something to focus on

UK vs. South Carolina

2011-02-19T21:32:00.000-08:00

It's been nine months since I posted anything to my blog. A lot has happened since then. For starters, Laura and I had our first child, Carter Lloyd. He's the most amazing thing in my life right now.
In July, I started working as the photographer for the University of Kentucky Athletic Department. We cover every home event for every NCAA sanctioned sport at Kentucky.
Here, you will find a mixture of images that are a result of the two most recent changes in my life.

UK vs. South Carolina, 2-19-11

All images are copyright of UK Athletics.

Thanks to photographer Michael Clevenger of the CJ who gave me some help, and wisdom, with mounting a remote camera tonight. I'm still pretty green when it comes to mounting cameras. I salute freelance photographer Jonathan Palmer as well for showing, and helping, me put up my first remote behind the backboard several games back.

Dream Mile. St. Xavier. Louisville. 2010.

2010-05-10T16:09:00.000-07:00

My nephew, Jacob, (maroon, about 6 back) ran in the inaugural Dream Mile
this past Friday at St. Xavier H.S. in Louisville. They took the top 15 or so
milers in the state and raced them in the mile. Both a boys and girls race. Jacob was
the only freshman in the race, with no sophomores, and ended up sixth, running
a 4:20 mile. Ryan Eaton, of Bowling Green's Greenwood High, who is shown leading
the race in the photo, ran a 4:16 in the win.

Hannah's Prom. Plano. 2010.

2010-05-10T16:01:00.000-07:00

My very future sister-in-law, Hannah, on the evening of her prom.

Sydney (my niece). 1st Communion. 2010.

2010-05-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

2010 KHSAA State Wrestling Championships

2010-02-22T06:58:00.000-08:00

Travis, Jen, and the Twins.

2010-01-11T15:02:00.000-08:00

Often times, things happen in life that give us a different perspective on life itself. For me, getting back to Kentucky was getting back to my fiance, obviously, but also, my family, whom I've watched grow older from a distance. That wasn't enough.
So, here are the newest additions to the White family. Twins Hadley and Hayden. The first set of kiddos for my brother Travis, and his wife, Jen.

6th Street. Downtown. Shelbyville, Ky.

2010-01-11T14:55:00.000-08:00

Downtown Shelbyville still has that old time feel to it, especially 6 St., which is one of my favorites in this small Kentucky town that we now call home.

King of the Bluegrass Holiday Classic

2009-12-23T05:36:00.000-08:00

I covered Shelby County in the annual KOB basketball tournament at Fairdale High School. Here are some of my favorites.

Downtown Louisville

2009-12-20T18:21:00.000-08:00

Bond's Pool Hall

2009-12-20T18:10:00.000-08:00

I kind of randomly came across this place in Pleasureville, Ky., while stopping for directions. Since moving back to Kentucky, I've been taking the Subaru on some country drives and getting to know the area in which I live a little better.
Bond's Pool Hall is the kind of place that stands still as life races past.

Girlie Girl Burlesque...

2009-12-20T18:05:00.000-08:00

...at Bar Lexington in Lexington, Ky.

Santa

2009-12-13T19:33:00.000-08:00

This is a portrait of Santa at Bar Lexington in Lexington, Ky. This particular santa will be performing in the Girlie Girl's burlesque holiday show this weekend.

My First Ultra- In My Own Words, Sort Of

2009-12-13T18:54:00.000-08:00

On the Saturday of my last weekend in Virginia, I ran the Mountain Masochist Trail Run that begins in Bedford County and travels through Amherst County before ending in Nelson County, Va. The 50+ mile race gains around 9,400 feet of elevation while losing close to 7,000. After 8 hours and 37 minutes of being on my feet, the race, like my time in Virgina, had come to an end.
Here's a Q@A that The News and Advance, my employer for the last three and a half years, ran in our Lifetyles section.
Thanks Liz, and Caroline.

http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/lifestyles/local/article/ultra_runner_shares_peaks_and_valleys_of_50-mile_mountain_masochist_race/21398/

The Darst Family

2009-12-13T18:27:00.000-08:00

One of the best things about being in Kentucky is being so close to family and friends. Last week I hung out with my cousin Paul, his wife, Joanna, and their two kids, Ava, and Faiden. I photographed them for their christmas card and here a few I liked.

Downtown Louisville

2009-12-13T18:21:00.000-08:00

I took a short walk while Laura was working on a story in downtown Louisville last week.

2009-11-23T18:48:00.000-08:00

I am now an uncle times 9 following the birth of Hayden Joseph and his sister, Hadley Rae, on Friday afternoon. It's my brother Travis, and sister-in-law Jen's first kids, and twins to boot. They are awesome.
Hayden rolled in at about 4lbs 7ounces and his little sister came into the fight weighing in at four pounds. Both are doing well and progressing each day.
Congratulations Travis and Jen.

