10 Ways to Use Your FocalShare Digital Photo
Free race photos are awesome - but what can you do with them? Here are 10 ideas about how to use your free FocalShare digital photos from Focal Flame Photography.
As the saying goes, the best things in life are free. That's why free FocalShare digital photos are, well, awesome. If you've participated in a race or other sporting event that includes FocalShare service, you can download your high-resolution image at a cost of $0.00.
What can you do with your photo? If you're in need of creative ideas, here are 10 to get you started.
1. Inspire a friend. Perhaps this is your first race. Perhaps you've been competing in your sport for years. Either way, there is a friend out there who needs you to say, "Hey, join me, this is fun." Maybe they can't imagine themselves at the starting line. Maybe they need some encouragement. YOU can be the person who shows them that it's possible, because you've been in their shoes - and now here you are, crossing the finish line. There's nothing more powerful than an image to start a conversation.
2. Blog it. Do you chronicle your training and competition adventures? You're in good company. There are countless athlete blogs written by novices, women, men, semi-pros and pros - every sport, age division, and lifestyle you can imagine. Each blog serves a critical purpose: by telling your story, you help people understand your journey. You never know what spark this might inspire. Maybe there's a would-be athlete out there just like you that needs some concrete examples of what it takes to spend a day in your running shoes. Your race report can help them understand what it takes to get there. Without an image, all they have is your words to take on faith; with your photo, they can actually visualize not only the journey, but the beautiful outcome.
3. Inspire yourself. Focal Flame Photography is headquartered in Madison, WI. We understand the realities of a true winter. There will come a day - likely in mid-February - where you need a reminder that at one point there was no such thing as a "polar vortex," that green grass existed, and that sweat can in fact flow freely. Download your high-resolution FocalShare image, print that baby out, and hang it near your trainer, treadmill, or gym locker. We promise: someday, it will get you through that remaining 10% of your workout. You're welcome.
4. Spark a meet-up. Has it been years since you got together with high school or college buddies? What about your posse - the folks that stood up for you at your wedding, or fraternity/sorority brethren, or the friends you used to spend endless hours with hanging around the neighborhood? It's time to re-connect. Share your photo and invite them to join you at your next event. It might involve some cajoling, some bribing, maybe even some practical tips on how to train for a 5K. But follow through with the ask, and show them how much fun a healthy lifestyle can be. You know that it's possible. They just need an invitation.
5. Brag. Honestly, it's fun. And it's important. When you do something hard, you get to reap the rewards....period. Declare to the naysayers of the world (and even your support crew): CHECK IT OUT - I GOT THIS. Remember: Pics or it didn't happen.
6. Office decor. Some people decorate their cubicles with pictures of cats. We like cats. There's nothing wrong with cats. But you also have the option of framing photos of you being athletically awesome. This may in fact inspire you at a critical moment when preparing your next TPS report.
7. Send to donors as a thank-you gift. If you have participated in a sports event as a fundraiser for a cause, you might be trying to think of a unique, fun way to thank the people who donated on your behalf. What could be more unique than an image of YOU in competition? Recognize the folks who put their good name and money behind your ability to persevere: show them what passion in action looks like.
8. Holiday card. Toward the end of the year you may find yourself searching frantically for images that summarize a memorable accomplishment while wishing you could just get back to the festivities. Problem solved! What could be more poignant than committing to, preparing for, and participating in an event?
9. Hang it next to your kid's school photo. If you have kids (or if you're important in the life of a child as an aunt, uncle, grandparent, guardian, older sibling, etc.), you know that school portraits are a yearly rite of passage. It's important to put those school pictures up on your refrigerator. But it's also important to show the next generation what strength and dedication looks like. Don't hide it: children need to see that side of you. Even if they don't say anything about it, they'll internalize the message.
10. Give back. Is there a coach, training partner, friend, or family member who made certain that you were well-supported as you trained? Whether their sweat equity was paid in voices made hoarse from yelling, patience as they watched the clock waiting for you to return from your training session, or camaraderie on the toughest workouts, you're simply not done with your event until you thank them. Show them what they made possible by sharing your race photo.
While the list above details a few of the things you can do with your free FocalShare photo...there are also a few things you cannot do. Here are three examples.
1. Don't represent the photo as your own creative work. While your place at the front of the lens is first and foremost brilliant, every photograph is a relationship between two people: the photo subject, and the photographer. We at Focal Flame Photography are proud to hire the best in the business. Our photographers are highly skilled, experienced, and incredibly nice people who work exceptionally hard in every imaginable weather condition to make sure they capture you at the right moment and with true artistry. When you share your image, please take care to credit the hardworking artists who documented that critical moment. And please, don't submit the image to a photography contest as if it was your own creation. (Don't laugh. There is a reason we have to mention this.) Focal Flame Photography encourages sharing of FocalShare images by photo subjects, but retains copyright.
