I had a chance to meet and photograph Brian for the cover of Endurance Magazine’s March issue and learn more about why he cycles with such passion.
Brian’s older brother, Aaron, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor when they were both young boys. He was told that with is particular type of tumor, he would only have up to seven years of life left.
Aaron lived another seven years after that diagnosis.
He died in 2005.
Soon afterwards, their mother, Karen, joined the board of 24 Hours of Booty, an extraordinary 24-hour cycling event in Charlotte, North Carolina whose mission is to increase public awareness, funds and support for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and local cancer organizations.
Brian has fond memories of riding training-wheeled bikes with his big brothers as kids and got inspired to ride in honor of Aaron in his first 24 Hours of Booty event back in 2005. He has continued the 24-hour ride every year since, and as grueling as the riding can be, Brian demurs, “You can’t compare cycling to what my brother went through. Aaron never gave up. A few months before he died, his health was really deteriorating and he couldn’t really hear anymore so we started writing messages to him, but even then, he never lost faith and was still making plans to go to college.
Aaron never gave up believing he would make it through. He’s tougher than I will ever be.”
A couple of other photographs from the inside spread…
I’ll be thinking of you out there on your ride this year, Brian. I’m sure you’ll ride strong!
so fun to see this shoot to fruition! great shots and great cause!
so fun to see this shoot to fruition! great shots and great cause!
So inspiring-thanks for sharing! I love the last shot so much!
So inspiring-thanks for sharing! I love the last shot so much!
Thanks for sharing, I definitely want to read the magazine article to learn more. Really love that last shot!!
Thanks for sharing, I definitely want to read the magazine article to learn more. Really love that last shot!!
Hey Tamara! LOVE the color portrait! What techniques did you use to edit it?
Hey Tamara! LOVE the color portrait! What techniques did you use to edit it?
Thanks 🙂 🙂
Hi, Anna – thanks for your patience in me getting back to you earlier. Let’s chat soon, seriously :).
On that last image, I used customized versions of a couple of the options on the Colorshift actions set – Edge of The World and Weathered Rock, I believe… and then a few texture layers and softeners.
Thanks 🙂 🙂
Hi, Anna – thanks for your patience in me getting back to you earlier. Let’s chat soon, seriously :).
On that last image, I used customized versions of a couple of the options on the Colorshift actions set – Edge of The World and Weathered Rock, I believe… and then a few texture layers and softeners.
What an inspiring story… and I love the image you guys chose for the cover! 🙂
What an inspiring story… and I love the image you guys chose for the cover! 🙂
love to see the inner strength of people. thank you for sharing : )
love to see the inner strength of people. thank you for sharing : )
Wow, what an amazing young man. With so much negativity in the world, it’s nice to see someone do something honorable with their life. His parents must be very proud, I know I would be.
Wow, what an amazing young man. With so much negativity in the world, it’s nice to see someone do something honorable with their life. His parents must be very proud, I know I would be.
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