Six Tips On How to Get Photographed at Yogathon

There is something pretty incredible about walking into the Field House at Gillette Stadium each year and seeing it fill up with 1,000 other like-minded yogis all there together to support Boston Children's Hospital. The collective Yoga Reaches Out energy in the room is truly palpable.

In case you're wondering what 1,000 yogis at Gillette Stadium looks like! Here is a panoramic shot at last year's yogathon!

This is me at Yogathon 2015!       {Photo by the lovely Tamar Melen}

The only downside to there being 1,000 of you is that, well, there is only one of me. In total there will be four photographers {shout out to Ashley Bilodeau, Tamar Melen and Jay Kiely!}, 1,000 students, and hundreds of additional amazing contributors - presenters, speakers, marketplace vendors, in-kind donors, volunteers, etc. - so while we usually are able to cover an incredible number of people, we may not be able to get a shot of everyone individually.

Given that, I've put together some tips on how to get you your next profile pic and your studio their next newsletter highlight photo by moi.

Go to Yogathon!

Get into it like Gale!

Get into it like Erica!

Participate with your team!

Get your team together for a team photo!

1. Go to Yogathon! {Hey, I had to put the link in somewhere! Join my Team or Create a Team.}
2. Enjoy yourself! Dance, laugh, smile, meditate, get into it!
3. Ask me! Tap my shoulder, call my name, introduce yourself and show me where you are on the field!
4. Participate in the group activities like linking arms, hands, feet, etc. I love group shots!
5. Get your team together! And then call me over to photograph you as a team!
6. Go viral with last year's photographs! If I know you are going to help spread the word about Yoga Reaches Out, Yogathon, and Tracy Rodriguez Photography, I want to get photographs in your hands! The photography is not only a gift to you but a major fundraising vehicle for the organization so help us spread the good word!

What other tips do you recommend? Post them in the comments below! And I'll see you on your mat at Gillette on May 1st!

If you're reading this post and thinking, "what's a yogathon?!" read my post about why I give back and get all the details on this amazing event brought to you by Yoga Reaches Out!

If you are interested in booking a photo shoot for yourself or your yoga studio, please contact me today!

Yoga Reaches Out Benefit Events

I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who came out to support Yoga Reaches Out this weekend. I was thrilled to offer Pick a Pose at the Endicott Estate benefit class held by Danny Dywer, Lauren DAngelo, Joanna Losty and Sarah Gardner. Before the class started, yogis were invited to pose for moi to support Yoga Reaches Out. We had a ton of fun as you can see below!

And, I am so excited that we will be offering Pick a Pose again on April 22nd at Universal Power Yoga in Norwood. You can get more information and sign up for the class led by Jacqui Bonwell and Jen Merola Palmer on the UPY website. I hope to see you there!

We held this Pick at Pose in the beautiful library at Endicott Estate in Dedham, MA.

I also grabbed a few shots at the Equinox benefit class led by Dan Steel the next day. I have to say, I mainly practiced at this class, but it was so beautiful, I had to jump up to snap a few! Enjoy!

Did you know that I provide photographs from all Yoga Reaches Out events to the attendees? You can download, print, share, etc. any images I take from the events. View them all here {link below} to get started! {Note, you can click the drop down menu on the left to access different events and categories including photographs from last year's yogathon!}

tracyrodriguezphotography.pass.us/yogathon

On the Importance of Giving Back as a Business {And Ways to Get Involved in Yoga Reaches Out}

My first year photographing Yogathon and my very first press pass.

I give back because it feels good.

I give back because I truly believe that every bit adds up. Every ounce of energy given, every dollar fundraised, every email and social media post to drive awareness makes a direct impact.

I give back because I believe in karma.

I give back because I've been there. Just before my third birthday, I spent three months in the ICU because my heart wasn't beating normally. You can read my heart story in an blog post I wrote before my pacemaker surgery last year.

But mainly, I give back because I can. A marathon runner friend of mine told me an inspirational speech from the day before she ran the Boston Marathon where the speaker said to be grateful that "you can". And not that you can finish the race, but rather that you can start it. You can walk to the starting line. You can give a day of your life. You can be present. You can fundraise. It's not to say it's easy. You may have limitations. But, there are people who can't. So while you can, act.

Act and give in ways that are meaningful to you. We all have causes that affect us personally. Likewise, we all have ways we can give that our uniquely ours. For me, I have the resources, the knowledge and, most importantly, the passion for photography, so that's how I give.

What's your passion and how can you translate that to support an organization you care about? Know that your time, your energy, and your expertise go a long way in the limited resource world of nonprofits.

I'm also pretty good at fundraising and commit a goal to raise $1,000 for Yoga Reaches Out in the spring $1,000 for The Alzheimer's Association in the fall. It's easier than it sounds and I challenge you to commit a goal to raise funds as well!