Hayden Joseph

Hadley Rae

That Kind of Day, But Nice.

2009-10-24T19:12:00.000-07:00

James and Julie Branaman

2009-10-16T12:37:00.000-07:00

I kind of dropped the ball on posting some of my favorite portraits of James and Julie on their wedding day in Kona, Hawaii. So, here they are.

Bethel Mennonite School

2009-10-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

A Peaceful Morning

2009-10-06T13:37:00.000-07:00

I traveled to Camp Shenendoah near Swoope, Va., last weekend to catch a little bit of the Grindstone 100 ultra-marathon. After sleeping off and on in my car, I hung out near the pond as the sun was rising. A peaceful morning indeed. The corn photo was just something I saw while driving to an aid station in the race.

Last Night in Kona

2009-10-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

This is from several months back when I went to Kona to shoot my friends wedding. We were having dinner outside before everyone parted ways when half the table popped up from our seats to play with some light.

The Frigid Frog

2009-10-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

Jerry Miller, left, and his son and CEO, Kalab, 15, at The Frigid Frog at the corner of Timberlake and Old Graves Mill Road in Lynchburg, Va. The Frigid Frog is shaved ice business and will soon be offering some hot foods, as well as merchandise like booty shorts for the high school kiddos.

Blessing of the Animals

2009-10-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

Liberty University Football

2009-10-06T13:27:00.000-07:00

I always look forward to shooting some daylight football. This is from Saturday's game pitting Liberty University against a much undermanned West Virginia Wesleyan.

An End to Ramadan

2009-10-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

Close to 110 local Muslims took part in the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer at the Marshall Lodge #39 in Lynchburg, VA. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan for Muslims all over the world. Ramadan, which is the ninth month in the Islamic year, is a month of self-restraint lasting 29-30 days depending on the moon. The Eid-ul-Fitr prayer was followed by a large breakfast.

Whistle Stop

2009-10-02T13:21:00.001-07:00

I covered a Whistle Stop celebration for an additional new Amtrak service running from Lynchburg to Washington D.C. and the northeast.

Appomattox Gas Line Explosion Anniversiary

2009-10-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

In the fall of 2008, a gas line exploded in Appomattox, Va., destroying several homes and luckily, killing no one. We took a look back at that day, talking to several people who were involved in one way or another. Deputy Mattox was the first one on the scene and Greg Heath, who works for the gas company, shut off the gas.

Punting into a Twilight Sky

2009-09-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

Segregated Box Office

2009-09-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

It's a shame to think that Gloria Franklin, 85, used to have to purchase show tickets as a child at a segregated box office at the Academy of Music in Lynchburg, Va. Franklin was photographed at the old box office, where her mother's friend and neighbor, the late Lottie Payne Stratton, used to sit in the old wooden chair selling tickets. Many times Franklin was let in for free.

Back to School

2009-08-26T06:57:00.000-07:00

I went over to Liberty University last week to cover students moving into their dorms for the upcoming school year and found several fun scenes along the way. These are two of my favorites.

Forty Years of Service

2009-08-26T06:54:00.000-07:00

Forty years ago, Barbara Williams, left, replaced Aldah B. Gordon, pictured to the right, as the Clerk of Appomattox County but has recently decided to retire. Williams said she will be travelling more often, visiting her kids and four grandkids.

Shady

2009-08-18T13:35:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to use this wall for some time now and probably wasted it today while feature hunting. This is Clinton Jennings, a Verizon technician, staying protected from the sun while moving telephone lines at the corner of Fifth and Madison Streets in Lynchburg.

Oh, football!

2009-08-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

Soon we'll be spending our Friday nights on the sidelines of high school football games, hoping to make decent images while blasting an on camera flash.

Lena Noel

2009-08-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

I met 80-year-old Lena Noel while feature hunting last week. It looks like she's looking at the aftermath of a storm, but she actually just had one of her dogwood's cut down. It was struck by lightning two years ago and died. "I love my old dogwood tree," says Noel.

Hog Heaven

2009-08-13T08:06:00.000-07:00

I spent a couple of hours at The White Pig Bed and Breakfast last week, photographing Dina Brigish and her animals, mostly pigs. Chef Dina, who runs the 'vegan oasis' B&B with her husband, Hal, has a love for pigs that started when she got Norman, a pig that her mother had given her. Brigish now cares for 11 Vietnamese pot bellied pigs and went vegan soon after she got Norman.

Mane Top Stables

2009-08-13T07:58:00.000-07:00

2009-08-13T07:46:00.000-07:00

Eight high school students from around the country, along with two adult crew members, camped at Poplar Forest (Thomas Jefferson's retreat) in Forest, Va., for three weeks while building a split rail fence. I got the assignment to photograph the kids on Sunday, the day before they were leaving and after the fence had been built. Go figure.

