Lynyrd Skynyrd Concert

It's always fun to go to a concert for the paper and stand in front of the front row.
And then return to the office slightly deaf.

2007 Youth National Arabian and Half-Arabian Horse Show

I love horse shows.
Especially photographing them, since I don't have to feel the pressure of competing like I once did.

A hard rain turned the warm-up ring into a water fall.

Mom was firmly instructing her daughter while in the show ring.

Cop Camp

Summer camps are almost done out here as kids start going back to school in 2 weeks. But this past week was cop camp, preceded by fire camp the week before. So for one week local cops got to show the kiddies what it was like to be an officer. They had them doing drills and running in between the fun activities like checking out a police helicopter and seeing how a taser gun works. Yes, one counselor was going to get tasered. In the first photo the kiddies had acted up the day before and while they were waiting for a video the officers thought some drills might straighten out their attitudes. They are doing "dead cockroaches" and literally had to say "I am a dead cockroach," for 2.5 minutes while on their backs with their feet and hands in the air. It was pretty funny.

Tingley BEACH?

So I was hugely disappointed when I drove out feature hunting to a place in town called Tingley Beach. I expected a fake beach and people in bathing suits. Haha. Nope. It was more like three big man-made lakes and they were stocked with catfish so people could fish. Oye Vey. New Mexico doesn't know what a beach is, that makes me sad.

Duke City Shoot Out

A short film contest has taken over Albuquerque. Each of seven filming teams had one day to shoot their 12 minute film. I believe they have the next few days to edit and then the results will be announced this coming weekend.
I got to shoot on the set of "Maconie's List."

Working hard at 85

This is Helen Harnett. She is 85 and works at Burger King.
She was very sweet and quite speedy for her age.
She said she never had a hobby before she retired, so once she retired she had to keep working somewhere.

Settling in ABQ

Well it has been a week in Albuquerque.
The town is quite large, at least for me.
Waking up to see the mountains every morning is spectacular.
And the sunsets aren't bad either.

High school football practice... focusing on the coaches with some nice morning light.

Very last Gainesville Sun assignment. :(

My last day has come and gone now.
I am going to miss the staff at the Sun more than they know.
Over two years ago I began as the photo lab tech hoping that every once in a while I would get to shoot something, anything.
I lived in the back of the photo room watching and listening to everything that happened around me, the whole time I should have been taking notes for a book. It's interesting what you observe from the back of the room.
Oh my last day I cried just a bit, I'll admit it.
It's a good thing Trish walked out with me when I finally did leave, I needed her there.

But don't get me wrong I am REALLY excited to be starting in Albuquerque on Monday!!

So my very last assignment was to photograph Ryan Lochte, a fellow Spruce Creek High alumni, who is at UF and training for the Olympics.
It's funny and ironic that my last assignment had a connection to my high school where I began with photography. High school seems so long ago now; it's amazing how time flies.

Streets of Santa Fe

We had just an hour or so to walk around Santa Fe this evening.
Although that sunset at the bottom isn't too impressive it's a rarity to see such a colorful one in Florida, at least in Gainesville. So I can't wait to start seeing more of those after my move.

Taos, NM

I revisited this church for the third time since high school.
Every time I see it it seems more beautiful. No wonder Georgia O'Keeffe painted it, Ansel Adams photographed it and countless other artists have depicted it in art works.
Some people claim it is the most photographed church in America.

Then we did some jewelry shopping. Unfortunately I didn't get to walk away with this one. This is a collector's piece from the Millicent Rogers Museum and most likely priceless.
I did walk away with a turquoise ring from the 1940s or 50s to add to my personal collection though.

Scenes from Utah Parks

These are just a few shots from some parks in Utah.
The light seems to be continuously beautiful in out here.
Arches National Park deserves another visit, or two, or three.
Maybe even a camping trip in the park to see the best light.

Arches, Petroglyphs, Utah

Arches National Park

Newspaper Rock

Mom and Dad in a Kiva

Roadside Rocks

Happy 4th of July!

4th of July in New Mexico and Arizona.