Kings of Peoria

I have been away for a while. Sorry. Here is a snippet of a project I worked on during my summer in Peoria. More to come on this later. I will be going back to Peoria later this year to continue working on it. I also might turn it into my Master's Project. We shall see.

Kings of Peoria
Hip hop culture is largely underground in the mid-size, central Illinois town of Peoria, but it is a very big part of life for many of the city's residents. One group, Killa Koumity, has been working out of their producer's basement to record an album and try to break through to the mainstream. Although they are working under these conditions and they have families to look after, they have hopes of becoming rap stars. This story is the manifestation of the American dream in Peoria's hidden hip hop community.

A Life Update

The hardest two-and-a-half months of my life are now over. My third quarter at OU was difficult, to say the least, but it was the most productive period of my short career. I stupidly overloaded myself with four content-gathering classes when two is the suggested maximum. I know, I'm an idiot. Let's just hope that I can learn from these mistakes.

In order to move myself out of the past, I learned multimedia and completed two pieces, which you can see below:

Family Derby

Waldorf in the Woods

I'm particularly proud of the demo derby piece because I am very close with the family and I have been working with them since I came to Ohio last fall. And I will continue working with them as long as I can. There is another chapter coming soon to the family derby story...

Another major part of my quarter was a continuation of my hollers project. I expanded my focus to include more portraits and details in my work, as you can see below. There are some old pictures in this edit, but the final product is closer to the kind of work I want to be doing in the future. Not quite photojournalism, but that's okay with me. I guess I'm more of a fine art photoanthropologist now, but whatever. It's all just semantics. I learn about people and take pictures. That's all that matters.

Keep in mind, the final product of my hollers work was in book form. So, starting with the first two pictures, each pair was intentionally placed together. Try to imagine looking through a nice photo book while you're looking at these.

I'm now settled into Peoria, Illinois, where I'm the summer photo intern at the Peoria Journal Star. Should be a nice change of pace. I might update this blog again soon if I feel like it.

In the meantime, welcome to the holler, my friends:

Down in the Holler

In between the forested hills and mountains of Appalachia are geographical features called “hollows,” literally gently sloped valleys between elevated areas. These hollows, or “hollers” as they are popularly known, were a natural place for settlers to make roads and build homes: they provided protection, they were near the mountains, and perhaps most importantly, they were tucked away from view.

Today, these hollers still provide a home to many people in the southeastern Ohio area. In the Hocking Hills, outside of Corning and Hollister, and even near Chesterhill and Stockport, families and individuals make their homes in these little enclaves. Typically, hollers have been very closed off to outsiders. Many people who live there want to get away from society and its constraints. They don’t want to be bothered by anyone for any reason. Tim Nelson, a San Toy holler resident, summed up this attitude by warning, “If a man tells you to get the fuck out of the holler, you’d better get the fuck out of the holler.”

Nelson, a Vietnam veteran who lived in Columbus for many years, came to live in this holler in San Toy, just outside of Corning, because he wanted to get away from everything and be more independent. His attitudes are typical of holler dwellers.
“Just because we live down here doesn’t mean we’re stupid,” Nelson said. “We’re not ignorant bottom-feeders. We live here because we like it. It’s just a simpler way of life.”

They maintain a modest existence, many of them holding blue-collar jobs and living in simple trailers without electricity or reliable heating. And new technology is hard to find. “Ain’t no such thing as a cell phone down here,” Nelson noted about the lack of modern frivolities in holler communities.

Nevertheless, they are a very resourceful and independent people. “Just about everybody who lives in this part of the country does about everything on their own,” said Randy Sidwell, a lifelong San Toy resident who built his own log cabin.

In many respects, however, these hollers are like time warps. The people who live there have heavy Appalachian accents and their attitudes resemble those of their ancestors and their ancestors before them. Prejudice and racism are rampant. On the other hand, there are a few hollers, in Chesterhill and near Kilvert, where more tolerant biracial families have gone to escape the intolerant attitudes of society.

Overall, the people in hollers are genuine, good people. They work hard, they value family and friends, and they cherish a simple existence. Working on cars, hunting animals, shooting guns, riding four wheeers, smoking, and drinking beer and Mountain Dew are all pastimes of holler residents. Despite the withdrawn nature of these areas, holler dwellers form a community of their own—away from the mainstream communities of modern society.

“We ain’t fancy people around here, but we’re happy,” Nelson proudly stated. “What kind of life are you lookin’ for?”

Howard and Barb

Over the past few months, I have been photographing a 68-year old man, Howard, and his wife, Barb. Howard has small cell lung cancer—the type of cancer specifically caused by smoking. Howard has smoked for the past 58 years. He mowed neighbors' lawns to pay for his first cigarettes when he was 10 years old.

