Fatal Fire

These things are never easy to photograph or even be part of. But it's more than a job that forces me to take pictures in times like these. It's an idea, a philosophy and a conviction that photos like this need to be seen. I write this because the story and photo received this comment on the website and has received tons of criticism from the community.

"To Midland Daily News... SHAME ON YOU FOR THAT PICTURE!! A mother's grief is heartwrenching and private. How awful that you were there clicking pictures of her while her life is destroyed. Have some decency. "

I think that ignoring such a situation that has impacted a community and a neighborhood with dozens of people standing next to me while the home was burning would be more indecent than showing the truth of a tough situation. Several times I nodded to my camera or asked if it were ok I was photographing and each time it was ok. I'm not a heartless monster just clicking away willy-nilly.
Debra Wallace is comforted by her friend Patti Linton during a fire at the Lee Township home of her ex-husband, Troy Faylor, that took the life of Jasmine Faylor, 3, their daughter. Midland County Sheriff Jerry Nielsen notified Wallace that her daughter had passed away.