The Photo tells the Story

January so far...

2012-01-11T19:33:00.001-08:00

As a new year begins, Temple Parks and Leisure Services employee John Young hands wreaths down to Marcus Wagner from the top of one of the light poles in the Municipal Building parking lot.

Several firefighting units were called in to battle a travel trailer fire Thursday morning on Fort Road near Stillhouse Hollow lake.

Felix C. Martinez watches as the travel trailer he and Elizabeth Mysinger shared burned to the ground, Thursday near Stillhouse Hollow Lake. The fire was started when Martinez was burning trash in a short burn barrel while cleaning the yard outside the trailer. Thinking the fire had subsided he went inside, but when he returned to the yard the trash can next to the barrel had caught fire from the ashes drifting into it. Martinez then rushed back into the trailer to get Mysinger out, both received treatment for smoke inhalation.
Sri Sreeram Hariharan prays outside the Hindu Temple of Central Texas. Hariharan is the chief priest of the only Hindu temple between Dallas and Austin, which has a membership of about 1,000 people.

Recent Work...

2011-12-10T18:13:00.000-08:00

Members of Temple Fire and Rescue and the Temple Police Department work to free a woman from a white Toyota sedan Thursday (Dec 1,2011) after a head- on collision on Old Highway 95. She along with her two children were taken to Scott and White Memorial Hospital all with life-threatening injuries. (week later one of the woman's children a 6-month-old infant passed away due to injuries sustained in the accident.)
The sister of the driver of the Toyota reacts to the news of the accident after she arrived at the scene.
Serenity Springfield lays red carnations at the VA memorial on Veterans Day for both her great great great grandfather and her great great grandfather.
Ashlee Roan(left) hugs the tombstone of Carl David Roan her grandfather who served in the Marines in Korea and Vietnam as Jeanett Hauck (right) comforts her during a wreath laying ceremony at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.

Few Rolls of Film...

2011-10-31T09:37:00.001-07:00

I've been "lugging" a Holga around on daily gigs snapping a frame when I have a chance.

September/October Daily work

2011-10-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy few months here are just a few images...

Crystal Fisher a long time Temple resident is having to figure out what to do after she was informed by Texdot that her house will need to be moved or demolished as they start the expansion of I-35.

Candi Woodum and her daughter Baylie look for a key lost down a hole in their lawn.

Belton area kids enjoy a jumping balloon set up for the Light up the Night event, where the community can get together and meet law enforcement officers to find out about public safety.

First United Methodist Church has been holding middle school dances after the first Belton home football game for the past 25 years. While the music has changed the interaction between the young boys and girls hasn't changed much.

As the rain started to fall at the second University of Mary Hardin- Baylor home football game, fans took cover as best they could.

First week at the Daily Telegram

2011-08-29T20:59:00.000-07:00

First week here in Temple and it was an interesting one. Getting back into the Daily Grind of things. First set of images are from the Funeral of MSGT Charles Prince III who died in Afghanistan on the 12th of August.
Gold Prices Jumped Tuesday making the gold buyers very busy.
School year started at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton with a speech from David E. Garland at their fall Convocation.

Potluck...

2011-07-28T00:18:00.001-07:00

Just got back from a potluck with Liz and Richard. I will be shooting their up coming wedding this Saturday. Photo above: Richard and his son Travis chatting on the back lawn of Richard and Liz's house. Fun night. I'm sure Saturday will be just as fun if not more fun!

The Track day 2...

2011-07-17T18:35:00.001-07:00

At the Track...

2011-07-16T21:26:00.001-07:00

Spending the weekend at the Ruidoso downs race track

Testing out my netbook with some street shots...

2011-07-13T17:01:00.001-07:00

Picked up a netbook this week and decided to see how it could handle some image processing. It worked well not as well as my Macbook pro, but hey I'm really only using this little guy for short trips to check email,skype and transfer images from a camera to a hard drive. Had a good time shooting downtown this afternoon all and all a good day!

The Mohawk...

2011-07-03T23:16:00.001-07:00

Went out to a Diablos ball game this afternoon with the parents and the Cardoza Clan. Nathan here got a new hair cut and eventually really into the game. Sadly the Diablos like the Yankees lost tonight. Ah well it was a good night.