2. Use a FocalShare image for disparaging purposes. Focal Flame Photography is on a mission to create good in the world. Images we create may not be used to disparage, harass, embarrass, or make fun of anyone or anything. We feel pretty strongly about this. Contact us if you have any questions.
3. Re-sell the image or use it for commercial purposes. FocalShare images are free to share for your own personal use, but attempting to re-sell or gain profit from it in any way is simply not ok. If you or another party is interested in a commercial use license, contact us - are more than happy to help. (But rest assured - we do not issue commercial use licenses without permission of you as the photo subject.)
How have you used your FocalShare digital? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or via email.
Madison Marathon Profile: Erika Stuart
Searching for a sport that she could enjoy as a lifelong activity, Erika Stuart began running - and continued to train even with the challenges of having four children in less than six years. Viewing the event as "the gateway to a great summer," Erika looks forward to participating in another Madison Half-Marathon on June 25.
A health teacher in high school once told Erika Stuart (46) that while organized sports were enjoyable, the schedule coordination required for team sports could be difficult to manage as an adult, and encouraged her to get involved in an athletic endeavor that she could enjoy throughout her life. Erika started running, something she has continued to do - even while balancing the challenges of birthing four children in less than six years. Erika will be running the Madison Half Marathon on May 25 and, in hindsight, wonders why she neglected to sign up for the Twilight 10K run on May 24. "Next year," she says.
Focal Flame Photography, the official event photography service provider for the 2014 Madison Marathon events, asked her about why she runs.
Focal Flame Photography: How many Madison Marathons or Half Marathons have you run?
Erika: I have run two Madison Half Marathons.
FFP: Do you participate in other similar events?
Erika: I have been running races and participating in running athletic events in several states for many years. I have competed in a Tin Man, triathlons, biathlons, 5K, 10K, 2-mile, and 5-mile events.
Some of my favorites include the Friehoffer's Championship 5K, Albany, New York; Vermont Marathon, Burlington, Vermont; Wellfleet 5-miler Road Race, Wellfleet, MA; and the Shamrock Shuffle and Madison Half Marathon in Madison, Wisconsin.
FFP: Are there any personal accomplishments you would like to mention?
Erika: I took time off from running races during the years I had four children, now ages 10, 9, 7, and 4. As with most moms, the children took over as the top priority in my life.
My youngest was born in December 2009; as the baby got older, I felt it was time to get back to what I love doing. I set my sights on the Madison Half Marathon and felt great standing at that starting line again!!!
Erika's Personal Story
FFP: What does running and participating in events such as the Madison Marathon mean to you?
Erika: Participating in an event like the Madison Half Marathon reminds me of my own ability to stay active and healthy. It also sets a good example for my children, two of whom have run several races with me.
FFP: With so many races to choose from, why do you participate in the Madison Marathon? What makes it special?
Erika: The Madison Marathon/Half Marathon is a top notch event. It is well run, a great course, well supported, and a fun and festive atmosphere. I see it as the gateway to a great summer!! Plus, my kids love to be on the square in Madison, watching me and the other runners cross the finish line.
FFP: Do you do anything special to make the race more meaningful or fun?
Erika: I have run for leukemia and other health-related issues; maybe this year, I will step it up and have a theme. I have also encouraged others to run, walking beside first timers as they jog. This year I have a friend running the Madison Half Marathon with me who has not run a race of that distance before.
FFP: What would you tell other racers about participating in the Madison Marathon?
Erika: It is a fun, somewhat challenging event. Having run many races in several states, in my opinion, the Madison Half Marathon is one of the best I have participated in.
This article is part of a series featuring athletes who are participating in a Madison Marathon Event May 24-25 and/or November 9, 2014. For more information or to register, visit Madison Marathon.
Madison Marathon Profile: Krissy Schintgen
Running has changed everything for Krissy Schintgen, a survivor of two strokes who set aside her cane and heavy medications - determined to begin running with her daughter. After completing a 5K in June 2013, Krissy completed a half-marathon in November and is training for her first full marathon.
Triumphant runner Krissy Schintgen crosses the finish line of her first 5K alongside her daughter in June, 2013. Photo credit: Katie Richard, Focal Flame Photography
Running changes everything. Just ask Krissy Schintgen (33) of Middleton, Wisconsin. After years of struggling with the crippling effects from two strokes, Krissy decided to fight back. Starting little by little, she trained for Girls On The Run with daughter, Lily, then did the unthinkable and ran right next to Lily during the 2013 Girls On The Run 5K in June, 2013. Krissy began training for longer distances and became a half-marathon finisher at the Madison Marathon in November, 2013. She will be doing two Madison Marathon events in 2014: the half-marathon on May 25 and her first-ever full marathon on November 9.
Focal Flame Photography, the official event photography service provider for the 2014 Madison Marathon events as well as Girls On The Run of Dane County, asked her about why she runs.
