These are a few months old, but I have been rifling through old photos to put stuff up here. I am going to try and stick to blogging this time. Shooting for double digits on daily page views! Small, achievable goals are the keys to happiness.
These are a few shots from a great workshop that Jenn Ackerman and Tim Gruber organized and called The Review. It was an inspiring weekend with; Maisie Crow, Matt Eich , Chad Stevens, Travis Dove, Ross Mantle, Michael Kleinfeld, Amelia Krales, Nick Pironio and Peter Hoffman where we shared inspirations, some work-in-progress and had a series of wonderful conversations about photography, art, inspiration, surviving as a photographer (practically and creatively) and life in general. And it’s hard to have a better setting than Nags Head (in the Outer Banks of North Carolina) right beside the ocean. I was humbled to be included amongst a group of such talented, established photographers and I made some new friends too. Jenn and Tim set it up perfectly with just enough organization to keep us all on track, but still let it be spontaneous and feel like a vacation. I wish we had done this sort of thing when I was in school–I really don’t know why we didn’t. Never too late to start something, I guess. Thanks again Jenn and Tim and I hope it becomes a tradition. Next year, pray for waves.
Shot two softball assignments for the Virginian Pilot in the last two months which were, I believe the second and third times I had shot baseball/softball. Not my favorite sports to play, watch, shoot, etc. but it’s a challenge and I like challenges. Hickory High School is right down the street from where I grew up and their softball team dominates. I think their pitcher, Amber Phillips, throws something like a 70 mph (don’t quote me) fastball. My first assignment was to shoot just her for a profile, which was a great way to shoot my second baseball assignment. These are three from the two assignments. The second ran as the lead image on the Sports section front, which was cool.
Hickory High School softball pitcher Amber Phillips winds up for a pitch during a game against the Westfield Bulldogs on April 10, 2010. Hickory lost the game 1-0.
Hickory High School third basewoman Adrienne Ebbert tries to get Kellam's Melissa Zitt out at third during the Eastern region quarterfinal against Kellam High School on Monday May 31, 2010 at Princess Anne High School. The Hawks pulled ahead of the Knights during a decisive fifth inning and won 6-1.
Pitcher Amber Phillips high fives her teammates after turning the game in Hickory's favor in the fifth inning against Kellam.
Another freelance assignment for the Virginian Pilot about the Norfolk Police Hispanic Resource Officer. This guy is the nicest cop I ever met. He’s like the stereotype of the beat cop who used to walk the streets, knew all the citizens and was just there to help. His duties go so far beyond just being a police officer too. He told me that people call him to ask him about their daughter’s dating. He’s from Chile and retired from the Navy to become a police officer. I had to translate for the reporter and as a side note, I clued him in on two other good stories that he wouldn’t have known about since he didn’t understand what the speaker’s were saying. Nice guy, but “Spanish for Reporters” obviously didn’t cut. Mine was pretty rusty, so the whole thing was kind of a shit show from that perspective. The assignment was for a meeting geared towards local Hispanics to get information about immigration and getting their naturalization/citizen documents in order. Holy bureaucracy, Batman. Essentially a meeting shoot, but I enjoyed it. The third image ran on the Hampton Roads section front too, which is always nice. Yes there’s one with his foot in the frame, but there’s no moment. Need to get better at composing on the fly.
This is online Pilot story: http://www.link757.com/2010/05/outreach-hispanics-gives-officer-mission-and-edge?cid=rltd
Damaso Medel, right, talks with Olivia Oliveros Mojica, center and Coronado Alvarado, left after an informational meeting for Hispanics
Norfolk Hispanic Resourc Police Officer Demaso Medel
Damaso Medel, center, jokes around with Michelle Velazquez, 8, (in blue) and her sister Melanie Velazquez, 6, (in pink) after an informational meeting for Hispanics at the Family Investment Center in Norfolk on April 24, 2010.
Damaso Medel, left, talks with Oscar Caballero (sic) following an informational meeting for Hispanics at the Family Investment Center in Norfolk on April 24, 2010.
Have been doing some freelance work for the Virginian Pilot and thought I would post a few things to see if anyone has any opinions. This first post is from an assignment that was an advance about an event this little girl and her parents had sponsored. The girls name is Kayleigh Crimmins and she is a home-schooled girl that is a certified lover of the entire animal kingdom. She’s full of energy and has a zoo of pets at home. Her dad is a Chesapeake Police Officer and her mom retired from the Chesapeake Fire Department. They helped her set up a 501(c)(3) to raise money to buy bullet proof vests for the K-9s and heat “alarms” so the K-9s don’t get overheated in the cars. She sold her toys to buy the first vest and now local businesses donate parts of their sales as fundraisers. Hard not to love kids loving dogs. Fun shoot and I had a hard time deciding which ones to submit. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Kayleigh’s NGO: Kids for K9s
More info on Kayleigh: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2009/10/15/year-old-sells-toys-aid-local-police-dogs
Kayleigh Crimmons checks on the four robin eggs inside a birdhouse just outside her house during a break from her home school.
Kayleigh Crimmons and her dog Puppy (sic) talk to Michael Ignatowicz a neighbor's friend and fellow Chesapeake Fire Fighter.
Kayleigh Crimmins cleaning up her stuffed animals before beginning school.
Kayleigh Crimmins hugs her father, Sargeant Jack Crimmons, before he goes to bed since he works the night shift.