Looking For a Few Good Veterans

2009-07-31T07:32:00.000-07:00

Pleasant Lynch Jr., 83, is VFW Post 8184 Commander and WWII veteran. Lynch and other Post 8184 members are concerned that their post may have to close if they do not see an increase in their numbers.

'Make Someone Smile Week'

2009-07-31T07:30:00.000-07:00

Residents of Guggenheimer Nursing Home, in Lynchburg, Va., received a bouquet of flowers in a smiley face mug, courtesy of Teleflora, local florists and local floral wholesalers, as part of Teleflora's 'Make Someone Smile Week.'

Lovingston Opry

2009-07-31T07:28:00.000-07:00

A 'Family' Circle

2009-07-31T07:22:00.000-07:00

Harvest Outreach Center, in Gladys, Va., works with children, mostly from foster homes, who have emotional or behavioral problems.

Schuyler Farmers Market

2009-07-31T07:20:00.000-07:00

Ask Me How I Feel?

2009-07-31T07:18:00.000-07:00

Better, better give me a bucket, I'm gonna hurl.

Early Morning Reflections

2009-07-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

Yard Dog

2009-07-16T15:32:00.001-07:00

Independence Day Celebration

2009-07-04T13:49:00.000-07:00

I spent my fourth of July afternoon at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest in Forest, VA. Although Jefferson spent his July 4th's in Philly, his retreat was filled with living historians today.

Athletes of the Year

2009-07-04T13:43:00.000-07:00

We decided to do action portraits of our high school spring sports athletes of the year. Here's a few.

Soccer POY- Jefferson Forest's David Rochow

Baseball POY- Rustburg pitcher Chris Walker

Tennis POY- E.C. Glass' Sheila Klauck

One Last Dance

2009-06-12T15:01:00.000-07:00

Virginia School of the Arts held their final performance for it's seniors on Thursday. Students come from all over the country to attend and dance at VSA.

Terry McAuliffe

2009-06-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

Terry McAuliffe, who lost the Virginia Demorcratic primary race that decided who would run in November's governor race, stopped by Lynchburg last week to meet and speak with the Lynchburg Voter's League.

grajeeation time

2009-06-12T14:49:00.000-07:00

High School graduations have been a plenty as of late. Nothing special, but just some of my random favorites.

Monacan Pow-Wow

2009-05-18T14:59:00.000-07:00

The 17th annual Monacan Pow-Wow took place this past weekend in Amherst County, Va.

Hill and Hollow Farm

2009-05-15T13:24:00.000-07:00

So, Laura is currently interning on Hill and Hollow organic farm in south central Kentucky. I spent a day visiting, and working, while on vacation in late April. After an afternoon of planting, pumping water from a well, cultivating, and shovelling compost, I have even more respect now than I did for the life of a farmer, and for Laura, who has found her passion in life and possibly her future career. Good luck, Laura.

Muddin'

2009-05-15T13:08:00.000-07:00

A group of Liberty University nursing students took to the mud in their white uniforms in celebration of finishing the program. Traditionally, the students used to burn the uniforms in a huge bonfire, but due to the weather, they took to the mud.

A Backside Engagement

2009-05-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

I took my annual vacation in late April that led up to the Kentucky Derby. On the Tuesday before the big race, I went to the backside with my mom, brother and friend. Waiting for the early favorite 'I Want Revenge' to take to the track, I came across Scott Tincher and Kristen McNerney embracing and kissing. Scott had just proposed to Kristen, at about 8:00 a.m., on the backside and she said yes. I love the horse track and I love me some Kentucky.

Graduation

2009-05-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

A group of family and friends from New Jersey were hoping their graduate would see them. As a photographer looking for the unusual, they most certainly stuck out to me.

Cole Bros Circus

2009-04-20T17:03:00.000-07:00

Confederate Soldiers Surrender

2009-04-20T16:58:00.000-07:00

Appomattox Court House in Appomattox, VA., where Lee's army surrendered.

Tax Tea Party

2009-04-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

Despite the rain, close to 1200 people showed up in downtown Lynchburg, Va., last week for a Tax Day Tea Party.

Cujo

2009-04-10T13:55:00.000-07:00

Scott 'Cujo' Sigmon is a local pro boxer who fights in the light heavyweight division.

VITA Fashion Show

2009-04-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Blue

2009-03-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

Red

2009-03-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

A Prescribed Burn

2009-02-10T07:06:00.000-08:00

I covered a prescribed burn at the Appomattox Court House National Historic Park on Monday. This is where Lee and Grant signed the surrender papers.

