Photo Booth

Finally a post

2012-01-30T16:37:00.000-06:00

Sorry it has been so long, but I've been doing a lot of production.

Jake Rasmussen, 17, of Mchenry, uses a computer Friday, December 16, 2011. At an early age, Rasmussen was diagnosed with autism and was told he would never speak or be in regular school. Overcoming the odds Rasmussen now places on the Honor Roll and is taking steps to be more independent.

Phyllis Croswell, of McHenry, volunteers in a variety of ways. She is a director of the Mental Health Resource League, helps with Project Linus, sews blankets for First Way Pregnancy Program and makes animal beds for an animal shelter.

Jessica Jacoby, of Cary, decorates a Christmas tree at the Powers-Walker House in Glacial Park on Sunday, December 18, 2011. A group of volunteers put together the even to show how people lived in 1850's during the holiday season. Jessica became a volunteer with her mother, Nancy, and spent the day making decorations for the tree.

Sandy Wierschke, of McCullom Lake, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2006 and was given nine months to live. Wierschke is one of the 33 blaming her illness on the Rohm and Haas plant and is still dealing with the lawsuit. "It's just ruined my life," she said. "I don't know if I'll be around to see Stephanie (daughter) get married or my grandchildren."

Amanze Egekeze, 15, of Lake in the Hills, is a center for Huntley's Boy's Basketball team. Egekeze was voted one of the top five players to watch by the Northwest Herald.

Jason Bachley, of Ringwood, texts while sitting on a bed at a PADS homeless emergency shelter in Woodstock at Congregation Unitarian on Wednesday, December 7, 2011.

Crystal Lake Central plays a game against Hampshire on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. Crystal Lake Central lost with a final score of 27-35.

A man at Crystal Lake South keeps a flag in his pocket in support of Marine Capt. Nathan McHone, whose body was returned to Crystal Lake today. McHone was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan and was a 2011 graduate of South.

Donna McAnally, of Crystal Lake, poses for a portrait with a flag inside Crystal Lake South on Friday, January 27, 2012. McAnally came in support of Marine Capt. Nathan McHone, whose body was returned to Crystal Lake today. McAnally's son Franklin was a South graduate and is serving for the Army in Afghanistan.

Police escorts pass in front of Crystal Lake South escorting Marine Capt. Nathan McHone, whose body was returned to Crystal Lake today. McHone was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan and was a 2011 graduate of South.

The ski jump is seen from between tries in Fox River Grove during the 107th annual Norge Ski Jump Championship on Sunday, January 29, 2012.

A skier launches off the ramp from the 107th annual Norge Ski Jump Championship on Sunday, January 29, 2012.

Sebastien Dandurand, Calgary, Canada poses for a portrait at the 107th annual Norge Ski Jump Championship on Sunday, January 29, 2012.

Janne Nordman, of Findland, jumps from the top of the hill at the 107th annual Norge Ski Jump Championship on Sunday, January 29, 2012.

A skier lands after a jump at the 107th annual Norge Ski Jump Championship on Sunday, January 29, 2012.

Ben Loomis, 13, of O' claire, Wis., rides in a van to the top of the hill at the 107th annual Norge Ski Jump Championship on Sunday, January 29, 2012.

Skies rest against a wall at the 107th annual Norge Ski Jump Championship on Sunday, January 29, 2012.

A skier celebrates after landing during the 107th annual Norge Ski Jump Championship on Sunday, January 29, 2012.

Massive Wedding Update

2011-12-16T00:19:00.001-06:00

I completely forgot to update my wedding stuff. I was also going through some massive hard drive issues. So here are some of my favorites from the last of the wedding season.

Bears, Balls, Lights and Stuff

2011-11-30T12:16:00.001-06:00

Bears and Chargers

The Bears won against the Chargers with a final score of 31-20 on Sunday, November 20, 2011.

A bucket of turkey testicles sits in a tub waiting to be battered and deep-fried.

Servers carried around trays of turkey testicles with decorative stickers on the trays at the annual Turkey Testicle Festival at Parkside Pub on Wednesday, November 23, 2011.

Suzie Blummer, left, and Syndi Diller, both of Huntley, dance at the annual Turkey Testicle Festival at Parkside Pub on Wednesday, November 23, 2011.

Jack Clark, of Huntley, eats a deep fried turkey testicle at the annual Turkey Testicle Festival at Parkside Pub in Huntley on Wednesday, November 23, 2011.

Daisy Troop 888 Imogen Riter, 6, of Crystal Lake, fixes lights she is wearing before walking in the 2011 Festival of Lights Parade in Crystal Lake on Friday, November 25, 2011.

Konrad Stewart, 13, of Huntley, a volunteer at the 2011 Festival of Lights Parade in Crystal Lake on Friday, November 25, 2011. Konrad dressed as a snowman and was asked by one of his friends to help.

Claire Matthews decorates a tree in preparation for the Lake in the Hills Festival of Trees on Tuesday, November 29, 2011. Matthews works at the Algonquin Area Public Library and helped organize a tailgate party to decorate the tree. As part of the event people donated canned goods, which were given to the Lake in the Hills Food Pantry.

Marian Central's Setter Abby Gilleland has been named the Northwest Herald 2011 volleyball player of the year. Gilleland will be going to play volleyball for Ohio University.

An official looks at the wreckage of a small plane crash which had 4 deaths. The crash took place near North Ridgefield Road and Route 14 on Saturday, November 26, 2011.

I've not had much spot news since I've been at this paper and this one was pretty bad. There wasn't really any wreckage left. The police also made the press stand probably about a 100 yards away across a street. This frame looks pretty wide, but it was shot with a 300, 1.4x extender on a cropped body, so needless to say I was pretty far away. The police also pulled out the bodies without being covered and also carried them away. The paper wouldn't run any of the photos with the deceased in the frame, so I'm not going to post any on my blog, because I don't see the point in this particular story.

Dan Bigelow, of Woodstock, pressure washes a truck, before it started to get into snowy weather, at Cal and Shan's Christmas Tree Farm on Monday, November 28, 2011.

Football, portraits, feature, protest, and nuclear power

2011-11-13T20:08:00.001-06:00

Corey Graham talks to D.J. Moore before the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Chicago Bears defeated the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 with a final score of 39-10.

Marion Barber runs the ball during a play. The Chicago Bears defeated the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 with a final score of 39-10.

This just made me laugh.

Chicago Bears' Johnny Knox goes up for a ball with Minnesora Vikings' Chris Cook during a play in the 1st quarter at Soldier Field on Sunday, October 16, 2011.

Matthew Malecki, of Richmond, jumps over players during the game against Harvard on Friday, October 14, 2011. Richmond-Burton won against Harvard with a final score of 38-14.

Crystal Lake South's Reese Dziedzic reaches with the ball to score the first touchdown against Carmel Catholic High on Friday, November 4, 2011. South won with a final score of 14-9 and will be moving into the quarter finals.

Crystal Lake South's Denton Delgado celebrates after winning against Carmel Catholic High on Friday, November 4, 2011. South won with a final score of 14-9 and will be moving into the quarter finals.

Literacy Specialist Sarah Sullivan, of Gilberts, poses for a portrait at Gilberts Elementary School on Tuesday, October 18, 2011. Sullivan received funding through DonorsChoose.org for a "iLearn With My iPad" to help get an iPad to help teach. She uses a variety of apps to help children with their literacy.

Alivia Roth, 17 months, suffers from charge syndrome, which is a pattern of birth defects that differ child to child.

Carolyn Larson, of Mchenry, holding her daughter Heathrly, 2, play with leaves at Veteran's Acres Park on Tuesday, November 1, 2011.

This is an outtake from a very small protest I covered.

An overall look at the Bryon, Illinois, nuclear power plant.

Beyond the Game

2011-11-11T23:35:00.001-06:00

The love of football doesn't end when the players leave the field. Whether it is teammates or families, the sport brings them closer together. The football teams at Crystal Lake South and Richmond-Burton High Schools are two winning programs on opposite sides of McHenry County. At Richmond-Burton the team is a family. While at Crystal Lake South, the Ahsmann family bonds over football. The two teams share a bond and show how one game can bring people together.

I like clouds

2011-10-05T00:09:00.001-05:00

This was from covering volleyball for about 15 minutes, before my next assignments. One of those days, ya' know, but I still like the image.

I shot some powderpuff football stuff. The light sucked on the field. And it was flag football. Sorry for the edit this way...but I mean....the sidelines stuff was just WAY better.