In the BIG PHX

2011-06-29T23:33:00.001-07:00

I'm in Phoenix this week and since I haven't updated since Guate I figured it would be a good time. I spent most of my day (Wednesday) wandering up and down Central Ave. Shot the photo above at the Art Museum. I'm giving a presentation today to an Adobe user group hosted by my friend Anthony Bueno should be a good time!

Heading Back to the U.S.

2011-05-25T18:12:00.001-07:00

Heading back to the U.S. tomorrow. I have a 9 hour trip back to El Paso. For the past two days I have been in Guatemala City. I plan on exploring this city more on my next trip to Guate, but for now I'll leave you with some images that show the past here is still very much alive. Posters of the disappeared that have been made into graffiti art image of Justice something I know this country is still searching for.

The Return to Demo...

2011-05-21T00:05:00.001-07:00

After picking up my friend Jessica from the airport on Wednesday, I'm playing tour guide for the next few days. Can't complain its giving me the chance to go to some of my favorite places like Demo Market.

Sin La Cara Mas Ambiente...

2011-05-15T12:10:00.000-07:00

Wednesday afternoon, I spent some time snapping frames around the Nuevos Horizontes Women's Shelter. I've pull away from just shooting portraits and started shooting environmental shots of some of the bedrooms and common areas. Shooting in the shelter is much different from my last project at the hospital in San Lucas. Both situations had privacy issues, but shooting at the shelter has a security element involved adding to the challenge of shooting.

Thursday afternoon the teenagers and women of the shelter had a chance to get some pampering, getting their nails painted, having avocado facial masks and dancing in the lunchroom. Activities like these bring a sense of normality to the lives of the teenagers and women in the shelter.

The coordinators at Nuevos Horizontes and I have been talking about putting together a gallery show sometime later this year. Which I'm pretty excited about. I won't be here to see it go up, but my hope is that it helps the shelter raise some more money or at least attract more volunteers.

Cookin' it up...

2011-05-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

Rosie one of the cooks at the Black Cat Hostel. She is always ready with a smile and a joke.

Sin La Cara...

2011-05-04T20:06:00.000-07:00

May is my last month here in Guatemala and I have found myself working on a portrait project of sorts. I have begun to photograph inside a women's shelter here in Xela. Because of security concerns I am not allowed to show any of the women's faces. But since so much of the human emotion is brought forth through the face, it is presenting me with a challenge that I did not anticipate.

Today was my first day of shooting and, as with many things in life, it did not go according to plan. But I think that might have helped me discover a better way to shoot these "portraits". The women at the shelter seem to be receptive to my presence. They all have terrible stories as to why they are at the shelter; most have children, and some of the children are products of incestuous molestation and rape. The shelter provides a safe place for them to live and heal.

You can feel the sense of community as you walk in. Everyone is lending a hand cooking, cleaning and taking care of the children in the shelter. The shelter is a nondescript building which resides in a secret location in Xela. Nuevo Horizonte, the association that runs the shelter, is in the process of putting the finishing touches on a new larger shelter in Xela's outskirts. But in the meantime, the women still live in this smaller safe haven where I will be working the next few weeks.

With one day under my belt, I'm pretty excited to see where the work takes me. I have the feeling it will not be what I expect.

Portrait...

2011-05-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

(photo shot in Quixayá, Sololá ) This week if all goes well I will be the start of a portrait project here in Xela. should be be a good week or two of creating some challenging portraits. More on that later.

Clinic Update...

2011-04-30T22:46:00.001-07:00

Went back to the Clinic in San Lucas this past week. I reminded myself to pull back and soak in the environment of the community and not just let myself get sucked into the activity directly at the clinic. Sometimes you really have to return to basics and remember to cover everything possible that can help a story along. Great trip I'm happy with my take. Now back to editing the story together.

Procession Break...

2011-04-23T15:42:00.001-07:00

Got up and headed to Almolonga this morning for what I heard was going to be a very different kind of procession than what I had been shooting this past week here in Xela. Well turns out I was mislead and the processions in this small farming town were on Thursday and Friday. Since I was out there I wandered around the town which here in Guate is know as the "Garden of the Americas." Much of the produce grown here is on small family plots with vegetables growing year around, which is sold and eaten all over Central America.

As I was wandering to the outer edges of Almolonga I ended up on a small dirt path between farm plots. Walking along this path I heard someone behind me calling to me. I turned around and found a farmer asking me to take his photo, after a few minutes of awkwardly navigating the field he was working in I introduced myself to Bartholmu or as he said "Bartholmu de Almolonga." We chat for bit, I snapped a few portraits after which he continued to tend his crop.

