Home plate

CMU's Amanda Patrick jumps on Brittini Merchant in excitement as she crosses home plate tying the game Sunday against Ball State. CMU won 9-5.

Wheatland 2010

Blenda Chmielewski of Warren, left and Bev Lipmyer of Ann Arbor, right, dance Sunday with Gus Limbo, 72, of Barryton who has been attending Wheatland for 37 years.

Music, hippies and camping. Wheatland had me at sight and sound. I've told all kinds of stories about Wheatland, but nothing can describe the experience.

Had I not been so busy and tired from the KISS concert the night before I would have stayed longer and made more pictures. There are so many stories and different kinds of people.

In short Wheatland is something I would love to attend next year, whether it's camping with friends, or documenting for the paper.

Rosebush Elementary Closing

I thought I published these, but I found it in my draft box with no body copy which I spent at least an hour on a few weeks ago. So here we go again.

As I walked into the small elementary school in Rosebush, Mich., just north of Mount Pleasant, I could feel the tension.

Some wanted me there and greeted me with punch and cookies. A woman approached me and asked why the paper wasn't around when the school was fighting its battle to stay open.

What do I say? I'm just a freelance photographer and in one way I feel for them. They are losing 60 years of history. It's the type of school where Mrs. Teacher taught your older brother, your mom and she plays euchre on the weekends with your grandmother who attended the school when it first opened.

Despite some of the families having to break six generations of tradition the other part of me feels this is the right thing to do.

Economically the school district is in a bind like many others in the country. Being in Michigan with the current economy only makes the situation worse. Everyday a newspaper in a local town some where is writing about X-school closing, or Y-cutting Z-jobs. Everything and everyone seems to be cutting and consolidating.

Looking at this situation I think to myself, it could be worse.

Not everyone sees it this way and I understand the pain. But by closing the school only two jobs will be cut in the school district. All of the Rosebush's teachers have been relocated with in the district. The two jobs were going to be cut regardless according the superintendent. More jobs were at risk if the school stayed open.

Again not everyone sees it this though.

I stood in the library analyzing what to say. She was awkwardly waiting for me to replay.

What do I say?

I can see the pain in her eyes, she doesn't have to say a word. I know exactly what she's thinking.

She's angry and drawing impatient.

I swallow hard and utter "I'm sorry."

The hardest part of being a journalist is holding your tongue when you clearly see the right and the wrong.

Austin and Traci

Dan Stewart and myself traveled to Bronson, Mich. for the wedding of Austin and Traci. June 25 was also special day because it was my 25th birthday and my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. My birthday was somewhat overshaddowed, but after 24 others I'm alright with it.

Austin and Traci held their wedding at Traci's family farm just a few miles away from the Indiana border and the reception was held in the backyard of their home near the lake. Austin is a chef and prepared all of the food himself. Four Amish woman helped to finalize the cooking and serve the food. But Austin never fully let them have the duties. Shortly after saying, "I do," Austin was cutting warm meat off the grill to be served to guests.

I wish the best of luck to Austin and Traci as they embark on a journey to learn about organic farming in Puerto Rico.

Oldies: Track and Field

I've been organizing photos on my hard drive and I came across a bunch of stuff I never shared. So the next couple of days will be filled with posts from previous work shot earlier in the year.

These photos are from a feature about the Central Michigan University track and field team. Coach Willie Randolph gave me free access to shoot what ever, where ever, and who ever I wanted. I met coach Randolph last summer when I photographed a portrait of him for a feature story. He is a charismatic guy, but he demands excellence in everything; he's someone you just have to meet. Either way I really built a rapport with Willie and full access which allowed me the freedom to just shoot.

Senior thrower Greg Pilling was and All-American last year and is the best athlete I have ever worked with. He had more questions about what I did as photographer than I had about throwing. At one point I was questioning who the journalist was, but his kindness put me at easy and allowed me to create a beautiful image.

Graduation

College came and went. While I'm sad it is ending I'm optimistic for the future. Student loans are the only black cloud over my parade. I still don't know what I want to be when I graduate, but I'm content.

Thanks you Ashley Miller for taking picture above of me and acting as our personal photographer during graduation for those of us on the CM Life staff.

CM Life Banquet: A final senior year

I'm excited to be graduating from CMU finally. Friday was our annual CM Life banquet at the wonderful Buck's Run in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

It was a good time with good people, including my amazing girlfriend Ashley, Timba, bottom left, and Eric, bottom right.

Thanks to all of the photo people who have helped me on the way. I really can't thank people like Alex Stawinski, Dan Stewart, Brett Marshall and the rest of the people I have worked with who impacted my work. I would not be who I am with out all of you.

Bringing God to the Fight

Mount Pleasant resident Jody Bass, owner of Faith Fighting, holds a picture from his adolescence. As a youth, Bass had many run-ins with the law and decided after facing jail time to turn his life over to Christ. He is now a father of three, attends seminary school and works at Staples while managing Faith Fighting. “Nobody is too far gone. Man, I can’t express that enough,” Bass said. “Even if at first it’s not about God, what’s wrong with bettering yourself?”


The past month or so I have been working to tell the story of Jody Bass. I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to tell Jody's story, but I'm also very thankful I met him.

Jody is from Mount Pleasant, Mich. He has a troubled past, but has since moved on. He's now an active member of Potter's House Church, a father of three wonderful children, and a husband. He also works full-time at Staples and owns Faith Fighting, a Mixed Martial Arts training facility.

Bass is someone who choose to do the right thing in life. He has grown from his past and has turned his anger into a passion. He truly cares about his community and seeks to make the world a better place. He is not a pushy Christian, rather he is embracing. He listens without judgment or persecution.

In many ways Bass has given me faith in the church. He is an example of what we should all strive be. A genuine, selfless person, who seeks to help others.

Thanks to everyone who helped me in some facet of this story. I'm so thankful to the Bass family for accepting me, a total stranger, into their lives and allowing me to document it.

Some people travel to third world countries to document life. Some want to be photojournalist to expose all of the hatred and negativity in the world. For me, I'm content with covering everyday life. I think their is a lot of beauty in being normal.

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An update not for school!

CMU's soccer team is amazing a record breaking season.

Friday it was pouring rain and IS0 1250 was barely cutting it. But here's what was salvaged.

Lately I have had the hunger and it's a big part of why I won't be an editor again next semester, even though I know I will miss it. I will for sure miss the design aspect and just seeing friends in the office.

I need a break from the office and I want to get back to the daily grind.