Focal Flame Photography: How many Madison Marathons or Half Marathons have you run?
Krissy: One event, soon to be three.
FFP: Do you participate in other similar events?
Krissy: Yes - Glow Run, Mud Run, Color Me Rad, UW Madison Races, Shamrock Shuffle, Cannonball Run, Girls On The Run and the Parkinson's Half Marathon.
FFP: Are there any personal accomplishments you would like to mention?
Krissy: After a year of training, I ran my first Half Marathon. I also set up a virtual race and raised $1,100; 100 percent of the funds were donated to the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
FFP: I love your email moniker, "notfastjustfabulous." Is there a race story behind it?
Krissy: The name Not Fast Just Fabulous actually comes from my personal story of overcoming adversity. [Author's Note: To read more about Krissy's running journey, visit her blog Not Fast, Just Fabulous.]
Krissy's Personal Story
Krissy Schintgen rocks the 2014 Madison Shamrock Shuffle, sporting a brilliant smile despite high winds and cold temperatures. Photo credit: Clint Thayer, Focal Flame Photography
FFP: What does running and participating in events such as the Madison Marathon mean to you?
Krissy: After years of struggling with crippling pain, depression, and physical limitations due to two strokes, I decided to fight back. I threw aside my cane, stopped taking the heavy medication that left me dazed and unmotivated, and stepped outside. At first I walked, then I jogged, and now I run to remind myself that anything is possible.
FFP: With so many races to choose from, why do you participate in the Madison Marathon? What makes it special?
Krissy: It’s a special race because it was where I accomplished my biggest and most inspirational personal goal ever.
FFP: Do you do anything to make the race more meaningful or fun?
Krissy: Last November I crossed the finish line with two extremely amazing pacers who believed in me when I wanted to quit; I wore a pink tutu and cape that read “Not Fast Just Fabulous”. This May’s half marathon will be special because my husband will be running with me, his first race ever! In November, I will be running my first MARATHON…. and with my husband! We are going to be wearing wedding apparel and renewing our vows at the finish line for our 10 year anniversary!
FFP: What would you tell other racers about participating in the Madison Marathon?
Krissy: Running reminds me that my disabilities do NOT define me. I hope that my journey will help motivate and inspire others to dream beyond their abilities and take it one step at a time.
- article by Deborah Proctor
This article is part of a series featuring athletes who are participating in a Madison Marathon Event May 24-25 and/or November 9, 2014. For more information or to register, visit Madison Marathon.
Madison Marathon Profile: Gowtham
An accomplished researcher and avid runner, Gowtham holds the Madison Marathon in high esteem. "What makes the overall experience special is the overall ambiance and atmosphere of the event," he said.
Gowtham is an HPC Research Scientist, an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Physics and Electrical and Computer Engineering and NSF XSEDE Campus Champion at Michigan Technological University. He is also an avid runner and Madison Marathon finisher.
An accomplished researcher, Gowtham (34), who adheres to a south Indian tradition of using a single name, is a research scientist and Adjunct Assistant Professor of physics at Michigan Tech University in Houghton, Michigan. His interests include photography and exploring wilderness and natural beauty. He makes the 6-plus hour drive from Michigan's Upper Penninsula (informally known in the Upper Midwest as the "Yoop") to Madison to run the Madison Marathon with friends. Focal Flame Photography, the official event photography service provider for the 2014 Madison Marathon events, asked him about why he runs.
Focal Flame Photography: How many Madison Marathons have you run?
Gowtham: 1 in November 2013
FFP: How many total marathons or half marathons have you run?
Gowtham: 3 so far
FFP: Do you participate in other similar events?
Gowtham: I am slowly training toward my first triathlon in 2015.
Gowtham's Personal Story
FFP: What does running and participating in events such as the Madison Marathon mean to you?
Gowtham: The feeling of community and belonging to one, even though I might not be living in it on a daily basis. It's a very humbling experience to see unselfish support from people I have never seen before and/or might never see again.
FFP: With so many races to choose from, why do you participate in the Madison Marathon? What makes it special?
Gowtham: I have many friends from Michigan Tech that are either from Green Bay, Madison, or the Milwaukee area or have moved there since their graduation, and I don't to get to see them as often as I would like. The decision to participate in Madison Marathon was based on wanting to visit and spend some quality time with them.
What makes the overall experience special is the overall ambiance and atmosphere of the event. It is, the first of my 'big city' races and the biggest of the races I have either volunteered or participated in. The awesomeness of the course that winds through friendly residential and scenic areas alike, and the support I receive from the volunteers, aid stations, police officers, and people who make fantastic signs to cheer racers on makes this the most memorable half marathon event outside the "Yoop."
FFP: Do you do anything to make the race more meaningful or fun?