One one hand I missed some cool and different processions, but on the other I was able to explore this interesting town for the morning. All in all I think todays little misadventure was a good one. And hey not only did I meet a few very cool people but I found out how much it would have cost to use the baño's at the market, something thats always good to know.

One Image Day

2011-04-22T15:42:00.001-07:00

Xela Processions, careful you might get run over!

2011-04-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

Procession De Jesus De La Paciencia

2011-04-19T23:22:00.001-07:00

As incense burns around the Processional floats Tuesday night, crowds gathered in Quetzaltenago's central park to observe the Procession of Jesus De La Paciencia. The procession is one of many that will take place during Semana Santa or Holy Week in Guatemala, which runs from Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday.

San Cris Mexico, Visa Run...

2011-04-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

Had to jump over the line and head into Mexico again for a Guate visa extension. Camera gear wise I went light camera body and a 35mm lens. A good time was had!

Processions

2011-04-04T22:27:00.000-07:00

This time of the year in Xela, processions are all over the place. I'm sure Semana Santa will be fun!

Clinic Update: laying of hands

2011-03-19T20:43:00.000-07:00

Friday was my final day at the Clinic. During Dr. Tuns normal consult hours a knock came at the door from a nurse explaining a man had been struck by a vehicle while he was on his bike and the police had brought him into the ER. It took all of the staff to keep this man down on the gurney as they stabilized him so they could transport him to the hospital in Sololá. His face was badly injured and he was only slightly responsive as Tun tried to talk to him. To help keep the man calm Clara a nurse at the Clinic held his hand, which seemed to do the trick. Goes to show Human contact can really do wonders.

Clinic Update...

2011-03-16T20:07:00.001-07:00

This patient waited quietly as Dr. Tun examined her x-rays and other paper work. She has what Tun thinking is a thyroid problem causing a growth in her neck. In the afternoon a man calmly walked into the ER leaving a trail of blood from the front gate to the ER doors, after he cut his hand open with a machete while he was working. He laid a gurney saying nothing unless he was asked to answer a question, but never making a sound when the nurses cleaned the wound.

First Procession of the Lenten Season...

2011-03-13T23:08:00.000-07:00

Sunday marked the first procession of the lenten season here in Xela. The Procession of Jesus de Nazareno (Jesus of Nazareth) started at 4 pm and ended around 8 sunday night. The city seemed to come to a complete halt for this procession. It was impressive to see the different groups of Cucuruchos (carriers) hold up this massive float and every few blocks change bearers and continue to snake their way through the city. The Cucuruchos were made up of the different religious brotherhoods here in Xela. Each group representing different saints like Saint Nichols and San Juan de Dios. To read more about this tradition check out the Casa Xelaju website.

Street ball!

2011-03-01T20:24:00.000-08:00

Seems like I always catch a good Fútbol match when I'm in San Lucas Toliman.

Clinic Update: A long Friday

2011-02-26T22:33:00.000-08:00

Friday was a long tough day at the San Lucas Clinic. Starting with a woman being admitted the night before with mysterious abdominal pains. Doctor Tun ordered blood work to look for problems in the pancreas and the staff got to work trying to look for some answers. After which the staff started looking to an elderly woman who had signs of Peripheral edema, which they have been keeping an eye on the past few days. Having the patient walk a little each day. Friday Morning also brought the birth of twins and so much needed rest for that mother, along with paperwork that needed to be read over by Tun from the Health Ministry of Guatemala.

During the morning round of consults Doctor Tun had a patient come in who was a very special case. A young woman with mental disabilities, unable to speak or seemingly unable to understand much of what was happening around her was brought in by a cousin, because it was thought she might be pregnant.

The problem being the girl's mother didn't really think she was pregnant, since she the patient lived with only the mother and brother, which is why the cousin brought her to the clinic. After examining her even though her pregnancy was obvious she was found to be in her seventh month of pregnancy. Which lead the Doctor and Medical Student Mark Pittman to believe this could be a case of abuse. Later that afternoon she was again brought in by the family member for a ultrasound. During the exam the patients eyes wandered the room not paying much attention to anything happening. When Doctor Tun tried to show her the image of her baby she glanced over but returned to her constant eye wandering at times staring at me as I took photos.

