April 2014 | In Pictures

Originally from Taiwan, Buddhist nuns Sister Tám Ván, right, and Sister Dien Hoa, left, navigate their way through rows of colorful bulbs during the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Friday, April 11, 2014, between Mount Vernon and La Conner, Wash. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people come to the Skagit Valley in the spring to enjoy acres upon acres of nature's blossoming beauties. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Following nearly two decades of restoration, Barry Horner, right, joins volunteers and other Museum of Flight employees to help move a WWII-era FM-2 Wildcat fighter plane into its new permanent home Thursday, April 3, 2014, at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. Built under contract by General Motors for the U.S. Navy, the plane was delivered on December 27, 1944, serving aboard the escort carrier U.S.S. Petrof Bay during WWII. The Wildcat flew anti kamikaze patrols in the Pacific, and participated in the invasion of Okinawa near the end of the war. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

With his curled beard, Dale Boudreau, of Bellingham, Wash., poses for a portrait at the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Friday, April 11, 2014, between Mount Vernon and La Conner, Wash. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Julian. Seattle, Wash.

As part of the city's "4/20" celebrations, Snoop Dogg exhales lungfuls of blunt smoke on stage during “Snoop's Wellness Retreat” tour Saturday, April 19, 2014, at WaMu Theater in Seattle, Wash. Rapper Wiz Khalifa co-headlined the tour. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Views of the restored King Street Station photographed Thursday, April 17, 2014, in downtown Seattle, Wash. The station's retooled waiting area was originally unveiled to the public on April 24, 2013. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Master of ceremonies Yoshiomi Matsumoto poses for a portrait backstage during the annual Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival Friday, April 25, 2014, spread across the Seattle Center in Seattle, Wash. The festival was founded 39 years ago in appreciation of 1,000 cherry trees gifted to Seattle by Prime Minister Takeo Miki on behalf of the Japanese government in commemoration of the nation’s bicentennial. Events continue through Sunday. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Portland resident Kim Hoffman scrawls the quote, "who needs action when you have words?" in memory of Nirvana's lead singer, Kurt Cobain, on a bench near the home where he died on the 20th anniversary of his death Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Viretta Park in Seattle. On April 10, Nirvana will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Stripes of color of the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival from above Friday, April 11, 2014, between Mount Vernon and La Conner, Wash. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people come to the Skagit Valley in the spring to enjoy acres upon acres of nature's blossoming beauties. Aerial access courtesy of HeliTours Seattle and Classic Helicopters. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Lucky women who made the cut for semi finals at an open audition for the Sea Gals squad rehearse the dance for the second round Saturday, April 26, 2014, at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Tryouts are comprised of four competition rounds, with the final squad selections to be made May 4. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

People of all bed sizes took to friendly, feather-soft warfare at the annual International Pillow Fight Day event Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Westlake Park in Seattle. This year's fight was themed superheroes versus villains. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Liza Ogwel, 31, took to the sunny space outside to warm up with music before an open audition for the Sea Gals squad in preparation for the upcoming Seahawks' season Saturday, April 26, 2014, at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Tryouts are comprised of four competition rounds, with the final squad selections to be made May 4. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Stripes of color of the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival from above Friday, April 11, 2014, between Mount Vernon and La Conner, Wash. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people come to the Skagit Valley in the spring to enjoy acres upon acres of nature's blossoming beauties. Aerial access courtesy of HeliTours Seattle and Classic Helicopters. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

A multi-colored bulb opens to sunlight during the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Friday, April 11, 2014, between Mount Vernon and La Conner, Wash. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people come to the Skagit Valley in the spring to enjoy acres upon acres of nature's blossoming beauties. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Colorfully-dressed performers of the Otokichi story play prepare for the stage in their dressing rooms during the annual Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival Friday, April 25, 2014, spread across the Seattle Center in Seattle, Wash. The festival was founded 39 years ago in appreciation of 1,000 cherry trees gifted to Seattle by Prime Minister Takeo Miki on behalf of the Japanese government in commemoration of the nation’s bicentennial. Events continue through Sunday. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Natalie. Ballard, Wash.

