Delaware Ovarian Cancer Foundation 2010 Teal Ribbon 5K Run-Walk

The morning began overcast until the clouds parted to bring full view of this worthy event. The Delaware Ovarian Cancer Foundation (DOCF) held its annual 5K run/walk event to raise founds for the fight against ovarian cancer. I was honored to have been asked to document this year's event.

Before the start of the run/walk, doves were released and then the race for a cure was underway. Participants ranged from infants to seniors, all in support of loved ones or strangers who may fall victim to the disease.

I decided that 5K was a bit far to walk and carry my gear, so I hung out at the start / finish location. The track covered a great portion of the Wilmington downtown riverfront area. At the end of the race, everyone was eager to see the results.

Special speakers were Dr. Mark Cadungog, M.D., Rep William A. Oberle, Jr., and Sen Karen E. Peterson.
Here is a video of the event and the excitement. Enjoy.

Prom Expo at the Christiana Hilton

Prom season is here and the 2nd Annual Prom Expo and Fashion Show Extravaganza highlighted some of the best dresses and complimenting tuxes available. Presented by the Formal Dress Project and Especially For You Events, the event was narrated by the reigning Miss Teen Delaware and featured entertainment by participants of the Delaware Teen Idol.
The Formal Dress Project is an organization whose mission is to provide under-privileged youth with the opportunity to obtain formal prom gowns. They collect new and gently-used dresses. With assistance from The Foster Care Association, YWCA, Rose Hill Community Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club, St. James Millcreek and other volunteers, girls will have the opportunity to shop for a dress, free of charge.

Fashions were provided by Morgans of Delaware Ave, Davids Bridal and Matthews Formal Wear. Jewelry was provided by lia sophia. Flowers were provided by Bloomsberry Flowers. Hair and make up were provided by Paul Mithcell, The Delaware Academy. I was on hand to provide complimentary photography coverage of the event.

Here's a slideshow of the event highlights which you can enjoy. Give it a moment to load if the space below here is blank.

Zeta Phi Beta Finer Womanhood Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show at Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue

This was a fabulous event. In the years I have been covering the Zeta Phi Beta Finer Womanhood Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show, this has been the best so far. The atmosphere, the vendors, the honorees, and the fashion... all were outstanding.
The event photos will be available soon. Sign the event guest book at this LINK to be notified when they are available so you may see it all.


Here's a slideshow teaser of the event to give you a taste. Give it a moment to load (or refresh your browser) if the space below here is blank.

Embrace Life

This clip is so powerful that I had to post it. The clip is receiving publicity and especially timely for our focus on driving safety. It was produced by the Sussex Safe Roads Partnership in the UK.

SSRP Sussex Safer Roads Partnership - Embrace Life - (2010) :90 (UK)

NILMDTS Foundation Executive Director Search

I donate my time to families who have lost an infant. Today I received a notice that the foundation is searching for an executive director. Below is the notice:


Executive Director Search now underway!

Dear NILMDTS volunteers, donors, and contacts, As you may know, the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation, has begun the search for a new Executive Director. The Foundation is an important so Publish Post urce of support to families who have lost an infant, providing the services of 7,000 volunteer photographers across 25 countries to capture sensitive, meaningful portraits of these very young children and their families. We have been able to help many families preserve special memories of these precious young lives, and the Board is now looking for an experienced, dynamic executive to lead the Foundation in its next phase of growth and development. If you have candidates who meet these qualifications, please let them know about our search. Our headquarters office is located in Littleton, CO. Executive Director - Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation Job Level: Senior Job Description: The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership and operational management of the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation. The Executive Director directs all fundraising activities, acts as primary spokesperson for the Foundation and builds its image nationally and internationally, directs staff development, and works with the Board on enhancing their capabilities. The Executive Director reports directly to the Chair of the Board of Directors and works closely with the Business Operations Manager, other staff members, volunteers, and the Board to fulfill the mission of the Foundation. The Executive Director manages an annual budget of approximately $400,000 and a staff of 4.5 professionals. Job Qualifications: 7+ years of nonprofit fundraising and management experience including experience working with staff, board members, and other volunteers in a variety of fundraising activities. Must have strong organizational, creative, and written/oral communication skills with a proven track record. Supervisory experience required. Ability to handle multiple responsibilities, prioritize work, solve problems, and operate under time and work volume pressure. Effective interpersonal skills and flexibility required. Ability to provide strategic direction and strong fiscal oversight. Above all, we seek a leader who can embrace our artistic, compassionate, motivated culture, who is flexible, entrepreneurial, strategic, and visionary. We want an executive who will lead our organization into making an even greater impact in the lives of our clients and in our community. Download a detailed job description from our web site. Salary: TBD Application Deadline: 03/10/2010 How to Apply: To apply, please send your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to Carolyn McCormick of Peak HR Consulting at Carolyn.McCormick@peakhrconsulting.com. The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are dedicated to diversity and encourage all people to apply.

