Celebrate Reading | Pleasant Grove, Utah

David Boren, principal at Scera Park Elementary, right, gives an animated read-through of "Bubba the Cowboy Prince" to a group of children during the second annual Celebrate Reading program Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at the Pleasant Grove Library in Pleasant Grove, Utah. The program was created and put on by the Alpine School District.

John Patten, a volunteer of the Alpine School District, laughs at another costumed reader during the second annual Celebrate Reading program Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at the Pleasant Grove Library in Pleasant Grove, 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.

Blood Battle | Communities race to donate the most blood

While they aren't the most dynamic images from the more-visual-than-usual blood drive, they were my personal favorite. No matter how you butter it up, the bottom line is that a blood drive means that someone in a white coat is going to suck blood out of your arm with a fat needle - no hiding that fact. After making a couple paper-friendly frames for print, the pictures below lean toward illustrating the uncomfortable, clinic-like atmosphere of what was an undeniably good-natured cause. Enjoy.

Brenda Dobry, left, relaxes while donating blood during the Blood Battle blood drive Tuesday, April 10, 2012, in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Communities all over the county competed to see who could acquire the most blood over a day's time.

Empty blood bags and vials littered tabletops around the makeshift donating station at the Blood Battle blood drive Tuesday, April 10, 2012, in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Communities all over the county competed to see who could acquire the most blood over a day's time.