Gowtham: Most of my races have been with friends. For Madison Marathon 2013, we were a group of five friends varying in experience from novice to experienced half marathon, triathlon, and IronMan competitors. Other friends cooked for us the night before and seemed to be present with their cheerful faces at every major turn. Running and being with them helps me bond and learn more about them.
FFP: What would you tell other racers about participating in the Madison Marathon?
Gowtham: It's money well spent and an experience one cannot easily forget. I have done one other big city half marathon with even more registered racers but it wouldn't even hold a candle to Madison Marathon's finish area experience. The Madison Marathon is something I will never forget – crossing the finish line, I felt like a hero in the ancient Roman Colosseum (even at shabby 2 hour 43 minutes).
FFP: Is there anything else about your journey as a runner that you would like to share?
Gowtham: I am very passionate about my work and devote insanely long hours to it but I am grateful to the friends I have who share their knowledge and expertise and make me a better person overall. I want to get better as a runner. Running has certainly changed my life and life style -- helping me learn more about myself and everyone around me.
- article by Deborah Proctor
This article is part of a series featuring athletes who are participating in a Madison Marathon Event May 24-25 and/or November 9, 2014. For more information or to register, visit Madison Marathon.
Madison Marathon Athlete Profile: Michele Prieve Wilkinson
Michele Prieve Wilkinson of Milton, Wisconsin, ran her first 5K in 2003 to support a friend with breast cancer, only to be diagnosed with cancer herself in 2008. Undeterred, she persevered and continues to beat the disease by crossing the finish line of every race she enters, outfitted in a pink cape in honor of breast cancer survivors.
A dedicated runner, triathlete, and cancer survivor, Michele Prieve Wilkinson shares an embrace after a successful IronMan race.
Running can create superheroes. Just ask Michele Prieve Wilkinson (45) of Milton, Wisconsin, who ran her first 5K in 2003 to raise money for a friend with breast cancer. On 9/22/2008 the disease struck even closer to home when Michele herself was diagnosed with cancer. A fitness manager for an athletic club, she continues to beat cancer by crossing the finish line of every race she enters - persevering each time in honor of a cancer survivor. Focal Flame Photography, the official event photography service provider for the 2014 Madison Marathon events, asked her about why she runs.
Q&A with Milton, WI runner Michele Prieve Wilkinson
Focal Flame Photography: How many Madison Marathons or Half Marathons have you run
Wilkinson: I have run the Madison Half Marathon six times.
FFP: How many total marathons or half marathons have you run?
Wilkinson: Two full marathons and sixteen half marathons.
FFP: Do you participate in other similar events? What are a few of your favorites?
Wilkinson: I have participated in two IronMans and three half IronMans. My favorites are Madison Marathon, Wisconsin Marathon, and IronMan Wisconsin.
FFP: Are there any personal accomplishments you would like to mention?
Wilkinson: I finish every race I enter.
Michele's Story
FFP: With so many races to choose from, why do you participate in the Madison Marathon?
Wilkinson: I really enjoy events in the Madison area as it was my hometown for 38 years. It is truly an incredible city and it makes my heart happy to run on the streets of such a beautiful community.
FFP: Do you do anything to make the race more meaningful or fun?
Wilkinson: For the past 5.5 years I have run almost every race wearing a pink cape to celebrate being a breast cancer survivor. Each race I run in honor of a cancer survivor, to celebrate them and all they have been through. This keeps me present during a race. When times get tough I remind myself that they cannot give up, so I can't give up either and I can push through for a short time.
I typically do all races with a friend but this year I am challenging myself to run this marathon solo. I will be racing every race in honor of my father, E. Arthur (Al) Prieve, who passed away on March 19. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the incredible life that he led than to run through the streets that he called home for 50+ years.
FFP: What would you tell other racers about participating in the Madison Marathon?
Michelle: The race is extremely well run, the course is beautiful and Madison is a great place to be!
FFP: Is there anything else about your journey as a runner that you would like to share?
Wilkinson: I ran my very first 5K, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, in 2003. That race sparked my love for running and in turn was there to support me from my diagnosis forward. That race (and diagnosis) makes me want to continue to live life to the fullest! Distance running makes me feel alive — my goal is to finish each race that I enter, having the best time possible. Let's face it, I won't ever "win", but when I cross the finish line I have beaten cancer one more time ... so, yes, I have "won" many races. :)
- article by Deborah Proctor
This article is part of a series featuring athletes who are participating in a Madison Marathon Event May 24-25 and/or November 9, 2014. For more information or to register, visit Madison Marathon.
Madison Marathon Athlete Profile: Joe Kilkus
Wondering who's in contention to win the 2014 Madison Half-Marathon? Joe Kilkus (25) of Madison, Wisconsin is a runner to watch as he seeks to repeat his win from 2013.