After the ultrasound was over Doctor Tun was obviously bothered by the whole situation. However, with there being little to no social services for people with mental handicaps here in Guatemala the girl would most likely return to the situation she has been living in after the baby is born. (images below)

Clinic Update: Ricardo

2011-02-25T20:37:00.000-08:00

Ricardo came in to the clinic on Thursday with sever abdominal pain, I followed him through treatment until we dropped him off at the Hospital at Solola (where I was asked to leave the ER, understandably). Doctor Tun suspected he was having a appendicitis. Which turned out to be the case.

Clinic Outreach: Quixaya

2011-02-25T18:14:00.000-08:00

Flores...

2011-02-20T14:41:00.001-08:00

Flower stalls line the walk way leading up to the entrance of the cemetery. Selling their flowers to all those who come to pay respects to the dead.

Chocolates on a bus and Some Young Lovers...

2011-02-14T20:04:00.000-08:00

One for the Road...

2011-02-12T02:15:00.001-08:00

Between seeing patients the medical students started up a soccer game on a near by field. The Medical team was trying to get the ball under toe of some of the local girls but the boys kept taking control of the game,the girls however held their own and would take possession of the ball frequently. Fun game to watch. Now I have to pack up my bags and catch a pickup to Santiago, heading home (to Xela) for the week.

Clinic Outreach...

2011-02-11T18:12:00.001-08:00

Headed out with Parish Health Promoter Jesus Antonio and a group of fourth year medical students to a small village near San Lucas called San Gabriel to help facilitate the medical needs of the smaller communities farther out from the Clinic in San Lucas. The group handled everything from colds to vision care and everything in between.

Clinic Update...

2011-02-10T20:35:00.000-08:00

Just a few images from my second day shooting at the San Lucas Clinic.

Clinic...

2011-02-09T17:23:00.000-08:00

Today was my first day shooting at the San Lucas Perish Clinic, here in San Lucas Toliman. I am barely scratching the surface with todays images. I am going to be spending the next few weeks and months here documenting the clinic and its outreach programs. Dr. Tun and the staff here at the clinic are amazing. Dr. Tun's bedside manner is simply put some of the best I have ever seen. I am looking forward to really exploring the going on's in the clinic and surrounding area.

Lucha Nueva! SI!...

2011-02-03T21:15:00.000-08:00

With Healthcare being a struggle here in Guatemala, the National Health Workers Union protested infront of the Governors office in Xela this past Wednesday with continued protests Thursday in Guatemala City.

Movable Work Place...

2011-02-01T10:47:00.000-08:00

You see these kind of mobil snack stands and comedors everywhere down here. Some of the venders push these stands around for miles. I shot this after dropping my friend and fellow photographer Pinar Istek at the bus terminal. Early mornings here in Xela are pretty interesting spans of time, like anywhere parts of the city are still sleeping while others are already midway into a work day.

Visa Run...

2011-01-28T16:58:00.001-08:00

I had to head to Mexico this past week to renew my Guatemala visa. I spent the week in San Cristobal de Las Casas, beautiful town. When I arrived I wandered around a little and found a Mass being held for Bishop Samuel Ruiz who had been defending the rights of the indigenous peoples of Chiapas for years and helped in the peace process between the Zapatistas and the Mexican Government.

I arrived on Tuesday evening as the sun was slowly setting, I found people walking past one of the walls of the church in the central park reading signs and prayers for the Bishop. Wednesday his funeral was held outside the church, hundreds of people gathered around the plaza praying and praising the Bishop and his life.

Parish Coffee...

2011-01-21T21:38:00.000-08:00

This past week I spent a few days in San Lucas Tolimon to meet with project coordinators with the San Lucas Mission and the head doctor of the clinic there. My meetings went well and I will be heading back to start shooting at the clinic in February. Between meetings I had some time to check out the Missions other projects one of which is coffee growing and processing. This was the first time I had seen coffee being processed and I have to say it was all very interesting. I am very grateful to the folks at the mission and the people of San Lucas for allowing me to visit them and make photos in their town. I look forward to going back very soon.

Coffee and some Mystery...

2011-01-17T06:24:00.000-08:00

The view from my kitchen window as I was making coffee this morning. I'm heading to Lago de Atitlan (Lake Atitlan) on Tuesday to meet some contacts on a project I will be starting. Keeping my fingers crossed everything goes well with these meetings.