A lone, airborne split pillow stands out against an overcast sky during the annual International Pillow Fight Day event Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Westlake Park in Seattle. This year's fight was themed superheroes versus villains. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Participants complete their races at the fifth annual Seahawks 12K Run Sunday, April 13, 2014, in Renton, Wash. The event featured three races: a 12 kilometer, five kilometer and children's run. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Four Asian small-clawed otter pups, born in January, join their family to play, tumble and tussle at their public debut Thursday, April 24, 2014, at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

The boys, and Chelsea. Seattle, Wash.

In celebration of “4/20 Eve,” guests take dab hits at the third annual DOPE Cup, which featured a host live music, table games and performers Saturday, April 19, 2014, at Magical Butter Studios in Seattle, Wash. Cannabis strains from across Washington were judged for awards in multiple categories. The winners will be featured on the May cover of DOPE Magazine. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

An large, inflatable version of the Vince Lombardi Trophy stands at the finish line of the fifth annual Seahawks 12K Run Sunday, April 13, 2014, in Renton, Wash. The event featured three races: a 12 kilometer, five kilometer and children's run. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Several hundred yards from the home where Nirvana's Kurt Cobain killed himself in 1994, background, fans of the late lead singer such as Beau Allen, 27, right, and his mother, Bobbi Binder, center right, visited a bench loaded with offerings of flowers, unopened beers and handwritten notes on the 20th anniversary of Cobain's death Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Viretta Park in Seattle. Allen also visited the site on the tenth anniversary of the singer's death, and has been a fan of Nirvana since age six.  On April 10, 2014, Nirvana will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Four Asian small-clawed otter pups, born in January, join their family to play, tumble and tussle at their public debut Thursday, April 24, 2014, at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Feathers explode out of a split pillow, mid-swing at the annual International Pillow Fight Day event Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Westlake Park in Seattle. This year's fight was themed superheroes versus villains. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Nearly 300 young women await the beginning of an open audition for the chance at making the Sea Gals squad in preparation for the upcoming Seahawks' season Saturday, April 26, 2014, at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Tryouts are comprised of four competition rounds, with the final squad selections to be made May 4. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Mark. Queen Anne, Wash.

BYU Men's Basketball vs. Portland | Final season game

It was a shame to shoot my last men's Brigham Young University basketball game a week or two back. The senior night, the tears and the energy on the court brought back my last days of photographing basketball at my own Western Washington University last June. The pictures below are more of the same - but "the same" is one hell of a pleasure to photograph. Enjoy!

Brigham Young University's Brock Zylstra, top, goes up for a layup while crashing into Portland's Tim Douglas, bottom, during a game Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Brigham Young won the game 76-66.

Brigham Young University's Brandon Davies, center, calls for a timeout as Portland defenders scramble for the ball during the second half of a game Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. BYU won the game 76-66.

BYU's Brandon Davies, center, hypes up his team in a huddle before a game against the Portland Pilots Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

BYU's Charles Abouo, right, watches as Portland's Nemanja Mitrovic, left, lays up the ball after a rebound during a game Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. BYU won the game 76-66.

Suzanne Kimball portrait | Principal of the Year

Had the pleasure of meeting this nice lady the other day. As I attempted to shoot a portrait of her (in light of her recent award), students and faculty from Mapleton Jr. High could not stop running up to greet her with hugs and hellos. Can't say any of my former principals got love like that. Enjoy!

Technical info: Canon 5D Mark II, 85mm, (1) bare AlienBee AB800 back left and (1) bare AlienBee AB800 camera right.

Former Mapleton Junior High Principal, Suzanne Kimball, photographed Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at Mapleton Junior High School in Mapleton, Utah. Kimball was a recent recipient of the Utah Middle School Principal of the Year award by the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals.

Coyote's | Food Review

I can't say I complain when a food review assignment shows up in the budget. Coyote's, a Mexican restaurant in Orem, Utah, was my second savory subject for the the Daily Herald's "The Ticket" section.

Technical data: Canon 5D Mark II (tripod; 2 sec. timer), 135L, 580EX Speedlite from back at 105mm, 580EXII Speedlite from above at 70mm. Since the restaurant wasn't the most picturesque on the inside, a simple, clean booth sufficed for a background.


