First Boone Life

I set out again today, a little unsatisfied with what I got yesterday and trying to find more of a story, other than dude mows grass for friend. I stumbled upon a few really interesting people, one being Matthew Bruce and his son Brenden, 16 months. Matthew can only see his son twice a month and lives and works in Las Vegas as a welder. He sees his son while visiting his mom who lives in Sturgeon, Missouri, a town of 944 people. On this visit, Brenden walked for his first time just a few days ago. I spent a little time just talking and hanging out with the two who were great.

Wandering Boone

Today I went out and worked on Boone Life. I talked with some people and drove around some gravel back roads jammin to some tunes and keeping my eyes peeled. I set up an appointment to meet with someone to begin the story tomorrow in Sturgeon, and just shot a few random pictures that caught my eye while driving.

"If it wasn't for family, friends and neighbors, I don't know what I'd ever do," Clayton, a mechanic of Sturgeon and owner of an auto body shop said while his friend Jerry LaRoe mowed the property's grass.

Clay Burkett and his sons Richie and Ben have worked for the past three days to tear down and old tool shed behind their home.

I took a walk

Michael Williams, also known as "Stretch" to his friends, hangs out in front of Hitt Street Market in Columbia, Missouri. According to the store clerk and a band on his wrist, the USMC veteran was just released from the hospital. Eventually, some of his friends stopped by and purchased a bottle of vodka for him as he sang Lynard Skynard.

Reflection through the Blackberry Exchange clothing shop on Ninth Street in Columbia, MO.

A night at the rodeo

A rodeo was held Sunday night at the Prince William County Fair in Manassas, Virginia. Having never shot a rodeo, I was curious to see what it was like. I had an awesome time hanging out with the bull riders and focused my shooting on that event. Just out having fun and here are some pictures.

A Soldier's Burial

Funeral for Army 1st Lt. Benjamin John Hall of Fredericksburg, Va. Photographing these funerals are tough. The family opened the ceremony to the public and allowed the media. I hate that word. Media. I try and separate myself from it as much as I can, but I'm just in a state of denial. It was apparent to me and very clear on Friday morning as the procession pulled alongside the burial site and under the trees. Looking into the shade, I saw eyes staring back and I didn't know what to think. How did people feel seeing me standing with a lens that looks like it came straight from NASA to view the depths of space on a monopod and another camera on my shoulder? I looked them in the eyes, but found myself looking to the ground quickly after. Maybe they were looking at the TV guy with the sneakers and the short sleeve Hawaiian shirt behind me. Not sure. Anyways, it just hit me that I was in the 'media circus' standing behind a velvet rope. For me, even an invitation never justifies or makes it better when I'm in a swarm of people all shooting the same thing in the same spot, especially at a tough time in people's lives. But I guess that's the job I signed up for and maybe there's a greater meaning for all of this. I was happy that my friend Pete was there to shoot next to. It was a nice ceremony and his roommate, Adam Moore, gave a touching speech about the fun times they had together. Hall was 24 years old when he was killed.

Arlington

The second image ran in the newspaper. Army 1st Lt. Benjamin John Hall was killed during an ambuscade while serving in Afghanistan. He is one of 54 personnel buried at Arlington National Cemetery having been killed during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Pitcher Portrait

I think one of the hardest things is to come up with a concept or an idea for a portrait. For the portrait of this pitcher, I thought of bringing a jug of gasoline, a ball and a lighter and havign someone drop or toss a ball of fire. Editor didn't think it was such a hot idea because of the drought and dry grass. So then I thought of putting some balls in a beer pitcher and having him pretend to pour the balls out into a glass. As you can tell, not the most creative and actually pretty standard corny ideas. So I just used some light and did some basic portrait stuff. I think I really need to push myself more with portraits.

E. coli

A beach at Lake Montclair was closed due to a high level of E. coli in the water.

football and the heat

Quantico football practice for a football tab and heat feature.

victims of gang violence

These two men were assaulted by what they described as a mob at a McDonalds after a night out. One of the man's cousins had an altercation with a member of a local gang weeks before.

DC

Kruse stopped by on his way to Florida and we went up to DC for a few hours last night to walk around and hit up Georgetown. Shot a few pics at the base of the Washington Monument.