Madison runner Joe Kilkus at the 2013 Lake Monona 20K race. Photo (c) 2013 Focal Flame Photography Photo credit: Clint Thayer
Wondering who is in contention to win the 2014 Madison Half-Marathon on May 25? Joe Kilkus (25) of Madison, Wisconsin is a runner to watch as he seeks to repeat his win from 2013. Kilkus used the 2011 Spring Madison Half Marathon to "test the waters" for his first full marathon in the fall. He loved kicking off his spring training with this event so much that he ran it again in 2012 and raced to victory in 2013. Focal Flame Photography, the official event photography service provider for the 2014 Madison Marathon events, asked him about why he runs.
Q&A with Madison, WI runner Joe Kilkus
Focal Flame Photography: What does running and participating in events such as the Madison Marathon mean to you?
Kilkus: Running means a lot to me. I really enjoy being able to just throw on a pair of shoes and forget about everything but running for an hour or so. I was the slowest guy on my college team as a freshman, and every year after that I kept improving so I started to love running more and more. By my senior year I was finishing in the middle of the pack for most races. I guess I wasn't ready to be done competing. Participating in events like the Madison half marathon is how I continue to compete not only against others but also against myself.
FFP: With so many races to choose from, why do you participate in the Madison Marathon? What makes it special?
Kilkus: After graduating from college in 2010 I decided I wanted to run longer races, and when I moved to Madison I found the Madison Marathon fit perfectly into my spring training plans. The race has a bit of sentimental value to me since it was my first half marathon, so every year since then this has been my big race for the spring where I really want to perform at my best.
FFP: Do you do anything to make the race more meaningful or fun?
Kilkus: I do have a lucky jersey that I wear when I want to run really well and need a little bit of extra good luck. Most people don't expect to see a guy racing in a purple Utah Jazz basketball jersey, so it's also a nice way to get cheers and support from people who don't already know me.
FFP: What would you tell other racers about participating in the Madison Marathon?
Kilkus: Get ready for the hills. It's a pretty fun course, but those hills are really tough.
Summary of Race Results & Personal Accomplishments
FFP: How many Madison Marathon events have you run? How many total marathons or half-marathons have you run?
Kilkus: 4 Madison half-Marathons — Spring 2011, 2012, 2013 / Fall 2013; Spring 2014 will be my 5th. I have also run 2 Marathons (Twin Cities 2011 and 2013).
FFP: Are there any personal accomplishments you would like to mention?
Kilkus: Men's winner of the 2013 Madison Spring half marathon. Ran 2:34:36 at Twin Cities marathon 2013.
- article by Deborah Proctor
This article is part of a series featuring athletes who are participating in a Madison Marathon Event May 24-25 and/or November 9, 2014. For more information or to register, visit Madison Marathon.
Madison Marathon Athlete Profile: Jason Kasperski
Jason said, "After I hit my weight loss goal, I decided I would run a Marathon for each of the surgeries my daughter had. I look forward to presenting her with her first medal after crossing the Madison Marathon finish line in November."
Jason Kasperski (37) of Madison, Wisconsin, has chosen to "Conquer the Capitol," a Madison Marathon series featuring a back-to-back twilight 10K on May 24, followed by a half-marathon May 25; he will complete the series with his first full marathon on November 9. Focal Flame Photography, the official event photography service provider for the 2014 Madison Marathon events, asked him about why he runs.
FFP: How many Madison Marathons or Half Marathons have you run?
Jason Kasperski, shown at the UW Running Club Valentine's 5k with daughter Brittney. Photo credit: Krissy Schintgen
Jason: One — I completed my first half Madison Marathon in November 2013. I will be running the Parkinson's Half this spring as well as the Twilight 10K and Madison Half Marathon in May. I am looking forward to my first full Madison Marathon in November.
FFP: Are there any personal accomplishments you would like to mention?
Jason: When I started running in August of 2012 distance running was the furthest thing from my mind, I was only focused on losing weight. By March of 2013 I had lost 100 pounds and was looking to run my first half marathon.
PLEASE SHARE YOUR PERSONAL STORY:
FFP: What does running and participating in events such as the Madison Marathon mean to you?
Jason: After I hit my weight loss goal, I decided I would run a marathon for each of the surgeries my daughter had. I look forward to presenting her with her first medal after crossing the Madison Marathon finish line in November.
FFP: If it is not too personal, please tell me a little more about your daughter and how she motivates you.
Jason: Brittney (8) was born with Spina Bifida. She is in a wheelchair but is able to walk short distances with a walker. To date she has had 18 surgeries ranging from ear tubes to open heart and brain surgery, to most recently a spinal fusion.
One icy day, I took her on a run around Lake Monona with my run group and she loved it. We ran in the UW Running Club Valentine's 5k together (she beat me by a hair). I hope to run with her in more races.
I started a Facebook page earlier this year that tells a bit of Brittney's story.
FFP: With so many races to choose from, why do you participate in the Madison Marathon?
