Senior Portrait – Jaelynne
I took Jaelynne’s senior portrait at The Stone House Park on a warm fall day in Lakewood, Colo. It was a great opportunity to test out my new Sony mirrorless camera system for portraits. The resolution of the Sony A7 IV is brilliant combined with the version II 70-200mm f2.8 GM and 35mm f1.4 GM was the other lens I used. The Botton image is a 400% crop with no gradation of image quality!
Jaelynne, a senior at Golden High School, has been accepted into the American Musical Academy in New York City.
Farm Futures
In my last freelance assignment in central Nebraska I had an opportunity to set up an environmental portrait for a publication with Farm Futures Magazine.
Bear Fair (Photo Blog Post No. 200)
Children and their families visited the Bear Fair at the Grand Island Public Library. Children visited various stations to learn about things such as healthcare and recycling. This is my 200th photo blog posting since starting a photo blog in 2011.
Eddie the comfort dog isnt a bear, but children very much enjoyed petting him during Bear Fair at the Grand Island Public Library Tuesday.
Game Night: Hastings College Lady Broncos vs. Concordia Wednesday, January 9, 2019
The Concordia Bulldogs scored over 100 points to beat the Hastings College Broncos 102-85 at Lynn Farrell Arena in Hastings, Neb.
Concordias MacKenzie Helman, left, reaches in for the ball as Ali Smith of Hastings College maintains control Wednesday night at Lynn Farrell Arena. Concordia’s Delani Fahey and Kaitlyn Schmit of Hastings College are on the hardwood behind Smith. Concordia won 102-85.
Capturing Moments as a photojournalist in small town USA
Here’s a look at some of my favorite images from the month of December to close out the year 2018.
Noah Harris laughs while enjoying his slide down Tornado Hill as his brother Mason wipes out in behind him as the two went sledding with their other two brothers Hunter and Isaac as the sun comes out Friday.
Nebraska State High School Football Championship: Class C1 Aurora vs. Ord
Covering the Nebraska State High School Football Championships in Lincoln, Neb. is always a treat. This year we had four teams we covered that played in championship games. One city school (Grand Island) and the other three are area teams (Aurora, Burwell and Ord). Two of these area teams Aurora and Ord matched up in what would be Ord’s first appearance in a state championship football game. These young men give it their all and are a lot of fun to photograph. Good times!
Aurora freshman Alexander Peters does a back flip as he and his teammates celebrate their 49-7 victory over Ord during the Class C1 Nebraska State High School Football Championship game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln Tuesday.
Nebraska State High School Football Championship: Class A Grand Island vs. Omaha Burke
Covering the Nebraska State High School Football Championships in Lincoln, Neb. is always a treat. This year we had four teams we covered that played in championship games. One city school (Grand Island) and the other three are area teams (Aurora, Burwell and Ord). Two of these area teams Aurora and Ord matched up in what would be Ord’s first appearance in a state championship football game. These young men give it their all and are a lot of fun to photograph. Good times!
Grand Island senior quarterback Cole Evans protects the ball while running by Omaha Burke senior linebacker Creighton Kimnach (8) during the Class A Nebraska State High School Football Championship at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln Monday night.
Nebraska State High School Football Championship: Class D1 Burwell vs. Creighton
Covering the Nebraska State High School Football Championships in Lincoln, Neb. is always a treat. This year we had four teams we covered that played in championship games. One city school (Grand Island) and the other three are area teams (Aurora, Burwell and Ord). Two of these area teams Aurora and Ord matched up in what would be Ord’s first appearance in a state championship football game. These young men give it their all and are a lot of fun to photograph. Good times!
Burwell senior wide receiver Joshua Urbanovsky falls over Creighton junior defensive back Thad Hazen during the Class D1 Nebraska State High School Football Championship at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln Monday. Creighton won 32-30.
Recent Coverage
There’s been a lot of breaking news, general news and sporting events I’ve covered recently. Here are some of those images.
Mexican Dance Academy of Nebraska folklore dancers perform during Dia de los Muertos at Central Community College.
Sharpshooter
To say Kaitlyn Lilly is an accomplished trap and skeet shooter would be an understatement. The Grand Island Central Catholic Shooting Team senior has received many accolades for her accomplishments. Recently I had the honor of photographing Kaitlyn, meeting her and family at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Alda, Neb. We took portraits showcasing her awards and other portraits for a school banner.
Game Day: Minnesota vs. Nebraska Saturday, October 20, 2018
Nebraska now (1-6) won their first game under new head coach Scott Frost beating Minnesota 53-28 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.
Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan is upended by Nebraska safety Tre Neal Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
2018 Harvest of Harmony Parade
I photographed the 77th annual 2018 Harvest of Harmony Parade which was my third time at this spectacular event. The parade had 220 entries featuring 105 high school marching bands, 87 float entries and 28 pageant contestants. The parade lasted nearly four hours.
Makayla Stobbe, a Grand Island senior High School flag girl, performs while marching in the 2018 Harvest of Harmony Parade with her bandmates in downtown Grand Island.
Game Night: Aurora vs. Grand Island Central Catholic Volleyball on Tuesday, October 2, 2018
The Grand Island Central Catholic Crusaders beat the Aurora Huskies volleyball team in three straight sets 25-17, 25-17, 25-16 at Aurora High School.
