miss me?

the new year starts with new little lives to be documented, new marriages begun and new memories to preserve! i realize i have completely neglected this poor little blog, but don't be sad, a new one is on the way!

Saline Twirlettes and New Logo

I had the pleasure of photographing the Saline Twirlettes . If you are looking for these photos and can not find them, wait till 5pm Wednesday. If you still can't locate them, let me know!
Thanks so much!

lame poster.

poor sad neglected blog.

I am working on a new blog, but don't have it up and running . I apologize to the wonderful clients and friends who are so diligent in checking . Good things are coming!

AMY WENZEL-How can I serve? How can I love? How can I give?

Photographers are inspired by other photographers all the time, one that never ceases to stop amazing me is Amy Wenzel. Not only is she a phenomenal photographer, but the faith and courage she exhibits through her personal struggles are equally impressive. So, upon finding out there is a chance to win a spot at a workshop of hers, I knew I had to enter, just didn't know what I'd say, so I took some time and realized exactly why I wanted to have a spot in her workshop. I found this chance at one of my favorite places to peruse: Iheartfaces.com

Amy's blog, http://blog.amywenzel.com/
For this chance to win a spot at her workshop , Amy asked,
"Tell us how you love, serve or inspire other people in your life, and what attending the workshop might mean for your photography journey. "
My story :

I've been in business since 2002 and I didn't realize what I was doing or why it was important until June 4, 2007. A medical helicopter from the University of Michigan crashed into Lake Michigan . On it , a recent client, husband and father of three.

I had no idea that my little portrait session would be the last for their family, or that those images would live on , be included in his memorial, and sit in a frame in his children's rooms, a reminder of their incredible father. Since that day , I've never taken a photo with the same eyes. Photography matters because people matter, and it is my purpose to preserve those relationships so that moment in time does not blend with others. Each moment matters.

It isn't really my story that is the inspiring one, it's it the lives of my clients, and my wish to honor their moments with beautiful photographs. I am not as much of a servant as I hope to be, but I know that people come to me for their silent auctions, or families in need, because like we all learned in preschool, " it's nice to share. " I've been fortunate to do what I love for eight years, and I am so thrilled that opportunities for sharing have been plentiful.

My friend, Matt, amidst his fight against cancer kept a blog . Last spring he was fighting his "what ifs?" and wrote this,

"That morning three weeks ago was a beautiful Spring day, and I watched Ethan giggle as the warm breeze lifted the hair up off of his head. I was so worried about what my future may or may not look like, I was beginning to ignore the beauty of the moment. I was worried about whether I would be around to teach Ethan all of the things a father should teach a son, and then his joy in experiencing his first Spring breeze taught me a lesson. Whether faced with cancer or not, our days on this earth are numbered. In the face of cancer it may seem that the number is smaller than it should be, but we still have no way of knowing how many days are left in our lives. Why not spend them giggling at the wind in your hair, instead of pulling it out worrying about the future?"
Matt and his son, last summer.
Matt's post is worth a full read.. http://http//udayfam.blogspot.com/2009/06/enjoy-wind-in-your-hair.html

Matt's words live in me; I want to live there in the beauty of the moment. As a photographer, I serve my clients by freezing these beautiful moments for them and quite simply, I want to do it better . They deserve that, by hiring me, I owe them. We used images from a mini session with Matt, his wife, and son for his recent memorial service , and my heart broke. I knew, though, I take photographs not because people die, but because they live. Moments where the wind lifts your hair are worth photographing. I believe my camera, heart and eyes are my tools to serve.

My friend posted this as his facebook status , and it hit me.

Life can not be about a set of 'I gets' or 'I deserves' or 'thats mine' but 'How can I serve?', 'How can I love?', 'What can I give?'

I don't deserve this more than anyone else, but if given the opportunity, I truly believe a workshop with Amy Wenzel will teach me the skills I need to take photographs worthy of the incredible lives that are in them.

little love.

My nephew's first day... welcome to the world. I love you already.

one month

It has been one month since Matt Uday passed away. Please continue to keep Megan and Ethan and his entire "army" of friends in your thoughts and prayers. He is truly missed.


