Friday, December 28, 2007

Tie Pin

I had to cover a benefit dinner the other night at Urban Flats in honor of Justin Gaines, a Duluth boy who has gone missing after a night at Wild Bills, a popular night club in Duluth. Family members along with employees and guest in attendance displayed pins that read "Have You Seen Me", to help in their efforts to keep Justin's name and face in the forefront of peoples minds. This is an out take from the night, but I like when my eyes see this way....

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Fallen Boots


Empty combat boots symbolizing U.S. soldiers from Georgia that have been killed in the Iraq war lined Main Street in Snellville Thursday evening as part of the traveling Eyes Wide Open exhibit of the human cost of war. The exhibit was brought in by the American Friends Service Committee in cooperation with the Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition and the Gwinnett and Dekalb Citizens for Peace. The exhibit has traveled to nine previous cities in the last month. “We are trying to challenge the language of support the troops,” said Tim Franzen with the Georgia Peace and Justice coalition. “Support the troops is not just a slogan to be thrown around during war times, we must support them both in war and after.”

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

False Alarm

Upon arriving at the boat ramp by lake Lanier today, I saw this.... There were cops that sped down the road in front of me on my way there and at the time I had no idea why. When I got to the ramp I saw some concerned citizens and a wheelchair just chillin at the end of the ramp. One of the bystanders had called the police because he thought someone had fallen in, come to find out it was a resident of Gwinnett who was just out for a stroll in his Kayak on the lake... Better safe than sorry I guess. At least the clouds made for a fun photo!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Christmas Lights

Tis the Season... for photo assignments of Christmas Lights. Nothing like aimlessly driving around in search of shinning overdone brightness. Now, if only dusk would last for a few hours;)


Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Old School

I shot H.S. basketball tonight, it seems to be turning into a nightly event. In order to keep myself entertained during warm ups I looked around for something fun to catch my eye. I saw this scene in my mind and automatically I was brought back to my freshman year of high school and was reminded of all the countless hours I spent practicing an instrument I now vouch to never pick up again. Yes, at one point I played the clarinet.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Through Their Eyes Gallery

A Moment to define a Movement: 10 of Atlanta's inner city at risk youth set off to silence the excuse of "you don't know what it's like"

Thanks to everyone who made it out to the Through Their Eyes gallery last night. Such an incredible night. The moment that sticks out in my mind the most is when one of the youth walked in and saw his photo blown up 3foot by 4foot and he started to cry. He said that he never knew someone cared so much about what he had to say. That will forever ring in my head as the reason why I do what I do... Everyone is searching for someone who cares. On Sunday night, these youth were shown that not only do people care, but that there are people out there who support them and want to help them bring change to their communities.

I shot mostly video during the event, so stay tuned for a future post....





This last photo is a mock room we had set up in the gallery. One of the goals of the night was to raise money for a visualization room which would be run by Essential2Life, an urban youth development organization in Atlanta. This program would provide continued photography and video training for the youth.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Swimming in December

When I walked out of the sub zero temperatures which were the outside today and into Swim Atlanta in an instant my lenses fogged up, moisture started appearing on my camera bodies, and my hair started to frizz. What a great way to start the day.

After many splashes and high school kids pointing and laughing when I got my jeans wet, these photos are what I walked away with....enjoy;)


Mill Creek senior Jordan Evans is one of Gwinnett's top swimmers and has signed with Georgia Tech to swim as a Yellow Jacket.


Mill Creek senior Jordan Evans holds the state and county championship title in the 100 Buterfly for last season. Evans has gone on to sign with Georgia Tech to swim in college.


Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Holding onto Freedom



"Even though weathered and torn
Freedom still fights to hold on"

This photo is the outcome of some down time during my assignment this beautiful afternoon. The thing that got to me about this particular flag is the fact that those affiliated with the establishment decided to let it fly, even though it is clearly tarnished. After all, who wants to be responsible for ending an era of freedom.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar

After a weekend of amazing talent all gathered together in my city, I am at the least inspired. With mixed emotions leaving this incredible weekend, I am ready to step it up and tackle the industry that is photojournalism full force -- even if it means diving in blindfolded and stumbling my way around. So, on the forefront of my continued photojournalism adventure lies more multimedia and a greater dedication to this profession that I love, both on and off the clock. So stay tuned for more inspiring, creatively driven vision straight from my eyes.