A Wrestling Family

2009-02-05T12:09:00.000-08:00

Former NCAA Division II wrestling champion, Warren Stewart, middle, bends over in pain after working out with his oldest son, Zeb, right, who, as a junior at Brookville High School, is ranked No. 1 in his 140-pound class at the Group AA level. Warren Stewart, who helps coach his boys team, has five boys who wrestle, three of them at Brookville High School.

An Earful

2009-02-05T12:07:00.000-08:00

I've seen some rowdy fans while covering sporting events but these kids were pretty relentless.

Snow Day

2009-02-05T12:01:00.000-08:00

Enjoying fake snow in central, Va.

Oooops!

2009-02-05T11:57:00.000-08:00

A driverless SUV rolled across a parking lot, through some bushes before finally smashing into a RE/MAX real estate business. Luckily no one was hurt.

World Champion Auctioneer

2009-01-20T14:56:00.000-08:00

Matt Lowery, the 2008 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, called an auction at the Lynchburg Livestock Market on Monday.

Inauguration

2009-01-20T14:54:00.000-08:00

I went to the Jubilee Family Development Center in Lynchburg to hang out with those watching Tuesday's Presidential Inauguration.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-20T10:07:00.000-08:00

Synchronicity Foundation Memorial

2008-12-20T10:04:00.000-08:00

Synchronicity held a memorial in tribute to Alan Scherr, and his daughter, Naomi, who were killed in the Mumbai, India, terrorist attacks last month.

World AIDS Day

2008-12-03T11:30:00.000-08:00

Synchronicity Foundation

2008-12-03T11:22:00.000-08:00

Synchronicity Foundation master community member Martin Thambert lights incense prior to meditating Friday evening, just days after two of the spiritual organizations members, Alan Scherr and daughter Naomi, were killed Mumbai, India. Members of the spiritual organization in Nelson County, Va., meditate three times a day, but recently the meditation has been given a new direction. "We were focusing on the whole group, for their whole safety and well being," says Thambert.

Sports

2008-12-03T11:14:00.000-08:00

College Hoops.

State Semi-final football.

107 Thanksgivings

2008-12-03T11:05:00.000-08:00

Rissie Robey, 107 years old.

2008-11-13T11:41:00.000-08:00

Mr. White

Kenneth White navigates downtown streets on his way to the library where he likes to read periodicals and law books.

Pink Umbrella

Mountain Masochist

2008-11-13T11:31:00.000-08:00

Mountain Masochist- Started by ultra marathon runner David Horton, the Mountain Masochist is a 50+ mile ultra trail race that spans Amherst and Nelson Counties in Virginia.

Runners get in a good soak after completing the Masochist, won by Eric Grossman, whose legs are second from the bottom.

David Horton scoots through Enchanted Creek, which lies about five miles from where I live. A beautiful place to run.

Dig

2008-10-20T16:33:00.000-07:00

An afternoon with Sid.
With a hat nearly 20 years old atop his head and a washer in his mouth, lifelong bachelor Sid Snow, 84, of Lynchburg, Va., keeps busy by working with his hands, ballroom dancing, gardening and church. Sid has lived on the same street his entire life and somewhat wishes he had married and had children, for his family is dying out. "If you put a lot in life, you get a lot out of it," Sid told me.

Powerwheel races. This kid won the first of two powerwheel races held at the Piney River Moose Lodge 2032 in Nelson County, Va. After winning the race, his dad gave him the checkered flag and told him to do a victory lap backwards around the track "like Jeff Gordon."

Fitzgerald's Orchard in Nelson County, Va.

Sports.

A Boom in the Sky

2008-09-25T10:09:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago in Appomattox County, Va., a Williams Transcontinental natural gas line exploded, destroying two homes and injuring five people. Those who live near the explosion thought the end of the world as they knew it was here. After the initial boom and rumble of the earth around them, a fireball close to 200 feet high shot into the sky, incinerating two homes.

There was not time to change or to grab valuables. Appomattox High School was set up as a temporary shelter.

An aerial view of the area affected.

A family giving water to their dogs, who had to stay in the pens, after they were reunited at the shelter.

2008-09-25T10:08:00.000-07:00

See You at the Pole

2008-09-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

While out feature hunting, which usually means driving around until I find something that cathces my eye, I was told about a middle school cross-country meet. Being a long time runner, I knew there would be something to photograph. Here's what I found.

Labor Day Parade

2008-09-01T15:39:00.000-07:00

I covered the Buena Vista Labor Day Parade and Festival in Buena Vista, Va., today. This was more than just a parade of old cars, bands playing, and people lining the streets. The Buena Vista Labor Day Parade and Festival is a huge political event, where Virginia politicians, including former Governors Mark Warner and Jim Gilmore, sought support from locals as they made their way through the parade. Mark Warner, a Democrat, and Jim Gilmore, a Republican, are battling each other for a spot in the U.S. Senate. Here are some of my favorites from today, my first post.