Engrained

The Side Project- Intro

2011-10-02T15:19:00.002-04:00

And so it begins. I'm excited to embark on a new chapter in my life. I'm currently updating my portfolio and resume, all web sites and accounts. During this new phase I will post something called the side project. These are photos that speak to me, things I see that ignite a fire in the belly response to photograph. This is what I've been doing this year to keep me going through difficult times and immense change. I hope you enjoy them.

Fog

2011-02-18T01:31:00.004-05:00

Dancers

2011-02-18T01:30:00.000-05:00

Window

2011-02-17T08:13:00.001-05:00

I love misty mornings

Flea Market Fire

2010-09-06T19:46:00.004-04:00

When the mood hits

2010-08-15T19:29:00.000-04:00

Camp

2010-07-14T20:36:00.003-04:00

Participants in the sailing camp at the Lake Eustis Sailing Club bring their boats to the shore for launch, on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, in Eustis. The camp combines a range of ages and skill sets to encourage kids to share knowledge, build confidence, and build leadership skills. Sailors learn through demonstrations on land and first hand experience on the water.

Addie Gerken, 8, left, and Cortland Williams, 12, work to get a sail mounted on a boat during the sailing camp at the Lake Eustis Sailing Club continue to practice on a windward and leeward course in Optimist dinghies, on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, in Eustis.

Darcy Jensen, 16, left, retrieves a buoy from Lake Eustis as participants in the sailing camp at the Lake Eustis Sailing Club continue to practice on a windward and leeward course in Optimist dinghies, on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, in Eustis.

Graduations, Baseball Stars, Fireworks and a slideshow

2010-07-08T20:51:00.008-04:00

Tavares High School graduates Jaece Durhan, 18, left, and Chrystal McDowell, 18, pose for a photo as fellow graduates pass by and prepare for commencement, in Tavares, on Friday, June 4, 2010.

Tavares High School graduates Kristen Meroth, 18, left, watches as friend JJ Negron, 17, fixes her hat in the reflection of the glass before commencement, in Tavares, on Friday, June 4, 2010.

Daytona Cubs coach Matt Matulia poses for a portrait in the teams dug out before a game on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 in Daytona. Matulia kept his options open while graduating from the Citadel and looked into coaching to further his baseball career.

Fourth of July fireworks over Lake Eustis.

Full Story.

2010-06-22T07:54:00.001-04:00

I am the girl on the side of the road in an awkward yoga outfit, sweaty, photographing this.

Seriously

2010-05-29T22:23:00.001-04:00

Friday Night Lights tomorrow night!

2010-05-20T16:55:00.003-04:00

Tavares High School football players form a huddle to pray after practice on Thursday, May 20, 2010.

Fire is too sexy to say no to!

2010-05-14T18:38:00.005-04:00

So I was just about to leave when they brought out the lighter fluid, and we all know only fun things happen when the lighter fluid comes out.

Curtis Bowman, 17, left, breaks through boards set on fire during a martial arts showcase benefiting local at-risk youth at the Academy of Martial Arts in Eustis on Friday May 14, 2010. May 8-15 is declared National Break Week by the charity Hopeful Tomorrow. Students broke as many boards as they could to raise money and awareness for the charity. Money raised is used to fund scholarships for kids to participate in physical arts programs they otherwise can't afford.

Joey Henry, 13, breaks through boards set on fire during a martial arts showcase benefiting local at-risk youth at the Academy of Martial Arts in Eustis on Friday May 14, 2010.

Students break through boards set on fire during a martial arts showcase benefiting local at-risk youth at the Academy of Martial Arts in Eustis on Friday May 14, 2010.

A Very Southern Delicacy

2010-05-14T18:27:00.004-04:00

Yep Boiled Peanuts. I gotta say, my friends Joe and Rooster know their stuff!

Terry Winners, also known as Rooster, scoops a large regular boiled peanut order for a customer as Joe Heath, owner of Joe's Peanuts, in back completes a sale on Thursday, May 13, 2010, in Grand Island. You can find Joe's Peanuts along the roadside on CR44 past the Haines Creek Bridge going East. Heath says he goes through 100-200 pounds of peanuts a weekend with people traveling as far as Daytona and north of Ocala to get them. "It takes 32 hours to bring peanuts to the side of the road," said Winners with pre-soak and cooking times. Boiled peanuts are a southern delicacy. Heath offers regular and spicy cajun, cooked with spices, potatoes, and peppers. Local seasonal produce can also be bought at the stand along with honey. Joe's Peanuts is open Thursday through Saturday from 9ish in the morning to 6ish in the evening.

Joe Heath, owner of Joe's Peanuts, ties off a large spicy boiled peanut order for a customer on Thursday, May 13, 2010, in Grand Island.

Joe Heath, owner of Joe's Peanuts, fills a large spicy boiled peanut order for a customer on Thursday, May 13, 2010, in Grand Island.

A final goodbye

2010-04-26T22:10:00.007-04:00

THERESA CAMPBELL

Staff Writer/ Daily Commercial
BUSHNELL -- Colette Marini had to say goodbye one more time. She touched the wall of the mausoleum at Florida National Cemetery where her uncle's cremated ashes had just been put to rest.

