Bird dog training

For one of my last stories at the Herald, I worked with Tyce Erickson, a bird dog trainer, documenting him as he conducted training sessions with clients' dogs to develop them into skilled bird dog hunters. Erickson, who grew up hunting with his family, was working at a car rental company when he decided to quit and start his own dog training business. "I love the dogs. I love the birds. I love being outside. And I love the friendship that comes from hunting," Erickson said. "You can't ask for anything more."

Rodeo!

I shot my first rodeo, and it was amazing. Just wish I caught another one before I left Utah....

Porter Rockwell look-alikes

Porter's Place, a Lehi restaurant, celebrated what would have been their namesake's 200th birthday with a Porter Rockwell look-alike contest. Rockwell, a figure in American and Mormon history, was a bodyguard for Joseph Smith, and was nicknamed "the destroying Angel of Mormondom." Guns, knives, and long beards were on full display.

Going for it

Mermaid encounter

Water Fight!

What happens when a fire truck with its hoses and deck gun takes on a band of neighborhood kids...

Velour show

Fun to shoot, and good music too.

The Band West, and Strange Family.

Cody Towse's Memorial

I talked about Cody Towse, a 21-year-old Army Medic who was recently killed in combat in Afghanistan, in my last blog post. A few days after his body was returned home, a memorial and military burial was held for him. I feel grateful to the Towse family for welcoming the Herald again into their lives, and allowing us to help tell Cody's story.

Cody Towse

Specialist Cody Towse, an Army Medic, was killed in action in Afghanistan on May 14. He was 21. His body was flown to the Provo Airport, and during the Military's dignified transfer ceremony, the Army gave his body over to the Towse family - parents Jim and Jamie Towse, and siblings Will, 20, Callan, 17, and Christian, 14. A hearse carrying his casket was then driven in a motorcade through the county to the Towse family home in Elk Ridge.  I had the chance to photograph the day's events for the paper. It's pretty hard to shoot this type of thing, but the family was really welcoming, and felt the coverage was important, partly to remind Americans that a war is still going on overseas.