Thursday, October 19, 2017

March of Dimes Promotes Infant Health through Youth Volunteers


Brooke Bowers Waskey has operated a photography business in San Ramon, California, for more than 10 years. Alongside her professional pursuits, Brooke Bowers Waskey supports March of Dimes, a group that works to prevent premature birth and promote the health of babies and their mothers.

In addition to accepting one-time and recurring monetary donations, March of Dimes welcomes volunteer support for various advocacy and fundraising campaigns. Through its Team Youth program, the organization leverages the work of volunteers in elementary school through college to advance its work. 

With a history dating back over 60 years, Team Youth brings together nearly 1 million students and advisors to support various initiatives, including the Mile of Dimes campaign. The goal of the campaign is to collect enough dimes to stretch a mile when they are laid side by side. When a Team Youth group reaches their goal of collecting a Mile of Dimes, they will have over $9,000 to donate to research promoting the health of babies. 

Sponsored by schools across the country, Mile of Dimes can be implemented in elementary, middle, and high schools as well as colleges and universities. March of Dimes provides instructions and activity suggestions for each age group on its website. For more information about Mile of Dimes and the many other ways to support March of Dimes’ mission, visit www.marchofdimes.org.

Thursday, July 20, 2017

March of Dimes Volunteerism


The sole owner and photographer of Brooke Waskey Photography in San Ramon, California, Brooke Bowers Waskey is a proud supporter of the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes helps people like Brooke Bowers Waskey, whose children are born premature.

March of Dimes volunteers are always in demand, and they number more than 3 million. Their responsibilities and activities vary significantly, with some speaking to individuals or groups about reducing premature births and saving children who are born prematurely, while others host fundraisers and make donations to help the organization succeed. Some work to raise awareness of the unique challenges of premature births for both families and medical professionals.

The March of Dimes volunteer structure includes local leadership in about 3,000 chapters. Some volunteers bring knowledge of premature births and medical support structures to the table, while others use the leadership skills they've learned in business environments. Regardless of what they do or what experiences they have, though, all volunteers help make the March of Dimes' efforts possible.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

How to Take an Artistic Portrait


Brooke Bowers Waskey has worked as a professional photographer since 2007. Known for her family and senior portraits, Brooke Bowers Waskey strives to capture the subject in just the right moment.

Good portrait photography requires much more than photogenic subjects and the right lighting. It demands a photographer who can relate to subjects on a human level to help them explore poses and settings outside of their comfort zone. As subjects experiment and play, their enthusiasm and engagement with the moment comes through in the final product.

The photographer must also be willing to step back and let the subjects be themselves. This may involve giving her a prop and allowing them to play with it for a while. The result can be a spontaneous shot that shows off the originality of the subject who might otherwise come across as overly posed.

Good portrait photographers let their subjects shine, though they also consider the impact of subject placement. Many innovative photographers find that they take their most evocative portraits when the subject is off-center or shot from an unusual perspective, such as from above or from the side. A photographer can also experiment with zooming in on one particular part of the subject's body, such as the eye or cheekbone, to capture the expressiveness of the body.

Finally, the portrait photographer carefully considers what type of lighting would work best for the effect that he or she wishes. This does not necessarily mean avoiding all shadows, as a thoughtfully placed shadow can set a particular mood that flatters the subject. Manipulating of shadows and light can improve the artistry of a portrait, while also highlighting or downplaying particular physical features.

Monday, June 5, 2017

Recommended Hiking Gear


California resident Brooke Bowers Waskey is a proficient photographer who specializes in the use of natural light to capture the perfect image. Outside of her photography business, which was been featured in several local publications, Brooke Bowers Waskey enjoys staying active through sports, working out, and hiking.

Hiking, which is defined as the act of walking long distances for leisure, exercise, or as a hobby, is a common outdoor activity represented by organizations like the American Hiking Association (AHA). The AHA advocates and provides resources for hikers that include recommendations on essential gear. 

In addition to appropriate footwear such as hiking or trail shoes, the AHA recommends hikers always carry a map and compass to help with directions. The organization also suggests water and food for energy on long hikes; and a variety of safety equipment such as a first aid kit, a light source, a whistle, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Moreover, a multipurpose tool can be helpful to hikers, along with a backpack to carry all the recommended equipment. For additional resources from the AHA, visit www.americanhiking.org.