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NCAA Tennis Championships

Over the past few weeks UGA has hosted the NCAA Tennis Championships in Athens at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.  Which meant a week of sweating in the sun shooting something very repetitive.  I don’t get to shoot a lot of tennis though so it was a fun experience overall.

I focused mainly on getting the best action of whoever the writers might be need and the Georgia jubilation.  Tennis is one of those sports that can be intensely emotional for the athletes.  The story of the match is all over their faces;  and during a  national championship the stakes and emotions run high.  Heres a few of my favorite edits.

Georgia's KU Singh returns during a NCAA quarterfinal doubles match against Pepperdine in Athens, Ga. on Sunday, May 20, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Nadja Gilchrist serves during doubles matches against Duke in the NCAA Team Championships on Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Georgia's Hernus Pietres argues a call with an official during a NCAA quarterfinal match against Pepperdine's Jenson Turner in Athens, Ga. on Sunday, May 20, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Georgia's Maho Kowase gets a hug from teammate Lauren Herring after her victory over Duke with partner Kate Fuller during doubles matches in the NCAA Team Championships on Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Florida's Lauren Embree makes a return during the NCAA Women's Championship in Athens, Ga. on Tuesday, May 22, 2012.

 

Georgia's Wil Spencer makes a return with a sprint during a NCAA quarterfinal match against Pepperdine in Athens, Ga. on Sunday, May 20, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Florida's Lauren Embree reacts after winning her match against UCLA's McCall Jones to help Florida win the NCAA Women's Championship in Athens, Ga. on Tuesday, May 22, 2012.

 

Nathan Pasha returns with a back hand during a NCAA quarterfinal match against Pepperdine in Athens, Ga. on Sunday, May 20, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

UCLA's McCall Jones reacts to a missed shot during the NCAA Women's Championship in Athens, Ga. on Tuesday, May 22, 2012.

 

Florida's Lauren Embree makes a return during the NCAA Women's Championship in Athens, Ga. on Tuesday, May 22, 2012.

 

Southern California's Sabrina Santamaria returns to UCLA's Pamela Montez during the NCAA Semifinals at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex on Monday, May 21, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Lauren Herring serves during doubles matches against Duke in the NCAA Team Championships on Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Georgia's Ignacio Taboada celebrates a point during doubles matches against the University of North Carolina in the NCAA Team Championships on Friday, May 18, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Chelsey Gullickson makes a return during doubles matches against Duke in the NCAA Team Championships on Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Ignacio Taboada returns a serve during doubles matches against the University of North Carolina in the NCAA Team Championships on Friday, May 18, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

 

May 26, 2012 | Categories: Blog, Sports | Tags: , | Leave A Comment »

Rocky Mountain National Park – Elk, Mountains & Other Nice Things

So last week the misses and I took a much needed vacation to Estes Park, Colorado.  It’s a little town on the edge of Rocky Mountatin National Park.  Good times were had.

Warning: Gratuitous mountain scenery photos follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apr 27, 2012 | Categories: Blog, Everything Else, Landscape, Travel | Leave A Comment »

Canopy Studios Celebrates 10 Years

Canopy Studios in Athens is celebrating 10 years of well awesome existence.  For the past 10 years they’ve basically been teaching anybody who wants to how to perform amazing ariel dance acts with swings, fabric, hoops and what ever else they feel like swinging on.  They also do public performances with the more seasoned performers that are always beautiful and jaw dropping at the same time.

The classes are cool and give you the impression that anyone can do it (with a tremendous amount of hard work).  I shot two classes for a story, one young ladies class and a rehearsal for a performance by a group of advanced performers.  Heres a few of my favorite frames.

Members of the Repertory Company at Canopy Studio rehearse for upcoming weekend performances on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Chris Knightes, top, practices his routine during an rehearsal for the Repertory Company at Canopy Studio on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Members of the Repertory Company at Canopy Studio rehearse for upcoming weekend performances on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Members of the Repertory Company at Canopy Studio rehearse for upcoming weekend performances on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

A group of students practice a routine during an advanced teen trapeze class at Canopy Studio on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Gemma English, 15, rests during an advanced teen trapeze class at Canopy Studio on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Director of Canopy Studio Melissa Roberts, center, demonstrates a routine to students during an advanced teen trapeze class at Canopy Studio on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

A group of students hang around during an advanced teen trapeze class at Canopy Studio on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Director of Canopy Studio Melissa Roberts, center, works with students during an advanced teen trapeze class at Canopy Studio on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

 

Mar 16, 2012 | Categories: Blog, Everything Else | Leave A Comment »

East Athens Community Center Dance Company Turns 25

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of shooting the young ladies of the East Athens Community Center Dance Company rehearsing for an upcoming performance at the Morton Theater in downtown Athens, Ga.  The dance company has been going strong in Athens for 25 years, hence the reason for the story.