This is a work in progress. Howard and Barb are wonderful people and were gracious enough to let me in their home at this difficult point in their lives. Howard is going through treatment now, so hopefully this story has a happy ending. I think this is an important story to tell because so many people in Appalachia are going through this same thing: old coal miners, smokers, and factory workers are all faced with chronic health problems. Health awareness and consumption are some of the issues I plan to focus my work on while I'm here in Ohio.

This story has been incredibly difficult for me to photograph. Most days, Howard sleeps in his chair while Barb completes crosswords in the newspaper to pass the time. She gets plenty of visitors, though, to help her make it through. I like to visit as well to help make them feel cared for.

Howard and Barbara Miller sit in the waiting room at the Castrop Center at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital in Athens, Ohio, on Monday, Nov. 10, 2008. Howard was there for his monthly doctor visit. After the visit, the doctor determined that Howard needed a bone scan, a CAT scan, and possibly more chemotherapy. "I think eventually we will lose to the cancer," Dr. Uptal K. Bhanja said. "But the chemo will prolong your life expectancy." Howard did not want to go through another treatment, however, because the last one left him feeling bad for weeks.

Howard Miller, 68, and his wife Barbara Miller, 65, sit at their dining room table in Glouster, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008. "It doesn't look good," Barbara said. "He just keeps going downhill."

Howard Miller puts his hands on his head while smoking a cigarette at his home in Glouster, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008. Howard lost all his hair from chemotherapy treatments. Despite still having small cell lung cancer, Howard still smokes about a pack a day. He has been smoking for 58 years. "I mowed lawns to pay for my first cigarettes," Howard said.

Howard Miller sits outside of the engine shop where he and his son, Howard Jr., used to work everyday. Howard can no longer work, though, because he is weak and has little energy. His son runs the shop now.

Howard Miller reaches into the fridge for some pudding as Barbara Miller and Melvin Miller, his nephew, watch to make sure he doesn't fall on in Glouster, Ohio, on Oct. 25, 2008. Howard only eats pudding and Gatorade.

Howard Miller sleeps hunched over in front of the television at his home in Glouster, Ohio, on Oct. 25, 2008. Howard sleeps most of the day and usually doesn't have much energy to do anything.

Howard Miller and his grandson Drew Miller, 8, hug at the Miller residence in Glouster, Ohio, on Oct. 25, 2008. "He looks just like his grandpa," Howard said.

Barbara Miller rubs her husband's back at their home in Glouster, Ohio, on Nov. 6, 2008, since he is constantly in pain. She uses pain relief rub intended for horses because it helps relieve the tension in his muscles.

Barbara Miller looks out of her home in Glouster, Ohio, on Nov. 3, 2008. Since Howard can no longer work, the outside of their property has not been maintained.

Howard Miller hugs his wife before going to bed on Nov. 8, 2008. Howard depends on Barbara for basic necessities since he sleeps most of the days.

Appalachian Wedding

Near the end of a long feature hunt one day, I stopped in Glouster, Ohio, and randomly met a man named David and his girlfriend Tasha. David had just broken his leg earlier in the week by running over it with a four wheeler. He was particularly pissed because he and Tasha were supposed to get married the next weekend and he had surgery scheduled for a few days before the ceremony. After only knowing David for a few minutes, I casually invited myself to the wedding. They were a wonderful couple and glad to have me around for their special day.

The wedding was held in a double-wide trailer in Jacksonville. I know, it sounds like a small space for a wedding, but it was the nicest, most personal wedding I've ever had the pleasure of attending. It embodied the down-to-Earth lifestyle that I've come to love about this part of the country. Although David was doped with Percocet all day, he made it through without too much pain.

Anyway, here are my favorites from the weekend. Since I wasn't shooting for a client, I shot the wedding as I saw it, not as people expect to see it in cheesy wedding albums.

David Windle and Tasha Chapman, both 23 of Glouster, Ohio, embrace on their porch before going inside for dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Windle and Chapman will be married later in the week at a double-wide trailer in Jacksonville. "I couldn't have a better girl to be stuck with," Windle said.

Sheena Chapman, 26 of Millfield, Ohio, gets her hair ready before the Windle-Chapman wedding in Jacksonville, Ohio, on Sept. 27, 2008. Chapman is the sister and maid of honor for Tasha Chapman, the bride.

Tasha Chapman, 23, smokes a cigarette and drinks Mountain Dew before being wed to David Windle in Jacksonville, Ohio, on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008. Windle had surgery on his broken leg earlier in the week so Chapman was worried about him being able to get through the ceremony. "David's probably going to be drugged up on Percocet," Chapman said. "I told him he'd better remember his vows."