Shot this post parade (where I shot only video) and post powderpuff.

Another 10 minute assignment. It was a small town festival.

Norge Ski Jump...doing some hot weather jumpin'.

And yet more homecoming stuff. Each class was building floats.

Some more photos

2011-09-26T19:27:00.001-05:00

The Raue Center mouse Tovar, waves to children during the Johnny Appleseed Festival in Crystal Lake on Saturday, September 24, 2011. Tovar took part in a race, where people bought tickets to win prizes.

Sam Bronge, 17, gets fed pudding by Ryan Cremeans, 17, both seniors at Marengo High, during a one of the spirit games during Marengo's homecoming on Wednesday, September 21, 2011. Participants took part in a relay race which including a three forms of runs and ended with a blindfolded pudding eating contest.

Brittany Paxson, 17, hugs Roxana Duran, 17, both of seniors Marengo high school, during a Powder Puff at Marengo's homecoming Wednesday, September 21, 2011.

Kurt Stricker, of Harvard, poses for a portrait with dog treats that have been baked on Tuesday, September 13, 2011. Stricker is the owner of Pedigree Ovens The Pound Bakery, which is a dog treat bakery located in Harvard.

Marian Central Catholic High School girl's volleyball team huddle and cheer before the start of the Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division Match against Saint Edward on Wednesday, September 21, 2011. Marian won with a final score of 25-11 and 25-18.

Samantha Leicht, of Marian Central, waits to putt at the McHenry County Girls Golf Invitational at the Boone Creek Golf Club on Wednesday, September 14, 2011.

Robin Manarik, of Praire Ridge, tees off at the McHenry County Girls Golf Invitational at the Boone Creek Golf Club on Wednesday, September 14, 2011.

Robin Manarik, of Praire Ridge, waits to move to the next hole at the McHenry County Girls Golf Invitational at the Boone Creek Golf Club on Wednesday, September 14, 2011.

Mitch Bruner, of Crystal Lake, smokes a cigarette outside of a Starbucks on Monday, September 26, 2011. Bruner and his friends said they usually hang out at the Starbucks in downtown Crystal Lake throughout the week.

I finally made my way up to the Sears/Willis Tower. This is one of the photographers that shoots your picture and you can buy it at the end of the tour. My brother Erik was wondering why I didn't have any cityscapes posted, so I figured I would do something...closish? Yeah!

Katie Anderson is a badass reporter.

Some photos

2011-09-13T22:11:00.001-05:00

Been shooting a ton of video so here are a few stills to hold you over. Oh....and I got super super sick at one point.

So many weddings

2011-08-28T12:07:00.008-05:00

I've been shooting almost only video for the paper in the past while. So here is a massive wedding update.

Stella and Coran

Laura and Domenico

Reena and Colt

I might have uploaded too many, but this was my first Indian wedding and it was awesome.

I never know what to title updates.

2011-08-08T12:03:00.003-05:00

J. Freund, 8, of Marengo, uses a net to catch bugs at the Outdoor Adventure Camp at the Prairieview Education Center on Thursday, July 28, 2011. Children were taught how to capture and identify bugs.

Anna Austin, 8, of Crystal Lake, looks at a collection of bugs children caught at the Outdoor Adventure Camp on Thursday, July 28, 2011. Children were taught how to capture and identify bugs at the Prairieview Education Center.

Brady Iaccino, 9, of Lake in the Hills use a net to catch bugs at Outdoor Adventure Camp on Thursday, July 28, 2011. The Praireview Education Center hosts the day camp in the summer. Children were taught how to capture and identify bugs.

These are both from the play video from the previous post, which I forgot to upload. Eek!

Outtake from a baseball game. We were doing a story over a player that was new and not even playing. I got bored with shooting him and made this frame.

Drivers at the Demolition Derby listen to the rules of the derby at the McHenry County in Woodstock on Sunday, August 7, 2011.

Eric Schoffen, of Crystal Lake, waits for a tow truck after placing 2nd in the Mini Class at the Demolition Derby at the McHenry County in Woodstock on Sunday, August 7, 2011.

Representative Joe Walsh, listens to a question at Town Hall meeting in Wauconda at the American Legion on Thursday, August 4, 2011.

Joe Walsh is an interesting guy. That is all I got.

Finally, here is a video I did.

Enjoy and give me some feedback! Hope all is well with everyone.

Baseball! Oh...and a video

2011-07-29T23:41:00.004-05:00

Sox. Cubs. Chicago. Baseball.

And some theatre outside.

Features! Yay!

2011-07-18T17:31:00.000-05:00

Jamie Maravich, 39, of Lake Zurich, is the Market President BMO Harris bank in Crystal Lake. "I like how you can make a difference everyday," said Maravich. "Banks help people make finical goals."

Francesca Vann, 10, of Arllington Heights, looks at a display for the Vietnam War with her father Chris at the Volo Auto Museum on Friday, July 1, 2011. The museum has a branch dedicated to the military as well as automobiles from war.

"(I) worked really hard at it," said Madisen Pavoris, (top) 6, of Cary, about painting the dragon she drew at the Cary Public Library on Monday, June 27, 2011. The library has started to offer more art programs for children after the schools started to have budget problems. Kids came to the library to draw and paint dragons as part of the Medieval theme for the summer reading program.

Conor Brandt, 2, of Crystal Lake, plays under a parachute during Story Time at Crystal Lake Library on Thursday, July 14, 2011. Story Time is an event which has games, songs and story readings with different themes every week for children.

Children play with scarves at Story Time in the Crystal Lake Library on Thursday, July 14, 2011. Story Time is an event which has games, songs and story readings with different themes every week for children.

Natlie Schomas, 13, of Crystal Lake, listens as camp counselor speaks at Camp Courage, which is a grief counseling day camp for children that have went through loss on Wednesday, July 13, 2011. "I get to meet people who are through the same thing," said Schomas. "It is good to have someone to talk to."

Wyatt Richards, of Crystal Lake, tees off for the first day of the Bill Vahldieck McHenry County HJunior Amateur tournament at Boone Creek Golf Club on Tuesday, July 12, 2011.

Amber Bauman, of Woodstock, is the owner of Phoebe, a horse being used in the upcoming movie The Lone Ranger. "My first reaction was I didn't believe this was Hollywood connecting me," said Bauman. "I'll be excited, it will be cool."

Anna Garrow, 4, left, of Lake Zurich and Grace Garrow, 4, of Carol Stream, pick strawberries at Stade's Farm and Market on Monday, June 20, 2011.

I got some sports on another computer! That might come later!

I also shoot weddings

2011-07-12T21:35:00.000-05:00

More news will come later!

Delayed Post

2011-06-13T16:41:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the delayed post. Just have been busy. But I finally got some free time and here you go.

Wax Museum

Students at Wright Elementary School were required to find a person that has had a book written about them, as well as do research on how the person became successful. The person the students chose they then dressed as and "performed" at a wax museum on Thursday, May 12, 2011.

Graduation (I have more but not on this computer)

Alexandra Bakalis, 18, of Cary throws her graduation cap at the end of the Cary-Grove High School Commencement on Saturday, May 28, 2011.

Physics Day

From left to right, Grayson "Gray" Schiller, 14, of Glencoe, Carrie DiLenonardi, 14, Alana Bercu, 15, both of Highland Park and Morgan Krumholz, 15, of Glencoe gather to do math work at Six Flags Great America on Tuesday, May 17, 2011. Schools from around the area went to the park as part of Physics Day where students learn the physics of rides.

At the Park

Kevin Coppola, 16, and his girlfriend Hannah Plunkett, 17, both of Crystal Lake, attend the Battle of the Bands at Crystal Lake Park on Friday, June 3, 2011. Coppola is a drummer in the band Civi Burden and was going to be the last band to perform.

Cooling Down

Bill Eschman, of Crystal Lake, takes a gasp of air while his son, Ryan, 11, daughter, Kourtnie, 9, and his neighbors children, wrestle him at Crystal Lake's Main Beach on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. Temperatures reached in the upper 90s.

Softball

Baleigh La Sota, of Marengo, slides safely into home during the softball 3A Hampshire Regional Final against Crystal Lake Central on Saturday, May 28, 2011. Marengo won with a final score of 5-1.

Marengo players celebrate after the softball 3A Hampshire Regional Final against Crystal Lake Central on Saturday, May 28, 2011. Marengo won with a final score of 5-1.

