From the borough’s Victorian and industrial-era construction to particulars of its natural surroundings, each photograph captures a unique perspective of the town. Works are mounted and framed with found-materials from the community. In creating OBSCURAE, curators Fremlin and Morrison hope to encourage others to look deeper and appreciate the small wonders that drew them to Braddock. “The energy in Braddock is amazing, from the support of our neighbors who are long-time Braddock residents to curious people dropping in there is always something happening in this town. All of that activity and more is captured in the photographs that have been submitted by these brilliant photographers who have explored here and chosen to help the town that inspired their art by participating in this event” said Fremlin.

I had the great pleasure of photographing Unwrapped, the Union Project's annual fundraiser to celebrate the programming and arts that happen there. It's always a great time and this year was no exception. I've got to give props to Hilary Brown and her staff of over 50 volunteers who worked tirelessly to pull the event together. Also, my dear friend Simone Hudson of 5 Senses Events helped with coordination and event design this year, and all of the fabulous florals were courtesy of the talented (and super sweet) April of Mocha Rose. Without further ado, I've compiled a montage of some of the details from Saturday evening:

Liquid Sundays had a fashion edition at Olive or Twist Sunday night featuring clothes from Sugar boutique and shoes from Pavement. The bands the Lost Sea, Central Plains, and Thee Adora played. Good times. Some of the things that caught my eye throughout the evening: