Goodies for Gabe | Final assignment for The Daily Herald

It is always interesting to see what your final assignment turns out to be after working for an outlet for an extended period of time. After all, the concluding shoot that feels like a milestone in your career is, in fact, only another assignment in a newspaper that will continue to publish, years and years after you leave. That being said, something still tugs at you about your final work for a particular publication. While the picture is nothing to write home about, I'm glad my final image for The Daily Herald held an importance and a good cause for a tiny young man named Gabe. Enjoy.

Zeke, top, and Gabe Stevenson, bottom, pose for a portrait on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at their home in Cedar Hills, Utah. Although the two are identical twins, Gabe was born with cerebral palsy. Actions are being taken to organize and receive donations to benefit the young man and his family.

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.

Demolition Derby | Eagle Mountain, Utah

Time and time again, Utah proved itself as a visual wonderland. Just as other internships have before, Utah presented a unique palette - both in subject and mood - to wield when making photographs. A demolition derby in Eagle Mountain was no exception to the rule. An eye-popping ballet of smoke, twisted metal and daisy dukes brought me into my favorite zone as a photographer: a focused, clear-minded peace that only a compelling subject can muster up. Enjoy the destruction!

A driver crawls from the burning wreckage of his vehicle after getting T-boned by another driver at the Pony Express Days Demolition Derby Friday, June 1, 2012, at the Eagle Mountain Pony Express Rodeo Grounds in Eagle Mountain, Utah. Nearly 3000 attendees packed into the sold-out venue to watch the family-friendly destruction.

Corbin Larsen, 18, of Fairview, Utah, center right, chats with friends after his defeat in a rookie heat of the Pony Express Days Demolition Derby Friday, June 1, 2012, at the Eagle Mountain Pony Express Rodeo Grounds in Eagle Mountain, Utah.

A driver playfully motions to another within the rink before the start of a professional heat at the Pony Express Days Demolition Derby Friday, June 1, 2012, at the Eagle Mountain Pony Express Rodeo Grounds in Eagle Mountain, Utah.

Hayden Marble, 17, center, sends a text message to a friend from his perch on the thrashed hulk of his vehicle at the Pony Express Days Demolition Derby Friday, June 1, 2012, at the Eagle Mountain Pony Express Rodeo Grounds in Eagle Mountain, Utah. Nearly 3000 attendees packed into the sold-out venue to watch the family-friendly destruction.

Zack Carter, 20, hurries to reattach a wheel to a friend's vehicle after a particularly rowdy rookie heat at the Pony Express Days Demolition Derby Friday, June 1, 2012, at the Eagle Mountain Pony Express Rodeo Grounds in Eagle Mountain, Utah.

Cars collide with reckless abandon at the Pony Express Days Demolition Derby Friday, June 1, 2012, at the Eagle Mountain Pony Express Rodeo Grounds in Eagle Mountain, Utah.

A driver takes a moment to catch this breath while repairing a vehicle after a destructive heat of riding at the Pony Express Days Demolition Derby Friday, June 1, 2012, at the Eagle Mountain Pony Express Rodeo Grounds in Eagle Mountain, Utah.

Memorial Day 2012: Civil War Reenactment | Camp Floyd

Honey Bischoff, left, and Toni Scott, right, share a laugh while enjoying a cup of tea under the shade of a tree at a Civil War Memorial Day event Monday, May 28, 2012, at Camp Floyd in Fairfield, Utah. The family-oriented affair included classic battle reenactments, canvas encampments to reside in, firearm and cannon demonstrations, troop marches and photoshoots in period uniform.

Carter Lovinggood, center right, hugs his nephew, Weston Fletcher, in blue, while helping other children get suited up for a marching demonstration at a Civil War Memorial Day event Monday, May 28, 2012, at Camp Floyd in Fairfield, Utah. The family-oriented affair included classic battle reenactments, canvas encampments to reside in, firearm and cannon demonstrations and photoshoots in period uniform. Lovinggood found the opening for a position at the event while surfing the internet for Civil War reenactments in Utah.