This isn’t your typical cute kids in tutus flailing about in an adorably bad form.  These girls can dance.  Over the years several girls from the group have gone on to Juilliard and other fine art schools.

I was glad to be shooting a rehearsal instead of an actual performance because it gave me more freedom than a actual performance.  I was able to spend a good bit of time backstage and get some nice behind the scene moments.

Kamyia Hunter, front, and Tamera Grier rehearse their routine during a rehearsal of the East Athens Educational Dance Center at the Morton Theater on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Kamyia Hunter watches fellow dance group members practice from behind a stage curtain during a rehearsal of the East Athens Educational Dance Center at the Morton Theater on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

A dancer warms up during a rehearsal of the East Athens Educational Dance Center at the Morton Theater on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Members of the East Athens Educational Dance Center rehearse before an upcoming performance at the Morton Theater on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Megan Giles watches a fellow member of the East Athens Educational Dance Center rehearse for an upcoming performance at the Morton Theater on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Members of the East Athens Educational Dance Center rehearse before an upcoming performance at the Morton Theater on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Members of the East Athens Educational Dance Center rehearse before an upcoming performance at the Morton Theater on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Dalace Thomas enters the stage during a rehearsal of the East Athens Educational Dance Center at the Morton Theater on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

A dancer watches from stage left during a rehearsal of the East Athens Educational Dance Center at the Morton Theater on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Members of the East Athens Educational Dance Center rehearse before an upcoming performance at the Morton Theater on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Members of the East Athens Educational Dance Center rehearse before an upcoming performance at the Morton Theater on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

Bre'Asia Echols practices her routine during a rehearsal of the East Athens Educational Dance Center at the Morton Theater on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 in Athens, Ga.

 

 

Mar 07, 2012 | Categories: Blog, Everything Else | Leave A Comment »

Warrior Divers

A few weeks ago I got the chance to shoot U.S. Army Staff Sgt. T.J. Misuraca and U.S. Navy Military Police Sgt. at Arms Steven Hancock doing some scuba training at the local YWCO pool.  T.J. and Steven, both veterans who were wounded while serving, were learning scuba through an awesome group called Warrior Dive Foundation.  They not only certify the guys but also suit them up with all the gear they need to dive at the end of the program.  Heres the story by fellow ABH staffer Erin France that explains it better than I can.  Heres some of my favorite frames.

 

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. T.J. Misuraca, top-right, watches as retired U.S. Navy Military Police Sgt. at Arms Steven Hancock', left, laughs as he is helped into the pool by dive-master Tim Bridgham, bottom-left, and retired Sgt. 1st Class Bob deGraff, center, during a training dive for the Warrior Diver Foundation at the YWCO in Athens, Ga. on Friday, Feb. 4, 2012.

 

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. T.J. Misuraca laughs during a training dive for the Warrior Diver Foundation at the YWCO in Athens, Ga. on Friday, Feb. 4, 2012.

 

Buddy, retired U.S. Navy Military Police Sgt. at Arms Steven Hancock's service dog, watches as Steven, from left, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. T.J. Misuraca and retired Sgt. 1st Class Bob deGraff prepare for a training dive for the Warrior Diver Foundation at the YWCO in Athens, Ga. on Friday, Feb. 4, 2012.

 

Retired U.S. Navy Military Police Sgt. at Arms Steven Hancock''s service dog, Buddy, watches as he swims during a training dive for the Warrior Diver Foundation at the YWCO in Athens, Ga. on Friday, Feb. 4, 2012.

 

Retired U.S. Navy Military Police Sgt. at Arms Steven Hancock', center, swims across the pool during a training dive for the Warrior Diver Foundation at the YWCO in Athens, Ga. on Friday, Feb. 4, 2012.

 

Buddy, retired U.S. Navy Military Police Sgt. at Arms Steven Hancock's service dog, watches from the pool side as Steven takes part in a training dive for the Warrior Diver Foundation at the YWCO in Athens, Ga. on Friday, Feb. 4, 2012.

 

Retired U.S. Navy Military Police Sgt. at Arms Steven Hancock' checks his breathing apparatus during a training dive for the Warrior Diver Foundation at the YWCO in Athens, Ga. on Friday, Feb. 4, 2012.

