Black Studios - Sioux Falls area photography for wedding, senior & family pictures

Seniors-Return this Form

ElizaBeth — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:12:40 +0000

It’s announcement card time, and the flyers have been sent out. Make sure you check out all the new specials and also the sample thank you cards, buzz cards, and banners. If you haven’t scheduled your free family session, give us a call, so we can get you on the schedule. Finally, double check your order form for any corrections you need. Please double check spelling and time and place of your graduation ceremony and party. Send this form back with your signature so we can process your announcement card orders. We need proof of your approval before we will finalize your order.

Class of 2010, you have been an awesome group to work with, and we are so proud of all of your accomplishments. Thanks for making Black Studios part of your Senior Year!

$95.50 to United Way –Weigh 2 Go!

ElizaBeth — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:45:27 +0000

Sorry, it’s been so long since I’ve updated the fitness challenge. Our team lost a total of 95.5 lbs; On average about 5.5 lbs per person. Weigh 2 Go! We appreciated everyone’s help, and yes, Mike’s pockets are a little lighter. We both lost about 12 lbs, and we had a great time. Members of our team should have received your free family session gift certificates in the mail. We can’t wait to see you and see how well your fitness goals are working for you. Keep up the great work and pray for sunshine, so we can all get outside and get active.

Of course, our fitness goals are just starting and we have begun to think about the triathalon in april and perhaps a biking trip later in the summer. If you have any great ideas for fitness challenges, let us know, because we’re always looking ahead.

MHS vs SF Christian: Bulldogs are State A bound!

Mike — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:53:47 +0000

Great game tonight at the Elmen Center. Madison fans filled one side and spilled over to the ends. Unless you arrived early, it was a long walk from the car.

More pictures tomorrow and in the Madison Daily Leader. Buy a copy on Wednesday.

South Dakota Children Photography: Ella and Kendyl

Mike — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:34:33 +0000

Success!

ElizaBeth — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:21:50 +0000

Scott Parsley

Marty Takagi

ElizaBeth Black

Michael Black

Aaron Walters

Well, we did it, and we survived. We completed the Try-a-Tri yesterday morning at the cc. And Mike completed his goals. He wasn’t last and he beat me. Both good, and I’ll give him bragging rights because he did his personal best at swimming, his big challenge, and he totally rocked the biking. Me, I did ok. I improved my time in the swimming since last spring. I think I got lost in figuring out the borrowed spin bikes from the Madison Middle School, so I didn’t bike as well as I think I should have. But then I didn’t stop or walk in the mile and half run on the treadmill at the end. I have to thank Nicole and Jason for cheering me on to push it up a couple notches when it came to the end, because I was TIRED at that point. Mike was in the heat behind me, so even though I was slower than he in time, I finished the race before him. I was then able to help pull him through the last part of the run with a promise of a DQ Blizzard when he finished.

By the way, Congrats to Aaron Walters who was first in our little 13 member Try-a-Tri, followed by seasoned veterans Tim Tucker and Mark Stearns. All of the contestants except one were over the age of 30, and most of us were on the far side of thirty. I think that means we’re never too old to take on new challenges, and it’s time to push some of those “youn ‘uns” a little more. Thanks to all the help the cc staff gave in keeping us going and keeping track of all our times. The extra support really helps us keep at our goals.

The Try-a-Tri was the culmination of the fitness challenge. Thus, the Blizzard Rewards at the end, but, never fear, we won’t let all of our hard work go to “waist.” We took today off to regroup, but the Spring Triathlon is April 17th, only 7 weeks away. Time to improve those times. If you are looking for a new challenge to get you going now that the fitness challenge is done, or are one of those last year that said, and I know you did, “I can keep up with those two,” you still have plenty of time to get ready for April. Come along with us, and we’ll all succeed this year.

Thanks to Jon Hunter for getting some pictures of Mike in the water.

South Dakota Children Photography: Ainsley

Mike — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:32:16 +0000

South Dakota Children Photography: Carter

Mike — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:30:36 +0000

One More Day

ElizaBeth — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:26:21 +0000

So, Aaron reminds me that tomorrow is the last day for the fitness challenge. I hope it has been as fun for you as it was for me. I have lost 12 lbs, and I think Mike has lost about the same. Next week we will put up the final results. In the meantime, make sure you send in your final results, so we can all cheer together.