Jason: I chose the Madison Marathon as my first marathon from a logistical standpoint. Living in Madison, it was a no brainer. I love the sights of the city and am familiar with most of the course.
FFP: Do you do anything to make the race more meaningful or fun?
Jason: Running with friends always helps with training, but when it comes to a race, I run for my daughter – that holds me accountable to do my best.
FFP: What would you tell other racers about participating in the Madison Marathon?
Jason: The same thing I tell myself — Prepare for it. Train hard and have fun.
FFP: You have chosen to "Conquer the Capitol" – a back- to-back twilight 10K and half marathon in the spring and a full marathon in the fall. Briefly, what would you tell other racers about participating in this race?
Jason: This will be my first time attempting it. I would say, push yourself, you never know what you can achieve.
- article by Deborah Proctor
This article is part of a series featuring athletes who are participating in a Madison Marathon Event May 24-25 and/or November 9, 2014. For more information or to register, visit Madison Marathon.
Chiropractor Laura Konopacki on Selecting a Headshot Photographer
How do you choose a headshot photographer in Madison? For Dr. Laura Kanopacki, it meant focusing on quality and integrity.
By Deborah Proctor
How do you choose a headshot photographer in Madison? For Dr. Laura Kanopacki, it meant focusing on quality and integrity. Returning to the States after seven years abroad, Laura Konopacki recently opened Body Wave Chiropractic near the intersection of University Avenue and Whitney Way in Madison. Knowing that an updated headshot photograph was a key element in her business success, she searched for a Madison photographer and chose Focal Flame Photography, over several others, to be her headshot photographer for multiple reasons. "I was happy with examples of their work... every email or inquiry I had was answered promptly and clearly, and in dealing with [lead photographer and co-founder] Clint, I got the impression that he knows how to run a quality business with integrity...I trusted things would go well even before I had my photo shoot,"she explained.
How did Laura come to this juncture in life? She grew up on a dairy farm in Brooklyn, Wisconsin, where along with her four siblings, she enjoyed an active country life around the farm and on the nearby Sugar River. One summer during college, she lifted something heavy at work and pain shot down her leg making it nearly impossible to walk - which just wouldn't do, since she was leaving just a few days later for a two month backpacking trip in Europe. Rather than cancel her trip, she decided to give chiropractic care a try. The treatment worked and she enjoyed a pain-free trip.
Upon her return she decided to become a chiropractor herself so she could help others alleviate the pain in their lives. She received her Bachelor of Science from UW-Stevens Point and a Chiropractic degree from Life University in Marietta, GA, and along the way she has studied and applied various techniques in Europe, China, and Peru. We asked about her career choice and how she happened to end up in those far-away places.
Focal Flame Photography: What do you enjoy most about being a chiropractor?
Laura Konopacki: "I practice a non-traditional method of chiropractic called Network Spinal Analysis. A very precise, light touch on the spine cues the brain to shift from defense into healing. Gentle waves develop and roll through the spine as tension, stress and pain are released.
If I had to pick one thing though, I’d say it’s seeing kids turn their lives and health around with chiropractic care. It’s really gratifying to see them begin following a different, happier and more empowered track."
FFP: You have traveled extensively in your work, both professionally and as an international volunteer. How have those experiences shaped your life and practice?
Laura: "Chiropractic volunteer work has given me entrance to the slums of India, orphanages in Brazil, and drug recovery centers in Spain. I learn every time my life intersects with people whose experiences are so radically different from my own.
I’ve had the chance to work with everyone from homeless people to CEOs of large companies. This has helped me see patterns that show up in people’s bodies and lives, both when things are not working for them, and when they’re in the zone. This has upgraded my ability to help patients make significant and sustainable shifts in their health, outlook, and life."
We also asked Laura about her Focal Flame headshot photography session:
FFP: What was the best thing about working with Focal Flame?
Laura:"I think anyone comes to a headshot photo shoot with insecurities and a bit of stress. For me, the best thing about working with Focal Flame was how incredibly painless the whole process was...I would even go as far as to say it was fun! "
FFP: Would you recommend Focal Flame to others seeking professional photography? Why or why not?
Laura:"My Focal Flame session fit perfectly with my schedule, and we used a location that gave me great background options to choose from.
I would highly recommend Focal Flame to anyone seeking professional photography. My expectations were exceeded, and that is the kind of business where I want to direct my time and money. I feel fully confident that others would have the same result."
FFP:Thank you, Laura, for that endorsement. It was a pleasure working with you.
Looking for a headshot photographer in Madison, WI? Look no further - submit an inquiry to the Focal Flame Photography online booking system!
