Rainier National Park | Washington

Had the pleasure of a 24-hour camping trip with two of my favorite ladies - Seattle Times' photographers Erika Schultz and Bettina Hansen. We laughed, we cried, we danced.

... Not really.  We mainly just hiked, snacked on Cheese Nips and played cards over some whiskey lemonades late into the night.  Enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest on the cusp of fall.

The Eddie Adams Workshop XXV | The Final Edit

The Eddie Adams Workshop has long been one of the most coveted milestones in a photographer's career. Every year, thousands apply from all over the world, sending in a 20-image portfolio under the simple guideline that is both elusive and mysterious in nature: what is your personal vision? After months of deliberation by a group of the industry's top editors and photographers, only 100 lucky individuals (50 student, 50 professional) are granted access to the workshop's week-long experience in early October in upstate NewYork. Who judges?! How do they judge?! Why did _____ get in, but I didn't?! Questions such as these plague photographers that miss admission, just as I had after my first year's submission.

Yet, in 2012, with the help of The (Provo) Daily Herald's photo editor, Mark Johnston, I crafted an 18-image portfolio that later admitted me to the 25th anniversary of the workshop in the professional's bracket. We edited on images that immediately grabbed the viewer; no quiet moments or overly detailed images - just shock and awe at its most vivid. As I look back over the edit, it's almost less about the images now and more so about the ordering.  Many, many hours were spent to craft a flow that moved from picture to picture in a pleasing way, either by mood, color or subject body language. The thing that rings truest for me is the fact that these images spanned almost every photographic experience I have ever had. Multiple internships, long road trips and pivotal life moments all came out to play.  The result, shown below in three screenshots of six images each, is my attempt to shed some light on the mystery of being admitted to the workshop.  Please feel free to contact me about anything EAW-related - I would love to help as much as possible... even though it probably won't be much.  If you missed admission this year, make sure to apply next year! Upon my return from the workshop in mid-October, expect a reflection and work share from my time at Barnstorm. Enjoy! Oh, and... go Team Turquoise!

Seattle Sounders vs. Chivas USA

Sounders FC forward Eddie Johnson rejoices after his second and final game-winning goal of the day during a game against Chivas USA Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Sounders won the match 2-1.

Bumbershoot 2012 | Seattle, WA

One of my final assignments for The Seattle Times was one day's worth of coverage of Seattle's biggest arts and music festival, Bumbershoot. As a teen, I had attended many a Bumbershoot, packed into Memorial Stadium to watch a late-night headlining act. The act of photographing the event was a complete throwback for me, but super short. I arrived before noon and had a 5 PM deadline, clipping off my opportunity for coverage of the late acts. Regardless, the afternoon was a sweaty couple of hours of darting between stage shooting and feature hunting. Enjoy a couple of selects from a hurried event.

French electronic band M83 performs for thousands on the third and final day of the annual Bumbershoot arts and music festival Monday, Sept. 3, 2012, in the Key Arena in Seattle, Wash. Clear skies and sunny weather fared well for both attendees and artists alike.

Thousands of fans packed the Key Arena to watch French electronica band, M83, perform on the third and final day of the annual Bumbershoot arts and music festival Monday, Sept. 3, 2012, at the Seattle Center in Seattle, Wash.

M83 lead singer Anthony Gonzalez performs for thousands on the third and final day of the annual Bumbershoot arts and music festival Monday, Sept. 3, 2012, at the Seattle Center in Seattle, Wash. Clear skies and sunny weather fared well for both attendees and artists alike.

Artist Ben Vancitters' movements are mimicked by his digital art installation, "Cosmic Dust," on the third and final day of the annual Bumbershoot arts and music festival Monday, Sept. 3, 2012, at the Seattle Center in Seattle, Wash. His installation utilized an Xbox Kinect sensor to mirror viewers' movements.

Jordan Cook, lead singer of the local dirty blues band, Reignwolf, opens their hour-long set on the third and final day of the annual Bumbershoot arts and music festival Monday, Sept. 3, 2012, at the Seattle Center in Seattle, Wash. Clear skies and sunny weather fared well for both attendees and artists alike.

Learning the "Thriller" dance | Seattle Thrillers

Sheri Kinley, in pink, is surrounded by a group of dancers during a rehearsal of Michael Jackson's classic song "Thriller" Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, at the Artspace Hiawatha Lofts in Seattle, Wash. The group - like many across the globe - was practicing in anticipation of the Thrill the World performance on October 27.