Today, as we worked out with Lisa, I felt like we made great strides this last eight weeks. Lisa had us running on the treadmill, and after a mile and a half, I didn’t feel so winded that I thought I was going to die, like I did eight weeks ago. Mike started out in over-do mode today and was pushing out extra miles on the track, and extra reps on the weights. After Mike gave out, I then hit the pool for a few short laps. Although I still have a twinge in my shoulder, I felt comfortable swimming pretty well non-stop for a half an hour without a break. Now, I can’t say I’ll ever be a beautiful swimmer, or runner for that matter, but it’s nice to feel like I can accomplish whatever the task was that was set before me.

Now some may have noticed that my husband has become obsessed with his workouts. Well, that’s Mike for you. But, all the studies this week are suggesting that several short intense workouts might be better for strength-training and heart health than long moderate workouts. Calorie experts are still suggesting consistency is necessary to maintain or lose weight. So what does this mean, well, maybe new news isn’t really that new. Maybe we need to combine a couple days of intense (Michael-like) interval training. Boost up your cardio workout faster than you are used to for 2-5 minutes and then back off and rest for a 1-2 minutes before you kick it up again. Then the next day take it a little easier with a nice easy walk or jog. Maybe someday we will even be able to do that outside again. It’s ok and often necessary to take a day or two off to recover from intense exercise, but if you are like me, it only takes a day or two to totally get out of the routine and suddenly not be paying any attention to working out or watching the diet. So, for me those off days, I have to try to keep the slower moderate exercise on the schedule.

So, now that I’ve ramble on for awhile. Don’t let the end of this fitness challenge be the end of your 2010 health kick. Yes, I know those resolutions were left behind at least a month ago, but remember 22 days make a habit and so hopefully, you’ve made a few new healthy choices and are well past those 22 days. Of course, if you haven’t or oops, let a couple of those great plans go, you can always start again tomorrow. Twenty-two days from today is still before swimsuit season.

South Dakota Children Photography: Brayden

Mike — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:26:13 +0000

Alonna & Treyton

Mike — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:59:31 +0000

We love working with little kids: you never know what you are going to get. Sometimes you get models that love to be in front of the camera. Sometimes you get the shy ones who want to attached themselves to Mom’s leg and never let go. We also get our share of wild ones that barely sit still long enough to get a picture. We love them all. We are a kid friendly place. We have lots of toys and all the kids no where the snack bucket is.

Time for a Tea Break?

ElizaBeth — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:04:42 +0000

We started the day with Lisa by the pool. That little bit of ache I felt in my shoulder yesterday was a full-blown pain today. After a few laps in the pool hoping it would loosen up, I gave up and used a kickboard, giving Mike a chance to keep up with me in the pool today. Lisa gave us a little bit of break anyway, splitting up the laps with some water jogging. After the pool, Mike was still full of something, so we went upstairs and did a little on the bikes. My shoulder was really bothering me, so I gave up quickly and hit the showers.

When we got back to the studio, I read up on my health websites how you can actually slow down your weight loss by overdoing your workout (specially if you hurt your shoulder) The concept is that you lose weight during recovery not during the workout, so you need your rest in between. Good, because I had no intention of letting Mike drag me back up to the cc for the rest of the day. I came home and put icyhot on my shoulder, which burned more than it helped, but the rest definitely helped.

My other discovery for the day was the suggestion to drink green tea before your workout. I had heard that green tea is full of good antioxidants, but the article I was reading suggested that while the caffeine in green tea boosts your energy, the other antioxidants actually helps to digest the fatty acids and burn calories more efficiently during your workout. So, there you go, Nicole, one more reason to give up the diet coke and try green tea. The ladies at the cc were discussing giving up pop for lent. Give it a try — Switch your coke for green tea, juice spritzers, or good ole fashion water. You’ll be feeling great and leaving all that extra calories behind before you know it.

