Musical Healing | The thanatologists of Providence

The Seattle Times recently published a story comprised of images and video on musical thanatologists Jeri Howe and Claudia Walker (harp and voice musicians who play by bedside to serve the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the dying) from Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington. After hearing of the practice years ago in my college town from Bellingham Herald photo editor, Russ Kendall, I kept the story in the back of my mind for a later date. This package of work is a group effort by myself, Genevieve Alvarez (Final Cut Pro wizard), Angela Gottschalk (picture editor) and Danny Gawlowski (multimedia whiz). See the original "Picture This" post here. Huge respect to the families and patients who allowed me to photograph such sensitive scenes - my heart goes out to you in the form good faith and positive thoughts for the well-being of you all. Thank you.

Musical thanatologist Jeri Howe, left, offers a quiet performance to Katherine Lyons, right, and her daughter, Liz Dobler, center, on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Wash. Lyons was most recently hospitalized from pneumonia, but also suffers from myelofibrosis and cancer. Howe - along with a second harpist, Claudia Walker - work split weeks under the auspices of the Spiritual Care department with the hospital's Sacred Harmonies program. Their music, soothing and therapeutic for terminally ill or uncomfortable patients, is offered as a sort of sonic vigil to help people sleep, meditate or find a sense of peace.

Claudia Walker, right, and Stephanie Storie, center, gently talk to Teedie Storie, left, who suffered from a random ascending aortic aneurism Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Wash. "We had just gotten to church yesterday when my mom said she felt a shooting pain in her throat and chest," Stephanie Storie said. "We rushed her straight here."

Over the notes of a harp played by Claudia Walker, right, Stephanie Storie, center, kisses her bedridden mother, Teedie Storie, left, who suffered from a random ascending aortic aneurism Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Wash. "We had just gotten to church yesterday when my mom said she felt a shooting pain in her throat and chest," Stephanie Storie said. "We rushed her straight here."

Focusing and feeling the soft notes from her harp, Jeri Howe works through one of several songs for patient and stroke victim, Albert Lundeen, not pictured, on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Wash.

Framed by the curvature of a harp, Nona Jones, a patient suffering from dementia, is offered a song by musical thanatologist Claudia Walker Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Wash. The sounds of the instrument have eased confusion and distress in past patients.

Musical thanatologist Jeri Howe, foreground, plays a vigil for, from right to left, bedridden James "Jack" Adams, son Charlie Adams, daughter Catherine Lau-Bingham, grandson Bryant Lau and friend Mike Stokesberry on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Wash. James Adams passed away less than a half an hour later. Howe - along with a second harpist, Claudia Walker - work split weeks under the auspices of the Spiritual Care department with the hospital's Sacred Harmonies program. Their music, soothing and therapeutic for terminally ill or uncomfortable patients, is offered as a sort of sonic vigil to help people sleep, meditate or find a sense of peace.

Musical thanatologist Jeri Rowe, left, performs a song for bedridden patient and stroke victim, Albert Lundeen, right, on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Wash. Howe - along with a second harpist, Claudia Walker - work split weeks under the auspices of the Spiritual Care department with the hospital's Sacred Harmonies program. Their music, soothing and therapeutic for terminally ill or uncomfortable patients, is offered as a sort of sonic vigil to help people sleep, meditate or find a sense of peace.

Musical thanatologist Claudia Walker takes a moment to compose herself in the quiet space of a relaxing room Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Wash. Walker - along with a second harpist, Jeri Howe - work split weeks under the auspices of the Spiritual Care department with the hospital's Sacred Harmonies program. Their music, soothing and therapeutic for terminally ill or uncomfortable patients, is offered as a sort of sonic vigil to help people sleep, meditate or find a sense of peace.

Musical thanatologist Claudia Walker, center, holds the hand of Clara Murphy, 77, right, as they chat following a harp song by Walker on Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Wash. Murphy had requested her song to be Native American in its nature, reflected of her heritage. She was hospitalized for acute respiratory failure. Walker - along with a second harpist, Jeri Howe - work split weeks under the auspices of the Spiritual Care department with the hospital's Sacred Harmonies program. Their music, soothing and therapeutic for terminally ill or uncomfortable patients, is offered as a sort of sonic vigil to help people sleep, meditate or find a sense of peace.

As she does after each patient performance, Walker files a report with the details of her visit Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Wash.

And the video:

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.

Harvest moon over Skyline, Washington

This beauty popped up over the grandstands at a high school football game I was shooting...