And she wept.

Her uncle, James Joseph Dillon, 75, a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Korean War, received the proper funeral and burial that he deserved on Thursday -- some five months and 13 days after he had died. Read More

Colette Marini, right, walks with her mother Mary Dillon after her uncle James Dillon's, 75, interment ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery in Buhsnell on Thursday, April 15, 2010.

A member of the Honor Guard plays Taps before James Dillon's, 75, interment ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery in Buhsnell on Thursday, April 15, 2010.

Deacon from St. Vincent de Paul Church, Byron Otradovec, presides over James Dillon's, 75, interment ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery in Buhsnell on Thursday, April 15, 2010.

Colette Marini, left, embraces her mother Mary Dillon after her uncle James Dillon's, 75, interment ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery in Buhsnell on Thursday, April 15, 2010.

Colette Marini touches the plaque where her uncle James Dillon's, 75, ashes were laid to rest at the Florida National Cemetery in Buhsnell on Thursday, April 15, 2010.

Colette Marini picks out a flower from an arrangement after her uncle James Dillon's, 75, interment service at the Florida National Cemetery in Buhsnell on Thursday, April 15, 2010.

Sexy Shrimp

2010-04-26T22:06:00.005-04:00

2010-04-07T16:44:00.026-04:00

I still have the coolest job ever!

Deployment

Ashley Herrin, left, talks with her boyfriend, Specialist Brian Crawley after a ceremony honoring Delta Company's 2nd Battalion-124 Infantry Regiment on Tuesday, Jan 5, 2010 at the National Guard Armory in Eustis. The regiment is deploying Wednesday Jan. 6, and will be stationed for a year in Kuwait to help run convoy's through Iraq.

Members of Delta Company's 2nd Battalion-124 Infantry Regiment gather in formation outside for a ceremony in their honor on Tuesday, Jan 5, 2010 at the National Guard Armory in Eustis. The regiment is deploying Wednesday Jan. 6, and will be stationed for a year in Kuwait to help run convoy's through Iraq.

WWII

People enter and tour the WWII B-24 Liberator "Witchcraft" at Leesburg International Airport on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010. Along with a B-17, the bombers are a part of the Collings Foundation's WINGS OF FREEDOM tour and will be on display at the airport through Feb. 3. Ground tours are held daily between 2p.m. and 4p.m.

Ash Wednesday

Stanley Kos, of Leesburg, returns to his seat after receiving the sign of the cross on his forehead during mass for Ash Wednesday at St. Patrick's Church in Mount Dora on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010. Father Robert D'Aversa presided the mass saying "It has to be about people being passionate living in Christ." Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the season of Lent. Parishioners get ashes placed on their foreheads as a sign of repentance for their sins. Traditionally the forty days of Lent are marked by fasting. Believers during this time may practice through prayer signifying justice towards God, fasting signifying justice towards self, and almsgiving signifying justice towards neighbour.

Farm Tour

Ranch Manager Jay Hinchman weighs a calf at Mo Brangus in Sorrento, on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010. "It don't get no better," Hinchman said. He says cows are smarter than people give them credit for. "They're cool," Hinchman said as he drove through a row of bulls, some he has raised on the ranch. Calves must be weighed, tagged and tattooed within hours of their birth. Mo Brangus ranch specializes in pure bred Brangus bulls and heffers. On average, the ranch auctions fifty 2 year old bulls a year.

Workers harvest green cabbage at Long & Scott Farms in Mount Dora on Monday, March 1, 2010. Though still able to be harvested and eaten, twelve days of 45 degrees and below temperatures has stunted the growth of the cabbage. Red splotches indicate areas of frost damage. "Every day is an experiment on the farm" said Hank Scott. Since 1963, Long & scott farms has grown a variety of vegetables including sweet corn, cabbage, watermelon and cucumbers on now 1200 acres of land. Most of the produce will end up in markets in Philadelphia, Boston, New York and Chicago. In May the Scott's plan to partner with smaller local farmers to provide a local produce market featuring onions, squash, tomatoes, and even free range eggs.

Al Miller tends to a sprinkler head at G & L Blueberry Farm on Wednesday Feb. 24, 2010 at G&L Farms in Yalaha. Thirty acres of blueberries yielded a ten week harvest of 60,000 boxes last year for Gary Miller and his family. This year Miller expects to begin harvesting near the end of March. He sells his berries commercially through a broker in Plant City. "Farming is not for the weak at heart," he said, "you're at the mercy of nature." Managing water usage seems to be Miller's biggest challenge with a limited amount given by permit from the St. John's Water Authority. "It's a little different every day," Miller said. When it's not harvest time, work on the farm ranges from fertilizing to pruning to maintaining sprinkler heads.

Demo Derby

Demolition cars are stripped to certain specifications and adorned with graffiti like paint jobs for the demolition derby at the Sumter County Fair, on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010 in Beville's Corner.

Heat rises from exhaust as cars collide, crash and crunch under pressure as fairgoers are treated to a demolition derby at the Sumter County Fair, on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010 in Beville's Corner.

A driver tries to recover from bending a front axel during the first heat of the demolition derby at the Sumter County Fair, on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010 in Beville's Corner. Drivers from the Central Florida area competed in two heats for the winning prize of $1000. Derby cars may last from three to ten shows depending on the owners skill in building and maintenance of the car. Mud races and bogs are performed every fourth Saturday at Renninger's in Mount Dora with a demolition derby on the Fourth of July.

Sumter County Fair

Fair goers enjoy rides and games on the midway on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, the opening night of the Sumter County Fair in Beville's Corner.

Signs advertising food reflect in a window displaying two types of funnel cake at the Sumter County Fair opened on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 in Beville's Corner. Fair goers can indulge in a variety of foods such as elephant ears, funnel cake, corn dogs, cheese steak subs and hamburgers. The Sumter County Fair runs through March 6th.

Keith Kifer pulls a fresh corn dog from the fryer before the Sumter County Fair opened on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 in Beville's Corner. Fair goers can indulge in a variety of foods such as elephant ears, funnel cake, corn dogs, cheese steak subs and hamburgers. The Sumter County Fair runs through March 6th.

Melissa Knowles, 15, right and Tyler D'Angelo, 15, play fight with hot air from the drier as the ram "Hillbilly" is prepped for competition tonight for the sheep show at the Sumter County Fair in Beville's Corner on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010. Saturday the gates open at 10am, the fair runs through March 6th.

Shelayne Henderson, 16, of Bushnell, middle, walks her steer to tie off and dry outside of the barn in preparation for the show on Monday, March 1, 2010 at the Sumter County Fair in Beville's Corner. Both the steer and swine sale is scheduled for March 3rd at 6:30 p.m. and the swine show will take place on March 2nd at 7 p.m. The Sumter County Fair continues through March 6th, for more information on events go to http://www.sumterfair.net

Josh Hurd, 16, left, and Benito Farrar, 15, both of Bushnell, ride the Freak Out at the Sumter County Fair, in Bevilles Corner, on Wednesday, March 3, 2010.

Sports, been lucky with Baseball.

South Lake High School's Matt Parisi jumps over Umatilla High School's Brandon Meadows, left, to tag second base as Umatilla's Nylas Hanawalt, in back, also misses the catch during the Lake County Baseball Classic at East Ridge High School in Clermont on Monday, Feb. 15, 2010.

Eustis High School's Kuehl McEachern fumbles the catch allowing Umatilla High School's Clinton Lucroy to steal second base in the Lake County Baseball Classic on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010.

Tatiana Marion, 17, The Villages High School jumps her last hurdle winning the race during a track meet at Leesburg High School on Thursday, March 4, 2010.

Sailing.

Ted Benedict prepares his boat to set the starting line for the MC Scow midwinter national championship regatta on Lake Eustis on Thursday, March 18, 2010 in Eustis. The Lake Eustis Sailing Club hosted the event with over seventy participants from across the nation. The boats are race along a set course two and a half times. The next regatta will take place in October.

Sailors line up at the starting line for the 38th MC Scow midwinter national championship regatta on Lake Eustis on Thursday, March 18, 2010 in Eustis.

Richard Kinnie, from Florida and Doug Kiser, from Ohio, left, round a turn during the 38th MC Scow midwinter national championship regatta on Lake Eustis on Thursday, March 18, 2010 in Eustis.

GO KARTS!

Drivers compete for points in their class at Speedway Park in Fruitland Park, on Saturday, March 20, 2010. Every first and third Saturday of the month drivers gather to compete in races at the park. Drivers are grouped by age, and type of kart they race. Speedway park is Florida's oldest 1/8 mile clay track. For more information on participating or to watch visit www.originalspeedwaypark.com or call 352 360 0125. Gates open at 11a.m., practice runs begin at 2 p.m. and races begin at 4 p.m.

Drivers enter the weigh station after racing ten laps around the track at Speedway Park in Fruitland Park, on Saturday, March 20, 2010.

Some things never change...

2009-11-03T22:10:00.000-05:00

The Moon

2009-10-30T18:19:00.002-04:00

8 Story galleries, 2 slide shows, 1 photo page, 1 video and months of my life

2009-07-28T20:16:00.007-04:00

Please give these a minute to load.

Homeless Among Us

2009-07-28T19:41:00.001-04:00

My muse lately

2009-07-26T10:18:00.002-04:00

A few more...

2009-07-19T00:53:00.002-04:00

Dave Lambert

2009-07-07T00:05:00.000-04:00

And so it begins.

2009-07-04T16:02:00.000-04:00

More Rocky

2009-06-27T23:50:00.000-04:00

Sandy

2009-06-20T21:38:00.001-04:00

Teflon

2009-06-20T21:37:00.002-04:00

It's the white space lately.

2009-06-11T20:38:00.002-04:00

I can't believe I've never noticed this before so it must be a new fixture here.

Miro

2009-05-22T21:44:00.003-04:00

I have a new idea for a series....

ROCKY

2009-05-15T22:37:00.001-04:00

"I feel like I went through a bar room fight... can hardly see out of my left eye."

Randy

2009-05-13T21:09:00.000-04:00

"I just want my family back." R.S.

