"U.S. Army soldiers carry the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy, during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, on August 10, 2012 in Dover, Delaware. Kennedy, who was from West Point, N.Y., was killed alongside two other American troops while serving in the U.S. Army in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Kennedy was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo."
In 2012, I found myself covering much more sports and than news, features and portraits.
While I am naturally drawn to the latter, I am often hired for my sports shooting since moving back east. The problem with that is that I'm often marketed as a sports photographer, while I label myself as simply a photojournalist because of my versatility.
With that in mind, when I do get a call for a news, feature or portrait assignment - I get eager to walk out the door. One of my strengths is the ability to seek out pictures in any environment. Whether on a news assignment or not, I am able to find and make something of nothing.
Of the few non-sports assignments I shot this year, three main stories pushed me to do exactly that. Those three assignments, Penn State scandal (which is still technically sports related), life on 'Smith Island' and a small amount of political shoots challenged me to foster relationships, see beauty in the quieter, sometimes mundane moments, and have a keen observation of daily life.
Hoping to shoot more meaningful stories like the aforementioned in 2013 that push me out of my comfort zone and challenge my vision.
Thanks for viewing my blog this year - Happy New Year.
"A snorkeler dives below the surface along the beach at the RIU Palace Resort on December 10, 2012 in Nassau, The Bahamas."
Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to take off from my busy shooting schedule to travel to the Bahamas to get married on 12/12/12.
Hanging on the beach, swimming in crystal clear water in the warm, sunny weather surrounded by family was as perfect as life gets.
Thanks again to friend and fellow photographer Chip Litherland for the most amazing colorful rectangles anyone could ever ask for. You can see some of our wedding images by clicking here.
Now that I am back in the U.S., it's time to get back to work. But I'll never forget this awesome trip and our big day.
"Running back Isaac Redman #33 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is pulled down by a pack of Baltimore Ravens defenders in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 2, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland."
There is no rivalry like it. Well, maybe there is, but in Baltimore one cannot even utter the words Pittsburgh or Steelers without consequences.
It's a long, heated battle every game and nothing changed this game in Baltimore last weekend.
The Steelers came from behind, without star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, to squeak out a, 23-20, win over the Ravens as time expired in the fourth quarter.
In the loss, the Ravens 15 consecutive wins at home was snapped. Ironically, the last time the Ravens lost a home game was to the Steelers on Dec. 5, 2010.
If anything, sports statistics make you think and wonder about trends.