Corporate Photography in Madison, WI: SEH, Inc.
by Deborah Proctor
Corporate photography is an important business tool for Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH®), a multi-disciplinary engineering firm that specializes in building safer roads, bridges, parks, and trails with an eye toward renewable energy and sustainability.As engineering professionals, SEH values corporate photography for its ability to add a human factor to an otherwise technical business. As an ongoing part of their business and marketing strategy they commission corporate headshots of new hires and update existing employee photographs every 2-3 years.
Recently, when the Madison, WI office needed a corporate photographer to update the professional headshots of their employees, they turned to Madison corporate headshot photographer, Clint Thayer, of Focal Flame Photography, because his technical skill balanced with his mastery of design closely matched their own technical design skills.
Transportation planning employee Darren Fortney recommended Focal Flame because of his"experience with them on the athletic side." Because Clint had photographed him at various endurance events, Darren knew that Clint had the technical skills and the ability work quickly that is important to a busy firm. "They (Focal Flame) set up a mini (corporate photography) studio in a conference room...were friendly and courteous, knew what they were doing, and did not waste staff time," he said. All are important traits for a professional corporate photographer; in the business world, time is money.
"I am not a smiler, but the photographers gave good direction. I got in and out quickly so I could go on with my day," project engineer, Dean Stodola, commented.Fortney added with a laugh,"They got me to smile and it looks like me, so they must have done something right."
Darren, Dean, and their project manager Jill Fuhrman were part of a team of engineers, architects, planners, and scientists who were involved in the design and installation of the Cannonball Path bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Beltline in Madison, Wisconsin.
This was a complicated project, shown here with a photo courtesy of SEH. It needed to address the concerns of key stakeholders: the City of Madison, looking to beautify an abandoned rail corridor and create pedestrian and bicycle access across a busy highway to reach downtown; the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, concerned about how traffic would be affected now and in the future; environmentalists, seeking the preservation of the area's natural resources; and residents or business owners concerned about how the project would affect access to their home or of clients to their business. Additionally, the bridge had to allow crossing the road at a significant skew (angle) while avoiding high voltage power lines traversing the narrow right-of-way.
The end result included two 180-foot prefabricated steel trusses. The structure addressed all the concerns and brought to life the city's vision of an artful design with minimal impact to a sensitive environmental area.
One interesting aspect of this project was that the final installation, setting the trusses over the highway, resulted in the total nighttime closure of this major highway (USH12, 14, 18 &151) in both directions. Doing so offered a unique opportunity for workers and SEH engineers to stand in the middle of a 6-lane highway without significant safety concerns. "It was fantastic to see the number of people that gathered to witness the trusses being placed," project manager, Jill Fuhrman, stated. "It is beneficial for people to understand what goes into enhancing and maintaining our transportation system."
Stodola spoke for everyone when he said, "It felt good to be part of a project that turned an abandoned railroad corridor into a attractive means for bicyclists and pedestrians to cross the busy Beltline."
Like their corporate headshot photography project, the Cannonball Path bridge project was accomplished quickly, efficiently, and resulted in a lasting artful image for all who pass.
What do you think of the new Cannonball Path bridge? Did you watch it being installed? Are you looking forward to using it? How and why? Share your thoughts!
Girls on the Run 5K: A Race Report
By Robyn M. Perrin - Co-founder, Focal Flame Photography
In retrospect, training for a 5K might have been a good idea.
Training myself, that is. My daughter, on the other hand, had this one down cold. She had not only been preparing for the past 10 weeks, but is a 3-time alumna of the Girls on the Run program. She started participating as a 3rd grader and enjoyed it so much that she enrolled each spring and fall session afterwards.
And so it was that we were both standing on the starting line, a year after we had done our first 5K together in Waunakee, WI.
Oh what a difference 12 months makes for a child now turned preadolescent.
Last year, I coaxed her along with her friends. When one of the compadressuffered a side cramp, everyone stopped and walked, holding hands until all was well. We walked for over three-quarters of the run. So I wasn’t terribly concerned about keeping up for this fall’s 5K, even though work, life, and willpower had intervened such that I had zero miles under my belt by the week of the race.
In the meantime, my little one was no longer little. And she had discovered that running fulfilled a joy that she could articulate most clearly with her feet, her heart, and her lungs.
This is not to say that Girls on the Run is a competitive running program. It’s not. The secret is that it’s not really a running program at all. Through the thoughtfully developed curriculum, girls in 3rd through 5th grade discuss topics such as positive decision-making, community-building, and how to take a stand against bullying. They have discussions about how to recognize negative, disempowering messages in advertising and media. They vote on a nonprofit to support (my daughter’s team held a bake sale that raised over $200 for the Dane County Humane Society). They navigate some difficult, messy discussions about the negative effects of gossiping and how to be effective at asserting themselves.
And twice a week, they run a little longer and a little harder at each practice.
Last fall my daughter had no interest whatsoever in setting a goal time. I asked if she thought she had any idea how long we should plan for the 5K. She wrinkled her nose, saying, “What does it matter, Mom? We’ll get to the finish eventually.”
