Mad, huge, incredible MASSIVE props!

[Michele 1]

First JFTC calendar shoot complete out of a series which will cross the country in coming weeks.

Three monster days' work, wonderful ladies met, glorious shots taken, absolutely incredible people on all ends of the spectrum...I remember saying to someone "you ever see the end of a day approach, and look back at dawn, and think, 'man, that was a long long time ago'?" She nodded. Everyone worked amazingly hard, and produced amazing results.

I wanted to take a moment to send out a huge THANKS!!! and MASSIVE PROPS to:

~Perris Valley Skydiving: everything we needed, almost before asking. Complete support for us, including Melanie C. giving us a flyby because I was worried we didn't get the shot the first time.

~The entire Conaster family: way too cool for words, and they have the bestest playground imaginable. And their hearts are as big as their fantastic playground - and the tunnel just rocks (I got 4 minutes in there, and learned a ton...)

~Kate C., thanks for all the learning, and the lessons. How fortunate I am to have you to learn from, and to follow in your footsteps. Thanks for your help, and your generosity; not just of your space and time, but of your heart and spirit. I do appreciate it greatly!

~Absolute respect and huge thanks to the photographers:
Quade, Deuce, Diablopilot, DaGimp. I could go on and on about them, and I really would, but the only thing I can think of to say is there would be no calendar without these guys. They took our ideas, made them real, got the shot often on the first attempt. They had a very hard job - and did it with grace and style (can you say that about men? Well, I just did)...they have set a high standard! And I gotta say, sticking skydiving ladies into makeup, in front of hot hot hot shop lights, and getting them to relax created some of the best shots I've seen in a while. This calendar couldn't happen without photographers of their caliber.

And not one of the ladies who worked with them were anything less than thrilled with ground and air shots....should one of these guys ever offer to take your photo or do a vid of you, let them. You will NOT be disappointed!

~Nightingale, you rock. Our makeup artist was none other than Nightengale; complete professional, and the totally perfect eye!

~The security/support staff - who posted themselves outside, and really stood guard over our ladies and gear and equipment, ran errands when something was needed, supplied help in all imaginable forms, including hugs, laughs, and smiles when it was all just getting a bit too much: MJOSparky, Doc, and Tom "Broken Guy" Brown.

~The Ladies of JFTC: What a great group of people these girls are. How close they are, and how big their hearts. To give a project - untested and new - three whole days - some traveling huge distances - was just incredibly gracious and generous. You know who you are, so I won't name you, but you all have a huge admirer in me, Mar and Mailin. Thank you all so very much for your trust and faith in us and in yourselves.


Mailin, your support and ideas and charm and determination and quiet grace was a joy to be around, to drive with, to play with, to learn with, and to laugh with. This could not be done without you.

Mar, you are so definitely special and amazing. Your strength, your smile, your laugh - how blessed am I to have you as my dear friend. Again, this could not be done without you.

I have laryngitis. I think it was because I whooped, wooted, and hollered so much, and laughed so hard I was crying at times. How fun this has been, and how fun it will be. While it wasn't easy, and likely one of the hardest things I've ever done with my feet on the ground, the end is worth every bit of effort it takes, and all the learning we will do and have done. In the end, there will be a wonderful product which will create funds for breast cancer research. And how great will that be?

I am loving everyone a second time, and missing you all very very much...what am I gonna do this week without a shoot to plan????

Oh yeah. Monroe, GA. is next...three weeks...

Ciels and Pinks to all!
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~