It is a beautiful thing.

Yesterday, I saw first-hand evidence of why we, photojournalists, do what we do. It was a beautiful and moving moment that echoed a beautiful and moving moment.

I want to share it here, even though it isn't really my moment to share.

My good friend and colleague, Greg Kahn, handed me his iPhone while we were sitting in the office. He received a message from a woman whose son was killed in action during the war. On January 28th, he posted a photo from the funeral to his blog and the soldier's mother found it and commented on the photo. Today, he received another message, from the soldier's wife.

Please go read them here:

http://gregkahn.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-heart-broke-today.html

I'm writing this, and pointing you in this direction, because it touched my heart, and it touched his.

Funerals are so hard to photograph, as I know it was for Greg. I think they are difficult for most journalists. We worry that the people we are photographing will feel like we are just there to take... to show their pain to the world, rather than share in it. Even though, every funeral I've ever covered, I have shared the pain. I have cried, either during or after.

I told Greg, I live to work for days like he had yesterday. He was given a gift from the soldier's mother and wife. One that said they understand and appreciate that he handled their most horrible day with respect, giving them the space they needed to grieve with dignity, yet still capturing a moment that makes them want to remember.

Good job, Greg. Keep up the great work.

International Festival

Sometimes you just feel like your missing a piece of yourself. I'm lacking a certain amount of intimacy in my pictures lately....

President's Day Feature

"Go out to the beach this afternoon and look for a feature. Maybe there will be people doing stuff since the kids are off for President's Day."

Ok. Here you go.

I guess it wasn't cute enough. It didn't run in today's paper. But that's ok. I'm publishing it here.

Nessy

Tonight, there was a Loch Ness Monster sighting at the YMCA pool. I noticed it while I was shooting, but it was really funny back at the office to see how similar this swimmer actually looks to the famed Nessy. If you'd like a quick comparison, follow this link: Loch Ness

Irony

We got a call saying that Domestic Animal Services had picked up 25 roosters from a home that was suspected of fighting them. There was nothing too dramatic to photograph when I got to DAS. They were all just sitting in their cages. But, I thought it was ironic that they were all transported in the boxes that say "I love my pet" considering the circumstances and when next week, they will all be euthanized. I think I'm the only one in my office who thought this picture was funny. They ran a mug shot of one of the birds.

Basketball in a dungeon

I just LOVE shooting basketball in dimly lit gyms. God, it was dark in there. I should have lit it. But, I didn't, and this is the best I got tonight. The girl on the left was told by one of her coaches to stop crying and have some respect for herself after they lost the tournament. I thought that was a bit harsh.