James...

2009-04-28T20:08:00.001-04:00

"I figure I was born to suffer, the Bible says it is through suffering you are made perfect."- JC

Meet Charlene...

2009-04-03T22:42:00.000-04:00

ROW!!!!

2009-04-01T21:21:00.007-04:00

Recent work, It's been busy

2009-03-12T09:46:00.015-04:00

Lake County Sheriff's office crime scene investigators and detectives investigate and clear out debris from a fire that engulfed the house and claimed a life at 28915 Discovery Road on Wednesday Feb. 4, 2009. Lake County firefighters arrived on scene at 2:30 p.m. to find 75 percent of the home engulfed in flames. Authorities believe the fire started in the living room, the body was found in the back right side of the home.

Lake County Fire Rescue Firefighter Kathy Edwards monitors a flare up of a brush fire along S.R. 50 on Monday Feb. 23, 2009. The fire broke out Sunday afternoon and burned one thousand acres around C.R. 561 and S.R. 50 in Clermont.

Clarice Fourari, left, holding her daughter Mina, 2, walks back into the pew after ash is distributed during mass at St. Patrick Church in Mount Dora on Wednesday Feb. 25, 2009. Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the season of Lent. Parishioners get ashes placed on their foreheads as a sign of repentance for their sins.

Flames reach the side of a road off of Emeralda Island Avenue on Monday March 2, 2009, in Lisbon. Eustis, Leesburg, and Lake County fire departments along with the Florida Division of Forestry responded when flames from a shed fire jumped into the lake bed along Emeralda Island Avenue at about 3:30 p.m. on Monday. The fire burned about 100 acres, according to Lake County Fire Rescue officials. About 40 firefighters from the various county departments monitored fire lines and doused flames.

Matthew Cole's, 7, getting tired while spending time with his legal guardian Tom Gruno, left, at home in Mount Dora, on Wednesday, March 5, 2009. Cole who is diagnosed as Bi-polar with ADHD and slight Autism, needs to keep a strict schedule otherwise he will have a "meltdown" Angela Gruno says. Cole finishes his homework, has play time, dinner and a bath and is in bed by 7:30 p.m. most nights.

Matthew Cole, 7, right, hands his legal guardian Angela Gruno, left, a craft he made during school at home in Mount Dora, on Wednesday, March 5, 2009. Gruno assumed legal guardianship over Cole almost three years ago while Cole's mother was under going rehabilitation. Guardianship was understood to work towards reunifying Cole with his mother. Cole's mother has not followed through with rehabilitation.

Debbie Denny stocks a fresh delivery of vegetables, herbs and plants at Simon Seed in Leesburg on Wednesday March 11, 2009. Denny says the vegetables are sell faster than they can keep them stocked.

Across the country on horseback

2009-02-18T20:42:00.008-05:00

For more photos and information go to http://www.dailycommercial.com/gallery/021809xcountryhorse#http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/prod/2004304/021809xcountryhorse980_h400.jpg

Round 2

2009-02-09T09:37:00.005-05:00

"In '89, you could hear the trees popping all night," said Chris Troesch manager of Simpson Groves, "sounds like a shotgun blast."

Citrus Freeze

2009-01-30T22:58:00.010-05:00

March of Dimes shoot

2009-01-07T21:02:00.006-05:00

Happy New Year! ~ From Holga

2009-01-01T14:12:00.005-05:00

Coming Soon...

2008-12-26T10:59:00.003-05:00

Tis the season... to be a miniature horse.

2008-12-22T09:30:00.004-05:00

Miniature horses march along Huey street during Wildwood's Winter Fest on Saturday, December 20, 2008. The parade included a variety of floats and marching bands. The parade kicked off the festival which included a large snow slide with toboggan rides, free photos with Santa Claus, vendors, music and entertainment at Millennium Park.

Home Improvements

2008-12-20T21:13:00.004-05:00

Julian and Jayne Kepler embrace near a donated Christmas tree after a tour of their new home on Thursday December 18, 2008 in Paisley. The Keplers, who were living in a trailer damaged by Hurricane Francis in 2004, were surprised by Lake And Sumter Emergency Recovery (LASER) with the home.

A dinner with Allison

2008-12-11T23:27:00.003-05:00

Almost a month and I have been meaning to get this up here for a while.

Stars

2008-11-20T20:00:00.001-05:00

Public Art

2008-11-17T20:29:00.007-05:00

Artist Heather Reneaux finishes a mural at Fiesta Grande restaurant in Mount Dora on Monday November 17, 2008. A painter for 15 years, Reneaux is giving the restaurant a more distinct look.

Food and Flowers

2008-11-14T09:57:00.006-05:00

Members of the First Presbyterian Church in Clermont prepare lunch from Meals on Wheels on Thursday November 13, 2008.