Building Mug

The garden at the intersection of Lincoln and Grove in Fox River Grove was built in the early 1900s by John Legat as a hobby. Families have since bought the land and built homes on it. All that remains is a detailed castle.

Swim Instructor

Becca Ortmann, of Woodstock, gets tagged by by children while playing Sharks and Minnows on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at Woodstock Water Works. Ortmann is a swimming instructor and as part of teaching she plays games with the children to help them learn how to swim.

Lake in the Hills Triathlon

Over 350 people participating in the 5th annual Lake in the Hills Triathlon on Sunday, June 12, 2011.

Giving it her Best Shot

Identical Twins

Shoot. Shoot. SHOOT!

2011-05-06T15:45:00.000-05:00

Bulls Playoffs!

Homeless Shelter

From left to right, Patti Krawczyk, of McHenry, Ashley Roehrig and Brian Cooley, both of Crystal Lake pose for portraits outside of the PADS shelter in Woodstock on Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Each person has stayed at PADS at least once. Krawcyzyk has recently left PADS to move into a house, Roehrig recently move into PADS after complications with a roommate and Cooley has been using PADS services since he lost his job.

Cancer Sucks

Happenstance

2011-04-12T22:32:00.000-05:00

Coming Home

Chase Pohlman, 6, and his father Petty Officer William Pohlman, both of Wonder Lake, take questions about William's service in the Navy at Harrison School on Friday, March 25, 2011. William surprised his son after coming home from serving in the Navy.

Speech Team

From left to right, Bailee Thompson, Rachel Stanley and Taryn Ladd, all 11 and of Cary, laugh during speech team practice on Wednesday, April 6, 2011. The girls are going to compete in the Cary Elementary D26 Speech Tournament on April 9.

White SOX! SOUTHSIDE

An amazing girl.

More will come later.

Well Isn't This Cute

2011-03-25T17:36:00.000-05:00

From left to right, J.D. Fuller, Jessica Jandernoa, Jeremy Mortimer, Jane Turley and Josh Tillman all shaved their heads to help raise money for cancer research through St. Baldrick's Foundation at Woodstock High School on Friday, March 18, 2011. Students at Woodstock High helped organize the event in memory of the Fuller's sister, Hope Fuller, who passed away last year from cancer.

Makenna Claypool, 11, of Cary eats a marshmallow at a meeting for Girl Scout Troop 1347 in Cary on Monday, March 21, 2011. The troop recently lost $417 that they raised from cookie sales. The troop has since raised over $1,500 through donations after the news broke.

Victoria Ferrarini, 5, of Woodstock, performs in a Verda Dierzen Dual Language theater project at Woodstock North High School on Thursday, March, 24, 2011. Children performed 4 plays in Spanish and 2 plays in English, which included The Six Bill Goats Gruff, Do, Re, Mi from The Sound of Music, The 3 Little Pigs and Goldilocks and the 3 Bears.

People celebrate Saint Patrick's Day at a bar in Crystal Lake on Thursday, March 17, 2011. (This was just a kinda street style shot when I was having a drink)

Kelly Gitzke, of Cary, holds her 4 mont old twin sons Billy, left, and Joey on Monday, March, 21, 2011 at her home in Cary. Gitzke is the mother of a 4 year old daughter, a set of 22 month old twins and a set of 4 month old twins. "I guess I just balance it by keeping, you know, keep going all the time," said Gitzke on how she balances everything.

Unrelated Singles And Ash

2011-03-16T19:23:00.000-05:00

Shirley Hoguet, of Johnsburg, holds her granddaughter, Lauren Hoguet, 5, of McHenry, after feeding ducks on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. Shirley was babysitting her grandchildren because their mother has the flu. "It was too nice to stay in. Been waiting for this weather forever," said Shirley.

Demoy Miller, of Kingston, Jamaica, looks at the 3D Echocardiography of his heart during a test on Thursday, March 3, 2011. The nonprofit organization Healing the Children helped bring Miller to the U.S. to get treatment for complications with leaking heart valves.

Stephen Queen sleeps at the Unitarian Church in Woodstock, Illinois, which is used as a shelter for the homeless on Wednesdays during the winter as part of the PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) program. Queen became homeless after a car accident and wasn't able to afford the bills. The car was repossessed and then he lost his job because he couldn't get to work.

Christopher Sanchez, of Harvard, welds during the McHenry Community College welding boot camp class in Woodstock on Thursday, March 3, 2011. Sanchez took the class because he can support his family and the class only lasts 6 weeks.

Chris Baugh, of Chicago, performs during Neptune's Comedy Club at Port Edward Restaurant in Algonquin on Thursday, February 24, 2011. The comedy club is a clean comedy club and is at 7:30 Thursday nights.

Elly Vucha, 16, and David Bruchsaler, 17, both of Woodstock, talk before the start of A Black Tie Affair, which is a prom fashion show that was held on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at Woodstock North High School. The event was held to help raise money for the events after prom and to also showcase current prom clothing.

Timothy Romanoski, left, 14, shows Parker Baird, 15, both of McHenry, a picture on his phone on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. Baird was waiting to start Drivers Ed and sat with his friends to pass time.

Wizard of Oz

2011-02-21T21:24:00.001-06:00

Wizard of Oz from Lance Booth on Vimeo.

Stills OH YEAH!

2011-02-21T20:14:00.000-06:00

Horse Farm

This woman was awesome.

Linda Nerad, of Chicago, volunteers at the Hooved Animal Humane Society (HAHS) in Woodstock on Monday, January 25, 2011. "(I have) more time than money to donate," she said. Nerad has been volunteering since 1989 and said she has seen horses recover, which helps to restore her faith.

State Wresting

This is the first time I shot wrestling. I had an awesome time.

A line waits to get inside for the Illinois High School Association Individual Wrestling State Finals championship matches on Saturday, February 19, 2011.

Kean Loupee, right, of Crystal Lake South, wrestles Justin Valencia, of Granite City, in the 3A 160 pound weight class at the Illinois High School Association Individual Wrestling State Finals on Friday, February 18, 2011 in Champaign. Loupee won the first round with a 4:55 fall.

Nathan Cowan, top, of Harvard, wrestles Stormy Hild, of Petersburg, during the 1A 152 pound weight class preliminary round at the Illinois High School Association Individual Wrestling State Finals on Friday, February 18, 2011. Cowan won with a pin in 4:57 and will move on to the quarter finals.

Joe Ellis, of Richmond, left, wrestles Bryan Roby, of Westchester, during the 2A 130 pound weight class quarterfinal round at the Illinois High School Association Individual Wrestling State Finals on Friday, February 18, 2011. Ellis won with a major recision of 10-2 and moved to the semifinal round.

The Illinois High School Association Individual Wrestling State Finals were held at Assembly Hall at the University of Illinois in Champaign on Saturday, February 19, 2011.

People look at updated brackets before the championship matches at
the Illinois High School Association Individual Wrestling State Finals on Saturday, February 19, 2011.

Students and coaches walk in the Grand March before the championship matches at the Illinois High School Association Individual Wrestling State Finals on Saturday, February 19, 2011.

Jason Fugiel, of Crystal Lake Central, puts his head down after losing at the Illinois High School Association Individual Wrestling State Finals 2A 145 pound weight class on Saturday, February 19, 2011. Fugiel lost with a final decision of 0-6.

Crystal Lake Central's Joey Kielbasa celebrates after he won the Illinois High School Association Individual Wrestling State Finals 2A 152 pound weight class on Saturday, February 19, 2011. Kielbasa won with a final decision of 8-3 in overtime.

Soldier Return

Ashley Berman Kinney hugs her husband Capt. Aaron Kinney, both of Marengo while the National Anthem plays at the Glo-Bowl Fun Center on Monday, February 7, 2011. Aaron returned home from Afghanistan on leave today after an injury.

Band

Alex Escobedo, 13, of Carpentersville, plays a flute during Michael Kasper's class at Carpentersville Middle School on Thursday, February 17, 2011. Escobedo is one of many students that have used one of the instruments that have been donated to the school through the Foundation for Educational Excellence in District 300.

Wizard of Oz

Samantha Ivers, 17, of Crystal Lake, walks the dog that plays Toto before the dress rehearsal of the Wizard of Oz at Crystal Lake South High School on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. The play opens on February 18 and will also have shows on the 19th, 25th and 26th.

Amanda Kindred, 17, of Crystal Lake, puts on make-up for a dress rehearsal of the Wizard of Oz at Crystal Lake South High School on Wednesday, February 16, 2011.

