Sports, Portraits and a Funeral––Weeks 6 & 7 of #VirginiaSwift

Whelp, I haven't blogged in two weeks, I think because it has been sports and portrait heavy (or at least that's what I feel like). I can't say I'm a great sports photographer, but I can say I think I'm getting better! I'm far from where I hope to be but progress is important.

One of my first assignments for the Free Lance-Star was to photograph a house that had burned down and killed two people, a 12-year-old girl, Roanna ("RoRo") and her grandmother. The fire was accidentally started by RoRo's six-year-old brother, Tyler, who was playing with matches. Tyler, RoRo and their father escaped from the burning house before realizing that their grandmother was still inside the home. At this time, RoRo ran back into the house to try and save her grandmother. Neither made it out. Today I was assigned to go with another staff photographer to the memorial/funeral of RoRo. It was possibly the most uncomfortable assignment I've ever had but was certainly an important opportunity to learn. The family was very supportive of us being there as were the attendees. Here are a few images from that experience and the rest of these last two weeks.

I took 18 photographs during the memorial service and just two frames of these girls. They said that RoRo was their best friend, that they used to ride the school bus together. 

RoRo's mother, Victoria, her younger brother, Tyler, her father, Andrew, and her older brother, (behind the father) Joshua.

Pallbearers carrying her casket.

Victoria with her sister and her husband, both looking towards the casket.

RoRo's cousin, Sierra.

And then onto something completely different. This is Rebekah, she is an aerialist and generally amazing person. 

This is my roommate, Adrian Elliott, he is amazing and he helped me set up lights for a Valentines Day portrait shoot I did. Check out his website!

Thomas Parsons, a high schooler, stares into your soul when he wrestles. 

Some weeks when I take pictures I feel like the girl on the left.

And sometimes I feel like I'm witnessing "The Little Princess" in real time. The girl on the left wants to be a fashion designer, the girl on the right is showing her all the wedding dresses in her mother's shop.

If I had a nickel for every time a ref walked, stood or laid down in front of my camera... But seriously that Thomas Parson's kid is intense.

And another photo of Rebekah Burke because she is kind of a badass. Check out her reel.

Week Five of #VirginiaSwift

Here are some things I saw and some people I met this week.

High School cheerleaders practicing.

Rep. Dave Brat at a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Polar Bear Plunge to benefit the EOD warrior foundation.

Young men from Annapolis jumping in to the river.

Sgt. John Peck's limbs were amputated in 2010 after he was injured by an IED in Afghanistan. He acted as a guest of honor at a Middle School girls basketball game and was given a photo of him with the rest of the team after the game.

Typewriter repairman, whoda thought those were still around.

I swear, one day I will understand sports. Today may not be that day, but one day damnit...

My feeling about my photos this week played out in the face of the girl second from the right.

Week Three/Four– Because two is better than one #VirginiaSwift

I decided not to blog last week because it was more like a half week.

I photographed my first swim meet. I know I'm never going to be the greatest sports photographer, but I do enjoy the challenge. On Friday I went to a Burlesque show and photographed it (with permission). The state of Virginia is trying to stop Burlesque shows from being produced, so it was an interesting opportunity to photograph something that might be on its way out here.

Over the weekend I caught the plague that's going and was somewhat disappointed with the images I took while out on assignment. But I was also shooting video along with the stills for the first time in a long while, so I think that may have had something to do with it...  here's to hoping that the next time I get sick I can function better!

This is Jasmine, 18, and her two-month old, Elijah

These women run a shelter for single mothers in Fredericksburg. They work with a Catholic organization and are outspoken about their right to life objectives.

Because aren't we all