Aurora freshman Rachel Hunter bumps the ball on a Grand Island Central Catholic serve during the first set Tuesday night at Aurora High School.
Game Day: Purdue vs. Nebraska Football Saturday, September 29, 2018
Its been a frustrating season so far for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team as they lose their fourth straight game to Purdue 42-28 on a dreary day at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost yells at referees after a second personal foul call on the Huskers while playing Purdue at Memorial Stadium Saturday. Purdue beat Nebraska 42-28.
Portraits and Personalities
These are several of my favorite portraits I’ve taken in my three years with The Grand Island Independent.
Blacksmith Randy Dack pours water onto a stocking holder he creates during Christmas Past and Present Saturday at the Stuhr Museum.
Friday Night Lights: Grand Island vs. Lincoln North Star Football on Friday, September 21, 2018
No. three ranked Grand Island beat Lincoln North Star 57-14 at Memorial Stadium in Grand Island, Neb.
Andrew Sheard appears as a silhouette while conducting the Grand Island Senior High School marching band during the Grand Island Islanders vs. Lincoln North Star Navigators football game at Memorial Stadium.
Rural Living – Heritage Day
Heritage Day took place at the Henderson (Neb.) Mennonite Heritage Park recently. The park is a museum of replica buildings from the region which were the habitats of 35 Russian families seeking religious freedom in the United States.
Kelvin Smith of St. Paul, Neb. left, and Ron Goertzen of Henderson, Neb. work together to make apple cider with the use of an apple press during Heritage Day at Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park on 720 Road B Saturday, September 8, 2018 in Henderson, Neb. On average about two and a half gallons of apple cider can be pressed out of one bushel of apples.
Grand Slam
As soon as it started to rain Grand Island senior Mickayla Sheets stepped to the plate with the bases loaded. Sheets hit a grand slam home run off Kearney pitcher Meagan Reyes at the Veterans Softball Complex. Grand Island won in four innings 12-2.
Teammates of Grand Island Senior High School senior Mickayla Sheets pat her on top of her batting helmet after hitting a Grand Slam home run off Kearney pitcher senior Meagan Reyes at Veterans Softball Complex.
Friday Night Lights: Aurora vs. Northwest Football on Friday, September 14, 2018
Grand Island Northwest played host to number one ranked Aurora Friday night at Viking Field. The Vikings student body section tossed flour in the air upon the Vikings first touchdown score during homecoming week. Aurora won 42-27.
Grand Island Northwest students throw flour into the air to celebrate the Vikings first touchdown against Aurora on homecoming night at Viking Field.
An Ecumenical Confirmation Celebration
Messiah Lutheran Church and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Grand Island, Neb. held confirmation together in a rare occurrence in which two bishops were present. Twelve Grand Island youth in a progressive service were confirmed by Bishop Brian Mass of the Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Bishop J. Scott Barker of the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska during an Ecumenical Confirmation Celebration.
The Rev. Robert M. Lewis lights candles in preparation of an Ecumenical Confirmation Celebration at St. Stephens Episcopal Church.
Game Day: Colorado vs. Nebraska Football Saturday, September 8, 2018
Going back in time 29 years ago was the last time I photographed these two rivals, in which No. 1 Nebraska was upset by No. 15 Colorado 27-21 at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. The Buffaloes had dedicated their season to starting quarterback Sal Aunese who passed away from cancer in September 1989. Fans rushed the playing field tearing down both goalposts. Colorado gained a bid for the Orange Bowl and was beat by Notre Dame in the National Championship. At the end of this post is a photo I took before kickoff of head coaches Tom Osborne of Nebraska and Bill McCartney of Colorado shaking hands.
This day in Lincoln, Neb. Colorado would be the spoiler again beating Nebraska 33-28.
Colorado safety Kyle Trego salutes fans while celebrating the Buffaloes 33-28 victory over Nebraska at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.
Friday Night Lights: Aurora vs. Wahoo Football Friday, September 7, 2018
The number one ranked Aurora Huskies football team defeated the third place Wahoo Warriors 55-21 in Aurora, Neb.
Aurora senior wide receiver Cy Bullerman catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Baylor Scheierman against Wahoo Friday night in Aurora, Neb.
Game Night: Hastings College vs. Doane Volleyball Wednesday, September 5, 2018
The Hastings College Broncos volleyball team beat Doane University in three straight sets 25-21, 25-20, 25-21 to win their home opener at Lynn Farrell Arena.
Clare Hamburger (2) bumps the ball as her teammate Lucy Skoch (18) gets into place during the third set against Doane Wednesday night at Lynn Farrell Arena. Skoch had seven kills and two blocks in the Broncos home opener.
Cowboy Mounted Shooting Competition
One of my assignments during the 2018 Nebraska State Fair was to cover the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Competition for the Omaha World-Herald. I had never even heard of this event let alone cover it. Cowboys and cowgirls competed in this timed event shooting at balloon targets set up in a pattern with single action .45 caliber pistols while on horseback.
Smoke billows out of Will Kennedys single action .45 pistol as he shoots through his last balloon target in a pattern during the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Competition at the Nebraska State Fair Friday.