 

Retired U.S. Navy Military Police SGT. at Arms Steven Hancock, top, gives an under water fist-bump to dive instructor Tim Bridgham during a training dive for the Warrior Diver Foundation at the YWCO in Athens, Ga. on Friday, Feb. 4, 2012.

 

Darlene Shireman, left, laughs with U.S. Army Staff Sgt. T.J. Misuraca during a training dive for the Warrior Diver Foundation at the YWCO in Athens, Ga. on Friday, Feb. 4, 2012.

 

 

Mar 02, 2012 | Categories: Blog, Editorial, News | Tags: , , , | Leave A Comment »

Bulldog Boxing @ The Georgia Theatre

Last weekend I had my first experience shooting boxing at the Bulldawg Brawl, an event put on my a student organization called UGA H.E.R.O. that helps children with AIDS.
It was an evening of amateur boxers that can only be described as three rounds of furiously thrown wild punches. These poor kids honestly pummeled the crap out of each other and had a good time doing it.
The lighting was pretty easy to work with, but getting a good position was a challenge. I made some decent frames but I hope to shoot some more boxing again soon to do a better job, it took a while to be able to spot the flow of the match and spot a coming punch.
Heres some of my favorites.

Jon Ward, right, lands a punch on Storm Saul during an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012.

Tomohiko Yamasaki, right, takes a punch from opponent Blake White during an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012. Despite the blow, Yamasaki won the fight by judges decision.

Tomohiko Yamasaki, center right, is named as the winner of his fight against Blake White, left, during an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012.

Jon Ward, left, and Storm Saul prepare for an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012.

Jonathan Vines, left, lands a blow on Beau Brown during an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012.

Jon Ward, right, dodges a punch from Storm Saul during an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012.

Jon Ward, right, lands a punch on Storm Saul during an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012.

A winner is named an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012.

Jonathan Vines, right, and Beau Brown face off during an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012.

Jon Ward, left, and Storm Saul raise their hands after an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012.

Tomohiko Yamasaki, left, lands a punch on opponent Blake White during an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012.

Jon Ward, left, dodges a punch from Storm Saul during an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012.

Tomohiko Yamasaki, left, takes a punch from opponent Blake White during an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012.

Jonathan Vines, right, and Beau Brown embrace after an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012.

Jon Ward, right, lands a punch on Storm Saul during an amateur boxing match at the Bulldawg Brawl benefitting UGA HEREOs at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012.

Jan 30, 2012 | Categories: Blog, Sports | Tags: , , , | Leave A Comment »

Portraits for Sara

A few weeks ago I learned an old photo buddy, Sara Guevara, was recently diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Luckily, it is treatable but go figure, very expensive. Looking to help out, several other photo buddies & myself are offering 15-30 portrait sessions for $50 with all proceeds going to Sara. If you would be interested in this awesome deal that both gives you some badass pictures very quickly and helps out an awesome person email portraitsforsara@gmail.com . Or if you’d like to simply make a donation, you can send one through paypal to sara.a.guevara@gmail.com

Today I had my first portraits for Sara session with client Ryan & family, an awesome and easy bunch to work with. It was fun times on the ol’ UGA North Campus. Here’s a few of my favorites.

Jan 28, 2012 | Categories: Blog, Everything Else | Leave A Comment »

MLK Day of Service

Some people across the country do a pretty cool thing on MLK day instead of sitting around in sweat pants watching the Price is Right and actually give back to the community.  For the past three years, I’ve had the pleasure to document this.

This year in Athens there were over 40 different volunteer opportunities, most of which had a good number of participants.  Activities ranged from urban beautification to fixing bikes for a local non-profit.  I tried to bounce around and show the large numbers of people and the variety of ways they gave back.

Muaz Ibrahim, left, and David Rose repair a bike together at Bike Athens during the annual MLK Jr. Day of Service in Athens, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012.

 

Henry Siebentritt, from left, Patrick Humphreys, Laura Ramirez-Phillips and Amanda Ramirez-Phillips plant flowers with the school's colors in front of Clarke Central High School during the annual MLK Jr. Day of Service in Athens, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012.

 

 

A group of volunteers clean up the yard around the Athens Children First office during the annual MLK Jr. Day of Service in Athens, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012.

 

David Rose works on a bike at Bike Athens during the annual MLK Jr. Day of Service in Athens, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012.

 

India Bolds cleans toys at Children First during the annual MLK Jr. Day of Service in Athens, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012.

 

A group of volunteers assemble and recycle bike parts for Bike Athens during the annual MLK Jr. Day of Service in Athens, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012.

