Who Are You?

Why are bathroom selfies some of the better lit photos?

I've gotten this question, or the "I didn't know you..." comments, a lot lately. I've realized in the last few years of social networking I have more followers that really don't know who I am or what I'm about. Not that I'm anything overly unique or special, but I figured I'd go out on a limb and give a little introduction to those newly following me.

• My name is Antonia Reitter, but I go by Toni (or Tonichelle online). I was born and raised in South Central Alaska, which pretty much solidified my introvert personality. Big country, small population. I love small towns, it's why I can't imagine living anywhere else. I can breathe here - plus little to no air pollution makes breathing a wonderful exercise!
  
• I am a professional photographer. I received my first camera at 7 years old and I learned mainly by trial and error until taking actual classes in high school and college (meaning I've had a camera in hand for 25 years). No degree to show that I know my stuff, but sometimes my work speaks for itself. Photography has given me ins to worlds I would otherwise never be able to be a part of. I have been an official photographer for local triathlons and marathons (the only way you will see me at a running event. I don't run!), and of course I've been an official photog for sled dog races (mainly the Tustumena 200). I've also been hired by a few major Iditarod teams to take photos of their four legged athletes. I've also had several photos of mine featured on Alaska blogs, magazines, and websites.
  
• Speaking of mushing, I LOVE the sport even though I have never actively participated in it. Growing up in Alaska, Iditarod was a normal part of the vocabulary, but it wasn't until 2007 that I really started to understand and have a great appreciation for what these teams do. I got an inside look while working for an Iditarod Champion kennel as a summer job. I worked for them for 4 summers. It was fantastic. I never trained the dogs (didn't really do much with them at all), but I worked as support for the mushers and their handlers. It's still one of my favorite jobs of all time, and has allowed me many opportunities. (And those that hired me have no one to blame but themselves for creating, in me, an "obsessive Iditarod fan". You know who you are.)
  
• I live for Disney - this is no surprise if you've followed me for any length of time. I love the films, the history, the Parks, the merchandise. I am a total Disnerd. Since 2001 I've been to Disney World six times, and since 1990 I've been to Disneyland five times (with a sixth trip planned early next year). I own every animated classic on at least one medium, and have many on multiple (VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital). My walls are adorned with Disney photos and posters. I don't have kids, and I don't need them to justify being a Disney fan. What is the magic cut off age that suddenly it's "not okay" to be a fan. You don't just age out of a fandom. Lose interest, sure, but it's not an age thing.
  
• I am a dog person - if the being obsessed with mushing wasn't enough of a give away. I've never had a time in my life where I didn't have a dog in my family. Maybe short blips as the loss of one meant grieving time for another, but it wasn't long before another four legged bundle of awesome wiggled its way into our hearts. Pugs are my breed of choice, we currently have two in our family. My parents have a fawn pug named Sushi, and I have a black pug I've named Stitch. Word of advice: that saying that "names give power" really works. If there was a live embodiment of a Disney alien character, my dog is it. He is SO NAUGHTY! But I love him. Pugs just have the best personality... and their squishy faces are just so kissable!

And a photo of Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland, because I can.

Just a few bullet points to give you an idea of what makes me, me. Hello to all my new followers! If you have a question or an idea for another blog post just ask! You can get ahold of me a multitude of ways, but leave me a comment on this post and I'll answer it either in the comments or create another blog post. 

Don't mind just little ol' me.

The first day of the 31 day blog challenge has me introducing myself with a "recent photo". This was taken back in December, but I still consider it recent. Hair is longer now, and the bangs grew out... hoping to get that taken care of in a few weeks. Just in time for my Disney trip mid-September.

How do you introduce pure awesome? I don't know, but if I could... well... okay, honestly? I wouldn't consider myself awesome. I'm just your typical Alaskan Grown woman trying to live her dreams, and be the best version of herself possible.

I was born and raised in South Central Alaska and still live here. After living on my own for a time I am back living with the parental units. I'm slowly but surely becoming "an adult" as I near that "dreaded" (at least by most) milestone of 30. Just a few months now. I've never really feared it, I'm more that girl in 13 Going on 30... I'm waiting to embrace it. "Thirty, flirty, and thriving!"

I am a tv and film junkie. My heroes are Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg. At one time my dream was to become a film director, but life has a way of changing priorities. I'm a photographer - have been since I was seven - and that's how I choose to tell my stories. I love my craft and am always trying to better myself at it. After 20+ years I know I will never tire of learning.

I'm outspoken, I'm honest, and I value loyalty above all else. This can be a blessing and a curse as I definitely do not trust easy, but once I do trust there's nothing I won't do for a person. I don't see this as something that I need to work against, but one that I need to acknowledge and use to my advantage. But I can see where some people think I've an unhealthy view of life. I'm not depressed or a recluse, but I could live as a hermit quite easily in today's world of social media!

While I try to be guarded, I still wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm quicker to temper than I'd like to be, and I'm not good at hiding my feelings even when I do hold my tongue.

I've been hurt, I've been scarred. I've learned that trust must always be earned and not given. That blood and family mean everything, but can also be the biggest hurt. That working through that takes time, and means more hurting - and more changes - than you think possible. There's so much I have inside me that begs to be let out, but can't due to things beyond my control. There's so much within me that wants to talk about it, but to those that I can talk about it they don't want to hear...

All this to say I'm a walking contradiction. But by the grace of God I move forward and move on and am blessed beyond measure. I'm random, rambling, and quite dull (ha ha?).

Anyway, I'm not sure how good I am at introducing myself. I'm not super creative with these sorts of things (just see my bio). So I apologize if this is boring, or redundant, or just stupid. It happens. 

And, just because I can... Michael Raymond-James being adorable as
Britt Pollack in the short lived Terriers on FX.