Franklin High School graduation | Seattle, Wash.

With diplomas in hand, students tearfully embrace friends and faculty following Franklin High School's graduation ceremony Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Boys cluster together and chat before Franklin High School's graduation ceremony Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Students straighten caps and drape tassels just so before Franklin High School's graduation ceremony Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

As afternoon faded into evening, family and friends packed the stands of Memorial Stadium to watch hundreds of Franklin High School students graduate Thursday, June 13, 2013, in Seattle. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Students take turns accepting awards and scholarships during Franklin High School's graduation ceremony Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Students line up on the sides of the stage to acquire their diplomas at Franklin High School's graduation ceremony Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Students take turns accepting awards and scholarships during Franklin High School's graduation ceremony Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)Students line up on the sides of the stage to acquire their diplomas at Franklin High School's graduation ceremony Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Speakers take turns at the podium during Franklin High School's graduation ceremony Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Keynote speaker Dr. Michael Eric Dyson awaits for his turn to speak to a mass of students and their families during Franklin High School's graduation ceremony Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

A group of students break out in a dance routine from their spot on stage during Franklin High School's graduation ceremony Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

As afternoon faded into evening, family and friends packed the stands of Memorial Stadium to watch hundreds of Franklin High School students graduate Thursday, June 13, 2013, in Seattle. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

High School Football Championships for The Associated Press

Ben Ohashi (8) and Tucker Ibabao (44), of Montesano High School, celebrate their 43-28 victory over Royal High School following the W.I.A.A. 1A state high school football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash.  (AP Photo/Jordan Stead)

Montesano High School players react to their 43-28 victory over Royal High School following the W.I.A.A. 1A state high school football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash.  (AP Photo/Jordan Stead)

As Montesano High School's Tucker Ibabao (44) looks on, Royal High School's Alex Myrick (11) misses a catch during the second quarter of the W.I.A.A. 1A state high school football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash. Montesano High School won 43-28 against Royal High School. (AP Photo/Jordan Stead)

Lynden High School's Caleb Newman (77) and teammates embrace and kiss their trophy following their 41-7 victory over Tumwater High School at the W.I.A.A. 2A state high school football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash. (AP Photo/Jordan Stead)

Crying tears of joy, Lynden High School's Jose Martinez (51) holds onto teammate Marcus Fakkema (52) following their 41-7 victory over Tumwater High School at the W.I.A.A. 2A state high school football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash. (AP Photo/Jordan Stead)

Lynden High School's Zach Vis (11) claps while Tumwater High School's Christian Cummings (30) holds out his arms in confusion following a defensive pass interference call during the first half of the W.I.A.A. 2A state high school football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash. Lynden High School won with a final score of 41-7. (AP Photo/Jordan Stead)

Lynden High School's Zach Vis (11) reacts to scoring a touchdown after weaving past Tumwater High School defense during the first half of the W.I.A.A. 2A state high school football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash. (AP Photo/Jordan Stead)

Spring baseball continues...

A little bit of golden hour never hurts when out shooting a baseball game on a gorgeous April evening in Utah. I love the pace of the sport; molasses-slow for ninety percent of it, but a blazing ten percent to keep it interesting.
NOTE: If you say you "kinda like" shooting a sport to your editor, you will be assigned every game. Luckily, I honestly do have a great time out on the field in my supercool kneepads. Enjoy!

Donkey Basketball

Thought this was a joke when I saw it on the photo budget at the Daily Herald. Nope. Quite literal. Kids playing basketball while mounted on asses. This is what I consider to be a "photographic win."

The most interesting part about this - aside from kids falling headfirst from donkeys that were crapping all over the gym floor - was how challenging it was to photograph. Donkeys, as you may know, do exactly what they want - and nothing else. They stop. They start. They charge you. Which, I may add, is especially terrifying when you're looking at them through a telephoto. Oh, and they do one more thing that I previously mentioned: they crap. A lot. Enjoy the burros!

Shawn Black, left, takes a spill off of his aimlessly wandering animal during a game of donkey basketball Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah. The school's agriculture club used the event as a fundraiser, bringing Donkey Sports, Inc. all the way from Washington state.

Corbin Redd, center, laughs with his brother, Hayden Redd, left, as Colton Baum, right, adjusts his helmet prior to a student and faculty donkey basketball tournament Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Colton Baum, center, reacts to being tossed from his furry ride during a donkey basketball tournament Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Aaron Shirley, right, owner of Donkey Sports, Inc., briefs contestants on the rules of donkey basketball prior to a school tournament Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah. The school's agriculture club used the event as a fundraiser, bringing Donkey Sports, Inc. all the way from Washington state.

Baseball season arrives

And with lovely Utah light. While some hate the slower pace of baseball, it has to be the runner up to basketball as my favorite sport to photograph. Not much to say here except: expect more of this in the near future. Enjoy!

Miss Teen Extraordinaire

I tend to have hard time shooting staged events straight on, simply just to photograph the acts. Of course, this is an important element of every stage-oriented assignment, so shoot your safety image first and move on. Backstage is always a place rich with quiet emotion and moments that only a "fly-on-the-wall" has the pleasure of experiencing. Enjoy, and make sure you read the caption - there is more than meets the eye on this one.

Backstage, girls anxiously awaited their moment in the spotlight during the Miss Teen Extraordinaire pageant for special needs youth Monday, February 27, 2012, at Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah. Hundreds of family members and friends cheered from the darkness just beyond the reach of the stage lights as the girls danced, sang, read stories and acted out routines.