Tracy Mutter, right, of Magna, Utah, strings up mock laundry to dry at a Civil War Memorial Day event Monday, May 28, 2012, at Camp Floyd in Fairfield, Utah. The family-oriented affair included classic battle reenactments, canvas encampments to reside in, firearm and cannon demonstrations, troop marches and photoshoots in period uniform.

Graduation Season | Provo High School

It's that time of year again when young people (and some old people) don their funny pointed hats and receive a piece of paper in return for the countless hours of money and time they have spent gettin' ed-ju-ma-caded. In turn, photographers struggle to make something interesting out of a usually mundane and repetitive event. Sound familiar...? For what it's worth, Provo High School had the best graduation I photographed this spring season. Fun colors, lots of laughs and a group of girls burning some time with a game of Patty-cake before their big moment in the spotlight. Enjoy!

Hilary Finlayson, center, cracks up while playing a game with a group of her senior friends from Provo High School before their graduation night ceremony Thursday, May 24, 2012, at the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Provo High had a graduating class of nearly 400 students in attendance.

Provo High School senior Madison Hall, left, straightens her cap under the careful observation of her friend on their graduation night Thursday, May 24, 2012, at the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

Pasifika Festival

Tweet Aspinall, center left, and other dancers from Orem's Aloha Dance School put the last minute touches on their outfits before a performance at the second annual Pasifika Festival Friday, May 18, 2012, at Provo High School in Provo, Utah. Clusters of families and friends dotted the grass of the school's football field to enjoy food, music and dance acts native to the Pacific Islands.

Dancers from Orem's Aloha Dance School perform a dance routine at the second annual Pasifika Festival Friday, May 18, 2012, at Provo High School in Provo, Utah. Clusters of families and friends dotted the grass of the school's football field to enjoy food, music and dance acts native to the Pacific Islands.

Girls from Orem's Aloha Dance School peek through the cracks at the rear of the stage to catch a glimpse at a live band at the second annual Pasifika Festival Friday, May 18, 2012, at Provo High School in Provo, Utah.

When shooting softball has got you down...

 ...Suddenly something epic happens. I'm not super pumped on the composition or focal point of the picture, but I felt like it warranted a post. It's rare to see such a valiant attempt by a player that lines up nicely with another teammate and opponent in the same frame.

Westlake's Lindsey Boelter, center, tosses her sliding catch to teammate Kasey Adams, right, to secure second base during a tournament game against Cyprus High School on Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Westlake High School in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Westlake High won the game 10-2 against Cyprus High School.

Region 8 Track & Field

To be honest, I'm not too sure why I'm posting these - I think I just had a good time at this meet.  Usually, track meets feel haphazard and thrown together to me; so much stuff going on at all times (in addition to the fear of being skewered by an errant javelin). Amazing athletes, good light and the lingering ache of a sunburn... Enjoy.

People vs. Gravity | Soccer in Orem, Utah

This turned out to be one of those games where every athlete is playing super aggressive. Flips, headbanging, flailing limbs, shoving... all the good stuff. While I'm not crazy about blogging sports images unless they are out of the ordinary moments, I figured I would throw a couple up from this particularly violent afternoon. Enjoy!

Prepping for the Pow Wow | Camp Jeremiah Johnson

Andrew Reese, 20, of Salt Lake City, listens to his iPod in an effort to memorize a song he was intending to sing during an annual Native American Pow Wow on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at Camp Jeremiah Johnson in Hobble Creek Canyon, Utah. The event - meant to enhance awareness for Native American culture and raise funds for scholarships - was complete with traditional dress, food, dance and music.

BYU Baseball + Utah light

Pitcher pictures are a dime a dozen, but I couldn't help myself. The late evening light at this time of year in Utah is godly. The 300mm was being used by editor on this particular evening, so I shot the game with a 400mm, which I've never done with baseball. The result was a much more expression-based game - either by way of pitchers, runners or base players. Enjoy the golden goodness.