Can you almost smell it?

Waiting for Wings

As an intern, I wish I would have heard about this sooner - I would have attended instead of shooting it.  Just kidding.  Sorta.

Two sets of brothers, Jayce Ross, top left, Micah Ross, top right, Mason Ross, lower right, and Jesse Brown, bottom center, and Hans Brown, lower left, enjoy the comforts of their home away from home - a TV, Xbox and fast food for breakfast - while waiting for the grand opening of Wild Buffalo Wings Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, in Lehi. The restaurant promised free wings for one year to the first 100 customers through the door. The boys had been holding their spot since Friday. The parking lot, full of other young hopefuls awaiting Monday's bumrush, was dotted with tents, trash and makeshift firepits.

First Day | Daily Herald

I think it is only right to post some frames from the first day of every internship, whether they are good or bad.  The images made the first day are personal benchmark; a sort of starting place that should serve as a constant reminder of what was as time rushes onward.  On my final day at the Herald, I will look back at this post - and hopefully laugh.

Fitness fair.  Weather features.  BYU basketball.  Fun first day.  Enjoy a chuckle at my expense.

 Cycling and kickboxing instructor, Sarah Fossum, right, leans away from the bare foot of Emily Peay, center, a dance and cardio party instructor, during a yoga demonstration for onlookers during the Health & Fitness Fair Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at the Pleasant Grove Community Center. Fossum and Peay, along with the other women in the demonstration, all work as instructors at the community center. The event offered informational stations boasting new health programs and products for attendees.

Bryan Niven, center right, works with his father, Jeff Niven, right, to roll the base of their third snowman Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at Rock Canyon. Bryan, his wife and his two children enjoyed the light dusting of snow with his parents, both of whom recently relocated to Utah from Southern California.

Brothers Skyler Crawford, left, and Spencer Crawford, right, chase after their friend, Ethan Gaylord, with intent to pelt him with snowballs Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Pleasant Grove. Before the battle, the trio enjoyed sledding down the hill outside of the Pleasant Grove Community Center. "We're bummed about the little snow so far," Skyler said, "but we're taking advantage of what we have."

San Francisco's Perris Blackwell (22) pushes through a pack of BYU defense at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012.

"There With Me" essay runs in The Skagit Valley Herald

This past summer, I was lucky enough to work for The Skagit Valley Herald as their photo intern.  In my free time between daily assignments and on weekends, I pursued a personal project on Latino gang culture.  The final essay, entitled "There With Me," just ran today in the Sunday edition.  The final product, I believe, serves a purpose in understanding the struggles of an individual trapped within a dangerous - yet "supportive" - lifestyle while fighting to escape for the greater good.

Raised in Juarez, Mexico, Ramon Luna came to the United States following the random murder of his brother. Blinded by rage and disconnected from his cultural roots, Luna turned to gang life in Skagit County, Washington state. After gaining a reputation on the street as a notorious fighter, Luna was accused of rape, burglary and kidnapping by a young woman who recognized him from a local party. In jail and awaiting the jury's verdict, Ramon was met by street minister Chris Hoke, a man Ramon had previously mocked. Through Chris's words and an out-of-the-blue admission by the accusing woman that she had lied, Ramon was set free by what he believes was forgiveness and the grace of a newfound God. Luna continues to live in Skagit County, this time with Chris Hoke at a new age ministry called Tierra Nueva, or "new ground." He has abandoned the gang lifestyle, despite the involvement of his current friends and family members. Ramon recently began to use his life experiences as leverage to reason others out of the gang life. 

Thanks to all my people at the SVH for bearing with me and this story on its path to publishing.  I appreciate it.  The essay in full resolution is available for viewing on www.jordanbstead.com.

Welcome | Goodbye?...

As time surges forward, change is needed.  After showcasing my work as a blog on Flickr for many years, it is officially time for a change in the way my images are viewed.  Bigger is always better.  So: hello, Blogger.

If you wish to meander through old work, please visit: The Ol' Flickrstream.

Thank you for making your way here.  The internet is a big, scary place.  Stay a while and enjoy the view.

• Jordan Stead /// https://www.jordanstead.com/