The Other Side

Thanksgiving wasn't all blood and guts. The best part was spending time with my family.

Thankful in the Mountains

Once again, Ben and Daniel went hunting the day before Thanksgiving, and once again they were successful. They spent the better part of Thanksgiving Day butchering and processing their deer, and I, like always, spent the better part of the day photographing them. 

Proud hunters. 

Daniel hard at work.

The refuse pile. 

The butchering moves indoors. 

Scout does not approve. 

The Best Month

I am tentatively restarting my undergrad project on Favorite Places. My senior year, I asked friends, family, and strangers to identify their favorite places and spaces, and I photographed them. My friend Megan agreed to help me dive back in, and was incredibly patient on a cold, blustery day. Her favorite place is October,  and there's no better place to photograph October than Homewood Cemetary on Devil's Night. 

Megan in her natural habitat.

Homewood Cemetary is my favorite cemetery, and that is saying something. 

We invited ghosts. Look closely. 

Mountain Rock

Adam DeGraff and Morgan Weidinger, rock violinists, gave an amazing performance at Burn in the Burg. I was happy when the sun went down and the light was perfect. 

Burn In The Burg

I photographed a chili cookoff last weekend. A good time was had by all and a lot of chili. 

Flower Child

She grew up so fast. 

On the Tracks

I didn't realize that I hadn't posted these pictures from Labor Day. It was a low-key weekend with family and friends. I can't wait to do it again next year. 

Stars and Stripes

The Fourth of July remains one of my favorite days to shoot. Family, my favorite place, beautiful light - it all comes together one day a year.  

Down to the River

I went camping with family last weekend. It was good to unwind and make a few pictures. I was shooting for fun, but this portrait of my sister, Hanna, turned out well. 

A Typical Afternoon

Sometimes Mother's Day celebrations turn into impromptu, outdoor hair cuts. It's important to just go with the flow. 

Ink

I photographed a tattoo session for the first time this week. My friend Megan was getting a new piece and she asked me to photograph the process. I did not need to be persuaded as I have always wanted to shoot someone getting a tattoo. It was incredible being present for such an intense and personal experience, and I am grateful that I got to witness it. 

Two Windows

Whenever I'm home I find myself noticing little things and appreciating quiet scenes that I normally breeze right past.

The Great Outdoors

It finally felt like spring last weekend, and Ben and his rabbits were both happy about it, the rabbits because they got yard time and Ben because he had chores to do. 

Focused.

A new friend?

Easter

A lot has changed since the last time I posted. The short version is that I left Nashville and now get to see my family more often. I hadn't spent an Easter at home in awhile, and I made the most of this one. My family now colors eggs with food coloring and rice, which is a lot more satisfying than staring at a cup of vinegar. The results aren't bad either. 

Sam and Ben making some difficult color decisions. 

Sam tried a different way of dyeing. 

Zach

We took advantage of a warm day right after Christmas to take Zach's senior portraits. It wasn't his idea, but he was a good sport about it. Oral Lake tends to bring out the best in both photographers and subjects. It's one of my favorite places to shoot. 

New Zealand Whites

As always, part of my visit home was spent lurking in the rabbit barn. Ben's New Zealand White enterprise is growing, although he keeps it small during the winter. I was gifted with some rabbit meat for Christmas. I look forward to cooking it for the first time.

A kit sits in its cage.

The rabbits are well socialized and were very curious about me.

Ben pours water in his rabbits' dish. 

Rabbits are surprisingly messy creatures.

Holiday Spirit

Of all the photos that I took over the holidays this is my favorite. My grandfather, my uncle, and my dad all laughing together. It was a very merry Christmas.