Told you I was going to post some stills.

Videos!

2011-02-09T23:18:00.000-06:00

Here are three videos I've done thus far for the paper. Let me know what ya' think.

The Perfect Pick-Me-Up from Lance Booth on Vimeo.

Fun in the Sun from Lance Booth on Vimeo.

NFC Championship Tailgating from Lance Booth on Vimeo.

Stills for a variety of assignments will be coming soon.

Delay

2011-01-28T15:16:00.000-06:00

My blog format is about to change. Until I figure that out I'm not posting too much new stuff. In any case, here is a drink while you wait.

A Job!!!

2011-01-18T17:46:00.000-06:00

I got a job. My last post thanked everyone. This post is to the future. This is awesome. I'm so incredibly excited to start shooting stuff. It is going to be amazing. It is the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake, Illinois (it is near Chicago). So if you are in Chicago, we should meet up.

Click There Goes College

2011-01-18T17:33:00.000-06:00

"Click" goes the shutter of my camera. No sleep. Edit photos. Click. No sleep. Edit photos. Skip class because I have to photograph that one thing. Click. No sleep. Edit photos. Drink. Party. Hangover. Catch up on other classes. Click. Rinse and repeat. This has been college for me.

I'm a double major in photojournalism and sociology, but photo always took a front seat. Click. Edit photos. Attempt to make it to my sociology class. Repeat. It is a constant fight to get the best photos for class, the Herald, the Talisman, an internship or whatever I'm shooting for.

Photojournalism majors, or PJs, can be seen around campus with our cameras, lenses and lights, taking pictures of everything. We bug you so we can photograph you, but it always turns out well in the end for everyone. Click. Hi. My name is Lance Booth; can I photograph you? Click. Get caption information. Edit photos.

This entire PJ thing not only affects my life as a student trying to get through college, but it also affects my personal life. I've had times when I didn't go home for Christmas because I was shooting a project. I've left a girlfriend at 3 a.m. when I was in bed so I could go shoot. I've literally lived with people so I could try to get that "moment." I've missed birthdays, missed holidays, missed events, all for me striving to get a better photo of, well, whatever. Click. Miss something. Edit photos. No sleep. Repeat.

So why do I do all this? Well, there are multiple reasons. I can give a voice to people who don't have one; that's one reason school tells me why I should do this. Tell someone's story in a visual way - that is the other reason that school tells me. Those are reasons I do this, but this job/major is incredibly fun too.

I get to meet tons of different people. I get into sports games and concerts for free, and I get closer than anyone else. I get to experience many different things every single day and besides all these reasons, I just love taking pictures. Click. Meet new person. Ride in a hot air balloon or something else awesome. Edit photos. Click.

The friends I've made in this major are the best friends ever. Seriously, PJs stick together. I would say it is like a fraternity, but it is closer to a family. Honestly, I'm closer with plenty of people I've met in this major then I am to my actual family.

The people in PJ are my friends, peers, family and competition. It is an odd relationship, but, alas, we still party together, which involves much drinking and picturing making. Click. Drink. Vomit. Dizzy click. Pass out. Look at the insanity you got into last night. Edit photos.

Our relationships are different. If you are one of those people that dislike having their picture taken, well, you should never date a photographer, photojournalist, PJ or whatever you want to call us.

I've taken pictures of my significant others when they were sleeping, when they were getting ready, even when they are crying. It might not be the best idea to first pick up a camera when I'm in a fight with my significant other, but I need to capture this memory. Click. Date. Click. Kiss. Click while kissing. Fight. Click while fighting. Give the photos as a gift. Click. Repeat.

Alas, my college career is coming to an end. I've been in college since fall 2006. I've taken 132 credit hours and 10 photo classes, completed three internships, saved about 99,072 photographs, worked for the Herald and Talisman for about 2 1/2 years each and have built the best relationships I think one can have.

So what am I going to do when I graduate on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010? I'm going to start it with shaking Gary Ransdell's hand, then lean back with him, while smiling. Click goes the shutter, and so begins the rest of my life.

Thank you to all my friends, family and teachers.

Chicago

2010-10-11T15:06:00.000-05:00

I made a last minute trip to Chicago.

I love Chicago.

Thanks Emily Conboy.

I will move to Chicago.

Wedding

2010-09-14T19:34:00.000-05:00

I know...haven't updated in a long time.

Just a Slug and Photos

2010-04-27T23:10:00.001-05:00

Tug

Parents

Car Fire

Pics

2010-04-06T21:25:00.000-05:00

I had this portrait assignment where I had to shoot it outside and make a backdrop, while showing some contrast with the background. I wanted to shoot a stripper in front of a church and kind of play of the fact that I'm in the "Bible Belt", where stripping is highly frowned upon. My first idea was to make a mock shower and have act as if she was bathing in front of a church, which I thought would be ironic. In any case, this shot is from when she was wrapped up in a towel drying off and honestly I like this shot WAY more than my others. Yeah, you can't exactly tell she is a stripper from the picture, because she is completely covered up and some people don't get my idea in the first place, but I like the photo. Let me know what you think.

Caption: "I love money that is why I do it," said Tambra Blakeman, 24, of Beechmont, Ky., who works as a stripper at the Busy Body Longe in Evansville, Ind. "Shanya" is Blakeman's stage name when she works about twice a week to help make exra money.

Greenwood High School senior Danae Wesley gets ready for the play “Juvie,” which opens April 2 at the Capitol Arts Center. Wesley plays the character "Pinky" and also co-directs. This is Wesley’s first time directing a play.

Eastern Kentucky

2010-03-16T22:13:00.000-05:00

I didn't get to take many photos this spring break. I was attempting to only shoot video, but I did managed to get a few frames. This is June Maggard owner of J.D. Maggard's Grocery Cash Store. The store is a tiny place she inherited along with the house after her father passed away. She no longer works, but stays at home where she takes care of her dogs.

Like I said from my last post. One with no person and one from my personal life.

POST TIME!

2010-03-02T20:32:00.000-06:00

"Singing is my life," said Courtney Addison, 19, of Russellville, Ky on Monday, February 1st. "You can sing a song however you feel. Songs never sound the same." Addison joked that she has been singing since she was conceived.

New religious studies professor Tripp York poses for a portrait. This is York's first year at Western. When students are combative and come back with questions everyday York said was his favorite part of teaching.

London Wood, 20, of Bowling Green, Ky., poses for a portrait on Monday, February, 15th. "I'm an artist and I like the traditional style of tattoos," said Wood. Wood decorates her body with tattoos and rings all with a variety of different meanings.

Senior Charity Gardner, 22, of Bowling Green, Ky., is a soon to graduate dance major at Western Kentucky University. “It makes me feel good and I feel like I’m strong and it is something I like doing and it gives me confidence,” said Gardner about dancing.

Senior Sara Puckett, 22, of Winchester gets a clothes pin attached to her by friend senior Amanda Duckworth, 22, of Versailles. Puckett and Duckworth are part of a group of Public Relations students that are going around campus pinning random students with clothespins. The pin has information about the Census on it and is used to give more awareness to the Census.

All these photos are from the Gamma Sigma Sigma "Creative Tough" hair show on Feb. 24. The money raised from audience attendance went to the American Red Cross for the Haiti relief effort.

This two photos are something new I'm going to start doing with my blog. I want to do with every blog post. One photo that doesn't include people and the next one of just my personal life. Both will lack captions, but I still want to post them.

Long Time No Post

2010-01-31T17:33:00.000-06:00

Just photos to start again.

End of Summer

2009-09-23T14:08:00.000-05:00

Talk about taking forever to post.

First, I will give you a rundown about what has been going on in a nutshell. Well, I'm currently photo editor at the College Heights Herald, which means shoot less and more time in front of a computer.

Also, I'm taking another photo class as an elective, but I'm pretty much only going to shoot video for the class. The only video I've done before the class is only video interviews. I gotta' say I have a new respect for video people.

Anyway, this post is a project named "End of Summer" it was suppose to be an "artistic interpretation". In other words, it was mainly a project for the class to get used to shooting video and all the tiny details so we can focus on storytelling when we need to and don't have to worry about figuring everything out.

Well, I hope it at least makes you laugh, that was the main point of the project. Or at least crack a smile?

Uh, Yeah

2009-08-16T21:14:00.000-05:00

Um, I've been slacking on the blog. Sorry about that.