I started off the day with this thought: "There is not enough time for me to accomplish all that I want to in this lifetime." -We all reflect on our birthdays and there was no exception for me yesterday. Even as I sat waiting for the food to be delivered to this ministry I tried to imagine myself at different ages, 40's, 50's, but couldn't imagine 60. Some people know they will live long... and know exactly what their lives will look like. I used to be certain about where I would be, but now, there is no telling. I don't know if I should be scared or embrace this uncertainty. It is difficult to embrace the journey. I plow through waiting to arrive at some point to begin living a certain way: easier, happier, with more confidence in the future. "I wish life became more fun and less routine." -Then I think, well how am I supposed to know? Where are these points? What will my life look like? "I wish I kept a diary so I could remember more happy times"

I continued in this deep thought and started my assignment when the food was delivered. Yesterday they were receiving birthday cake for those who were born in November... oddly enough, no one attending had a birthday except me. Once this information came out, I became their photographer and special guest. 20 or so strangers sang happy birthday to me and I became grateful just to have a life and the ability to shape it into whatever I wanted.

Birthday Flowers.

Veterans Day

2008-11-12T07:00:00.008-05:00

Brittany Tillinghast, 9, of Tampa, sets flowers out at grave sites during the Veterans Day ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on Tuesday, November 11, 2008. "I love them, even though it's someone else's family." Tillinghast said. "It's my birthday and I appreciate them."

Lisbeth Pierce-Laporte comforts Anita Lewis who sits next to her son, Cody Grater's, grave site before the Veterans Day ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on Tuesday, November 11, 2008. Grater served in the Army and was killed in Iraq. "It's a sorority I never expected to belong to," said Laporte who didn't know Lewis previous to offering her condolences. "I watch this area grow, they're all babies," she said.

Heather Harvey with her son Kayne Harvey visit Harvey's brother, Marcus Mathes', grave site during the Veterans Day ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on Tuesday, November 11, 2008. Harvey who lives close to the cemetery says she comes often to see her brother.

Jonathan Blommel, 11, laying down, and Brady Whalen, 11, observe the activities during the Veterans Day ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on Tuesday, November 11, 2008.

Carol Gauvin, of Tampa, left, comforts her friend Chris Modisette, of Brandon, as Modisette visits her parents, Edgar and Betty Mittong's grave site before the Veterans Day ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on Tuesday, November 11, 2008. Edgar Mittong served in the Marines during WWII. "This is amazing," Gauvin said. "I am moved. So many people have given their lives," she said looking out over the section of grave sites. Just in one area and one cemetery, she said.

Smoke lingers among the grave sites as a M102 Howitzer is fired during a 21 gun salute for the Veterans Day ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on Tuesday, November 11, 2008. The ceremony included a speech from Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Executive Director of the Florida Dept. of Veterans Affairs, an appearance of Governor Charlie Crist and a flyover by Ye Mystic Air Krewe.

President Obama

2008-11-05T20:19:00.009-05:00

From left Eddie Pace, salon owner James Williams, Lamar Williams talk about the results of last night's election at Da Cuttin' Edge Barber Salon in Leesburg on Wednesday, November 5, 2008.

Owner James Williams, his nephew Lamar Williams and Byron Mcintyre talk about the Rev. Jesse Jackson's reaction caught in a local news paper at Da Cuttin' Edge Barber Salon in Leesburg on Wednesday, November 5, 2008.

Javontae Mcintyre, 2, middle, hops in and out of a barber's chair as father Byron Mcintyre, right and barber Lamar Williams, left, discuss Barack Obama winning the election at Da Cuttin' Edge Barber Salon in Leesburg on Wednesday, November 5, 2008.

Barber Lamar Williams reacts to the results of last night's election at Da Cuttin' Edge Barber Salon in Leesburg on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. "It's my birthday and it's the best present," he said of Barack Obama's win in the election last night. "It's like Obama put insurance on the people, we needed something to fall back on."

"He's here for everybody, we all need him," said Tammy Heflin, 38, of Leesburg at Da Cuttin' Edge Barber Salon in Leesburg on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. "We're so afraid to show the country what we can do 'cause we've been left behind so long," Heflin said of the African American community. It's time to step up our game she said.

"No one made an impact socially like he did last night." said Eddie Pace, 52, of Fruitland Park at Da Cuttin' Edge Barber Salon in Leesburg on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. Pace is examining his own life and the impact he has on others after witnessing President-Elect Barack Obama's accomplishment last night.

Javontae Mcintyre, 2, and Byron Mcintyre Jr., 5, sit and watch cartoons at Da Cuttin' Edge Barber Salon in Leesburg on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. They'll know they can truly grow up to be anything said their father Byron Mcintyre during a discussion at the salon on Barack Obama's win of the election last night. On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama will be inaugurated into the White House as America's first African American President.

Treescapes

2008-10-19T12:27:00.004-04:00

Promise, I will return to posting people soon. In the meantime I am enjoying this.

Searching for clarity.

2008-09-27T00:22:00.007-04:00

I took these while photographing a golf tournament this week. The pond is next to the second hole. While waiting for the next group to tee off, I turned around to play in the reflection and light. I then turned back around to the next group ready at the tee and staring at me. Sometimes I like it when people wonder what I am doing or photographing. It makes me feel as if I have a secret. These photos represent my current state of mind.