But for now, here's some fun shots of our weekend mayhem;)




Bubble Gum

Tonight my heart and head was in Gainesville at the FlyIns gallery opening with my fun photo friends... BUT.... my body and camera where here at work shotting the annual homicide victim vigil. At least there was a piece of bubble gum to keep me entertained.



6-year old Erinn Williams stands with her mother Tamara Williams as they hold lit candles in memory of sister and aunt Roslyn Daniel Tobias who was a victim of a homicide. This years annual Victim of Crime Candlelight Vigil honored 44 victims who had been killed over the last year.

Monday, November 26, 2007

A Fun Way of Seeing...

While freezing Saturday afternoon and evening, I put my time in on the sidelines of Rival Weekend. In Atlanta the Georgia Bulldogs took home a victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets for the seventh straight year. What a game. BUT, given the fact that my brain cells were beginning to freeze, I started seeing things a little different. It's kinda hard not to see the resemblance here. It's just a fun way of seeing a sweet action shot ;) Both my images, just about 15 months apart...

Rival Weekend-UGA vs GA Tech

My thought stream from Saturday's game:
Cold, Too Many Media people, Cold, DEF not paying 20 bucks for parking, Cold, no place to plug in my lap top because I walked a few blocks rather than paying for parking, Cold, These past players need to get off the sidelines so I can get my camera in there, Cold, where did the sun go, cold, will someone please win this game, Cold, is Georgia REALLY dancing the Soldja boy in the end zone after they won... WOW, did I mention I was COLD the hole game...

University of Georgia senior Sean Bailey (4) catches a 55 yard pass from quarterback Matthew Stanford before being brought down by Georgia Tech junior Brian Mimbs (32) late in the third quarter.


University of Georgia senior Thomas Brown runs past Georgia Tech defensive players Avery Roberson (34), Anthony Barnes (12) and Dijay Jones (23) during the fourth quarter of Saturday's rival game in Atlanta. Georgia Bulldogs win 31-17.


Georgia sophomore quarterback Matthew Staford (7) hands off to Knowahon Moreno (24) during the first quarter of Saturday's rival game against Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Georgia wins 31-17.


University of Georgia Richardo Crawford (98) celebrates with fans in the stands after the Bulldogs defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 31-17 in the annual rival game Saturday. This win marks the 7th straight Georgia victory over Tech.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

GFL 6 and 7 year old Football

Last Saturday morning I experienced my first taste of winter when at 7:30am I left my apartment to be faced with drained camera batteries, because I left them in my car in the cold over night, and ice on my windows that sent me on my way 15 minutes later than I would have liked. Not gunna lie, Florida girl panicked a little when the ice didn't disappear instantly, but i kept it together and sat in my car with gloves and a jacket on until it defrosted.

After my ice experience, I was clear on my way to photograph 6 and 7 year olds playing football. So precious. I arrived at the stadium to find ice on the field and mothers way over zealous about their child's ability to tackle another 6-year-old to the ground. Enjoy.

Shiloh 7-year-old Christian Kelly (71) followed by teammate Darius Morgan (56) arrive at the field Saturday before their team takes on the Dacula 7-year-olds in the Gwinnett Football League county finals.



6-year-old South Dacula running back Ulysses "Jack" Jackson runs through North Dacula 6-year-olds Joseph Sosa, left, and Isaac Townsend, 20, during the third quarter of Saturdays championship game.


6-year-old tackle


6-year-old Half time snack;)


As the morning light creeps up over the stadium, Dacula South 6-year-old league head coach Mike Grove peps up his offensive line in between plays during the third quarter of their game against Dacula North.