 

 

Jan 21, 2012 | Categories: Blog, Editorial, News | Tags: , , , | Leave A Comment »

Best of Basketball…so far

I’ve shot a good bit of basketball lately so I figured I’d do a best of so far in the season.  I’ve only done one high school game and a handful of UGA (both men & women’s).  I’ve been dealing with some lighting issues at Coliseum I regularly work at but I’m starting to figure it out.  They installed a new set of corner lights that do at a 1/2 of light, but they also make there way into any frame shot from most angles.  There are a few sweet spots where you can avoid them but it’s tricky to say the least.

Richard Hamm/Staff Cedar Shoals' Quinnesha Turner (1) shoots a layup as Rockdale County's Kree Clark (24) attempts to block as Cedar Shoals takes on Rockdale County on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012 at Cedar Shoals High School in Ahtens, Ga.

 

TCU Horned Frogs center Latricia Lovings (21) attempts to block Georgia Lady Bulldogs guard Jasmine James (10) as she goes for a layup as the Georgia Lady Bulldogs take on the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at Stegeman Coliseum on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

 

Georgia Lady Bulldogs forward Tamika Willis (23) makes a layup as the Georgia Lady Bulldogs take on the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at Stegeman Coliseum on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

 

Georgia Lady Bulldogs guard Meredith Mitchell (11) and Georgia Lady Bulldogs forward Jasmine Hassell (12) compete with TCU Horned Frogs guard Jazz Parker (25) and TCU Horned Frogs center Ashley Colbert (44) as the Georgia Lady Bulldogs defeat the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs 83-60 at Stegeman Coliseum on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

 

Georgia forward Marcus Thornton (2) and Georgia forward Donte Williams (15) crash into South Dakota State forward Tony Fiegen (34) and South Dakota State guard Chad White (25) as they all go up for a rebound as Georgia takes on South Dakota State at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga, on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011.

 

South Dakota State Head Coach Scott Nagy yells from the bench as Georgia takes on South Dakota State at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga, on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011.

 

Georgia Tech guard/forward Glen Rice Jr. (41) grabs his face after being fouled by Georgia forward Donte Williams (15) as Georgia takes on Georgia Tech in a NCAA college basketball game at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011.

 

Georgia Tech forward Julian Royal (1) falls on a loose ball as Georgia forward Marcus Thornton (2) attempts gain possession as Georgia takes on Georgia Tech in a NCAA college basketball game at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011.

 

Georgia guard Gerald Robinson (22) goes for a layup as Georgia takes on Georgia Tech in a NCAA college basketball game at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011.

 

Wofford Terriers forward Drew Crowell (21) comes down with a rebound despite the defensive efforts of Georgia Bulldogs forward Donte Williams (15) as Georgia takes on Wofford at Stegeman Coliseum on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

 

 

Jan 19, 2012 | Categories: Blog, Sports | Leave A Comment »

Mr. Hamm goes to the Capitol

Monday I had to brave the gauntlet of Atlanta traffic for my first trip to the Georgia Capitol to cover the first day of the 2012 Georgia legislative season.  I’d never been under the gold dome before nor had much experience of covering the thrills of southern politickin but it was pretty fun.

There were a few ceremonial votes, some tributes Georgia football and late great game calling legend Larry Munson and not much else.  It was the first day and all.

A plane flies above the gold dome of the Georgia State Capitol on the first day of the 2012 Georgia legislative session in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

 

Speaker of the House David Ralston makes opening remarks during the first day of the 2012 Georgia legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

 

Rep. Tommy Benton, R-Jefferson, talks with a fellow representative during the first day of the 2012 Georgia legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

 

Rep. Mickey Channell, R-Greensboro, checks a vote board during the first day of the 2012 Georgia legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

 

A Georgia state representative cast a vote during the first day of the 2012 Georgia legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

 

Rep. Tommy Benton, R-Jefferson, laughs after a joke is told on the floor during the first day of the 2012 Georgia legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

 

Rep. Tyrone Brooks, D-Atlanta, walks to his seat during the first day of the 2012 Georgia legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

 

Rep. Doug McKillip, R-Athens, left, talks with Rep. Lee Anderson, R-Grovetown, during the first day of the 2012 Georgia legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

 

Members of the Georgia Legislature move about the floor during the first day of the 2012 Georgia legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

 

A group of men talk in the hallways on the first day of the 2012 Georgia legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

 

Rep. Jay Neal, R-Layfayette, speaks during an anti-drug pro-treatment rally during the first day of the 2012 Georgia legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

 

 

Jan 12, 2012 | Categories: Blog, Editorial, News, Politicts | Tags: , , | Leave A Comment »