A full, golden moon rises over the packed grandstands of the opening season football game of Skyline versus Bothell High School Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, at Skyline High School in Sammamish, Wash.

Everfree Northwest

Fans dressed in costumes of all shapes and colors wander the Traveling Pony Museum at the first annual convention called Everfree Northwest - a three-day celebration dedicated to the hit TV show, "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" - on Friday, August 17, 2012, in SeaTac, Wash. Despite My Little Pony's target market of 8-11 year old girls, the show has garnered a loyal adult fanbase. Attendees at Everfree covered a worldwide gamut; from Australians to Canadians to Americans. Everfree Northwest is sponsored by Pegasi, a Washington non-profit corporation formed to administer the event and its affiliated charity activities. Seattle Children's Hospital was chosen as the event's charity of choice, proceeds from Everfree's art auction will be donated directly to the hospital.

And now... BEER | Taphouse Grill

Please enjoy a cool pint of Lucille IPA (courtesy of Seattle's own Georgetown Brewing Company) while sifting through upcoming pictures...

"Technical" details: Canon 5D Mark II, 135L. Exposure: 1/2 sec. @ f/2 and ISO 100. Lit with an iPhone's flashlight app from high and behind to bring out the head of the brew.

A pint of Lucille IPA from Georgetown Brewing Co. sits on display Friday, August 17, 2012, at the Tap House Grill in downtown Seattle, Wash. A second location of the establishment - in Bellevue - also houses 160 beers on tap.

The Taylor Bridge Wildfire | Three days of coverage

It was just one of those times. Calls started going out, texts flew around and my phone started buzzing. I left one spot news assignment at the end of my shift, thinking I would be headed out to a miniature brushfire. Long story short: that was not the case. What began as a 5,000-acre wildfire quickly spread to a blaze of historical breadth for Washington over the course of a week. The following images were made in the first, second and third days of the event. Big props to my co-workers at The Seattle Times - especially Bettina Hansen and Ken Lambert - who operated as a well-oiled machine throughout the disaster. Images from our team ran nationwide in almost every major newspaper and wire service. Donations are still being accepted, and I urge you to take part in helping those who lost their homes and land to get back on their feet through an outlet of your choice.

John Shea watches a wildfire consume the grounds around a friend's ranch Monday, August 13, 2012, near Cle Elum, Wash. Shea heard the news, knew his friend was at work, and rushed over to his home to rescue livestock. By 8 PM, the fire had consumed over 2800 acres of land and residents from all over the county were in the process of being evacuated.

A wildfire rages Monday, August 13, 2012, near Cle Elum, Wash. By 8 PM, the fire had consumed over 2800 acres of land and residents from all over the county were in the process of being evacuated.

A member of the Department of Natural Resources prepares to charge into a patch of flaming land to help extinguish the blaze of a massive wildfire Monday, August 13, 2012, near Cle Elum, Wash. By 8 PM, the fire had consumed over 2800 acres of land and residents from all over the county were in the process of being evacuated.

Cloud of black smoke pass through the blades of turbines at a wind farm on the second day of the Taylor Bridge Fire Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, in near Cle Elum, Wash.

In the early morning light, smoke drifts from a slice of elevated land on the third day of the Taylor Bridge Fire Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2012, as seen from downtown Cle Elum, Wash. Over 60 homes were ravaged by the blaze in the first two days and a state of emergency was declared.

Firefighter Charlie Gnegy, left, helps to carry a tent out of a misty field before heading out on duty for the third day of the Taylor Bridge Fire Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in Cle Elum, Wash. Over 60 homes were ravaged by the blaze in the first two days and a state of emergency was declared.

Over The Edge | Downtown Seattle

A woman is framed between the spires of a stone outcropping as she rappelled from Seattle's 1000 2nd Avenue Building - all 40 stories and 490 feet of it - to raise money for Special Olympics Washington at the Over the Edge event Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in downtown Seattle, Wash.

Nearly 150 supporters rappelled from Seattle's 1000 2nd Avenue Building - all 40 stories and 490 feet of it - to raise money for Special Olympics Washington at the Over the Edge event Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in downtown Seattle, Wash.

Dale Doornek, a paraplegic from Sultan, Wash., center right, awaits a team of professionals to safely lock him into harnesses before his skyscraper descent at the Over the Edge event Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in downtown Seattle, Wash. "This just rocked," Doornek said, "I loved it."

