Farewell to #VirginiaSwift –– Final Days with The Free Lance-Star

I am no longer #VirginiaSwift. My time at The Free Lance-Star came to an end on May 21. The same day I shot my last assignment I flew to Southern California so I could go to Slab City and visit the subjects I spent the fall documenting. Sarah Bourscheid and I went back last weekend to take some photos. Sarah will be going back over the summer to finish the documentary film that we began.

My last two weeks in Virginia were bittersweet. I really felt as though I was just getting to know the community and I started to really develop some more story ideas but alas, Sarah Ann Jump has taken over my internship and I know she will do amazingly. I am beyond grateful for the experience I had at FLS and have difficulty articulating how much I loved my time there.

I'm now living in Brooklyn, New York. Today was the first day of my internship with the New York Times and despite being overwhelmed and still rather intimidated, it was a lovely day. I don't start getting shooting assignments until next week and am eager to get back behind the camera!

Here are some photos from my last two weeks in Virginia, see photos from Slab City here.

Bob Dwinelle trained as a World War Two fighter pilot but the conflict ended before he was given any assignments to fight in the war. Originally from upstate New York, Dwinelle moved to Fredericksburg, Va., with his wife where they lived together until she died in 2008 from Alzheimer's Disease. Dwinelle says he hasn't changed his home decor since she began her "long goodbye" because it makes him feel like she is still around.

Primping and preening before graduating from Germanna Community College

Germanna Community College graduates

Alexis kisses her son after receiving her diploma

I usually am not too keen on shoot graduations but this one was pretty interesting

Summer gets her nails done before prom.

Sarah gets her hair done before her senior prom

James Monroe High School's prom

JM prom

Chamillionaire is still a thing.

Iphones and proms

James Monroe High School prom

Brad was king and Ingrid was his date at prom

Taking a break from dancing at prom

Laughing and dancing

#trueluv

Goodnight James Monroe prom

I also photographed a Marine Corps half marathon

This man is in his seventies

This woman came in second to last

I would be lying if I said that I didn't get a little nostalgic photographing this track meet

My last assignment for the Free Lance-Star was to photograph a flutist at an elementary school during their lunch period.

But I'll always love the river the most. See you again soon #VirginiaSwift