POWERLIFTING COMPETION WITH TORI

      So, let me start from the beginning. A few weeks ago, I saw a post on my FB page saying "If anyone wants to come and watch my power lifting comp on Saturday, let me know. It was from a girl named Tori. Most of us have a friend or 100 who we really don't know on FB, and Tori was one of those for me. I'd never photographed a power lifting comp before, so I thought, why not, I'll give it a try. the worst she could do is say no, or not answer. So I sent a message telling who I was and if she knew if they allowed people to photograph during the event.

       ...And less than 2 minutes later, she answered back. She said it was funny that I contacted her, because she was just asking her friends if they knew of anyone who could take pictures at the comp!

"Here I am", I said!

     So before I get started, can we all just take a moment to admire how awesome Tori's hair was at the meet! I mean really...!

        In a land of ponytails, she had cornrows!



    When I first got there, everyone was using these foam rollers on there legs and back and anywhere else that was stiff and need to get loose.

   Then Tori had a procedure called "flossing" done to her right shoulder. This is done by having her shoulder wrapped in a thick rubber band and then stretched out. This breaks up tissue in the muscle to bone to help mobility in the specific joint.

     By the look on her face, you can see that it hurts, but when through, she can move better and lift more and hey, that the whole point, right! 

   

   

And now, A few final word fro her coach before she starts her preparation for squat. So, about this time is when I started learning how this completion goes. There are 3 lifts. squat, bench press, and dead lift. You get 3 attempt at each different lift. only three. If you miss your first attempt at your first weight. Your second attempt is that same weight. In a perfect meet, your first weight should be a weight you know you can get. Second weight should be a good weight that you should be able to get and the third should be a challenging weight. There are many rules here, but I don't know them all. Most of them are rules to keep the lifter and the spotters safe.

     Knee pads. Love 'em or hate 'em, but they are tight!

Weight belt. 

    Now, time for some light squats to warm up. Now, I'd like to say that I didn't pay much attention to the weight she was lifting. That was due in large part to the fact everything was in Kilos. there are 2.2046 lbs in 1kg. Way to much math for me!

So, Tori is on deck and she seems more ready to go than ever...

As you can see, her back and shoulders are chalked up. This is to ensure that the bar doesn't slip while squatting. So these next photos need no explanation, so I shall shut up...

   So with three good squat attempts in the books, it is time to concentrate on bench press.

   Bench press was difficult to shoot, because it was hard to get a good angle to show their face. But, I think I got some good shots, anyway!

A shot from warm up...

    Again, her coach chalks up her back and shoulders.

Getting set up on the bench...

...and the first attempt is good!

   Stretching out and keeping loose in-between lifts.

    Second lift is up and good! Almost to easy!

    Getting some last minute advice and encouragement for her coach before her 3rd attempt!

...and, on this day, she just couldn't get this weight up...

   After her last attempt, went over and sat by herself. She looked like she was deep in thought. Thinking what could i have done better, what are my positives? When I asked her about the attempt she said that she is super hard on herself, so when she misses like that, she knew she did something wrong and she just did more weight then her body could handle at the time. 

     I asked her what got her into power lifting. She told me she needs a goal, something to strive for.  "I am not a go out on stage and show your body off in front of people. I am strong and i wanted to use that for my goal".

  now, we wait for dead lift.

    So, as everyone is preparing for dead lift, I notice that all the competitors have put on different socks. Very funny and amusing socks. I asked Tori's coach why is this? She said it is because they can wear any socks they want during the dead lift as long as they don't touch the knee braces. She said it is nice to she every one's personality a little bit. So, what were Tori's socks going to look like?

Pink Camouflage!

     Once the socks are on, we stretch a little more. And wait a little more.

     Next comes the daunting task of pulling her knee braces up!

    Well, it was at this time of the meet when I had to leave for work, so I didn't get to see any of the dead lift. I wish that I would have known it was going to be this long of an event. I would have taken the day off of work. But, Tori did alright without me there. She ended up winning the gold for her weight class and best lifter of the meet. She also qualified for nationals later this year!

    Before I end this blog, I would like to thank Tori for giving me this opportunity. And for answering my message. It is so nice to meet someone that is so awesome, so unique, so fun, and so genuinely nice. Thank you Tori!

    And thank you to the power lifting community for letting me invade you warm up and prep space. It was tight quarters back there! I have a new found respect for the sport pf power lifting. Not that I didn't respect it before, I just didn't understand it. Now I get why you love it so much, and I hope that I am able to photograph it again, someday.

     

    

   

Climbing with: Kelley!

    So, for this "Climbing with:" post, I photographed Kelley.  Now, I must admit, I hardly know Kelley. I had seen her climbing at the gym a few times, and the first time I talked with her, I asked her if we could do a shoot for a post on my blog and she said sure.

  



       As I started photographing, she told me she only had about 90 minutes to shoot. With so little time to shoot, I had little time to talk to her, so I don't have much to write about. So, most of what I write in this blog will be my own observations of her.  ...And their all good!

      Hair's up, shoe's on! I noticed she has one dread lock? Cool, but I've never seen just one. Maybe she's just an undercover rebel? I've always  notice  that climbers shoes are so small. Many take their shoes off between climbs.
                                                                                                                                                                       

    

    
     One thing I noticed about Kelley is there is no wasted movement when she is climbing. she hits every hand hold and every foot hold with a purpose. Every move is strong and precise. It is the kind of climbing that is beautiful to watch and easy to photograph!

     Another thing I noticed was her focus.  There was not a lot of visiting or chatting. She was , of course, polite with the other climbers, "Hey, how are you? Good! See you later!" She'd fall off the wall, look at the holds for a second, and Bam! back on the wall! This may have been because of the hour she had to climb, but she was focused!

        after an hour of climbing, she did a short cool down stretching routine, and then she was off to an appointment. It was the shortest, most productive shoot that I've ever had at the climbing gym!

      In closing, I'd like to just say that Kelley is a beautiful climber. Every move she makes on the wall is a photograph. Thanks for allowing me to photograph your climbing day!