May 2015

The Kingsley Wedding

May 26, 2015 by Scott Kingsley in Events, Gallery, Portraits

On May 18th, I found myself standing with my best friend. We’ve stood together many times before, but that day was special. It was our wedding day.

It had been about 10 years since we had first met. It was at work, and we instantly became friends. It took years of highs and lows, but it was at a friend’s wedding we shot that I knew I wanted to marry her. And eventually, there we were. It was a small affair, just our parents and us, but it was just how it should be. Simple and straightforward.

When she arrived with her parents, and stepped out of their car, she looked incredible. A pink Ralph Lauren dress with some white Tom’s wedges, and vintage pink button ear rings. The smile on her face was bigger than I ever saw before. From what she told me, my smile was just as big as her’s. After a short ceremony, and rings on our fingers, it was official, she was my bride.

During the ceremony, my mom snapped some pictures, and when it came to the group shots, a tripod and remote was all we needed. After a lunch with our parents, it was off to Lancaster County to do some of our wedding pictures. A thunderstorm was on its way, so time was limited. We threw our bikes on the rack and drove a few minutes away to a spot out in the country. We had some ideas of some shots we wanted to get, and improvised a little too. Again, we set up the tripod and remote, and I framed up the shot with Vee in place. Once I was happy, and traffic was clear, I jumped into place on my trusty Boone, and what we created was great. It was us, plain and simple.

I had a feeling it was time to call it a day. Just as I folded up the tripod with camera still attached, the skies started to drip. I tried to hurry, but as if on queue once the camera was inside the car, it started pouring. At that point, still in my pants, vest, and bow tie, I was soaked. By time we arrived home, we were back ahead of the storm, and unloaded.

We still have more pictures to take, and we will continue to take them for many years to come. Your wedding is just one day, but the rest of our lives is forever.

2015 Caesar Rodney Half Marathon

May 26, 2015 by Scott Kingsley in Events, Gallery, Running

It was a chilly day in Wilmington, Delaware for the 52nd Caesar Rodney Half Marathon. If you are like me, and have no idea who Caesar Rodney is, you can look here or just take it from me that he was a Continental Congressman of Delaware, signed the Declaration of Independence, and the President of Delaware during the American Revolution. If you happen to remember the Delaware state quarters, he is the guy riding the horse on the back. He is often depicted riding the horse as he rode through the night on July 1st, 1776 to arrive in Philadelphia in time to cast a deciding vote including Delaware in the movement for independence.

The event is a fundraiser for the American Lung Association and presented by AstraZeneca. The course wound around the city, through Brandywine Park to Rockford park, around the tower, and eventually making it’s way back to Rodney Square. For those looking to do their first half marathon, this would be a great one to try, just make sure that you get some hill training in. The final run to the finish line is a bit of a kicker.

Click here for the full gallery.

2015 Chesco Half Marathon and 5K For the Jacinda Miller Memorial Fund

May 23, 2015 by Scott Kingsley in Events, Gallery, Running

About a week ago, runners from all over southeastern Pennsylvania came together to run the Chesco Half Marathon and 5K in scenic West Caln Township. Beyond testing themselves on a tough rolling course, the event helped to raise money for the Jacinda Miller Memorial Fund. Miller was tragically killed outside of the YMCA she worked as a fitness instructor, leaving behind two young boys.

The morning started with an emotional tribute to Miller to inspire the runners, many of who were dressed in purple. Representative Harry Lewis started the half marathon runners, and 5k runners of all ages began their race shortly after.

The energy of the event was incredible, with volunteers lining the course to cheer on the runners, and provide water and oranges for thirsty riders. So many volunteers wanted to be a part of the event, that many created their own unofficial aid stations, which may or may not have had beer. The Coatesville High School football team was out on the course, along with many of Miller’s formal students from the YMCA.

Personally, it was a special event for Scott Kingsley Photography, as we were celebrating Vee’s bachelorette party, as I had held mine the day before at the Wilmington Grand Prix the previous day. About 24 hours after the race, we said I do, and became Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley. To celebrate the bachelorette party, Vee had a Lululemon tank top that she ironed on BRIDE on, and wrote “Getting married tomorrow” on it. For me, I had a similar sign on my back letting everyone know that I was the groom and was getting married on Monday. Everyone loved it, and congratulated us all along the course.

Coming into the finish was incredible. I can’t even imagine how the runners felt after completing 13.1 challenging miles. The energy that the volunteers, friends, family, and other runners created as you ran the final 20 yards was bigger any other event I’ve attended. For a first year event, it was incredibly well run, with a great course, and a great location. I overheard one of the organizers mention that parking was getting full. While it might have been a little bit of an inconvenience for the runners, it showed how well attended the event was. Congrats to everyone involved.