Anthony Rogt sets up The Zipper for the Utah County Fair on Tuesday, August 11th. The admission free fair starts Wednesday at 4 p.m. and runs through Saturday.

This is a woman I hung around with for a few minutes at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Her husband was a trucker and he, as well as her, have never stopped at them, even though they have traveled through Utah a few times. In any case, let me know if this photo works for you. To be honest I meant to have her MORE out of focus. I still like it though.

Port a Jons....in the middle of nowhere.

Me in a dust storm. OH YEAH!

Week 8

2009-08-03T17:50:00.003-05:00

Mallori Guerrero, a BYU student, 18, of Provo, drinks root beer at the Brick Oven Restaurant on Monday, July 27th. For the 12th year in a row BYU has been the top Stone-Cold University, according to the Princeton Review.

Oh yes, I'm in the most sober college town....SERIOUSLY!

Nothing too different right here, I just like the light.

At a local pool, members of a local ward get together and have a good time. Stephen Freeman, 22, of Provo, goes up for a basketball during the 92nd Ward Pool Party, on Saturday, August 1st. "I just love basketball," Freeman said. "I've grown up playing basketball." A group started to play pool basketball at the party. The game was not taken too seriously and sometimes the score was even forgot. Summer Naylor, 24, of Provo, helped put the event together for young single adults in the Provo area. "(It) gives 'em a chance to socialize," Naylor said. "They get to have fun and share their personalities."

Betsy Jo Brown, 27, of Orem is a single mother who was hit hard by the economy. Brown and her daughter Aurora Dubois, 5, ended up having to move back in with Brown's father after not being able to afford bills.

Swallowing her pride was one of the obstacles she had to overcome, but it had to be done, she said.

"You just stay positive," Brown said, after realizing she had to move home.

Her family gives her a lot of support, including help raising and watching Aurora when she is at work.

"I didn't have money to move somewhere else," Brown said. She was living in a bad situation with a roommate she did not get along with.

Brown works at a club in downtown Provo and business has been nearly cut in half since the economic downturn, and less business means fewer tips.

Even though she moved back in with her father, Brown still tries to give Aurora the best childhood she can. She goes out of her way to save whatever extra money she can so she can take Aurora to places where she has fun, such as Disneyland.

"You become a really unselfish person when you have kids," Brown said. Since Aurora mimics everything that Brown does, she tries to be a good role model for her child. "You also become a better person."

"I don't think it is that hard," Brown said about being a single mother. As long as you work hard and love your kids everything will turn out, she said. She's learned that juggling work, kids and life is just as hard whether you are married or not.

According to statistics gathered by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, a nonprofit organization that promotes the development of children, there are nearly 110,000 single-parent households in Utah, while there are 19 million single-parent households nationwide.

Brown was divorced from her ex-husband about three years ago because he had drug problems and Brown "wouldn't stand for it." Brown also didn't want her daughter to be around her ex-husband's problems.

Brittany Call of Orem is one of Brown's life-long friends. "She is a really good person," Call said. "She has a lot of love. Betsy is a really good mom. She isn't judgmental so Aurora won't be like that either."

Brown also thinks single mothers don't have to be in a rush to find another spouse. "You can do it on your own," Brown said. "Single moms have a different bond with their kids because they have the role of both parents."

She has to be the disciplinarian and the nurturer. Even though Brown enjoys being closer than usual with Aurora she can still tell that Aurora misses her father.

One of the best things about moving in with her father, Kam Brown, is that he can spend time with Aurora when Betsy is busy. He often baby-sits Aurora when Betsy is at work.

Kam has helped his daughter through rough spots, but mainly tries not to get too involved so Betsy can be independent. "She usually finds a way to make something work," Kam said. "She is an independent girl that does what she wants to do."

As a grandparent, Kam wants Aurora to have a role model while he's watching her. So when Aurora starts school in the fall, Kam will make sure to make it to school events, especially when Brown is busy at work, so Aurora will have someone there to encourage her.

As Aurora gets older Brown hopes that they will stay as close as they are now.

"It is not an option for us not have a friendship," Brown said.

Whenever Brown hits a rough part, she looks at a text message she saved on her phone that one of her friends sent her.

"Positivity is within you," it reads, "and when you don't express it and believe it, nothing manifests besides negativity."

I would tell you the long story behind this image, but lets just say it is an outtake of Betsy that didn't run.

Can't believe this internship is already almost over. It has been a ton of fun that is for sure.

Week 7

2009-07-25T14:58:00.001-05:00

Charles Murphy, of Louisville, Ky., rafting down Provo River on Monday, July 20th. The river has been flowing twice as fast as normal, because of the high amount of rainfall. according to Ryan Hamblin, of Provo, the guide for Murphy's trip.

Tasha Jackson, 11, of Spanish Fork lays flowers on graves in the newly renovated Pioneer Heritage Cemetery, on Tuesday, July 21st, as part of Fiesta Days. Laying flowers was just one of many ceremonies during the rededication of the cemetery.

Sydnee-Jo Hooley, 10, of Orem, camps at Nunn's Park on Thursday, July 23rd.
With camping rates going up during the summer, forest officials are trying
to get everyone that camps to help keep the grounds clean.

I'm not going to lie, when I say I have no idea why I like this picture. It
is an outtake from a story over people that camp out and the camp ground
officials ask for people to clean up after they leave. So in essence, this
picture has nothing to do with anything, but for some reason I like it.

Keylee Mckinney, center, 10 and her mother Natalie Mckinney, both of Fairfield throw buckets of water and a passing truck, during Cedar Fort's annual town wide water fight on Thursday, July 23rd. "It is war," said Natalie, in between trucks filled with people armed with water balloons, water guns, buckets of water and pressure washers, that sprayed anyone on the street. The annual event attracts people from all around towns all around Cedar Fort for an entire day of water battles. Even if someone was driving by, not part of the event, kids and adults would cover the car with water. "I just like feeling like a kid again," said Natalie.

Foam Day is a new annual event where firefighters create a field full of nontoxic foam for families to play in.

Week 6

2009-07-23T23:40:00.000-05:00

Sorry it took me so long with this post.

Curtis and Carly Smith laugh while trying to figure out some of the answers for Harry Potter trivia at the Harry Potter Fest: Twizard Tournament on BYU's campus on Tuesday July, 14th. Curtis was dressed as Lupin and Carly was dressed as Tonks, both characters from the Harry Potter books. The Harry Potter Fest consisted of trivia, a scavenger hung, a costume contest, Quidditch and Bertie Blotts. The festival was held because of the midnight release of the movie Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Many of the participants dressed up as characters from the movie and already bought tickets for the movie. "We're not crazy people," Carly said, about dressing up. "When else can I have pink hair on BYU." The Smith's look at the movie as one of the last new Harry Potter things that will ever come out. "This is the only Harry Potter fix you can get now," Carly said.

Britaney Carlson, left, 18, of Orem and Whitney Overman, 18, of Orem, joke around while they wait in line at the Cinemark University Mall movie theater for the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on Tuesday Jul, 14th. "We are about as Harry Potter as it comes," Carlson said. The group of friends showed up at 7 pm and played Harry Potter Uno to pass time until the release of the movie.

From left to right: Clark Wiesenberg, 14, of Orem, Carli Jacobs, 15, of Orem and Mark Dawson, 15, of Orem wait in line at the Cinemark University Mall movie theater for the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on Tuesday Jul, 14th. The group of friends got there at 3 pm and talked to past time.

Jean Segura, of the Orem Owlz, tags out, Jeff Tezak, of the Great Falls Voyagers for the 1st out in the top of the 3rd inning.

Britton Psborne, for BYU, center-midfield, goes up for the ball with, Leonardo Munoz, of the Bakersfield Brigade.

Cassidy Barclay, 13 and her brother Ethan Barclay, 8, both of Spanish Fork, ride an inner tube at Utah Lake State Park on Friday, July 17th, with their grandfather John Livingstone, "I think we just enjoy the fund with the grandkids and water," Livingstone said. As the weather has gotten better and the heat has been going up, Livingstone goes out on the lake with his grandkids around two to three times a week. With temperatures rising to the high 90s people are visiting lakes and pools more often then earlier in the summer.

Tim Meyer, 16, of Orem, helps with the refurbishing of the shot put pit at Timpanogos High School, on Saturday, July 18th. This is Meyer's Eagle Scout project. Working with the principal of the high school, Meyer decided that refurbishing the shot put pit would be one of the better projects for the school. "It is good to do service," Meyer said.

