Memorial Day 2012: Civil War Reenactment | Camp Floyd

Honey Bischoff, left, and Toni Scott, right, share a laugh while enjoying a cup of tea under the shade of a tree at a Civil War Memorial Day event Monday, May 28, 2012, at Camp Floyd in Fairfield, Utah. The family-oriented affair included classic battle reenactments, canvas encampments to reside in, firearm and cannon demonstrations, troop marches and photoshoots in period uniform.

Carter Lovinggood, center right, hugs his nephew, Weston Fletcher, in blue, while helping other children get suited up for a marching demonstration at a Civil War Memorial Day event Monday, May 28, 2012, at Camp Floyd in Fairfield, Utah. The family-oriented affair included classic battle reenactments, canvas encampments to reside in, firearm and cannon demonstrations and photoshoots in period uniform. Lovinggood found the opening for a position at the event while surfing the internet for Civil War reenactments in Utah.

Tracy Mutter, right, of Magna, Utah, strings up mock laundry to dry at a Civil War Memorial Day event Monday, May 28, 2012, at Camp Floyd in Fairfield, Utah. The family-oriented affair included classic battle reenactments, canvas encampments to reside in, firearm and cannon demonstrations, troop marches and photoshoots in period uniform.

Graduation Season | Provo High School

It's that time of year again when young people (and some old people) don their funny pointed hats and receive a piece of paper in return for the countless hours of money and time they have spent gettin' ed-ju-ma-caded. In turn, photographers struggle to make something interesting out of a usually mundane and repetitive event. Sound familiar...? For what it's worth, Provo High School had the best graduation I photographed this spring season. Fun colors, lots of laughs and a group of girls burning some time with a game of Patty-cake before their big moment in the spotlight. Enjoy!

Hilary Finlayson, center, cracks up while playing a game with a group of her senior friends from Provo High School before their graduation night ceremony Thursday, May 24, 2012, at the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Provo High had a graduating class of nearly 400 students in attendance.

Provo High School senior Madison Hall, left, straightens her cap under the careful observation of her friend on their graduation night Thursday, May 24, 2012, at the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

BYU wins national rugby championship

Approaching something from another angle - both figuratively and literally - can result in the worse decision you have ever made as a photographer or be one of the most rewarding moments on assignment. That being said, taking unnecessary risk at BYU's national championship rugby game adds further insult to injury when it comes to trying for something outside of the box. Luckily, it paid off. When the clock hit zero after BYU had pulled ahead, I darted out onto the field with a legion of other photographers. The team swarmed each other (like teams always do when they win stuff), and I heard the shutters start to go off. Rather than sticking around on the BYU fan side of the pigpile, I quickly navigated around to the other side. Lo and behold, the senior player, captain and game MVP had collapsed onto his back in a mixture of exhaustion and happiness. As far as I know, I was the only shooter who got such a picture, and it ran five columns wide on A1 the next day. Sometimes taking a risk for a different picture can pay off. Enjoy.

BYU's Mikey Su'a collapses onto the field while being swarmed by his teammates after winning the national rugby title against Arkansas State 49-42 on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. A crowd of media and sidelined teammates rushed the field at the sound of the final whistle as BYU field players hoisted the winning plaque skyward. As a medal was later draped around Su'a's neck, the faint glimmer of tears shone in his eyes.

BYU players rejoice with their trophy after winning the national rugby title against Arkansas State 49-42 on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

BYU players do The Haka war dance after winning the national rugby title against Arkansas State 49-42 on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

Pasifika Festival

Tweet Aspinall, center left, and other dancers from Orem's Aloha Dance School put the last minute touches on their outfits before a performance at the second annual Pasifika Festival Friday, May 18, 2012, at Provo High School in Provo, Utah. Clusters of families and friends dotted the grass of the school's football field to enjoy food, music and dance acts native to the Pacific Islands.

Dancers from Orem's Aloha Dance School perform a dance routine at the second annual Pasifika Festival Friday, May 18, 2012, at Provo High School in Provo, Utah. Clusters of families and friends dotted the grass of the school's football field to enjoy food, music and dance acts native to the Pacific Islands.

Girls from Orem's Aloha Dance School peek through the cracks at the rear of the stage to catch a glimpse at a live band at the second annual Pasifika Festival Friday, May 18, 2012, at Provo High School in Provo, Utah.

When shooting softball has got you down...

 ...Suddenly something epic happens. I'm not super pumped on the composition or focal point of the picture, but I felt like it warranted a post. It's rare to see such a valiant attempt by a player that lines up nicely with another teammate and opponent in the same frame.

Westlake's Lindsey Boelter, center, tosses her sliding catch to teammate Kasey Adams, right, to secure second base during a tournament game against Cyprus High School on Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Westlake High School in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Westlake High won the game 10-2 against Cyprus High School.

Region 8 Track & Field

To be honest, I'm not too sure why I'm posting these - I think I just had a good time at this meet.  Usually, track meets feel haphazard and thrown together to me; so much stuff going on at all times (in addition to the fear of being skewered by an errant javelin). Amazing athletes, good light and the lingering ache of a sunburn... Enjoy.

People vs. Gravity | Soccer in Orem, Utah

This turned out to be one of those games where every athlete is playing super aggressive. Flips, headbanging, flailing limbs, shoving... all the good stuff. While I'm not crazy about blogging sports images unless they are out of the ordinary moments, I figured I would throw a couple up from this particularly violent afternoon. Enjoy!

Prepping for the Pow Wow | Camp Jeremiah Johnson

Andrew Reese, 20, of Salt Lake City, listens to his iPod in an effort to memorize a song he was intending to sing during an annual Native American Pow Wow on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at Camp Jeremiah Johnson in Hobble Creek Canyon, Utah. The event - meant to enhance awareness for Native American culture and raise funds for scholarships - was complete with traditional dress, food, dance and music.

BYU Baseball + Utah light

Pitcher pictures are a dime a dozen, but I couldn't help myself. The late evening light at this time of year in Utah is godly. The 300mm was being used by editor on this particular evening, so I shot the game with a 400mm, which I've never done with baseball. The result was a much more expression-based game - either by way of pitchers, runners or base players. Enjoy the golden goodness.

San Diego pitcher Paul Sewald burns one down the middle during a game against BYU on Friday, May 4, 2012, at Miller Field at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

The "Chief" | Portrait

It is confirmed: cops are not allowed to smile in pictures. At least that's what Pleasant Grove's newly-elected police chief told me. For working with five minutes and a black tackboard as a background, I came away happy with the cleanliness of this image. Enjoy!

Police Chief Michael Smith photographed on Thursday, May 3, 2012, at the Pleasant Grove Police Department in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Smith was recently promoted from his previous rank as captain.

Springville Artists | Portrait

Springville resident and artist Jordan Brun photographed on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at the Springville Art Museum in Springville, Utah. The museum plans to hold a unique auction of 20 pieces of art donated by Utah-local artists to raise funds to purchase new art to expand the collection.