Before the storm

It was a perfect Michigan day for golf.  On the course today I was able to relax for a few minutes as I focused on each frame. ISO, aperture, breathe, repeat.  I was comfortable, in the zone as I talked to parents and joked with coaches.  Now the storm begins.  I'm off to the Eddie Adams Workshop.  See you on the other side.

Rescued

MidMichigan paramedics and Jerome Township firefighters rescued three cats and a dog from a house fire in Sanford on Friday. "He was barely breathing," paramedic Al Coutts said about one of the cats. "We gave him a lot of oxygen." All of them pulled through and were reunited with the homeowners.

John Caffrey, the first paramedic pictured, had a lot of compassion for the pets. He stayed on the phone, pacing back and forth, until he found a safe place for them to be taken until their owners could be located.

As a photographer, when you are on the road racing to the scene you never know what you are walking into.  I was glad to find some good news in the midst of this tough situation.

Before the game

I spent time with each of the five Midland County high school football teams before the season started for a quick hit essay.  Here are a few of my favorites from the project.

Back to school

These second graders were actually pretty excited to be back at school, though a few did confess to some nerves.  It was interesting to listen to them as they introduced themselves to each other.  "I have a turtle." "I have eight grown up teeth." Both are certainly something to brag about when you're seven.

Maize and Blue

I took my first trip to The Big House on Saturday to cover the Central Michigan game there.  Covering Big Ten schools, and especially UofM, is a nice change of pace to Friday Night Lights.  I also love Michigan football, so it was interesting to see what it the place looks like in person after seeing it on TV for so many years.

Labor Day

My cousin Jared, front, and Preston, a family friend, shoot at a clay with their recurves over Labor Day weekend.  They didn't get one this year, but I think it's only a matter of time before it happens.

Battle for the Paddle

My first football game of the year was the Battle for the Paddle between Bullock Creek and Meridian. Meridian was down for most of the game but came back to win it in the final minutes to take home the paddle (which is literally a full size canoe paddle).

Road trip: Jasper

Vacation

A side effect of staying in the same place for two years is making some fantastic friends.  The Vercellino family was kind enough to invite Sean and I down to their cottage for a weekend and we had a blast hanging out, boating and eating very, very well.  To be honest, I hardly picked up the camera.  But here are a few snaps from that trip downstate.

In the wind

Taken on the way home from Jasper, Indiana.