This is a group from the Michigan Marching band gathering in the sanctuary to honor Matt.

In Kat Foley Photo news.. my proofing site will be down until next week. I am working as fast as I can to resolve this issue. Thank you.

SAD DAY.

Due to the passing of a good friend, an amazing husband and father, Kat Foley Photo will have limited hours starting today, Dec. 14. Please hug those you love so tight, be grateful for the hours you are given, and honor those whose have lived their lives with strength, hope and courage like my friend, Dr. Matt Uday. Matt, your passing leaves a gigantic hole in the hearts and lives of your friends, patients, family, and especially in your wife , Megan and son, Ethan. We were all lucky to know you and are heartbroken for all who knew and loved you.

Here is a post from Matt last Spring.. good for all of us to remember :
ENJOY THE WIND IN YOUR HAIR.
As I took my walk this morning with Ethan, I was reminded of a similar walk three weeks ago, that helped me put those questions behind me once again. It had not been a full week since I had found out that my tumor marker was rising again, but it had been a rough week. I was faced with not only the how's, why's, and what if's, but also the thought of what now? I was worried about myself and about my family, and what they would do without me. I went for a walk that sunny Sunday morning for about an hour and a half, and I prayed the whole time. Prayer has always been important to me, but I have never prayed that long of a prayer in my life. I asked God the questions that had been troubling me all week, and I told Him what I hoped the answers were. I told Him that I did not feel that I was ready to give up down here, and that I still had a lot to contribute to this world. In the end, my plea was simple, I just want to be. I want to be a husband, a father, and a Christian. Beyond that it is all just icing on the cake. I did not try to make a deal with the Lord, but I told him if he continued to give me the strength to fight this, I would beat it and I would be committed to be a better person than I was before; a better husband, a better father, and a better Christian.

Now I know not all of you reading this may share my belief system, but bear with me here a little longer. I am not going to tell you that a booming voice answered my prayer that morning, or that I returned home to find some unmistakable sign from above. I did, however, feel an answer to my prayer. I felt a sense of relief when I finished my prayer. I felt that I had gotten a lot off of my chest, and that the worry I had begun the day carrying was gone. I can't cite the verse, but I know that scripture suggests we allow God to carry our burdens for us. I never really knew how to do that, but since that prayer I have felt that my burdens are gone. Those disturbing questions may still creep into my thoughts at times, but they don't last and they do not haunt me. I no longer fear what the future holds for me, and I have gained a new appreciation for the present. I can truly say that I am no longer worried about cancer. It may sound crazy, but the worry and the fear disappeared.

Instead I am savoring life; at least as much as one can between appointments and treatment. That morning three weeks ago was a beautiful Spring day, and I watched Ethan giggle as the warm breeze lifted the hair up off of his head. I was so worried about what my future may or may not look like, I was beginning to ignore the beauty of the moment. I was worried about whether I would be around to teach Ethan all of the things a father should teach a son, and then his joy in experiencing his first Spring breeze taught me a lesson. Whether faced with cancer or not, our days on this earth are numbered. In the face of cancer it may seem that the number is smaller than it should be, but we still have no way of knowing how many days are left in our lives. Why not spend them giggling at the wind in you hair, instead of pulling it out worrying about the future?

So whether I have 5 days or 5 million days left, why would I spend them worrying and wondering when and how it would come. Instead I am going to enjoy every moment I have, and if I live to be a hundred and two, just imagine the fun I will have in all of those days. I am going to start working on being a better husband, father, and Christian now, rather than waiting until I beat cancer. I am not going to worry nor be afraid, but I am going to focus on being healthy and strong. In the end, I will do everything that I am able to be a better and stronger person. I am going to enjoy life and giggle with Ethan when the wind lifts the hair off his head. It will either be enough to beat cancer or it won't, but either way it will have been worth the ride. Then I will put my faith into God's hands because he has a plan that is far greater than any I can imagine.

