2008 Weddings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards and stuff

So most people know that I don’t go crazy over winning photojournalism awards just because it’s all so subjective and I don’t think they really serve much purpose – except maybe to put on your resume. Even then, when you’re trying to get a job, a good editor will judge you on your portfolio – not how many awards you’ve won.

With that said – I’ve won some awards! My life now has meaning…just kidding. I’ve been a member of the North Carolina Press Photographer’s Association since college and over the past few months I’ve entered a dozen or so photographs. They have a monthly contest for newspaper photographers from around the state.

Here are the images that placed for the month of August. The first two are honorable mentions for features (first day of school at SanLee Middle) and the last is a third place for portraits. Let me know what you think 🙂

 

I’ve entered in a lot for the months of October and November so I’ll have to wait and see if I’ve won anything else!

Yes We Did

 

“Yes we did.” I have heard this phrase dozens of times over the past two days and now that we know North Carolina had a part in electing Obama- we can truly say that yes WE did.

Regardless of who you voted for, we should all be proud of the voter turnout this year in Lee County and in our country. Personally, I think this is the first step in getting us back on track and everyone should unite for that cause – regardless of party affiliation.

As promised…and a little late Here are the photos from two of the biggest events I have had the pleasure to attend. As a photojournalist, I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of this election. We’ve had several important people and politicians come through Sanford and surrounding areas this year…Bill Clinton, Wesley Clark, Elizabeth Dole, John McCain (in Fayetteville) and Barack Obama (28,000 gathered in Raleigh). I know I’ll remember the excitement of this year and Tuesday night for the rest of my life.

Recent Photos

I think most of us in the newsroom have forgotten how to blog

So I am going to try to keep up with this better (if there is anyone out there that still reads this).

Oldies but goodies…photos from the past few months.

My new favorite animal

                                        

                                        

                                        

                                        

                                        

                                        

                                        

 

These were taken last week at the Crystal Pines Alpaca Farm in Carthage. Owner Joe Picariello and his wife Ursula have many farm animals including several female alpacas. http://www.crystalpinesfarm.com

Midnight Predator

Nearly two months ago I left apartment living behind and moved to a house (does a converted general store count as a house?) in the country. Since then, all types of insects have come to welcome me…outside, in my bedroom, bathroom, etc. I guess that’s the trade off you make when you move further away from the city but I much prefer my new place – even with creepy crawlers around. Aside from cochroaches, which were a common site at most places I’ve lived, the worst kind of encounter I can think of is with a spider. Luckily, there aren’t too many INSIDE my house (rolly pollies are more common) but outside I always seem to be walking through spiderwebs. The other night I saw an interesting site and grabbed my camera. A spider was having a midnight snack…

 

Although I cringed while I took several photographs of this spider and his pitiful catch, it was still pretty awesome to watch.

The Gremlin

So while burning CD’s of some personal images to free up some space on my computer, I have realized that I am obsessed with photographing my dog Sebastian. I have a dozen folders on my photo server with nothing but images of my chihuahua/terrier when he’s sleeping, eating, playing with toys, playing with my friends…it’s kind of sad. Anyone need a dog photographer?

If I take this many photos of my dog, I can only imagine what it will be like when I have kids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And my all time favorite…

 

 

 

I’m probably going to get hell from a couple of co-workers for this…

Human Behavior

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the past month or two. Some have been published, some only I have seen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Fourth Festival

A few photos from Sanford’s first Family Fourth Festival at Depot Park on Friday. I sweated…and sweated as I photographed people in the fountain cooling off – not fun. But although it was extremely hot, I think the festival was a success. Now if we could only get some fireworks…

 

Weekend Wedding

Last weekend I attended a wedding in Greensboro (as a guest, not as a photog) and came back with a couple decent shots from the ceremony. It started to rain lightly during the ceremony but the bride, my friend Jen, just seemed to think it was funny. I don’t know if I would have the same attitude about it…

My favorite is the first because of the way the sunlight is shining, through the rain, on the bride.

This is a rare photo of me (far left) in front of the camera with my best friends, some that I’ve been friends with since elementary school.