Great Food and New Jiggles

ElizaBeth — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:27:10 +0000

Had to kick up the work out today. Last night we went to Montgomery’s Furniture for their “Second Chance for Romance” Event. Several local business showed their wares, while we thoroughly enjoyed wine and amazing appetizers provided by Shari & Blaine from 2nd St. Diner. I could definitely see those Luscious “cakes on a stick” as a great wedding fare. They were wonderfully presented and so luscious. Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure from the stuffed mushrooms to the coconut shrimp, there wasn’t anything there that I would call “on the diet plan,” so after totally spoiling ourselves last night and then joining Shari again for her buffet today, Mike and I really had to get to work this afternoon.

Mike and Lori Waldner were just finishing their workout when we arrived. Not sure I will ever be able to (or maybe want to) keep up with their intense workout routines but love to see another couple working out together and looking better every day.

Anyway, Mike and I headed upstairs while the kids headed to the pool. Mike was running sprints on the treadmill, while I hopped on and just started running. I think I could feel every bite of that delicious meal jiggling around, so even though I had planned to run one and a half miles, I gave up just short of that. Then I hopped on the bike and rode 6 miles. Of course, in the back of my head is that I only have 6 days before I have to do this whole craziness in front of other people.

I then did a quick arm workout, because I have noticed lately that Yes, I am truly getting old, and all those saggy places my mother and grandmother always complained about when I was young and sure I would always have everything firm and in their original places, now jiggle all over the place on me. Finally, I hit the pool just in time to join my daughter after the break. The pool was busy today as it frequently is on Sundays, but I did half laps for a while and then horsed around with Rachel for awhile, before going back to another set of half laps. When I was done, my shoulders were giving me fits, so I must have done the arm workout that I wanted to get in.

Tomorrow morning, Lisa and Mike have an early morning swim workout planned again. Considering I’m already tired and I know how excited Mike is to really push it this last week, I think I may be really tired before Saturday gets here. It’s a good thing I have a finish line in sight to keep me going.

A thank you from Ryan and Krista

Mike — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:27:17 +0000

We received this nice thank you from Krista and Ryan yesterday:

Mike & ElizaBeth -
We wanted to thank you guys for capturing all of the wonderful moments from our wedding. We are so happy with our pictures & we owe that all to you guys! We also received so many wonderful compliments with the slide show at the reception being the most talked about! So, thank you for all your work & for sharing & making our day so special!
— Krista & Ryan

Adventures in the Dark

ElizaBeth — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:58:49 +0000

Another early morning at the CC. We met Lisa at 6:45 to go swimming. Mike tried out goggles today. I try to swim with goggles and get claustrophobic. I don’t think I’m supposed to be that well acquainted with the bottom of the pool. Anyway, we had barely got started and the power went out. Since it was still basically dark outside and inside, we waited on the edge of the pool and then after 5 minutes, the lights came on, and we swam some more.

I am really feeling the workouts from earlier this week, so I struggled getting started, but I think I eventually found enough rhythm to get up and down the pool a few times. After we wore out from Lisa having us swim laps, she then had us swim sprints, as fast as we could go for just the short half of the pool. 20 total laps down and we were able to hit the hot tub for a few minutes.

Then when I hit the shower room, I found myself in the dark again. By the way, it’s really dark in the family locker room when the lights are out. Aaron promises to get the emergency lights fixed in there. But that was enough water adventure for me to last the whole day.

After our work out, we stopped to visit my grandmother for a few minutes. At almost 89, she still enjoys work outs at the nursing home using the new step machine or doing the group led calisthenics. The cc has a water aerobics class and an active and ageless aerobic class for the retired age group. It’s almost always full. I love to see former teachers and long time friends and neighbors up there staying active and busy. Guess it proves you’re never too old to take care of yourself, and for those of us that our lazy now, we have no excuses, so we better keep moving.

Hopefully, I’m going to keep my nose to the computer for the rest of the day, unless, I suppose, Mike tries to convince me I haven’t done enough exercise this week yet. But there’s a bb game tonight to keep him entertained. I hope your weekend is filled with sunshine, health and lots of playtime.