Waterfall of Tears

2008-09-16T18:54:00.007-04:00

I stopped on my way to the office after turning around twice to see what this guy was up to. I knew it was a memorial, but I hadn't looked at the ages yet to figure out for who. Thinking maybe this guy was making a statement about the war or some disease claiming lives. I wasn't prepared for the truth.

Don Williams doesn't understand why children are murdered. He comes from a long line of large families and has many children of his own. So he built this memorial that encompasses a quarter of an acre on his property off the road, but visible to passers by. He is in the process of repainting the memorial so that the names stand out more.

Now, some people may dismiss Mr. Williams as some crazy guy. This memorial is big with a koi/goldfish/angelfish pond. He invites the public to stop and read the names, maybe even sit near the waterfall he constructed.

Don Williams reminded me today why I love my job. I got to stop, meet someone new, and be their voice. People like Mr. Williams are becoming rarer these days. I see him as someone who found an outlet to express himself and communicate his feelings to others. He is actually doing something about it. Creating awareness, making you wonder, forcing you to read a name and maybe look it up later, either way, Mr. Williams is impacting his community. He is acting on his passion. Are you?

It kills me when people say "oh well what can you do?" and shrug it off. Don Williams found something to do. Whatever happened to power of the people? Whatever happened to "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore?"

Absolutely Wonderful.

2008-09-13T23:36:00.006-04:00

I woke up this morning and looked outside to see the earth moving. Hundreds -and maybe even thousands- of baby frogs hopping in the direction of Lake Eustis. They eventually will have to cross a very busy street to get there and I don't imagine many of them will make it. They move early morning and late evening. In Amazement, I sat outside for two hours watching them before I grabbed the camera. The video is not in focus, because they are so small and the camera is not made for this type of shooting. Anyways, you can still get the point.

The Before and After

2008-09-08T22:34:00.018-04:00

A few weeks ago, Tropical Storm Fay decided to dump a little over 20 inches of rain ALL over Florida. She did a zig zag to ensure every inch of the state was eventually covered. Which meant for us at the paper -three to four days of Fay coverage. At first everyone got a couple of free days off and did what they normally did. Then, the rain and wind came and the slow moving storm proved to be a nuisance. Some folks evacuated and were left wringing out their belongings. A local resort here was devastated by the rush of water funneled through their property.

As Tropical Storm Fay lingers south of Lake County, Yolanda Robinson, left, with daughter Brianna Robinson, 12, spend some time fishing at Lake Eustis on Tuesday August 19, 2008. "I didn't want to get out of school," Brianna said after her first day of seventh grade. "You never know with the weather," Yolanda Robinson said, "so far so good." The storm is expected to move through the county overnight and into Thursday.

Carlyon Johnson, left, and Shara Small, wait for their ride back to Anthony House in Zellwood from the shelter at Umatilla Elementary School on Tuesday August 19, 2008. Small said she is concerned about losing power for a long period of time. Johnson suggested the use of grills to bar-be-que in times of severe weather.

Matt Clark, 10, holds blankets from falling out of the car as his mother and sister pack to return home from the shelter at Umatilla Elementary School on Tuesday August 19, 2008. The Clarks had been at the shelter since 10:30 a.m. and decided to return home around 1 p.m. "I knew it wasn't gonna be that bad," Jennifer Clark said as she packed the van.

Clean up at Wekiva Falls Resort begins on Saturday August 23, 2008 in Sorrento. Tropical Storm Fay lingered over the central Florida area for two days bringing heavy rain and strong wind. The damage to the park includes sink holes, erosion from flash flooding, pot holes, downed trees, and contamination in the swimming pool.

Jeff Kingery, Captain/Boat Tour manager helps to free a pontoon boat stuck underneath a pier at Wekiva Falls Resort on Saturday August 23, 2008. Tropical Storm Fay lingered over the central Florida area for two days bringing heavy rain and strong wind. Damage to the resort park includes sink holes, erosion from flash flooding, pot holes, downed trees, and contamination in the swimming pool.

Austin Scott and Gina Radosti-Scott hang their clothing around their campsite on Saturday August 23, 2008 at the Wekiva Falls Resort in Sorrento. The couple had to evacuate Thursday night due to strong winds and heavy rains from Tropical Storm Fay.

Gina Radosti-Scott gathers belongings to hang around the campsite on Saturday August 23, 2008 at the Wekiva Falls Resort in Sorrento. Gina Radosti-Scott and her husband Austin Scott had to evacuate Thursday night due to strong winds and heavy rains from Tropical Storm Fay.

"We're just happy it stopped raining." Radosti-Scott said as she gathered clothes from their tent to hang outside. The Scott's returned Saturday to a collapsed tent and rain soaked belongings. "We've just been having an adventure." Radosti-Scott said.

Back to School Portrait Session

2008-08-23T20:03:00.005-04:00

I normally don't like portraits. They make me nervous and maybe it is because I do have all of the control and can either make a terrible one or pull it off -there is no in between. So I have been working at it lately but I still love the unexpected. Even when I am supposed to have all of the control.

In the middle of me posing these two for a variety of portraits to illustrate moms watching their first child go to school, little Alexis couldn't help to show off a some personality and the new way to wear a back pack.