This year will be my fifth year photographing and fundraising for Yogathon, a day of amazing yoga with a purpose to give back to children's charities. The main beneficiary is Boston Children's Hospital. This year, the funds will support the Hale Family Wellness Center to, among other things, expand their  yoga, meditation, reiki and massage programs. At a recent committee meeting, we were given a tour of this amazing facility and I can tell you first hand what a difference this center would have made for my parents when I was hospitalized. This center provides a chance for families and patients to step away from their illness, their upset, their hospital life, and come back into their bodies. It provides a chance to refresh and restore.

Knowing that I can help give this to someone else is why I give back.

If this speaks to you as well and you'd be interested in getting involved with Yoga Reaches Out, there are many ways to do so. New England Yogathon will be held on May 1st in the Gillette Stadium Field House. {Yes, that's where the Patriots practice!} You can...

• Join my team! Commit to a $250 fundraising goal and join us on the field for a full day of yoga, amazing food, vendors, massage, reiki, and more with an incredible community of 1,000 like-minded yogis! All levels including beginner yogis are welcome.
• Create your own team! Gather your friends, your family, your local yoga or fitness studio, your church group, your neighbors, and their friends, too!
• Volunteer! We are looking for volunteers to help with day-of support as well as 200 hour certified yoga instructors to provide hands-on assisting. {email: maureend5@yahoo.com}
• Become a Sponsor! There are $1,500 to $50,000 sponsorships available for those interested in contributing as an individual or as a company.
• Provide an in-kind donation! Just how I donate my time on the day of to photograph the event, many other people provide in-kind donations to further support the day. Things like water bottles and other hydration, energy bars and other noms and apparel for the presenters are great examples! {email: mlynott@yogareachesout.org}
• Donate. I personally commit to a goal of $1,000 every year. If you're feeling inclined, help me get there!
• Attend a fundraising event! There are many across MA and RI and you can find out more details on the YRO website. I will be offering "Pick a Pose" at two benefits in April where you can be photographed by moi for a suggested $10 donation per pose. 100% goes to YRO.

• April 8th: Endicott Estate {SIGN UP HERE}
  • Pick a Pose 6:15-6:45pm on the beautiful lawns of the Endicott Estate. 
  • Doors open 6:15, Class starts 7:00pm
  • One hour and 45 min vinyasa flow, instructed by Danny Dwyer, Lauren DAngelo, Joanna Losty and a savasana by YRO founder Sarah Gardner.
• April 22nd: Universal Power Yoga {SIGN UP HERE}
  • Pick a Pose 6:00-6:45pm
  • 90 minute class with live music led by Jen Merola Palmer and Jacqui Bonwell starts at 7:00pm

You now have all of the information on how to get involved in an event, in a cause, that speaks to me. But if there are other events, other causes, that speak more to you, I highly encourage you to reach out and give your time, your energy, your in-kind or financial donation. Do it because it feels good. Do it because what goes around comes around. Do it because you can.

The 2016 Yogathon Beneficiary, The Hale Family Center for Families at Boston Children's Hospital

If you are interested in booking a photo shoot for yourself or your yoga studio, please contact me today!

Stowe, VT Yoga Retreat {Yoga Reaches Out New England Top Fundraisers}

One of my favorite aspects of being a small business owner is having full control over the way in which my company gives back. I feel so lucky to have found Yoga Reaches Out, a nonprofit organization that supports children's charities through yoga, and am proud to support them with pro bono photography and personal fundraising each year. Sarah, Laurin, Robin and the whole team have not only created a powerful organization but also an environment for an entire giving community to come together. The energy walking into a room of 1,000 yogis at each yogathon is palpable. This organization is really something special.

I have photographed the New England Yogathon and Kids' Yogathon for the last four years and this past week I was able to attend their annual Top Fundraisers Yoga Retreat in Stowe, VT. Gerry Scott graciously opens his retreat center, Stowe Mountain Ranch Yoga Retreat Center, to the team once a year as a way to celebrate successful fundraising and teamwork. We were able to practice yoga with his beautiful horses for a bit before the rain came and then we took to the town to enjoy some hot cider, apple cider donuts, and maple flavored everything. We were able to take a short hike to view a waterfall {it was a little too slippery for me to get to the bottom with my camera gear so you'll instead see a few fun tree root photographs of that part} and fill our water bottles up with water from a fresh spring. We posed for photographs under Emily's haunted covered bridge and visited the Cabot Annex to eat what felt like 100's of cheese varieties {yum!} and a speciality chocolate shop. Gerry graciously pointed out gorgeous scenery as we drove so I could snap away. And, we of course practiced yoga each morning and evening. A big thanks to Hania, Andrea, Joanna, and Mary for leading the classes! And to Tom Lena for providing such blissful music throughout! And, best of all, we enjoyed amazing meals from Tess, the chef extraordinaire, who graciously provided delicious vegetarian options at each meal. What a trip! Captured in photographs below...