NILMDTS Executive Search Team

Jacque Lopez
Interim Executive Director

www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org
7201 S. Broadway Suite #150
Littleton, CO 80122

Dr Martin Luther King Jr Celebration - Chase Center on the Riverfront Wilmington Delaware

Another fine year for the City of Wilmington and surrounding areas to merge to the riverfront for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration event. The weather was bitterly cold on Sunday, but warmed up beautifully to allow children, parents and grandparents to come enjoy the activities.
Over thirty children from kindergarten through high school were among the winners of various art and essay contests. Many children from local schools participated and even one child from the West Coast entered. Yes, you read it correctly... the West Coast. They had come across the contest while doing research via the internet of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and promptly submitted their entry. I can't recall if they won, but it seems this Wilmington event has gone national.
I photographed all of the winners, dignitaries and event core team with the keynote speaker, Judge Hatchett. The very one from the TV series. Of course, I found a nice photographer in the mass of parents and grandparents to take a photo of me with the judge. I would imagine that we photographers spend all of our time on the creative side of the lens missing such key moments of ourselves in the moment... not this time.
The Judge's speech was a dose in old southern Baptist church. If she didn't mention she was from Georgia, I would have sworn she was from home state Louisiana. She was so personnel and inviting with the stories and points she pulled from her life's journey.

Here's a slideshow of the event highlights which you can enjoy. Give it a moment to load if the space below here is blank.

Family Photos in Time for Christmas

Here's a great offer for everyone nearWilmington, Delaware who want or need to get those family portraits before the Christmas holiday rush.
It is always great to send a family photo to grandparents along with your holiday card. So celebrate the upcoming season with a NO SITING FEE family portrait session.

That's right, NO SITTING FEE.

Rodrick Moore Photographers is hosting a Portrait Party the early afternoon of Saturday November 14 in a location to be determined.

We're trying something different by advertising this via Facebook and email. So spread the word to anyone you know who wants those family (or individual) photos taken in time for the holidays.

Here's how to get on the list:

1. Have an email account (each mini session will have online proofing available soon after)
2. Submit your request to attend by completing the form below or by going to this -closed-.

The number of requests will determine the location. Therefore, as the location is finalized, you will receive and email with the location and time of the shoot.

--- Closed ---

Please Vote for Me

You have nominated me as a finalist for the Best in Business: Photographer category. Now, please vote for me to acquire the title at this LINK.

Yeah, my name is spelled wrong in the Best in Business: Photography category, but it is me.

I am honored to be nominated and will greatly appreciate your support in voting for me and my work.

Belvedere Family and Friends Day

We received a special invite a little late so my boys and I made our way to enjoy the family friendly event sponsored by the Belvedere Volunteer Fire Department. My wife headed the opposite direction for a previous commitment.

Coming from an earlier photoshoot, I decided to carry along one of my D3's to capture the festivities with whatever ambient lift that was available. From the start my sons enjoyed the moon-bounce and the music.
A few members of the community brought out their show cars showcasing the results of timeless hours they spent preparing the vehicles for shows and competitions. We had seen the movie Transformers so my oldest was very interested in the yellow and black car. He told me it was Bumblebee and asked if it was a real transformer. I told him unfortunately not, but it was a true transformation to a nice show car.

The festivities wrapped up with drawings for family fun prizes and school supplies giveaways. The sun took a nosedive and I spent the second half of my time shooting at high ISO going for the mood.
This was a great event centered around family, one of my favorite subjects. If my calendar is free, I would enjoy returning. Next time, I would arrive a little earlier. By the time I had wrapped up my photoshoot, gathered my boys and arrived, just about all of the fish was gone. I still had a sufficient supply of grilled meats, but I missed the southern styled fried fish. Maybe next time at this event or when I'm in the South.

View a quick slideshow of the event's highlights...

Music volume and disable controls are at the left.

Does "Life Matters" to You?

I am all about family and will be providing photography coverage for the Life Matters Conference which will be held Sep 12 in Wilmington, DE. This conference will focus on topics that matter such as marriage communication, being single, self image, domestic violence, anger, grief and more.

Not only will the attendees (and hopefully me also) will be feed through word and food, but the event will end with a concert by the fabulous Norman Hutchins.