Taxi Driver...

2011-01-14T00:37:00.001-08:00

Luis, is the cab driver I always call. One really cool dude. Along with a safe ride home late at night I also get some amazing conversation about everything from the state of the country to our families. If you are ever in Xela Luis's cab has a little mammoth and a penguin on the dash. He will get you to where you need to go!

Working...

2011-01-11T16:57:00.000-08:00

After a morning meeting at Voces de Cambio I wandered to La Democracia Market my favorite market here in Xela. Its amazing how insane that place can get during market days. Today however was pretty quiet. Well quiet is a relative term. Even on "quiet" days these men and women hustle around!

Few Frames...

2011-01-08T19:18:00.000-08:00

Bag Men...

2011-01-07T21:42:00.000-08:00

Need a bag for all those fresh fruits and veggies you just bought at La Democracia Market? Just hunt one of these Bag Men down. For 1Q they will give you a nice new plastic bag so you can get those greens home.

in Motion...

2011-01-06T14:44:00.000-08:00

Went to Chi Chi for a day trip this past weekend mainly stayed in the inner market shooting I love that place, not to many tourists mostly locals. Even with all the hustle and bustle of the market I found a quiet moment in the market.

Everyone Loves Chicken!

2010-12-27T23:30:00.001-08:00

Ventured near the Terminal this evening with a friend to this wonder full Chicken truck. Great chicken! People and stray dogs love this place!

The R.E.D. Chef

2010-12-27T11:09:00.000-08:00

Willy Barreno owner and Chef at Cafe R.E.D. If you are in Xela head to the Cafe get some good food and learn a little something about the history of Guate.

Noche...

2010-12-21T07:41:00.000-08:00

Walked around and shot for a bit after planning for my classes presentation. And well I had to stay up for the Eclipse. Cold night!

Diablos and the Virgen...

2010-12-12T18:15:00.000-08:00

Visited San Cristobal and San Andres Xecul today during Dia De Diablos. I think it is one of the craziest things I've ever seen.

Besides visiting with devils, today being December 12 it was the celebration of La Virgen De Guadalupe. With altars being built in the central park and Women wearing traditional clothing and little boys being dressed as Juan Diego. Strange day of stark contrasts.

Otra Mercado, Where sleeping dogs lie...

2010-12-11T23:43:00.001-08:00

Took some time and wandered the market near the Central Park. Most of the stalls were closed but I bought a few things and caught a few nice moments.

Random Post...

2010-12-11T08:37:00.001-08:00

After class friday I hung out with a poet friend of mine Ester Mayorga at El Balcon de Enriquez a cafe which overlooks the central park. Wonderful view at night.

Next week is the last week for my photo class. The girls projects are coming together pretty well. The past week we printed their photos so they could lay them out and edit them down and get their photos into an order they like. We are going to display the projects on the 21st of this month Projecting them on to the walls of this cafe here in Xela. Should be a great show!

La Democracia...

2010-12-07T20:43:00.000-08:00

After hunting down a place to get prints made of my students work, I took a trip to La Democracia market today.

Market over flow...

2010-12-05T20:14:00.000-08:00

Every first Sunday of the month the market expands into the Parque Central. You can get some pretty nice stuff in the stalls. I was almost talked into buying one of these Ukulele looking wall decorations. Good thing I didn't have any cash in my pocket.

The Brewer part 1...

2010-12-04T23:04:00.000-08:00

After waiting for over a month my downstairs neighbor who operates a small beer brewing outfit finally got in his malts, so he can start brewing this week. The semi truck that brought the malt to the apartment building had some what of a hard time getting down the narrow streets, but eventually made it out safe and sound. I can't wait until I can try some of these beers!

This city is quiet today...

2010-11-29T13:08:00.001-08:00

Sitting at the office this afternoon waiting for my students to arrive, I kept hearing shouting coming from the streets outside. Since I had a few minutes I wander out and realized the shouting was coming from two small bars across the street from my office. Turns out Barcelona and Real Madrid are playing each other, so Fútbol fans in Xela are watching the game, much of the city is quiet I presume for this reason. The fan in the photo was reacting to a call against Real Madrid. I would have loved to hang out and watch who won, but I had to get back to the office and finish preparing for class.

Study in iPhone #2...

2010-11-27T22:19:00.001-08:00

Class...