Balloon Guy Story and Tour de Donut

2009-07-13T22:13:00.000-05:00

This is a small feature story I wrote and shot this past week.

'I want a Yoda," yells a child, in between eating slices of pizza at Brick Oven Restaurant. "I want a bumblebee," yells another child, full of excitement.

Jeremy Telford of Balloon Guy Entertainment can take a handful of balloons and shape them into anything he puts his mind to.
Telford, 31, of Pleasant Grove, is a world-renowned balloon artist. He started twisting six years ago as a member of Brigham Young University's juggling club, Y Juggle. That's also where he met his wife.

"I think of myself first and foremost as a balloon twister," Telford said, even though he started with juggling.

Telford has juggled since he was 13 years old -- and still occasionally juggles -- but now prefers balloon twisting. "The balloons are what I love doing the most."

When he started college at Brigham Young University, he was a computer science major. But he changed his major a few times, finally settling on recreation management and youth leadership with an emphasis in commercial management. His juggling and balloon twisting was just a way to earn some money. "I did it to get through college and fell in love with it," Telford said.

After he decided to pursue balloon twisting as his career, he married his wife, Kristin. "There is no way I could pursue this as a career without a supportive wife," Telford said.

Kristin not only supported Jeremy, but before having kids also worked side-by-side Jeremy with juggling and balloon acts. They even juggled during their wedding reception.

Now that they have two children -- Nichole, 4, and Joshua, 1 -- working side-by-side with his wife has became a thing of the past because she stays home with kids while he works.

Telford often visits Brick Oven Restaurant in Provo as a way to spread the word about his business and to show off his talent in a family-friendly environment.

"My guests love him," said Lee Reader, general manager of Brick Oven Restaurant. "People call and ask when the balloon guy is here. He is very sought-after. People line up for him and wait for him."

Between performances, Telford occasionally teaches his craft to aspiring balloon twisters or finds people who are willing to work with him. Brendan Rowlands, a friend of six years, helped Telford when he needed another person to help make balloon structures.

"He taught me pretty much everything I know about balloon twisting," said Rowlands, who used balloon twisting to help pay for college.

Rowlands is still astonished by what Telford can make with balloons, even after knowing him for so many years.

"I'm always mind-boggled seeing his new designs," Rowlands said. "I'm used to it and still amazed."

One example is the 45-foot T-Rex Telford made for his senior internship capstone project. With the help of seven other balloon twisters, the T-Rex was made from 2,300 balloons for Thanksgiving Point's Museum of Ancient Life.

During the summer Telford typically books three to five shows a week, with winter being the slower time of the year and only having two to three shows a week. Most of the shows Telford does are children's birthday parties, but has had requests to do Sweet 16 birthdays, corporate events and even weddings.

"I love working with kids," Telford said. "It is different every time."

Telford tries to keep up to date with the latest characters children adore. With the new "Transformers" movie, he gets more requests for some of the robots in the movie.

When trying a new design he usually starts with online research. There are rare cases where he does more planning, but that is usually with bigger structures, such as the T-rex for Thanksgiving Point. The hardest part is making everything is proportional, Telford said. Though, "it usually only takes a few minutes to see if you have it proportioned right."

Most of Telford's big designs take anywhere from 200 balloons or more and can take four to five hours to complete. But most of his designs are small, which take only a few minutes to complete.

But Telford's heart lies in big designs. To get in the Guinness Book of World Records for the biggest balloon sculpture is one of Telford's "life goals."

Big designs are also where Telford has made the most money. In March, American Filmworks contacted Telford through his Web site to hire him for a Wrigley's Orbit Mist gum commercial.

Telford was flown to Uruguay where the commercial was filmed. Telford does not appear in the commercial, but many of his designs do, which include a butterfly, a coat a little girl wears and a 9-foot long and 4-foot high motorcycle, which was built around a stool that the actors sit on.

Telford is currently working on an instructional book to teach people how to build bigger balloon designs, as well as the basics of balloon twisting. Telford hopes to make more of a living off instructional books, while occasionally doing performances. "I don't ever want to give up shows," Telford said. "I love performing."

Tour de Donut

The Tour de Donut takes place in American Fork and starts the city celebration Steel Days. Cyclists ride 21 miles and in between every 7 they are allowed to eat donuts to shave off minutes. Each donut ate takes off 3 minutes of there final time. Money raised by the event will be donated to a variety of charities including Kona workers that help with AIDS in Africa. The money raised will buy bikes which will allow workers to travel further, according to the Tour de Donut Events Coordinator, Debby Lauret. Around 320 people signed up to the event, said Lauret. "We have the serious riders and coach potatoes," Lauret said. "The idea is to have fun and raise money for good causes."

I wish they ate while riding.

Week 4

2009-07-06T16:13:00.001-05:00

Ah, with week 4 wrapped up I'm starting to dig into a few things. I'm not sure where anything is leading, but I'm hoping for the best. Here are some singles from the week. I didn't have the typical 4th of July parade coverage, instead I shot a Jonas Brothers concert. I was in the office captioning and toning, while I listened to the fireworks show.

Orem Owlz player Jon Karcich leads off first. The Owlz lost to the Idaho Falls Chukars with a final score of 8-3.

James Warren 'Flaming Eagle' Mooney, of Spanish Fork, is a Seminole Medicine Man and Co-founder of the Oklevucha Native American Church. Mooney performed a blessing a Rock Canyon, which has been dubbed the "House of God" to many Native American tribes. The canyon was a place where many Native Americans travelled to in an effort to worship.

William Bochat, of West Jordan and his daughter Chloe Bochat, 11 months, came to the Stadium of Fire "to celebrate the 4th the best way possible."

Joe Jonas, of the Jonas Brothers, sings Paranoid, during the Stadium of Fire, on Firday, July 4th.

From left to right: Emma Whipple, 10, of Springville, Josie Blume, 9, of Springville and Tyree Strong, 10, of Springville play around before the performances start. Whipple said they came because, "Nick (of the Jonas Brothers) is cute and the fireworks," on Firday, July 4th.

I was walking around the other day and thought this looked pretty cool so I took a picture of it. After shooting, maybe 5 frames. I went up to this guy who was smiling at me and giving me the peace sign. When I asked him who he was, what he was up to, he was not happy about the questions. I smiled and said, "Come on man you might be in the newspaper." He gruffed and said, "Get away from me." It was weird because he was smiling while I walked up to him and then he seemed really pissed off once I started talking to him.

Ah, here is a picture of Mutton Bustin' from a few weeks ago, which I completely overlooked. Thank you Ashley for pointing this shot out.

Brendan Sullivan or "Jersey" and I went on a hike Sunday. It was a great hike with hot springs at the end. There wasn't too much picture taken, but here is a picture of Jersey looking over a waterfall.

I didn't see any naked people.

Wedding...huh?

2009-06-28T15:17:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah, wedding pictures. Mmmm. Figured I would upload some even though this is fairly old.

Week 3

2009-06-27T23:14:00.000-05:00

Soccer practice, cycling break, children's parade, and Tiffany the teenager. Oh my.

Week 2

2009-06-21T19:14:00.000-05:00

Kinda' a slow week here, but things will start to pick up now that I know my way around a little more. Mutton Bustin' is bizarre. Kids on sheep, who thought of that?

Roommate grillin' and Mark with his girlfriend.

First Week...well kinda

2009-06-14T17:35:00.001-05:00

Technically, my first week in Provo is not over, but I decided I'm probably going to update Sundays. The first image is a repeat, but I removed it from the previous post, because it was my first assignment. Well, I have to say it has been pretty awesome here and I will start looking for a story this coming week, because now I kinda know my way around.

first time this way and first day

2009-06-11T00:31:00.000-05:00

I'm in Provo, Utah interning at the Daily Herald. I pretty much just got here. I shot my first assignment as well as a few things to what it looks like here. I will go hiking soon and come back with a better landscape, considering how beautiful this place is.

24 Hours

2009-04-26T19:41:00.000-05:00

People always do one week's work, why not try only one day?!

A few singles and a project

2009-04-13T14:06:00.001-05:00

So these are a few singles from a restaurant. It was a groovy place to hang out, everyone was really nice.

These next few are from a project I am working on. Here are a few pictures I think are just cool to look at. I will post more on what the story is and such later on. Right now just check out these frames. Tell me what ya' think.

TAIKO!

