A Bridge to Xanders Crossing
Two years ago I took an image that I consider my “most important photograph.” Even though I consider it my most important, it was not the best picture taken with my camera that day. While I consider photography important, I did something more important than take pictures that day. I handed my camera to a […]
Kimberly Marie Hamilton 10 Year Angel Day
I drove to Fresno County on Wednesday to visit a friend. I drove four hours one way so that I could turn around and drive three hours home. It was worth it. My long term projects have become my close friendships. Kimberly Marie Hamilton died ten years ago May 7, 2004. Mary Minnette Sappington gathered […]
We All Got Bruises – Mothers of Angels
Ten days ago I visited Martha Tessmer during my trip to Fresno, California. If you count this recent August trip, I have visited Martha and the support group she created for mothers whose children have died, the last five summers. In the previous years, I met with many of the members of the Mother of an […]
Mother of An Angel Friendship Network Project
As with all important projects, this one began before it started. The work will continue after I have finished. I am merely one person on the bridge. Before I started photographing the families who belong to a Central Valley support group, I heard about the death of a young child that led to the Blossom Hill […]
The Reeducation of Martha Tessmer – Distracted Teen Driving
In my last post, I wrote about Rev. Anne Howard, a national leader who is educating young preachers to grow faith communities. Today, I am featuring Martha Tessmer, an inspirational leader who uses her faith to educate young people. Both people inspire me to be stronger and kinder, especially during moments of uncertainty. I have […]
Mindy Betancourt Mercado – Another Anniversary
Today is the third horrible anniversary for Mindy Betancourt Mercado. On my old Type Pad blog, I wrote a post with photos about the loss of Mindy’s four year old son. The photos and story are available at this link. As my family prepares for Halloween and dia de los muertos, I have been thinking about […]
Xander’s Crossing
I knew about Nicole Wilson and her family before I met her or the Mother’s of an Angel Friendship Network. My wife and I heard a news report in the car radio. We turned it off before it finished, but we never forgot it. At the time, my first child was almost the same age […]
Tammie Mitchell Tarver and Starla
Last August, during Fresno’s record breaking heat, I photographed mothers from a Central Valley support group. When I photographed Tammie Mitchell Tarver at Woodward Park, the temperature was still over 100 degrees. We could have rescheduled for cooler temperatures and better light, but grief does not wait for perfect light. [photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000r7gpF268zFw” g_name=”Tammie-Mitchell-Tarver” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” […]
Mary Minnette Sappington Mother of an Angel
When I was visiting the Mothers of an Angel Friendship Network last week, I visited Clovis East High School on the first day of the 2012-2013 school year with Mary Minnette Sappington. Mary’s daughter Kim Hamilton is one of the students honored on the wall. Before Mary and I drove to Clovis East, we met at another memorial near […]
Mothers of an Angel Year 4
This week I photographed the Mother of an Angel Friendship Network. It was the fourth consecutive summer visiting the support group. I have grown attached to these women. I have collected great memories and gained insight each visit. Each year is different. This year felt more like a family reunion. We met at Woodward Park and somehow organized the […]
Sacramento Press Conference
How should journalists cover traffic accidents? Should journalists cover every aspect of a murder trial as if it were a sporting event? What is the impact on families each time journalists trivialize tragedy? How can journalists tell richer stories without becoming lost? After several years photographing families whose children have died, I am still asking […]
Kimberley Libecki Mother of Photgraphy Project
I wanted to honor my friend Kim Libecki on her birthday today. I often describe her as a “Mother of an Angel,” but she is also a wonderful mother to three other children. She and I have been friends since high school. When I left for college, she started a family and our lives went in […]
New Year Reminders for the Travioli Family
New Year’s Eve is usually hopeful and exciting. Even if the year had been difficult, a person can write off all their bad resolutions and plan for future good intentions. How would a person change their New Year’s Eve plans if New Year’s Day was not a hopeful reminder? How do parents spend their New Year’s […]