And we did, letting each moment unfold in due time.
This year, however, she didn’t discard the thought of a goal. After doing the team’s practice 5K in 36 minutes, she decided that 35 minutes was within reach. “I’ll be sprinting the whole thing, Mom,” she declared. Then she giggled and darted away.
Three days before the run, I figured I better do something. I had started using a FitBit over the summer and had a good idea about how many steps I averaged per day, but let’s face it: they were all walking. I went to a nearby roundabout in a quiet neighborhood, did a few laps around the 1/16 mile circle, and the trudging was uneventful. A steady jog should do it, right? Right.
The big morning arrived. Over a thousand girls, coaches, families, and community members lined up at the start, and we were released in the first wave with the blast of the horn from the Waunakee firefighters’ truck.
My husband Clint, co-founder of Focal Flame Photography, was perched above all of us in the firefighting rig’s platform. “Wave to Daddy!,” I told our daughter. I knew that the course was lined with Focal Flame photographers ready to lend their keen concentration and sense of timing to capture the day for each racer. I knew this because I had talked with each and every one of them, helping to convey assignments and paperwork and all the logistics that go into preparing an event crew.
But right now, I was just a mom running with her daughter.
Within a few paces, I realized that we were keeping up a pretty good clip. “Ah, great,” I thought, “the excitement of the 5K is kicking in.”
Then I glanced at my daughter’s coach, who checked her watch and assessed the pace. “Wow,” she murmured between strides. “They’re heading out WAY faster than they did at practice.”
Within a quarter mile, the trajectory was unmistakable: there was no holding back this year. I fixed my glazed eyes on my offspring from a few paces back, watching her keep stride with metronome-like precision, staying true to form.
At one point the inevitable side cramps set in for nearly all members of the team. There was no walking this year. I overheard my daughter’s response: “Coach told me I should run through them.”
And run she did.
The back of the Waunakee course includes a long incline up completely open terrain hugged by agricultural fields. The wind whipped up so strongly it felt like a cold hand pushing me backwards as I struggled to crest the hill. We turned a corner and I attempted to maintain some semblance of nonchalant dignity, nodding in response to the casual conversation of team coaches and fellow moms.
The truth was, I was dying. I mean, the only thought that kept going through my mind with every footstep was, “Good grief make it stop, I should have trained for this, I know this is nothing compared to enduring 36 hours of labor but how am I supposed to maintain a shred of dignity when my heart may well explode before the end of 3.1 miles?”
There are certain things one attempts to do when trying to be suave while running. You sport a causal half-grin that you hope desperately doesn’t transition into a full grimace. You attempt to respond to conversation through earnest head motions, hoping that no one realizes you are sucking wind so badly that you couldn’t utter a response even if you wanted to. You try to ignore the thought that you’re only going to be able to descend stairs for the next three days by taking a double dose of ibuprofen, stepping gingerly, and inhaling from the gut.
We reached the aid station and I thought, “Oh, good, she’ll stop to take water.” Nope. She slammed the contents of the Dixie cup, deposited it in the trash, and took off again.
The realization sunk in: I’m toast. There was no way I was going to be able to keep up with her. A momentary wave of guilt washed over me – will she be OK running alone? - but then I spotted one of the team coaches, Laura, keeping pace alongside my daughter with the steady stride of a practiced runner. (And practiced Laura is: a two-time Boston Marathon qualifier.)
Steady. Step by step. Never wavering. I saw my daughter take off her hat - having warmed to the task - and press on. She pulled away into the distance, and I realized that today offered so much more than a Saturday 5K.
This was a glimpse into the future.
Every parent has a moment when they first begin to realize that their child has in some way begun to come into their own. In reality, there are endless instances of such realizations: the first time they begin to read independently. The first time they walk to a friend’s house in the neighborhood. When they pause in conversation to say something so insightful you are left speechless. These moments arrive like snowflakes, slowly at first and each one perfect in its individuality, until one day you turn around and realize a blizzard's-worth of evidence of your child's spirit and self-identity has accumulated.
Today, I realized that my daughter was outrunning me with great joy and tremendous grace. This was her homage to an autumn day, choosing a wild neon hat to stand in contrast to dreary skies. Choosing an even tempo of footsteps to counter the blacktop-clad ascents.
If I thought it was hard to breathe myself up the hill before, that was nothing compared to trying to run with tear-tinges of gratitude and a lump in my throat. “If she can do it, so can I,” I thought.
We did not cross the finish line together this year. But she was waiting for me in the finishing chute, jumping up and down and squealing with glee. “Mom, I did it! Twenty-nine minutes!!”
Strong women: May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.
Focal Flame Photography has been honored to serve the Dane County Girls on the Run 5K since 2011. Participants in the Fall 2013 5K may download complimentary FocalShare™ photos from the event.