Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: Walking for Wendy

This is "my" bride Wendy. She is a survivor... of breast cancer. I don't know that I've ever been more inspired than I have been by Wendy. From the moment when she fervently apologized to me for not getting back to me right away about booking me as her wedding photographer (because she had found out she had cancer)... I knew that Wendy was selfless and always thinking about everybody else... and that I HAD to be a part of her wedding.

I met Wendy for her engagement session (with her fantastic husband... then fiance... Daniel) when she still had her hair. She had just started chemotherapy the week before and she really wanted to have pictures taken before her beautiful hair was gone (temporarily). So, we shot their e-session down at the beach... Wendy and Daniel's love totally blew me away.



The next time I saw Wendy was on their wedding day. Once again, you couldn't wipe the smile from this girl's face. Now bald, but still full of energy and inspiration, Wendy made light of everything. She even posed with the mannequin head that held her wig, which she fondly referred to only as "head". Their wedding was beautiful and made me and everybody else there cry.





Recently, I was fortunate to get a call from Wendy inviting me to support her and other breast cancer survivors in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. When she said their team name I couldn't help but laugh... "Wendy's Walkers for Knockers." How great is that? She said that she thought of me as a friend and would be so happy if I could be there. How could I say no? She said that the only restriction was that I couldn't work on that day... no big camera!

So, this past Sunday, I joined Wendy and thousands of survivors and supporters as they walked and danced and grooved around the streets of Fashion Island... all to raise much needed donations for this very worthy cause. Per Wendy's request... no big camera... but I still brought my little point-n-shoot. ;) I couldn't resist.

Wendy and her Walkers for Knockers raised almost $5,000. Incredible!

Wendy- thanks so much for welcoming me into your supportive group of family and friends. You are truly an inspiration... love you... Natalie

PS- Natalie (Wendy's friend)- my phone ate it right after the race so I don't have your email address that you text'd (is that a word?) me... email me and I'll get you the pics! ;)





The survivors ceremony is below. It was very moving. All the survivors raised their roses as "Wind Beneath My Wings" was sung beautifully.
I climbed through a bunch of ivy and up a hill to get to Wendy to take a picture of her during the survivors ceremony.


Wendy's Walkers for Knockers... (I'm in the bottom left hand corner).



I had to get a picture of this bra... how fantastic!

And, finally... Wendy and the team crossed the finished line! ;)