It is easy to become consumed with fear and worry, but that is no way to spend your days, no matter how many you have left, nor whether or not you have cancer. My cancer has proven more stubborn than I had expected, but it cannot match my stubbornness. I will fight it every day of my life, but I won't let it run my life. The highlight of my day today was being beaten up by a ten month old! Ethan decided it was time to take on Dad, and he gave it everything he had; he hit me with toy cars, plastic rings, pacifiers, and smacked me with his bare hands. The whole time he shrieked with glee as he won his first wrestling match. When he wakes up from his nap, he will get his first lesson of revenge in the form of some serious tickling. To me, that is a much better way to spend the day than worrying about tomorrow.

JOHN E GREEN - 100 YEARS!

The link to the photos is : http"//johnegreen.snapfish.com/snapfish
Happy Birthday John E. Green!

Wednesday Nov. 4th

I am closing Kat Foley Photo starting at 11am today to be with a friend in a hospital waiting room. No emails or phone calls will be able to be answered until tomorrow. I am sorry for any inconvenience, thanks for understanding!

Also , if you wouldn't mind.. say a little prayer for these awesome folks..
http://udayfam.blogspot.com

MUCH APPRECIATED!
kat

b family

tuesday oct 27.

migrane, i will be closed the remainder of the day. thank you.

keep praying

Those of you who read my blog regularly know that I have a friend who is battling cancer with strength , bravery and fervor. Please keep this great family in your thoughts and prayers, they may have had a set back this week, but they are loved beyond measure. Thanks to everyone who has wished them well!

niki and mark

Buddy Walk 2009- pics are up

1. Email me at katfoleyphoto@yahoo.com to get the password.
2. Go to katfoleyphoto.com
3. Click on proofing ( lower right on site )
4. Follow the steps
5. type in the password
6. email me numbers of any you would like uploaded to snapfish.com or emailed. ( only one or two can be emailed )
7. Enjoy the pics, I certainly was honored to be there for such a good cause!

Buddy Walk 2009

The Buddy Walk pics will be up next week. Check back by Wed.. or feel free to email. I am happy to send your pics over Facebook, too. Just look me up under Kathleen Kat Foley. ( Kat isn't really my middle name, just in case you thought my parents were being mean. )

WALK TO CURE DIABETES

A letter from my amazingly brave and inspiring niece, Sara ...

Dear Family and Friends,

On April 13, 2009, my life changed drastically. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, which means I will be insulin dependent for the rest of my life. Insulin keeps me alive, but it is not a cure. I have to take at least 4 shots a day and test my blood sometimes 6 times a day. In just 3 months, I have had more than 360 shots and pricked my fingers over 550 times. I am the first person in my family to be diagnosed with this lifelong disease.

A cure for Diabetes is in reach with continued funding for research. My Team goal is to raise $5,000. This is how you can help!

1. Join “Sara’s Soldiers” in a Walk to Cure Diabetes Team on October 4, 2009 at Hudson Mills Metro Park in Dexter, MI. Register at www.jdrf.org and join us for a fun day at the Walk!!
2. Make a cash donation in support of Sara’s Soldiers. Cash or checks, made out to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) mailed to my address or make an online donation by visiting www.jdrf.org. Any amount is welcome!
3. Become a Fan of JDRF on Facebook and add some JDRF flair. For every 100 people that join $10 will be donated to JDRF.

Thank you for considering supporting JDRF by joining my Team-Sara’s Soldiers! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email my aunt at Katfoleyphoto@yahoo.com

Sara Foley

The Buddy Walk- Down's Syndrome Awareness Month

Great families deserve your support!! Come join Kat Foley Photo at the Buddy Walk at Gallup Park on Sunday , Sept. 27th. See you there for this great cause!

For more info- click here : THE BUDDY WALK

moving is no fun, just ask my dog!

kat foley photo will be closed until tuesday ( the 21st? ) . Moving, unpacking , reorganizing.. and then back to business! My dog and I feel the same way about moving.. she is a little bummed about losing the sunny spot under my desk, but I have a feeling she'll love having a huge yard! All emails, questions, etc.. will be returned next week. Have a wonderful fall weekend!!

Welcome home LTC Paul Scheidler , THANK YOU!

These photos go in reverse order.. but the hugs and all the love can be felt no matter which way you view the images. Thank you for the privilege of photographing such a big , joyous day in your lives. It was an honor to be in the presence of the all of the heroes, wives + families and the returning soldiers. Thank you for your sacrifices.