Dale Doornek, a paraplegic from Sultan, Wash., in yellow, is accompanied by a professional during a skyscraper descent at the Over the Edge event Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in downtown Seattle, Wash. Nearly 150 supporters rappelled from Seattle's 1000 2nd Avenue Building - all 40 stories and 490 feet of it - between August 11 and 12 to raise money for Special Olympics Washington.

Trevor Rotzien, dressed as Mighty Mouse, makes his steady descent down a 490-foot skyscraper at the Over the Edge event Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in downtown Seattle, Wash.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans

Emir Babic, in yellow, and his friends, from left to right, Mirza Hajdarevic, Faruk Hajdarevic and Adnan Kapetanovic show off their "Welcome to Seattle" signs while event media, shown in shadow, prepare for a preseason exhibition game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash.

Seahawk Robert Turbin, top, attempts to skirt Alterraun Verner, bottom, of the Tennessee Titans, during the first quarter of a preseason exhibition game Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash.

Heath Farwell, left, of the Seahawks, watches wide-eyed as a ball leaves Tennessee Titan possession during the second half of a preseason exhibition game Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash.

Taylor Guterson | "Old Goats" director

Quite often, quick portrait assignments end up with you wracking your brain to make an individual in a dimly-lit cubicle appear as the next Mona Lisa. You got it: this day was just that. After meeting director Taylor Guterson and making some boring "senior portrait" styled images, I hit the jackpot. A seven-foot marlin hung from the off-white wall of his office in Bellevue. Cautiously maneuvering the beast's head spike through the hallways, we made our way into the parking lot where I asked Guterson to remove his shoes and socks and roll up his jeans - Huck Finn style. He loved it, and the rest is history. Enjoy!

A quirky director with a 7-foot marlin hung up in his office, Taylor Guterson - a filmmaker responsible for the low-budget movie titled "Old Goats" - is photographed Friday, August 10, 2012, in Bellevue, Wash. The film stars three former non-actors playing versions of themselves as older men, coping with life in the modern world. The movie, shot on Bainbridge Island, was made for $5,000 and has since gone on to garner attention at multiple film festivals around the country.

Seafair | Three days of (aero)nautical madness

If you've been anywhere near Seattle in the summer time, you know about Seafair. In a nutshell, it's a month-long "celebration" of warmer days that seems to drag on forever - from pirates to airshows to the legendary hydros. For the final three days of the event, I was sent to cover both boats and airplanes, which equates to a lot of long glass work. Overall, for the lack of locations I photographed from over the three day period, I made a number of images that felt were indicative of the adrenaline-fueled vehicular insanity I got to experience from the shoreline. Enjoy.

Marcia Evans | Portrait

Marcia Evans, owner of Jewel Hospitality, poses for a portrait Thursday, August 2, 2012, at her office in Seattle, Wash. Evans recently filed a complaint with the attorney general's office concerning Yelp informing her of the fact that they would remove her negative reviews from their website if she paid them for advertising.

Seattle Mariners Vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Anthony Gose, center left, of the Toronto Blue Jays, slides into second base after being tagged out by Mariner Dustin Ackley, center right, during a game Monday, July 30, 2012, at Safeco Field in Seattle, Wash.

Jeff Mathis, foreground, tags out the Mariners' Carlos Peguero, background, after a glancing hit from Peguero's bat drove the ball into the ground just above home plate during a game Monday, July 30, 2012, at Safeco Field in Seattle, Wash.

A field official pulls himself up after being bowled over in a player's second base dash during a game Monday, July 30, 2012, at Safeco Field in Seattle, Wash.

LPGA | The Legends Tour

Kirkland native JoAnne Carner, foreground, motions to the crowd after clearing her ball from a sandtrap at the 18th hole of the LPGA Swing for the Cure event Sunday, July 29. 2012, at the Inglewood Golf Club in Kenmore, Wash. Contestants and onlookers enjoyed a sunny afternoon of 18 holes worth of fundraising golf.

Patty Sheehan throws herself to the green after missing the last shot that had the potential to tie her up to first place with Nancy Scranton, not pictured, at the LPGA Swing for the Cure event Sunday, July 29. 2012, at the Inglewood Golf Club in Kenmore, Wash.

Val Skinner swipes her ball from the sandtrap near the putting green at the 18th hole of the LPGA Swing for the Cure event Sunday, July 29. 2012, at the Inglewood Golf Club in Kenmore, Wash.