A Year in Review

It's been quite the year to say the least. I started my first real job six months after graduating 
   college, which would put me at a year at this job in the beginning of December. I started at the 

   company's paper in Burlington County (NJ) at that time, and was moved over to the Bucks County 

   office in April for the Bucks County Courier Times. In that time, between the two papers, 40,000 

   miles I put on my car, and countless assignments of news, sports, features, spot news, portraits, etc. 

   I've ended up with a lot of mistakes and questions, but most importantly, a lot of experience.

 

   The photos that follow in this post include my favorite photos from both Burlington and Bucks 

   County. I realize there's a lot and I don't expect anyone to look at every photo individually, but see 

   what catches your eye. It's amazing looking back on the photos and thinking of how well I 

   remember everything. I don't have a good memory by any means, but for some reason, when I look 

   back at photos, I have a great memory about the experience taking them. I could even tell you what 

   kind of weather it was like when I took them.

   I must say, mostly to up-and-coming photographers...a lot of my favorite photos, including the first 

   three, are features, or "enterprise," (as they call it in the real world). No one ever wants to shoot 

   features. It always seems like a lost cause, a waste of gas and time, driving around with no light at 

   the end of the tunnel. But every once in a while, either with a little planning or none at all, you get 

   a photo that was totally great, totally unexpected, and something that you will be really proud to 

   bring back to the office.

   I've tried to be different this year. I've tried to stay at assignments longer...get things I wouldn't 

   normally like the band kid getting a sip of water at the water fountain after a summer practice on 

   an incredibly hot day. I've also tried to get something even if an assignment falters or is cancelled, 

   etc., like the photo of the soccer team getting back on the buses during a big rain and thunderstorm 

   over the summer. I want to show people things that they normally wouldn't pay attention to, to give 

   them a glimpse of who these people are aside from normal photos anyone could take of them. I try 

   to go beyond what I or others expect of an assignment. I love things out of the ordinary.

 

    This isn't a portfolio. I have that on my website. These are just some of my favorite photos from 

    this year (either published or unpublished). Some I had even forgotten about until I went on this 

    search. That's what happens. I'm glad I have a job where I get to meet people every single day. 

    That is essentially my job. Driving and meeting. And I love it. Some are more receptive than 

    others, but I try to be kind to everyone I meet. You never know when you meet someone; maybe it 

    is the worst (or best) day of their life. So I try to be respectful, approachable, and honest.

 

    Often it's patience too, that will get you the photo you want. It's tough sometimes, when you're on 

    deadline, and have to transmit photos back before a certain time during a big game. You don't 

    want to miss a beat. I'm learning patience and more efficient processing to get images I can be 

    proud of (it's tough now too with video in the mix).

    You don't have to understand why I chose each photo, I have my own reasons for each, but if you 

    find one you like, pause and look at all the different details of it. See more than what you observe 

    at first (thanks for that one, PL). Maybe you can see the art or personality I have seen in each. 

    Most importantly, enjoy.