This is geared to be a great event which I cannot wait to place before my camera.

How Can You Help Fight Breast Cancer

If you could do something, even so small, but could make a difference... would you?

I have friends and acquaintances who have been affected by breast cancer in one way or another. I have donated my time and photography talent to some of these same people and others and wqant to donate more of my talent.

The other day, a friend sent me an email about a way to help:

"I received this note from my sister. "G" (at an early age my sons called her Aunt G because it was easier to say than Aunt Gloria) is a breast cancer survivor and ask me to help with this request. Thanks, Den"

Here's G's note:

"Please tell ten friends to tell ten today! The Breast Cancer site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their site daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on 'donating a mammogram' for free (pink window in the middle).

This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate mammogram in exchange for advertising.

Here's the web site! Pass it along to people you know.

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/
AGAIN , PLEASE TELL 10 FRIENDS TO TELL 10"

Take less than a minute of your time to make a difference for a lifetime.

Martin Luther King Jr Celebration

This year, the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration held in Wilmington, DE featured Chris Gardner as the keynote speaker. Chris Gardner is well known for his best selling autobiography and successful movie version, The Pursuit of Happyness. I had a great time donating my services to cover such an event. There were many adults and children eager to see what new and exciting exhibits and presentations were available. They were not disappointed.

Chris has a great story which is way better than the movie. So pick up a copy of his autobiography. I picked up one and a signature from the author.




Chris is a great guy with a great sense of humor. He decided I need a two more ears in this quick shot we took. Later he posed with the event design team me.

View the slideshow...

Music volume and disable controls are at the left.

NILMDTS Annual Fund Drive

With the Month of October being recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, The Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation holds its Annual Fund Drive for six weeks starting in mid-September and ending in October.

President Ronald Reagan enacted Proclamation 5890 in October of 1988 to recognize that each year, approximately a million pregnancies in the United States alone end in miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of a newborn child. Reagan stated, "A national observance offers us the opportunity to increase our understanding of the great tragedy involved in the deaths of unborn or newborn babies. It also enables us to consider how, as individuals and communities, we can meet the needs of bereaved parents and family members... " To read the full Proclamation signed by Reagan, CLICK HERE.

If you are in a place to make even a small contribution to NILMDTS, please know that doing so will continue to allow the organization to provide improved resources, training, communication, and other tools necessary in support of our amazing contingent of professional photographers who provide the gift of free remembrance portraiture to families in need.

Our next project we are working on is an online, interactive webinar version of our Formal NILMDTS Training taught by Co-Founder Sandy Puc' allowing anyone in any country with access to a computer to complete the course online. Donations help make programs like this a reality! 

CLICK HERE to donate to the NILMDTS Annual Fund Drive

Your Donations Support the Organization in Many Ways - 

• By supporting the continued education of our volunteer photographers 
  
• By allowing us to further our outreach to hospitals and hospices across the world 
  
• By offsetting the costs associated with outreach efforts including Formal NILMDTS Traingin Seminars 
  
• By supporting the Family Forum which creates a productive and supportive haven for healing 
  
• By supporting the Photographers' Forum which provides a helpful environment for our member photographers to express their feelings and receive advice on the various issues that they face in this noble work 
  
• By supporting the day to day operations of our Headquarters Offices
  

Jazz and Jewelry Breast Cancer Benefit

If you love jewelry and enjoy jazz, then spend time with both as you contribute to this Breast Cancer benefit.  Find more details at www.JazzJewelryDE.com.

Donations are also welcomed to assist in breast cancer research.

Jewelry: lia sophia

Jazz: Aniya

Habitat for Humanity - Red, White and Build

The Habitat for Humanity had a great event the other evening while raising funds for its mission. Frank's Union Wine Mart was on hand to provide for the wine tasting as the attendees sorted through the many fine items on display for the silent auction. I'm not sure how much was raised, but I know the homes which are built for deserving families will benefit greatly.

I was able to capture some nice moments of the evening while using available light and no flash. Well, I did use flash once to catch the live band. However, I wanted to preserve the texture of the evening.

View the slideshow...

Music volume and disable controls are at the left.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity New Castle County (HFHNCC) is hosting the "Red, White and Build" Wine Tasting and Silent Auction event on May 7th. I'm excited because I am donating a lifestyle portrait session to their cause.

The proceeds from the event and auction benefit the Women Build Projects. These lovely people volunteer their time to:

• Promote women involvement in construction of Habitat homes
  
• Provide women an opportunity to learn construction

Click this link to see the flier.

Click this link to visit the HFHNCC website.