Almost There

ElizaBeth — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:32:23 +0000

Great week, team. We lost 19 lbs. With 19 members, that means, on average, we all shared a great week. We’ve also lost more than 5 lbs. per person for a total of 86 lbs, putting us in 4th place for total lbs lost per team. This week has sped by so don’t forget to send your weighins tomorrow, and then next week is our last week. I would love to see us break that 100 lb mark. I am positive we can do it.

Mike is well on his way. He has his goal in mind for next week, so he pushed up our work out yesterday to twice a day. We started with a swim at 6:45 am. We met Lisa there doing her own swim workout. Then we came back at 6:00 for another 45 minutes of biking and running last night. Today we were back again for our regular workout with Lisa. What I discovered was that if I work out too much 1) I don’t sleep very well and 2) my legs wear out and I don’t run very well when Lisa wants me to.

Tomorrow we swim early in the morning, then I think I will lay off the bike for a couple days. It seems to be taking a toll on my knees. But don’t worry, I’ll be back at it, Monday or Tuesday. Next Saturday, the 27th, besides being the end of the fitness challenge, is the day of the mini-triathalon. Can’t wait, I think. If you want to participate, let Jason Crisp know at the cc. It’s a great way to see how far you’ve come. Hope to see you there.

Protected: Derrick and Rachel

Mike — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:22:48 +0000

Finally Back At It.

ElizaBeth — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 02:05:32 +0000

After days and days of tax appointments, weddings, and once again, horrible weather, we were finally able to make it back to the cc today. A good swim, a run, and a bike ride made me feel like we might be back in the swing of things. The indoor triathalon is only two weeks away, so Mike and I have to get serious about what we are doing. Mike needs a lot more swim time. He avoids it like I avoid running. I just need to work on following through. I’ll swim but mainly just go back and forth, not really work on my strokes; I’ll run but I think I can run faster if I push myself, and then the bike is just so boring inside; I do 6 miles but I could easily do more if I was racing for ice cream.

Of course, the topic of everyone’s discussion: The weather is really holding us back. Just can’t wait for sunny days and bike rides around the lake, swimming where you have to worry about sunscreen instead of finding a short lane in a cold pool, and running outside wearing shorts and not even minding my stubby legs sticking out. I’d even take an evening or two of watching my kids play softball. Well, anyway, remind me of this if I dare complain about being too hot in August.

We have two more weeks left of the community challenge, and I would love to see us finish off with a bang. Keep up the good work, and let us know how you are doing. Also, don’t forget the cc is still collecting shoes to send to Haiti, so clean your closets and get ready for summer. It’s only 4 mos. away!

Protected: Amber & Josh

Mike — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:23:25 +0000

Josh & Amber – June 27, 2009 – Video slide show

Kyle and Laura – 02.23.10

Mike — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:13:52 +0000

Another totally awesome day for Kyle and Laura’s wedding. It snowed just enough to make their Winter wedding special, but not enough to stop friends and family from traveling. Here are just a few images from their wedding reception slideshow. More to come later.

Weigh 2 Go!

ElizaBeth — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:13:06 +0000

Great Job, Team. We are down another 22.5 Lbs! Keep up the great work. Mike is really getting int o the groove lately. Double workouts. Tons of miles on the bike and the treadmill. Me –well, I’ve been holding my own. Not as intense as last week, but still hitting the gym a little everyday, trying to keep the calories down, and the chocolate away.

This week has been a week of yearly check-ups. Teeth cleanings, yearly physicals.–All those fun things. I managed to prove I was healthy. No excuses, now, huh. But it’s nice to know everything is going well inside and out. It’s also good to have someone else confirm all those moles are looking the way they’ re suppose to, and the odd age spots and wrinkles are just signs that time is passing.

In general, I’m lucky. Good genes, few diseases, and the ones my family deals with, for the most part, are preventable. It seems that so many of my long time friends and acquaintances are struggling with some of those other types: cancer , heart disease, diabetes. So, my suggestion for the day: Make your yearly appointment. Check your blood pressure. Keep your eye on those changing pigments, and be aware of changes in your health and digestion. Hopefully, all of the hard work we’re doing to get and stay in shape will help with all those preventative ailments, but don’t ignore the signs. Besides, your doctor is always impressed when you show him how hard you’ve been working out.