2009-03-18T15:00:00.000-05:00

Theater Kids

2009-03-02T00:13:00.000-06:00

John McGlone

2009-02-10T20:19:00.000-06:00

On campus the other day Mr. John McGlone decided to stop and do a bit of preaching. He yelled at students calling them sinners or hypocrites. He also wore a shirt that read, "Turn to Jesus or Burn in Hell." More people seemed offended than anything else, as they tried to arguing their religious views with him.

These shots were taken with a toy camera I have been messing around with. It takes four pictures on one 35mm negative, but lacks a viewfinder. In any case, it gives pictures a different look.

Let me know what ya' think.

Inauguration

2009-01-24T22:43:00.001-06:00

Well, it finally came. When the day of the Presidential Inauguration started, I was excited and nervous at the same time. I wasn't sure what to expect and I never covered something this big before. I showed up at the Mall at 6am and knew once I got there I would be stuck where I was. I entered a crowd where it was hard move, let alone bring a camera to your face to take pictures, but I wiggled my way through. I knew then the only way I would be able to move is to stay behind that crowd, but not go too far back, because I wouldn't able to get back up. Overall it was a good day, I came away with some photos I like.

These two photos are kind of the oddballs. The first is after everything broke up and I came across that street and it was just strange to see a street to empty. The second one is of some guards on top of the Smithsonian. I didn't notice them until fairly late in the day, then realized guards were on every single rooftop or in the windows.

Unexpected Love

2008-12-10T01:56:00.000-06:00

Erica Bunch, 22, of Scottsville, Ky., is a single mother, who works at Toots Restaurant. Bunch was married when she had her son, Chance Adkin, 4, to Jimmy Adkin.

Burch was married for a year before she got a divorce, but had Chance early in the nearly five-year relationship.

Since having Chance and getting a divorce Bunch has started to live with her sister Joanna Cardwell and her boyfriend Daniel Allen.

“Whenever he (Chance) has problems he comes to momma. It is pretty cool,” Bunch said. “He doesn’t see us fight anymore, like he use to.”

While living with her sister helps her out with bills, Bunch wants to move. Bunch said after having kids you learn to live with the noise kids make and her sister is not used to it.

Even though Bunch gets help from her family she wishes they wouldn’t support her so much. “Sometimes (they support me) more than I like,” Bunch said. “It is my responsibility, it is what I created.”

Bunch also regrets having a kid so young. “(It is) something I never want to do, being a mother, much less a single one,” Bunch said. “I never wanted it. I never wanted a kid.”

“You are by yourself. It is the small things, especially for Chance,” Bunch said, is some of the things she doesn’t like about being a mother. For instance, she said she doesn’t like the thought Chance not being able to celebrate Christmas with both parents.

Even though Bunch doesn’t like children she still loves hers. “I don’t understand why people want children. You don’t know what you are missing and that is a good thing,” Bunch said. “Even now I only have patience and love for mine.”

More Updates!

2008-12-07T20:22:00.001-06:00

Here are a few images I've shot.

"In our culture it is rough to be a youth," said Smith's Grove Baptist Church youth pastor Justin Pate, 25, of Bowling Green, Ky., on Tuesday, Oct. 21. "(As a pastor) this is one of the only times you can offer hope."

Grace Wethington (left), 6, of Bowling Green and Maddie Carlisle, 7, make "ornaments for wildlife" at the Kentucky Library Museum during "Christmas in Kentucky" on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.

Drivers travel down I-65 in Kentucky on Saturday, Nov. 29. According to travel AAA the greatest number of Thanksgiving auto travelers will come from the Southeast with a total of 9 million people.

This is a portrait of my roommate Chris Fryer. I figured I would do something completely different than usual and this is what I got.

One Last Shot

2008-11-26T00:48:00.000-06:00

Amy Helliwell has been a coach for the Greenwood Lady Gators, in Bowling Green, Ky., at Greenwood High School for 13 years. She has been the head coach for the team for 11. This is her final season as a coach, after her husband got a new job in Indiana, because his lost his job as assistant coach for the men’s soccer team at Western Kentucky University, when the soccer team was cut due to the budget of the university.

Helliwell took the job coaching after she started at Greenwood as a teacher and the job was offered to her. “I played soccer all my life. The position was open and I took it,” Helliwell said.

“Getting to know them (the girls). They all have their own personalities,” Helliwell said, was her favorite part of being a coach. “It is just amazing to me. All 11 years as a head coach have been wonderful.”

Helliwell ended up finishing the season after the Lady Gators lost to Sacred Heart Academy in the semi-finals with a score of 0-6. Helliwell, who has made 6 appearances as a coach in the semi-finals, has never won a championship. “Once you get to the Final Four you know you are against great competition,” Helliwell said. “We always wanted to get that championship game, but it never happened.”

“(This was a) great last season for me,” Helliwell said. “This is a special group of girls that I admire. (I) couldn’t ask for a better group of girls to go back to the Final Four with. It is an amazing feeling knowing it is my last year and I was glad to get back there.”

Helliwell ended her career as a coach with 207 wins, 64 loses and 10 ties. Helliwell said it is 13 years of her life that she will never forget. “My time at Greenwood has been really, really special to me.”

I Voted

2008-11-19T00:51:00.000-06:00

Faux Shooting

2008-10-27T15:33:00.000-05:00

There was an alleged shooting on my campus, it was kind of a crazy day. In any case, police ended up reporting that no shots were fired, but being on lockdown was an experience. All I'm saying, first time I've been around loaded machine guns.

An officer guards the outside of Downing University Center during a lockdown resulting from the report of shots fired on Western Kentucky University's campus

Paula Drake and her daughter, Maddie Drake, 6, of Greenville, Ky., wait for Paula's daughter, Jasmine Bouchard, who lives in the dorm Pearce-Ford Tower on the campus of Western Kentucky University, in Bowling Green, Ky., on Wednesday, Oct. 22. "Within 10 minutes I was out the door, " Paula said once she heard the news there might be a shooting.

From left to right: Wyatt Dunlavy, 19, of Brentwood, Tenn., James Osburn, 19, of Mount Juliet, Tenn. and Rachel Calhoun, 19, of Indianpolis, In., watch a video Osburn shot, while being in lockdown at Pearce-Ford Tower Western Kentucky University's campus in Bowling Green, Ky.

Howard Bailey, Vice President of Student Affairs on the campus of Western Kentucky University, in Bowling Green, Ky., speaks at a press conference after an alleged shooting that happened on campus on Wednesday, Oct., 22, 2008.

Updates!!

2008-10-17T21:01:00.001-05:00

So I've been shooting like crazy and haven't updated this thing in quite a bit. So here I go, just posting a bunch of pictures that have been shot in the last few weeks.

The first four are from a barbershop I hung around. And the last of this group is the Charles Ray Harris, the barber, who I covered for a while.

The last bunch are just features or the like I've shot throughout the past bit. Enjoy.

First Week of Classes.

2008-09-03T09:13:00.000-05:00

This is from my first week since classes have started.

Week 8

2008-07-23T20:31:00.000-05:00

I'm going to start out with cute. I've done a pretty good job of not posting "cute kid pics" on this blog, but every once in a while it isn't too bad. This shot is from vacation bible school. This little girl got hit with water from a sprinkler that was turned on at random, to "water the trees". I would go into what exactly that means, but that would be alot of interpretation from the Bible. So just look at it as a cute kid pic.

This is a shot I've been trying to get for a while. I've seen tons of pics like this, but I could never find such a clean background. Well, in the "land of flat" if there is just a tiny hill it is pretty easy to find. After I shot this, I talked to the guy and he happened to be a Marine that was being shipped out the next day for combat training. I asked if I could shoot that, but he declined. He was really interested, it was just too short notice, which is understandable.

The fire I covered last week, I ran into an incredibly interesting person. I'm hoping to do a story over and this is a single I shot while she was looking around what was left of the house. I'm not going to give any details for now, until it is locked in stone that I'm doing a story.

Images above: © The Courier/Lance Booth

Old, New...News?!

2008-07-23T17:21:00.000-05:00

This is the priest multimedia piece I did a while back, but is now online. Here is the link .

Week 6?

2008-07-07T20:51:00.000-05:00

So this isn't exactly my stuff from week 6. But rather the subjects of the stories I'm doing. Also, the priest shot is set-up, just to let you know.

In any case, the first is of Kathy Brinkman. She is suffering from lung and breast cancer. She should only be suffering from lung cancer, but the doctor's didn't treat the breast cancer at all, because they assumed she would be dead by now. In any case, I've been following her for a bit and hopefully will cover her surgey before I leave.

