I have never felt so loved in my life. Getting so many FB comments, texts, PMs, and phone calls was really unexpected. Thank you. I had a quiet dinner with my wife and two sisters. I received a juicer, a book on juicing and a cupcake. Perfect! I'm flying out in 8 hrs to shoot a marriage proposal. Goodnight!
It was October 18, 2009. I sat alone on a bed at the Ravel Hotel in Long Island City, NY with the room service food I had just ordered. I stood up, lifted my shirt and looked in the mirror. I was embarrassed at what I saw.
1. I was seriously out of shape
2. I was lacking self confidence
3. I was eating unhealthy every day
I immediately called my wife and told her we needed to make a change. We had to take control of our health.
Just two months earlier I had photographed an 11-hr marriage proposal in Washington, DC. I was disguised as a waiter named Spencer. During the shoot I was huffing and puffing climbing up and down the stairs. I had ballooned to almost 190 lbs. My face was round, my stomach was protruding, and I brought my pair of size 36 jeans to wear because they were the only ones that fit comfortably.
After that I had another wake up call. I did an engagement shoot (Robert and Tia) where we had to climb onto the side of a bridge. I posted pictures of me to Facebook in a link titled, “I’ll do anything for my clients.”
What most people don’t know is that I was hanging from the ledge because I did not have the strength to pull myself up on my own. Robert and my former studio manger, Anna Beth, had to help me up the rest of the way.
Although most wedding photographers are active during the actual shooting of a wedding, that does not compensate for the hours of sitting editing and munching on who knows what. I've sat for hours at a time staring at a screen and reaching my hand for whatever carb is closest.
How did I make the change? The first thing I had to do was to get support. I got my wife on board. Just like I write down my business goals, I decided to write down my health goals. As a matter of fact, we both wrote our goals down and put them on the refrigerator door with a magnet. I started on a calorie counting website so that I was accountable for what I was putting in my body. It was a tedious process but I learned a lot. Next, I agreed to start researching new recipes that would be filling but still cut out the high sugar and sodium. Instead of starving myself during the day I made an effort to eat three balanced meals with two snacks in between. The weight began to melt away. I combined my new eating schedule with a workout that included lighter free weights and 30 minutes of cardio three days a week. I began using the machines at the gym that I used to ignore because they looked funny, as a challenge. It took about 5 - 6 months to lose the weight.
Soon enough the gym got boring and I needed more variation. That’s when I joined Crossfit for 6 weeks and then FitWit (my saving grace). FitWit is a mix of high intensity cardio with some weight training and calisthenics as well. Its like recess for adults. I’ve been doing FitWit for a year now and I volunteered as an assistant trainer for a while. I built my strength and endurance with this cross training and I have already been through 4 pairs of shoes.
At 32 (April 30th) I feel like I am in the best shape of my life. In less than 2 years, I lost 28.5 lbs and then gained close to 10 lbs of muscle. Now I am on to my next challenge. I put a team (KNIGHT Team - Berkley+Tiffany, Kevin+Chynna, and Jaymin+Tiffany) together for the Peachtree Road Race and I am also running the New York City Marathon. I can’t wait to achieve more towards my goals!!
My family's medical background is filled with preventable issues and I plan to do all that I can to change history. I am running for my life…
Yesterday I braved the fog, heat, rain, horses, frogs, birds, spiders, mosquitoes, flies, and even a polo player for a 13 hr fashion shoot at the Foxhall Resort & Sporting Club. We started at 6 AM and called it quits with a champagne toast at 7 PM. With rain boots handy to walk through the marsh and tip toe down the bank of a lake, I lost 5 lbs and had to be driven home at the end of the day. The result? A beautiful collection of images that I can't wait to share with you soon. Here's a sneak peek.
For all of our clients stopping by today we made Apple Orange water. I'll have to admit that its pretty refreshing. Feel free to stop by and say hello. We'll be here until 5:30 PM. I was asked for our recipe last time so here it is for your enjoyment.
