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I'm writing this post today in my blue fuzzy robe with kleenex sticking out of my nose... sounds hot huh? ;) I've been under the weather this week and it reached a whole new level of sickness about two days ago which of course was when we had an all day shoot in the snowy mountains scheduled. It was one of those days when I really just had to psyche myself up and push through to get what I needed to get.
I've been thinking a lot about this idea of pushing through recently. I've been watching the Winter Olympics and I am fascinated by the absolute perseverance of the contenders. Pushing through takes on a whole new meaning when you are an Olympic Athlete. These people train day in and day out, pushing through injury, discomfort, pain, sleeplessness and the list goes on. The sacrifice they undergo is intense. But what all of these contenders have in common is passion. There is something in them that drives them to a slight sense of insanity. And I DO think you have to be slightly "insane" to achieve a certain level of greatness :) These people have designed their life around their passion which is why they make "pushing through" and persevering look easy. It's never easy but they recognize the absolute necessity in it.
I learned that one of my old dance friends who I did ballet with for years and years is in the Olympics this year as one of the top male figure skaters, Evan Lysacek. It's so amazing to think of how far he has come. Evan trained with me at one of the best ballet studios in Chicago, not because he wanted to be a ballet dancer, but because he wanted to be the best figure skater possible. He is someone that has pushed through the pain and sacrificed a great deal to get to where he is. But when you are pursuing your passion, sacrifice feels like gain and perseverance is like having your morning coffee. It just comes with the territory.
Here is a frame from the winter shoot we had on Tuesday. Lots more coming...
Thoughts
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This post resonated with me for several reasons. firstly because I was battling my own cold and I'm the biggest baby ever when I'm sick. Your words were the "get your #$% up and do something" I needed. Also, I am in love with the olympics. I was actually lucky enough to be there for the opening weekend and it was both inspiring and incredible.
Oh, and I LOVE this photo!
This photo is AMAZING!!!! Excited to see more!
Your words are spot on, Sarah. And the photo is, too. Pushing thru the hard times is what separates the good from the great.
I was searching Evan Lysacek on twitter the other day and I stumbled upon your post about him. I'm 17 now, but I remember I used to dance at the same studio as him ... and when I saw that you used to dance there too, I clicked on your Twitter page which led me to your website.
Anyhow ... your photos are amazing! I'm not really a photographer, but I do other types of art (drawing, music, ... living, etc.). I think what I really like about your photos is that the people in it seem really genuine. Their smiles aren't posed or anything; each person is shown beautifully and genuinely. The pictures are not only vibrant in terms of their colors but also in terms of how you manage to capture the spirit of the moment and how the photos are able to speak... (if that makes any sense at all, haha) Looking at these pictures really makes me want to pick up photography.
Just wanted to let you know! You and your husband are truly talented :)
your photography is SOLID.
I LOVE THIS SHOT. It so belongs in a magazine!
Wow she is a stunner !! Love the texture the fur added. I hope you feel better you little sickie :)
LOVE this winter shot. You've got me itching to see the rest.
perseverance to fuel the passion for sure. this shot is like a magazine, love it and can not wait to see more
Evan just won! Thats awesome that you were with him in his early stages of becoming a gold medalist. Feel better! Soup and rest.
Great shot!! Thanks for all the motivation that comes from reading your blog!!
Well it sounds like there was LOTS of pushing through this week!! ;D I have to say - if you were sick on Tuesday, it is really sinful how beautiful and poised you are!!! WOW!! Would not have guess that in a million years!!! I can't wait to see the rest of the shoot - this is truly amazing and we were blessed to be a part of it!!! Hugs!!! Calie and Kourtney!
Had the same thoughts last night with the Olympians! The amount of passion it takes to fight through all the physical &, no doubt, personal sacrifices to get to that level... it's quite emotional to see! Oh and if you're feeling snotty, a neti-pot works wonders for me! Feel better chica! :)
great post! i was just thinking about the amount of dedication needed to be an olympian the other day. truly amazing. very cool that you once trained with evan lysacek. i might have a little crush on him. haha. here's hoping he does well tonight! and i can't wait to see the rest of these snow shots, looks like they'll be amazing as usual! :)
Came over from a new reader of yours who was linking to your site-- love the layout of your site-- had me confused for a moment :) Your photos are wonderful!
This image is breathtaking!
I liked what you said about Olympic athletes having to have a certain level of insanity to get where they are. My husband was a swimmer in the Olympics and he had to be focused like a horse with blinders on to get there. I think the beautiful thing is that some people in other fields (other than athletes) are in hot pursuit of "being all they can be" with the same type of dedication and "insanity". I see that in your craft....it is a beautiful thing.
Even with Kleenix's you are beauitful. Love the shot- so glad you all went forward with it. My cousin helps run a program for cancer stricken kids and Kimmie Meissner had her Olympic friends skate for a fund raiser- we got to see and meet afterwards Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto; Jeffrey Buttle; yuko Sato; Johnny Weir; others but your friend, Evan. They were all wonderful! But then so are you and Chris!!!
Talk to you later!!
This image is amazing and I cannot wait to see all that goes with it. As you know from my incessant commenting, I have been following you for a while now and I can see the growth you are making with every shoot. You are an amazing artist Sarah and you really are doing what God created you to do. " )
On a side note, was this shoot for any specific purpose or just for fun and to experiment? I ask because if you were selling something with this image, I would buy it!
Ooh, I love it!! This is such a gorgeous shot - it's just perfect! Can't wait to see the rest... P.S. Can I come along as an assistant next time?! I'll bring you coffee, tea, kleenex... :)
Girl, I think you're a little "insane" with this image!! OOooOoo I can't WAIT to see the rest, looks like you all probably had a fun day in the snow! I hope you feel better...the great weather today should help a little I hope! :)
LOVE this shot! And what you have to say about pushing through is so incredibly true. This time of year with all the snow and grey skies on the East Coast, it's easy to give up and succumb to the temptation to coast until Spring. I'm trying to push through and finish strong :)
i am constantly encouraged and inspired.
I love this post very much. I think you got it and it describes me in my passion very well. Everyone has to be some sort of insane to achieve greatness :)
Thank you for that reminder.
Feel better, Sarah! I think it'd be awesome if you bottled up all your philosophical blog posts and made them into a book. I would keep it by my bedside or my computer and read random pages from it all the time. You inspire me!
Feel better, Sarah! I think it'd be awesome if you bottled up all your philosophical blog posts and made them into a book. I would keep it by my bedside or my computer and read random pages from it all the time. You inspire me!
"And I DO think you have to be slightly "insane" to achieve a certain level of greatness"....this is great! :) Very well said! I hope you feel better and I know the rest of these photos are going to be crazy amazing!!!
"And I DO think you have to be slightly "insane" to achieve a certain level of greatness"....this is great! :) Very well said! I hope you feel better and I know the rest of these photos are going to be crazy amazing!!!
Thanks for these words! Exactly what I needed to "hear" today. :) FABULOUS picture too!
oh my!!! I already know this shoot is going to be incredible. Stoked to see the rest. Sleep and EmergenC usually does the trick when I'm sick. Hope your feeling 100% very soon. :)