The second is of Father Jeff McBeth. What was suppose to be a picture package, turned into a "day in the life", which than turned into this multimedia piece. After I finish putting together the piece, I'm going to try to upload it to here, if I can figure it out.

Images above: © The Courier/Lance Booth

A couple of pics

2008-07-01T20:24:00.000-05:00

I went out Saturday night, with the design intern, Lindy. We checked out this concert in Bowling Green, Ohio. I didn't really go to shoot, but I still managed to snap a few frames. Here are a couple I liked.

Week 5

2008-06-29T00:47:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! I can't believe it is already this far into the summer/internship. This week came along nicely, I got to start on two stories. Both of the people I'm covering are really open, which is really great. I figure I would also mention I'm not going to post any of my stories until I finish or I should say until I'm finished shooting. Now onto the pics for this week...

These first two are from a volleyball game I covered. It wasn't anything big, just sort of an adult club sport. The girl laughing is actually laughing becuase she messed up, so you definitely see the game wasn't serious.

These next two are over a youth group that came from North Carolina to help with flood damages. I asked why they didn't go to Iowa and they said they have to make plans a year in advance, so I'm guessing that is where they will go next year. I didn't have a chance to go out on the field with them, but basically what they were doing was panting and other various forms of carpentry.

Ah, my first time shooting in court. It was a preliminary hearing. Actually they are going to move the trial to Columbus, so I won't be covering it anymore. The trial is over a man who is accused of battering a three year old child to death. This picture is of his family, at least I assume so, becuase they wouldn't talk to the press. I found out that the woman that is crying is his sister, but I couldn't find out for sure whether or not the older woman was his mother. I even asked his lawyer and he couldn't tell me, which is kinda of scary. Which brings me to another point. The press actually knew more about the hearing than his lawyer and we were spotty at best. A Toledo Blade reporter was talking to the lawyer and he said, "I don't know. It seems you know more than me." She responded, "Oh, well. Scary how the system works." All I can say is I feel really bad for the accused if he is innocent.

Images above: © The Courier/Lance Booth

Week 4

2008-06-25T02:31:00.000-05:00

Well, I suppose this has been my slow down week, but hey, I got some stories I'm going to start, so we shall see how that goes. Most of the following images are typical, so I'm not going to bore you with info.

Ok, I will say this about the following one, this guy is walking across country to raise awareness about civil liberties in Burma. I got a portrait, but I like this one alot better.

Images above: © The Courier/Lance Booth

Week 2

2008-06-07T22:22:00.000-05:00

This week started out with very little to do. Shoot a feature here, shot a feature there, so I mainly tried to work on some leads for a story. Also, I have to say one of the main things I'm learning is how to juggle assignments, for instance I could only stay half an inning during a softball game and had to leave, I'm totally not used to that. It is some good stuff though, learning deadlines and all that jazz. Now on with the pictures....

This is a feature I shot from the softball game I mentioned above.

The next two are a couple features I shot. They were looking for "cute kid pics" so I headed to the playground. The first is after the little girl fell in a puddle. Her mom quickly grabbed her up and tried to calm her down. The second one is two kids playing in this tiny room underneath a playground. While both kids were trying to get each other's attention (or mine) I shot a few pics.

This is a quick candid portrait of a guitar player. I like it, mainly just because of the light.

The following few are from a track meet I went to, today actually. Bluffton High School's boy's team won the division III state championship. The first is of, Jesse Herr, getting ready for a hand-off in the boy's 4x400 meter relay. Bluffton came in 1st with a final time of 3.21.44. The second is of Zach Guagenti hugging his grandmother Tiz Guagenti after winning the state championship. The next is of Levi Fredritz hugging John Guagenti after winning the championship. Finally, Jesse Herr and John Guagenti hug after winning the boys 4x400 meter relay.

HUG IT UP!!!

Finally, is Ashleigh Kline (right) of Upper Sandusky, being comforted by teammate Lynzi Daughenbaugh after being disqualified for a false start in the 4x100 meter relay state finals.

I was focused on her before this alleged false start happened. I SWEAR there wasn't one. I would bet all my money on it. How that thing was set up there was no review or anything, she was just out. I felt so bad for her.

Images above: © The Courier/Lance Booth

First Week

2008-06-03T19:52:00.001-05:00

If you didn't know I'm interning at The Courier in Findlay, Ohio. I am going to try to update this after each week of shooting so here I go...(I'm toning on the computer that is calibrated for the newspaper so if my toning it off, please let me know)

This is a feature I shot, but didn't run. Vanessa Manley is helping water a "community garden". The idea behind the garden is five different families planted here. After they take what they need from the garden they donate the rest of the crops to charities and soup kitchens.

The following two images are from a play rehersal, in a very small school. The school is actually K-12, which blew my mind. I didn't know such schools still exsisted.

The next pic is of Mac and Keery Teeple. It was at a Relay for Life, which is a fundraiser for cancer. Mac was diagnosed this year with Burkitt's Lymphoma,(it is curable) at the young age of 10. "It makes you focus on what is important," said Kerry. "Not the small stuff, like a dirty house."

The next few are from a tornadoe that touched down right outside of Findlay in a town named Fostoria. No one was injured. The only damage was property.

I'm going to end with this picture for two reasons. First, Findlay is known as "Flag City USA." Also, Mike Stahl, one of the victims of the tornadoe, hung this up on what was left of his shed. In so many ways it showed hope from such a terrible event.

Images above: © The Courier/Lance Booth

Sports!

2008-04-22T21:31:00.000-05:00

Here is what I am turning in for my sport's portfolio. It had to be five pictures from five different sports, two features and three action.

Teen Parenting (Re-Edit)

2008-04-16T02:22:00.000-05:00

This is my final edit for my final project for this semester. I had a good time covering this and hope to revisit this after this summer.

Brittney Harris is 17 and has a four month old baby, Sean Conley, and the father is Anthony Conley. Both Conley and Harris dropped out of school when Harris got pregnant, though they got their GEDs.

Here are a few of images that I shot during the story, which I like that did not make the cut.

In Nashville

2008-04-09T05:08:00.001-05:00

I went to Nashville to meet a contact, but unfortunately I wasn't able to meet him today. I walked around Nashville for a bit and got an idea. I decided to ask people to let me take their portrait, the only catch was I couldn't move and they had to cross in front of me. Also, I've never really done a face study and this was something close to that. In any case, here are few they I like.

Acting Class

2008-04-04T17:59:00.000-05:00

I covered a David Young, a theater professor at Western. Young has been a teacher for 10 years and loves his job.

Bryan Shaw (left) and Alyssa Furkin are acting out a scene from The Odd Couple in Young’s acting II class. “My favorite moments are when I’m working with actors on a scene and suddenly something clicks in the actor’s head and they spontaneously create a moment that is absolutely riveting and inventive,” said Young. “Figuring out what to say to the actor to spark that invention is my challenge as a teacher.”

I really want to take an acting class as an elective now. That is one of the best things about photojournalism is seeing things you normally wouldn't. If it wasn't for me shooting this, chances are I would have never been in an acting class, but I had some fun just watching the different groups act the scenes in their own way.

A Sorority Event

2008-04-04T16:58:00.000-05:00

I covered a Phi Mu sorority "golf scramble." The scramble was put on to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The money raised from raffle sales they had will be sent in Sally Schiller's name, a sorority sister that passed away earlier this year in a car accident.

With any sorority, fraternities are bound to follow. When there are frats there usually is beer. As I was walking around the golf course, I came across (from left to right) Jodie Tharp, Paul Wherry, Kent Hammer and Dan Nedvedik. They decided to "shotgun" beer, before they continued the game.

Eastern Kentucky

2008-03-14T20:29:00.000-05:00

So I went to Whitesburg, Kentucky over spring break. I nearly got into a coal mine to shoot, but part of it fell down the day before I was suppose to go in, so I wasn't able to. In any case, here are a few pictures I shot.

Here is the coal miner I covered, his name is Gary Bently. He ended up getting out of college, after realizing he could make more than double the money as a coal miner compared to a elementary school teacher.

Bently is also in a metal band called "Black Lung". The band ended up getting together after various changes of band members, but now they travel fairly often Virginia.

Bently is also in a relationship with Sara Estet. They live together at Bently's mother house. During my visit, Estet were not able to be together too much, because she worked nights and Bently worked days, but they say each other usually in the morning when Bently went to work or when he visited her at work.