Of course mom wasn't going for the new trend. And I am glad to have kept on shooting. I adore these two photos.

Danielle Burke adjusts her daughter's, Alexis Bustos' , 5, back pack before posing for a photograph in Clermont on Friday August 1, 2008. Bustos is off to Kindergarten this year "It really hasn't hit me yet" says Burke. She will wear it the right way for the first day of Kindergarten Burke says as Bustos crosses her arms in protest.

Olympic Challenges

2008-08-06T07:58:00.007-04:00

I am in a funk lately. It is hard not to be when you constantly hear about budget cuts and lay offs. When you see the push for more fluff than news. While I wait for a lens to be approved to get fixed, I am down to one, which doesn't leave me a lot of room to create a different look.

I just hope I still get opportunities like this one. I spent a few hours out at the track with an Olympic athlete last week. Damu Cherry and her coach Dennis Mitchell were very accommodating in just allowing me to follow and photograph. I could sit back, think and actually 'see.' Here are some favorites.

Looking back on this one, I should have shot it the other way, white sky, and just Damu. Still like it though.

They were using the tape as a guide for her landing after the hurdles. I found that out after an hour and a half of just listening and hanging around. Which is why time at assignments are important. It allows us to make more meaningful details.

Looking back here, I realized that Olympic athletes move way faster than the rest of us. I love these little lessons about photography. No program feature could ever teach you this. Wait I bet they are going to develop and market a camera with the Olympic athlete feature button for those who most faster than 1/400 of a second. Hmmmm... maybe something with the five rings as a symbol?

I just like this one a lot. She is warming up, and who can resist a little rest laying in the grass?

Playing around

2008-08-02T08:36:00.004-04:00

Just playing around here. Though taking this photo made me think of doing an essay on the sky and how many different ways I can shoot it and incorporate it into photos. Hmmm....

Photo Cabinet

2008-07-27T11:49:00.002-04:00

Ok, so this may be a boring post. No humor, just business. I am elated I bought a filing cabinet. Since I began keeping better track of my finances and have felt more secure. The next step was the cabinet -isn't she a beauty? Photographers need to keep in mind is the business of doing our jobs. The cost for our talent. Are you living paycheck to paycheck? How can you come out of that? Start now, we will have to be better business people once everyone goes freelance. Be serious about what you provide. You don't just work for 1/250th of a second. Some good websites for you:

http://www.photoattorney.com/
http://www.asmp.org/publications/business.php
http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/cdb/index.html
http://www.editorialphoto.com/outreachep/handout1.asp
http://www.editorialphoto.com/resources/estimator/estimator.asp
http://www.ppa.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3

We also have to work on getting editors to recognize the difference between what is good photography and what is good enough to fill the page. See every assignment as a challenge. Pretend you already work for those big magazines. In reality, these assignments are one in the same.

Jiggy Dances

2008-07-24T08:20:00.003-04:00

This was my favorite video to work on so far. I was able to anticipate reactions, sit and wait for something to happen in my frame and really work on storytelling. I still have a long way to go but for now, this turned out well.

A good day

2008-07-10T20:09:00.005-04:00

Usually, I can't stand shooting for a tab. It is always somebody pushing their idea of a photo and they won't leave you be. We have to do these between news assignments and they are almost always sold to you as 'oh this is an in and out thing.' NOTHING takes 5 minutes anymore, not even a building mug. Today though was extraordinary in that I was totally left alone and did my thing. I actually came away with some photos I saw instead of a set up shot of shop owner in front of shop. It felt good, overall, today was a good day.

To the races!

2008-06-27T19:47:00.002-04:00

Shooting another summer camp. I should have worked more layering with my long lens. I came back and went through to take to see some happy surprises like this that had potential. I enjoy even this part of photography. Seeing what could have been, making mental notes and trying it again. So often we are sent to the same things anyways.

Doggy dog day

2008-06-26T21:17:00.004-04:00

This morning I had an assignment I would have liked to have stayed longer at, but I had a video screaming for me to edit on deadline. We were following a Junior Achievement student in her job shadowing at a pet salon. I love assignments like this, you can have so much fun looking for photos. This dog has a morbid stillness about it. Looks like it is stuffed.

Juneteenth Celebration

2008-06-22T21:34:00.003-04:00

Tamisha Miller, 14, Qutonya Adkins, 29, and Anna Hill, 23, of New Bethel A.M.E Church in Altamonte Springs take the stage during the Juneteenth celebration at Jenkins Auditorium in Clermont on Saturday. The performance chronicled the history of African Americans through middle passage, slavery and Juneteenth.

I struggled yesterday to make this. As simple and unspectacular as it is I am still proud to come away with something somewhat clean and decent. This event took place in an old auditorium, with NO lights. Not to mention the building looked to have been built in the 1970's. They put on a nice performance though. I hope more people attend next year.

It's my day off

2008-06-16T11:33:00.002-04:00

Meet Winston. He loves the camera.

Our Town: Minneola

2008-06-16T08:28:00.005-04:00

Shooting at the pool

2008-06-14T17:16:00.004-04:00

Lifeguard training at the community pool. These photos were passed up and they were my favorites from the shoot. Wish I had under water gear. In the meantime, I will have to stay on dry land.

