Talking to Derby Girls about Joan Jett
Last weekend, I took my new derby persona, P Giddy, on the road to Santa Cruz. I also took my family. We live about 2 hours from Santa Cruz, and my persona did not adjust until I walked into the new Kaiser Permanente without the kids … and Joan Jett’s Bad Reputation played. If P […]
On a Sunday in the Sunshine
When I fell in love with women’s flat track derby, I was already a fan. Derby answered a nagging question… or rather, derby helped me answer all those people at UC Santa Barbara who nagged me with the question, “So, what is a man gonna do with a BA in Women’s Studies?” This man is gonna […]
Rock My Derby
On Saturday, March 2, 2013, I became an official derby photographer when I photographed The B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls’ first bout of 2013 between the San Francisco ShEvil Dead and the Richmond Wrecking Belles at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, California. I have photographed several other bouts, but last time I was way too serious.
Writing Block Interview Project
I am not a writer. I might write well sometimes, but I often struggle to write a simple coherent email. Three years ago, I was struggling more than usual, so I decided to ask other people how they navigated “writers’ block.” I began interviewing writers about their process and posting their responses on my previous blog […]
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 […]
2012 Favorite Photo Session
Each year when I review my pictures, I am surprised by how many images I have taken. This year I knew there were fewer photographs, because I was injured in an April car accident. I planned to separate the pictures into a Best of Part 1 and a Best of Part 2. Then I saw […]
Fresno High School Senate 2012 Stogie Bowl
The Fresno High School Senate was established in 1890. Until the 1970’s, the club only admitted boys. (There was an equivalent for girls during part of the first 80 years, but the club is so old, American women did not have a Constitutional right to vote when the Fresno High Senate started. ) We’re talking […]
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 […]
Beatitudes Society Fellows and Rev Anne Howard
When I first met Anne Howard, I lived in Santa Barbara, California and attended Trinity Episcopal Church. She served as the Associate Rector and I sat in the back of the church. I would watch the Trinity families imagining the easy Sunday mornings when I could bring my future family to church. I left Santa […]
Epilepsy Foundation Northern California 2012 Candlelight Gala
Last week I attended the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California Candlelight Gala. In previous year, I have missed the gala, because I had already committed to a journalism education conference in a different part of the country. This year, the Journalism Education Association has their Fall conference two weeks later, I can attend both events. I am not […]
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 […]
Girls Inc 21st Annual Women of Taste
I learned something Saturday night while photographing the 21st Annual Women of Taste fundraiser for Girls Inc. of Alameda County. I enjoy taking pictures more than I enjoy eating. Even when the food is delicious, I would rather take pictures of other people eating than put my camera down. Girls Inc. is a great organization and Women of […]
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 […]
Bay Area Derby Girls Advance to Nationals
Since the top two teams at the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association West Region Tournament automatically advance to the national tournament in Atlanta, the third place game between the Bay Area Derby Girls and the Rose City Rollers was probably the most dramatic of the tournament. The bout was especially exciting since the BAD Girls hosted this year’s West […]
Best Bout of the Besterns
Was there any doubt that the bout between Angel City Derby Girls and the Sacred City Derby Girls was the greatest match of the 2012 Women’s Flat Track Derby Association Western Regional Tournament? The two teams are bitter sweet rivals with a relatively long history. When the bout ended, Angel City’s tournament MVP Jammer Fifi Nomenon […]
WFTDA West Region Sun Delay
Delayed by the sun… The final two bouts of the WFTDA West Region Playoffs were postponed by an hour, because the sunlight interfered with the skaters’ ability to skate. Sporting events have been delayed and canceled for many weather related incidents, but I have never photographed one postponed by sunlight. When it happened Sunday, everyone was […]
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 […]
National Night Out Oakland
National Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch as the “nation’s night out against crime.” The event, which was held Tuesday August 7, 2012, builds community and reduces crime.
Anniversary of the ADA
Today is the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I am not sure if the ADA provides protection, but I am grateful that the ADA exists. The ADA has helped me feel more comfortable about being an outspoken advocate, especially knowing that a person with epilepsy was instrumental in passing the ADA. The Epilepsy […]
Art as Resistance
“Art at its most significant is a distant early warning system that can always be relied on to tell the old culture what is beginning to happen.” Marshal McLuhan The 12th Annual All Oakland Youth Talent Showcase was held at Laney College on Saturday, May 19. Bay Area non-profit Oakland Leaf sponsored this year’s showcase. Oakland Leaf transforms community “through creative education.” The […]
Martha Tessmer on NBC Nightly News
Last night my friend Martha Tessmer appeared on the national NBC Nightly news. Five years ago, Martha would not have imagined herself as a national figure. She was happy living as an educator, wife and mother to two children. Now, Martha saves lives by sharing her son Donovan’s story for Impact Teen Drivers. Donovan died in a […]
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 […]