Think about the people God has placed in your life. They’re not there by accident. God brings people to you for a purpose. We should live with this awareness that, “I am here to add value to people. I am here to help them succeed.” Don’t go around always thinking, “I wonder what that person can do for me. I wonder what they have to offer.” No, we should have the attitude, “What can I do for them? How can I help them come up higher? Can I teach them something I know? Can I connect them with someone who can help them?” Don’t make the mistake of going through life ingrown. Instead, be a dream releaser. Use your talent, your influence and your experience, not just to accomplish your goals, but to help release a dream in someone else.
Remember, there is nothing more rewarding than to lay down at night knowing that you helped someone else become better. You not only fulfilled your purpose for that day, you did your best. It may have just been a two-minute phone call where you encouraged someone; but when you live as a dream releaser, you’ll see your own dreams come alive as well!
“Be devoted to one another in love...”
(Romans 12:10, NIV)
Father in heaven, thank You for equipping me to be a blessing to others. Show me ways to be a dream releaser and help others to rise up higher. Help me to use my influence to encourage others and honor You always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
Image above courtesy Reshma Jae - KIS (cubed) intern
I was searching through some of my old hard drives and I found these images. I remember taking them so vividly during a portrait session in 2007. That entire year was super adventurous as it marked my first full-time career away from Corporate America. I had finally removed the wool from over my head.
Last year I photographed a wedding in Central America (Charles and Elisa) and I met Fernando (father of the bride). A quiet soul with a servant heart, Fernando made a huge impression on me.
His relationship with his daughter, Elisa, was so very special and one that I admired. Shortly after returning to the US from the wedding Fernando was diagnosed with advanced Pancreatic Cancer. Its been almost a year since he passed. I was privileged to have met Fernando and his legacy lives on through his family and friends.
If you would like to support my fundraising efforts, please visit my marathon website and make a donation: pancan.kintera.org/teamhopenyc/rossoscarknight
Kevin and Chynna's wedding (Part I and Part II) that we shot last summer at The St. Regis Hotel is featured in the Spring 2011 issue of Weddings Unveiled. Pick up a copy today at your local bookstore! Also, a big thank you to all of the vendors from this wedding that made it a smashing success. Scroll down to see links to their businesses and support them.
Photography: Ross Oscar Knight Photography. Wedding Consultant: Michelle Gainey with Lemiga Events. Cinematographer: Three Ring Media. Ceremony Location, Reception Venue, Catering and Baker: St. Regis Hotel Atlanta. Cupcakes: Chocolate Pink Cafe and Cami Cakes. Florist: Le Jardin Francais. Party Rentals: Classic Party Rentals and Premier Tenting Solutions and Event Rentals. Lighting, Audio and Visual: PSAV Presentation Services. Linens: I Do Linens. Draping: Event Drapery. Invitations, Stationery and Wedding Papers: Luxe Expressions. Ceremony Music: Kazanetti String Quartet. Cocktail and Dinner Music: Dan Baraszc from Livin' Large Productions, Inc. Reception Entertainment: DJ LV. Bridal Gown: Romona Keveza purchased at Kleinfeld. Bridesmaid Dresses: Vera Wang. Hair: The Moore Agency. Makeup: Patrice Coleman. Officiant: Dr. Lisa Tait. Wedding Sitters: Elegant Event Sitters. Party Favors: Savannah Pralines. Fireworks: Pyrotecnico.
Weddings Unveiled sprang from the minds of a wedding planner and a fashion photographer. They imagined a beautiful magazine reflective of the South’s modern sophisticate with a fresh, edgy take on classic style. The result proved to be one of the most exciting, talked-about wedding publications in the country by brides and wedding professionals alike. Weddings Unveiled is everything weddings with vivid imagery, lush editorials, incomparable fashion and a sophisticated manner that appeals to intelligent, modern brides.