Dacula South 6-year-old league coach Bryan Grove tosses player Cameron Grove (23) into the air as the third quarter comes to an end on Saturday during their county final game.


6-year-old cheerleader for Dacula north Lilly DeLoach, left, celebrates with teammate Jada Milis after the Falcons scored a touchdown in the first quarter of Saturday's championship game.


7- year-old Charlie Nabers gets ready to take the field for Dacula North during the second half of the the Gwinnett Football League county finals.


THE END

Night of Lights


Schachi Sevak, 8, (left) concentrates on spinning her tea cup as Rishima Sharma, 4, sits back and enjoys the ride Saturday evening during the Indian Festival of lights in downtown Duluth. The festival offered rides, games, fireworks, and traditional Indian food.


Suparna Srirama (left) looks through traditional Indian winter shawls from both India and Pakistan as stand operator Naila Rizwan looks on.


Neeharika Chimmana, 8, is reflected in red and yellow lights from the traditional Indian art design of Rangoli, which is a colorful arrangement of rice laid out in a decorative.

Park Feature


6-year-old Korryne Freer, left, swings from the monkey bars at Collins Hill Park as her brother, Colby Balcom,3, plays with his uncle Dan Balcom who is visiting from upstate New York.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Accident Sugarloaf

Sunday night was rather chilly here in ATL, and I had the sudden urge to go pick up some starter logs for my fireplace/chimney thing I have on my porch. So, I headed out for the .2 minute ride to Publix where I discovered a little more than I expected. As I was pulling into the parking lot I saw that the road, Sugarloaf Parkway at Old Norcross, was shut down and that there were many fire trucks and ambulances around. Being the good photojournalist that I am, I grabbed my camera out of my trunk and went exploring. I walked up tot he scene to find that four cars were involved and at the time we knew that one person had died and one was critically injured. I talked to witnesses who saw that accident happen and then to the police who said they were investigating whether street racing was involved. Needless to say that accident scene was horrible and there were crushed cars all over the highway. Nothing like a little spot news for the portfolio on your day off;)

Illuminated blue by police lights, Investigator Bozeman (left) and Sgt. Higginbotham examine the scene of Sunday nights crash that left one 16-year-old boy dead and closed down Sugarloaf Parkway for several hours said police.


Under the white sheet lies the body of a 16-year-old who was shoved through the car and killed during the accident Sunday night. Police are investigating the possibility of street racing as the cause for the accident.

L5P-Feet

So I had some time Saturday afternoon after work in Atlanta to walk around Centennial Park and hit up little five points with Travis.. Such a fun, relaxing, beautiful day. Looking back I feel I can name it the day of feet;)




What a Cowboy...Nice Boots!

Volleyball Semi-Finals

I shot the state semi-finals for Volleyball last week. Wesylan advanced to the finals, and yes, all their starters wore different color hair ties.



State Softball

Buford wins class-AA State Softball title down in Columbus Georgia. This is the first ever womans championship in any sport for the high school.

Buford outfielder Nicole Bell leads her team in a pep cheer before the class-AA championship game Saturday afternoon in Columbus. Buford wins 8-1 to bring home their first ever state championship title.


Buford short stop Whitney Holman(6) tags out Berrien County's second baseman Ivy Lancaster(9) in the third inning of Saturdays class-AA State Championship game in Columbus. Buford claims the victory along with the first ever woman championship in school history.


Buford pitcher Melissa Higginbotham (1) slides in safe to home plate during the 3rd inning of Saturday's AA State Championship game. Buford wins 8-1 to bring home the AA state championship title and the first ever title for women sports at Buford.


Buford outfielder Nicole Bell steps to the plate during the fourth inning of the class-AA state finals in Columbus.


Buford catcher Ansley Kozloski (left) and outfielder Nicole Bell (right) soak head coach Tony Wolfe after their 8-1 AA state championship victory over Berrien County. This years State Softball Championship marks the first state championship victory for any women's sport at Buford.