Bee-normous!

2008-06-05T16:34:00.005-04:00

So I was standing there, having a pretty flower girly moment today, waiting for my writer to show up to a ribbon cutting ceremony. (We all love those!) When I heard what I though was a faint helicopter in the distance. Next thing I know this thing crashes into the bush subsequently taking out other smaller bees in the process. It is at least the size of my pinky. Imagine being chased by this sucker and a few of his friends.

Radishes

2008-06-03T06:28:00.003-04:00

This is kind of funny. As a kid, I used to make commercials with a friend and the family camcorder. I distinctly remember making one for radishes. Obviously this kid didn't like the radishes. At least the school is trying to make healthier options for the students and involved them in a taste test. Tell you the truth, I just liked his mohawk.

AFJROTC page.

2008-06-03T06:06:00.003-04:00

I designed it, with of course help from the best on the desk. It is getting less and less intimidating to stare at a blank page and make something of it. As a photographer, I have a tendency to want all of the photos to run. Knowing page design makes better photographers in my opinion. You can have that in mind while shooting and almost steer things your way. Page designers won't ignore great photos and want to play them up. Make friends with them.

AFJROTC

2008-05-29T18:24:00.002-04:00

A sample from a story we did on Leesburg High School's Air Force Junior ROTC kids. I get to design the photo page to accompany it this Sunday.

ERA

2008-05-28T09:33:00.004-04:00

Nancy Hurlbert and Title IX.

Janet Coffman with Lady Liberty.

Winnie Luche "We still make only seventy cents on the dollar."

Last month I worked on illustrating a story on the Equal Rights Amendment for the paper. Not only did I learn a lot about a subject that directly effects me but I got to meet some amazing women in my area. My idea was a series of portraits. Subjects would bring in items that they thought symbolized the movement in some way. For more information on the movement go here.

The mostly challenging technical aspect of this assignment was trying to get the gels to light the entire background using just strobes. The yellow color was easy to work with, however purple was more difficult. I would have liked it to encompass the entire area. Oh and purple doesn't look the same from back of camera to computer screen -you should try it someday. It's a real eye opener. Never trust the back of your camera!

Website Woes

2008-05-26T20:43:00.004-04:00

Feverishly working away at a website. It will soon be perfect. In the meantime, I took something today that I liked. Eighteen firefighters stopped in Tavares today on their way to Charleston, S.C. via bicycles. They started in Naples, Florida and today was their third day biking. They are doing this in honor of the nine firefighters who were killed while fighting a fire at a furniture store in Charleston, SC. Read more here.
When I meet people like this it I always think of how I can live more deliberately.

Weddings

2008-04-28T00:10:00.002-04:00

Some weddings I have photographed.

BJ and Tommy

2008-04-08T17:50:00.004-04:00

BJ

Tommy

I have the best job in the world. I get to walk into people's lives without any other reason than just curiosity. I also get to meet some great folks and sometimes animals. The highlight of my day today was meeting BJ and Tommy.

New Series

2008-04-02T19:20:00.003-04:00

The sips of tea I leave.

Elephant Tea.

CNN Tea.

2 Teas.

For my mom

2008-03-24T09:50:00.005-04:00

Pineapple bloom.

Don't know if she will make it through the heat of summer.

Cactus Flowers.

One really long post

2008-03-13T17:10:00.016-04:00

What I have been up to for the past month...

28-1-08

The Villages: where the buffalo roam.

04-2-08

Fatal pile up.

06-2-08

Parks and recreation cuts.

11-2-08

What the future looks like.

17-2-08

Came down with the flu this day.

23-2-08

Downpour cancels a parade, and soaks a still very sick photographer.

04-3-08 & 28-2-08

Hanging out at a diner with some regulars.

06-3-08

Definitely NOT wrestling this guy!

08-3-08

Lurking around the weigh-in at the Bassmaster Elite fishing tournament.

Sometimes this happens

2008-01-26T02:32:00.000-05:00

We got a phone call about some human bones found in an unfinished development on the edge of Lake and Marion Counties. Barely in our coverage area we sat out for two hours waiting for updates. We were driven by an unsolved case that we are waiting to find the missing person on so every call like this one is taken seriously.

It is quite difficult working these assignments, you never know when you are in it for the long haul. My longest time spent waiting out with police was four hours on a hostage situation. A friend of mine spent 7 hours once.

These scenes are always difficult to photograph. Usually they rope off a perimeter and you are so far from what is happening all you get is cars, flashing lights and small people walking around.

The bones turned out to be not human, possibly alligator.

Giuliani Country

2008-01-19T20:48:00.001-05:00

Everything in politics is staged. It is very difficult to capture true moments or original photos, yet you still have to try.

Documentary on Journalism

2008-01-10T08:39:00.000-05:00

Tackling some issues facing the profession. I love what I do. I love most of all the strict ethics that we follow. Even if you aren't in the biz, you must listen to this!

BBC Documentary

High Ropes

2008-01-06T21:43:00.000-05:00

One day, I will conquer my fear of unstable ground. In the meantime, I know a bunch of middle schoolers who already have.