2010-11-27T16:42:00.001-08:00

Shot this during our second class on Friday. Claudia in the background is one of the program coordinator. and That is Nico one of out students.

A Still Life...

2010-11-26T10:52:00.000-08:00

Needing a break from class planning and thinking photography. I downloaded the Hipstamatic app on my phone. Just like shooting with a holga or other lomo camera, it's giving me some downtime to just look around a snap stuff. So enjoy the Stuff!

La Dia De No Violencia Contra La Mujer...

2010-11-25T12:52:00.000-08:00

Music in the Streets

2010-11-22T12:54:00.000-08:00

Caught a Wedding in ChiChi...

2010-11-14T11:07:00.000-08:00

A Quiet Morning...

2010-11-08T10:12:00.001-08:00

Street shooting, nice break from class planning...

2010-11-07T20:25:00.000-08:00

Bike Ect...

2010-11-06T16:42:00.000-07:00

Maya Pedal Chimaltenango

A Tap on the Shoulder...

2010-11-02T11:17:00.001-07:00

As I was kneeling down shooting photos in the flower market that sets up shop near the cemetery here in Xela. I was tapped on the shoulder by this man who wanted me to snap a frame of him. Who am I to back away from an impromptu street portrait. Right after I put my camera down he darted off with out a word.

La Virgen de la Rosario & DIa De Los Muertos...

2010-11-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the Fiesta de La Virgen De La Rosario. People crowded the Parque Central all day. With traffic being diverted around the Parque devotees of La Virgen created massive murals out of colored saw dust around the parque. Later in the day a procession was made to the church in the square lead by priests and men carrying the Virgen to the front of the church.

Along with that celebration may families visited the cemetery to start celebrating Dia De Los Muertos (which is today). The main walk way was flooded with the families of the departed. I spent some time talking to a few of the families that where hard at work cleaning and re-painting tombs and grave markers. I'm going to head back out that way today. I'm hoping to catch a glimpse of the kites used to show the dead where to return.

a "Revolutionary" Idea...

2010-10-30T11:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went with my roommate Omar and some of his friends to a Village in the mountains called Santa Anita La Union. The Village was formed by a group of ex-guerillas after the peace accords were signed back in 96'. After the formation of the Village they decided to become a Coffee and Banana growing community. About 32 families live in the community working the fields.

I'm going to be heading back to Santa Anita later in November.

As we drove back to Xela we trailed behind a group of workers heading up the mountain roads.

Home for a While...

2010-10-27T20:17:00.000-07:00

Xela, my new home for a while. Got to town in the afternoon had a chance to eat a little something and walk around the Parque Central.

Zona Uno, Guatemala City...

2010-10-26T20:56:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update before I crash for the night. After a long day of air travel I have landed in Guatemala City. Tomorrow I head for my new home away from home Quetzaltenango or if you prefer Xela. Snapped this quick photo from the balcony of my hotel room. More later!

Testing out the G12

2010-10-22T18:43:00.001-07:00

Testing out my new sidekick, so far I'm loving the G12.

Look Up!

2010-10-07T10:04:00.000-07:00

Spent sometime in Mesilla New Mexico yesterday. Found this guy in the book store on the plaza.

The Chemist...

2010-10-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

Spent a few hours with my friend and Chemist Rudy Guerrero. His research to find and identify chemicals in water sources in the area is interesting work much of it over this photogs head.

Just a Quick post

2010-09-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

Shot this on my drive back from Dallas two weeks ago.

Hueco Tanks...

2010-09-03T18:32:00.000-07:00

The Road Home...

2010-09-02T22:23:00.000-07:00

This past Monday I made the trip back to El Paso with my Dad. We left later than we had planned, but when we rolled into the city early Tuesday morning the smell of the desert and dry air welcomed me home for the next two months.

Cabin Fever...

2010-08-19T21:02:00.000-07:00

After three days with out my truck and just packing up my apartment. I started to get a little claustrophobic. So once I got my truck out of the shop I drove around and shot a few photos. This is where a new rail depot is going to go up in Harlingen, but I've driven past these old buildings for a year and a half finally stopping to take a few snaps. Back to packing and waiting to hear if I get clearance to photography a story I've wanted to work on for a while.

Catch up...

2010-08-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

Wednesday (first two photos) I went back to Matamoros with Dianne as she helped two students pay their tuition for the up coming school year.