San Diego pitcher Paul Sewald burns one down the middle during a game against BYU on Friday, May 4, 2012, at Miller Field at Brigham Young University in Provo, 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.

Springville Artists | Portrait

Springville resident and artist Jordan Brun photographed on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at the Springville Art Museum in Springville, Utah. The museum plans to hold a unique auction of 20 pieces of art donated by Utah-local artists to raise funds to purchase new art to expand the collection.

The Shelley Irish Dance Company | Pre-show

Just a little backstage lipstick action before a performance by Utah's most esteemed Irish dance group. The girls of The Shelley Irish Dance Company rehearsed for this night - the one and only showing - for over 10 months. This particular group of young women were cooler than most when it came to letting a dude creep around in their dressing room pre-show. Enjoy.

Hannah Cosper, 16, left, perfects the application of her thick, red lipstick before the annual performance by the young women of The Shelley Irish Dance Company on Monday, April 30, 2012, at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo, Utah. The concert featured the state teen fiddle and guitar champions, members of the group Firefly, the Timpanogos Pipe Band, An Rogaire Dubh and the local championship Highland dancers.

Failures are just as good as victories...

...When it's regarding an athlete and you're a photographer. It is never good to wish failure on someone, but I'll be damned if a weird sports fail doesn't look cool. The image below stood out to me from the day's take; just the strange intersection of a moment and a unique shape from a BYU track meet recently. Enjoy!

Ropes Course | Standalone hunt

Another hot, slow newsday - time to hunt for some standalone art. Since my editor had shot at this location the week before, this image did not run. Regardless of its absence from print, I figured it was worthwhile enough of a picture to post. It's not perfect, but it reminds me of summer camp. Enjoy.

Marty McCoy | Portrait

I feel like the portraits have come in droves this past month. When I knew that an elderly gentleman named Marty McCoy (who had narrowly avoided a stroke) was coming in, I opted out of my usual preference for strobes and brought it back to basics: hot lights. Fluorescent hot lights. Photographers everywhere just cringed.

... Needless to say, the quality of light provided by office lights nailed to 2x4' boards cemented into paint bucket stands was exactly what I was looking for; soft, flattering and gentle on the wrinkles. Enjoy.

Hope of America

Propaganda. Patriotism. Sing-alongs. Hope of America. Staff photographer James Roh's response when told over the phone that he would be shooting it for the second year in a row: "Oh, God, please no. No no no no..."

... but wait! The intern! Give it to the intern. Me. "No worries," I thought. Right? Wrong!

Members of Jean's Golden Girls await their chance in the spotlight backstage before entering the 16th annual Hope of America Student Showcase on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Over 6,000 fifth grade students from 70 Utah County schools came together for the event.

Over 6,000 fifth grade students from 70 Utah County schools wave their flags in unison during the 16th annual Hope of America Student Showcase on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Children perform "America Rocks" at the 16th annual Hope of America Student Showcase on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Over 6,000 fifth grade students waved flashlights in the darkness of the performance space during the song "We Can Be a Light" at the 16th annual Hope of America Student Showcase on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Clear Horizons | Academy for children with autism

Miles Lambert, center, plays with an instructor during a classroom fun day on Monday, April 16, 2012, at Clear Horizons Academy in Provo, Utah. Clear Horizons is a school for children with autism.

Charity Fashion Show | Pre-show feature

Pulled this one out of somewhere in the last half hour before deadline at an event that hadn't even begun at the time this photograph was shot. Long story short: a miracle, and I am happy with it. If you look carefully, the Brigham Young University signature "Y" can be seen set into the Utah hills in the corner of the left widow pane. Enjoy!

Models practice their runway walks by the glare of a single spotlight before a charity fashion show to benefit Sowers of Hope, an non-profit organization started by two Congolese locals on Friday, April 13, 2012, in Provo, Utah. The evening's events marked the third year of the popular show.