Click here for the full gallery where pictures are available for purchase.

2015 Turkey Hill Country Classic Road Race

May 14, 2015 by Scott Kingsley in Cycling, Gallery, Road, State Championships

After the 5K and 10K, it was time for cyclists to get out onto the road at the Turkey Hill Country Classic. Multiple fields were started in succession with their own lead escort police vehicle and trail vehicle. The Pro 1/2 race included three trips up the Gamber Wall, though the masters saw it twice and Cat 3 field only saw it once. While many thought this would be a decisive point late in the race, it wasn’t until Michael Chauner (Atomic Energy Squad) jumped from the field after the Gamber Wall on the final lap, that the race looked like it had a clear winner. Chauner was able to hold his lead and post up on the finishing stretch to take the win and the Pennsylvania State Pro 1/2 Road Race Championship.

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2015 Turkey Hill Country Classic 5K and 10K

May 14, 2015 by Scott Kingsley in Cycling, Gallery

The Turkey Hill Country Classic started off with the 5K and 10K running events in the morning. Participants ran parts of the road racing course backwards, and tackled some rolling hills in the beautiful countryside of Washington Boro Township, PA. Even on a bike (with a camera on my back), it was a tough course, and all the participants that finished should be proud of themselves. Afterwards, Turkey Hill was on hand with drinks and snacks for everyone, and the cycling events started soon afterwards.

Cycling pictures will follow in a separate post.

The race also helped to raise money for the Lancaster Farmland Trust. Founded in 1988 by local citizens dedicated to preserving Lancaster County’s rich agricultural heritage, the Trust has helped preserve 400 farms and over 26,000 acres of some of the best soul in the country. Close to $120,000 has been raised for the Trust through the Turkey Hill Country Classic.

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2015 Rock Lititz Bike Race and Block Party

May 12, 2015 by Scott Kingsley in Cycling, Gallery

After taking a year off, the Rock Lititz Bike Race and Block Party was even bigger and better for 2015. Riders from at least nine states, the District of Columbia, and the Dominican Republic lined up to race throughout the day. Riders of all levels raced the 0.8 mile four corner crit in downtown Lititz, PA, and even the kids were able to get into the action with races for various age groups. Music, food trucks, and beer kept the crowd entertained and by time the Pro/1/2 Men’s race started, the crowds were the largest they had been all day, with people standing three deep to cheer on their favorite riders

Lititz is a small town of a little over 9,000 people, and was named the “Coolest Small Town” in America by Budget Travel in 2013. Founded in 1756, it was the first community in Pennsylvania to establish a historic district. Lititz has successfully blended it’s historic roots while attracting modern businesses, including race sponsors Tait Towers, Clair Global, and Atomic Design.

The Pro men’s field saw John Minturn (CRCA/The Weather Channel/Giant Cycles) and Craig Nichols (Team Alliance Environmental) eventually succeed at creating a break off the front of the field. In time, they were joined by Guillaume Nelessen (Van Dessel Factory Team) and Michael Chauner (Atomic Energy Squad). In the closing laps, Chauner was able to leave the rest of his break away companions behind, and charged off to victory. Nelessen finished in second, with Minturn and Nichols following behind. In the bunch sprint, it was Kyle Wamsley (Team Skyline) who crossed the line in fifth.

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2015 Daniel Harwi Memorial 28th Annual Lower Providence Spring Classic Criterium

May 4, 2015 by Scott Kingsley in Cycling

The Daniel Harwi Memorial 28th Annual Lower Providence Spring Classic Criterium, or what I’m going to shorten it to, Lower Providence Crit, is another early season crit in southeastern PA. It’s surprisingly a hard crit to shoot. Not because of the course, or terrain, but because it’s corporate park setting. Don’t get me wrong, it is a great race and definitely well run, it’s just a boring location for a photographer that enjoys the background as much as the subjects I’m shooting. I guess I’m spoiled by the Philadelphia Naval Yard Crit.

Still, it was a beautiful day to shoot. Starting off with sun and blue skies, riders had the chance to race the square, four corner course. There aren’t any major hills, just false flats at various parts of the course. Turn three tended to be where the problems were, with only one other crash during the men’s pro race that was not located here. Ryan DeWald (Team Skyline) and Colleen Hayduk (Argon 18 Racing p/b November & Fast Freddie Apparel) took the wins in each of the pro events.

Click here for the full gallery.