Thursday (last four photos) Headed down to Reynosa to a colonia named Satelite Uno for a food drop.

Waiting for the FTP to send...

2010-08-11T01:22:00.000-07:00

While I'm waiting for my files to upload I figured I would post a few images from today's trip to Matamoros. Still amazes me the conditions people can live in. Throws everything into perspective.

Picking up and Getting ready for the up coming week...

2010-08-09T22:21:00.000-07:00

Along with last weeks normal pick up of bread and pastries, the Ferree group is also packing school supplies since school will be starting in a few weeks.

Hand Painted...

2010-08-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

Took a short trip to Nuevo Progreso Sunday. I'm heading back down later this week with The Ferree group.

Planning...

2010-08-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

Members of the Frank Ferree Border Relief Organization take some time Wednesday morning to plan the rest of the months operations. With schools starting up soon and after recent flooding on Highway 2, the group has to plan out different routes of getting around to deliver school supplies and food donations to Colonias around Matamoros, Reynosa and Nuevo Progreso.

DAWG Show...

2010-08-02T17:14:00.001-07:00

Spent sometime this past Saturday in Mercedes at the Fairgrounds, where they had a car show and a Bully breed dog show. It was not your typical dog show, but it was fun!

A Portrait of Martin Soto...

2010-07-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

Shot this Portrait of Martin Soto sometime last year. Its a favorite of mine.

Blurry Vision...

2010-07-19T22:34:00.000-07:00

Day after Hurricane Alex on SPI

2010-07-01T17:24:00.001-07:00

The Morning After South Padre Island's close call with Hurricane Alex, the clean up started.

Reporting (Stranded) from/on South Padre Island

2010-06-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

Mike a reporter and I are here on South Padre Island covering Hurricane Alex. The Causeway was s closed at 1:30pm Wednesday, so we are stuck here for the storm.

Indy League...

2010-06-25T18:31:00.000-07:00

GO Skate Day...

2010-06-21T17:26:00.000-07:00

According to goskateboardingday.org, "Every year on June 21, skateboarders around the globe celebrate the pure exhilaration, creativity, and spirit of one of the most infuential activities in the world by blowing off all other obligations to go skateboarding."

The Vinyls in the Backroom...

2010-06-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

I had a random Thursday off and I ended up at a Record shop in the back of an antiques store. After looking through the stacks I ended up hanging out with the owner of the shop a dude named Tony, we had a beer and talked about music along with all kinds of crazy things. Not only does this guy own the shop but the entire building. Him and his wife live over the shop. The building was a hotel at one time and the living space still looks like a hotel. It was really amazing to tour that joint.

Tony the owner of the shop, this guy has done everything from teaching to running his shop.

Random update

2010-06-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

Taking a break from editing portrait work to post some photos from the past couple weeks. JROTC training, a mini vacation to Corpus Christi and some shots of my little cousins.

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T09:02:00.001-07:00

Josh Bachman/Valley Morning Star

Joe Reynolds, a Korean War veteran, fought and was wounded in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, one of the most important and intense battles of the Korean war.

Read the story here: Memories of the Korean War

The Set up...

2010-05-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

One for the Road...

2010-05-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

As I head out to cover two more softball teams I figured I would break all that softball coverage with this photo. As I was driving around on my daily wild art hunt I came across a crew of men from SRS Farms clearing an embankment over looking a field of sorghum near Santa Rosa.

The crew had been working for five hours before I ever found them which was at 10:30am. When I shoot photos of workers in fields or anywhere doing backbreaking labour it really makes me realize how easy my gig is.

A Team with Attitude...

2010-05-07T19:15:00.000-07:00

I'm in Corpus Christi tonight and tomorrow afternoon to cover the Lyford Lady Bulldogs as they push to get to state.

The Beach...

2010-05-07T10:27:00.000-07:00

Shot this last weekend on SPI.

UIL Track & Field day 2

2010-05-04T23:48:00.001-07:00

UIL Track & Field day 1

2010-05-03T20:55:00.000-07:00

Sportrait outtake...

2010-04-29T22:28:00.000-07:00

I had to head over to Harlingen South today to shoot a sportrait of five of the softball teams players. while I was getting my meter reading right, lights the way I wanted them I was shooting test shots. This was actually my favorite photo from the session. It would never run in the paper, but that's what a blogs for.