Guests wait before David Windle and Tasha Chapman get married in Jacksonville, Ohio, on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008. Windle had surgery on his broken leg earlier in the week and had to use crutches during the ceremony.

Sheena Chapman, 26, left, and Alicia Jenkins, 19, wait to walk out before the David Windle and Tasha Chapman wedding in Jacksonville, Ohio, on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008. The wedding was held at David Windle's family home.

David Windle, 23, and Tasha Chapman, 23, react after getting married in Jacksonville, Ohio, on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008. Windle had surgery on his broken leg earlier in the week so Chapman was worried about him being able to get through the ceremony, but he got through it without any trouble.

Tasha Chapman, 23, receives flowers from here sister and bride of honor Sheena Chapman, 26, during the picture session after Tasha's wedding in Jacksonville, Ohio, on Sept. 27, 2008.

David Windle and Tasha Chapman kiss during their wedding celebration in Jacksonville, Ohio, on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008.

Dave Druger eats a hot dog from his boyfriend Brian Strausbaugh during the Chapman-Windle wedding celebration in Jacksonville, Ohio, on Sept. 27, 2008. Strausbaugh caught the garter earlier in the celebration. "He caught it at David's cousin's wedding two years ago," Tasha Chapman said about Strausbaugh. "That's his thing—catching the garter. He'll knock people out just to get it."

David and Tasha Windle, both 23, relax together after their wedding in Jacksonville, Ohio, on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008.

OU No. 2

I'm a closet sports photographer, apparently. I don't really like photographing the sport, per se, but I like photographing athletes. I guess I can identify with their drive and passion.

I followed a few middle and high school football teams this season and put together a series of my favorites. Let me know what you think.

Jack Grolski, sophomore on the Federal Hocking High School football team, rests during halftime of the game against Southern in Racine, Ohio, on Sept. 26, 2008.

Ashlyn Corner and fellow Federal Hocking cheerleaders laugh at some dirt on the ceiling of the bus on their way to the football game against Southern in Racine, Ohio, on Sept. 26, 2008. "It looks like someone puked on the ceiling!" Corner said.

Cody Tolley, junior on the Alexander High School football team, watches the bonfire the night before Alexander's homecoming game at the high school in Alexander, Ohio, on September 25, 2008.

Members of the Federal Hocking High School football team listen to the national anthem before the game against Southern in Racine, Ohio, on Sept. 26, 2008.

Athens' Devin Mulford drives the ball past Alexander's Chris Grant during the 8th grade game at Alexander Middle School in Alexander, Ohio, on Thursday, September 25, 2008. Athens won, 42-12.

Federal Hocking coach Albert Green helps player Brandon Burwell, who was hit hard in the neck during the game against Southern in Racine, Ohio, on Sept. 26, 2008.

Cody Collins, a senior defensive end on the Federal Hocking High School football team, shouts in the locker room after the game against Southern High School in Racine, Ohio, on Friday, September, 26, 2008. "Let's see how many people we can fit in the shower!" Collins yelled. Federal Hocking won the game, 50-8.

Alexander football player Tyler Vickers enters the locker room in Alexander, Ohio, after losing a game against Meigs High School on Oct. 2, 2008.

And more sports:
Harry Hale, 18, boxes in front of a mirror as Correy Brown, 13, watches him at Sam's Gym in Glouster, Ohio, on Oct. 1, 2008. "We try to keep kids off the streets." owner Sam Jones said about his gym.

Motocross riders clear a jump at the MotoTrack in Nelsonville, Ohio, on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008. The race was a father-son tag team race.

From right, Bowling Green State's Katie Stephenson, Jen Czapka, and Ohio's Ainsley Bodi jump to head the ball during the soccer game at Chessa Field in Athens, Ohio, on Friday, October 3, 2008. After two overtimes, the game ended in a tie, 0-0.

First OU Update

Ok, so I got a little busy this quarter. Gimme a break. I love it at OU, though. What a great place to be. Life is so different out here.

In other news, I placed in CPOY for the first time. I got third place in Documentary and an award of excellence in Sports Action.

Right now I am in NYC getting ready to start an internship at James Nachtwey's studios. Should be sweet.

Here are some singles from this quarter. More to come soon...

Robert Holland, 26, and his best friend Brittany Kiser, 17, talk together at their home in Jacksonville, Ohio, on Sept. 18, 2008. Holland is gay and has a boyfriend in West Virginia. "We can't even hold hands outside together around here," Holland said.

From right, Matthew Cowart, 4, Autumn Frank, 6, Saidie Coriell, 4, Alec Chapman, 2, and Derek Cowart play outside on the porch while Samantha Windle watches from the screen door at the Windle home in Jacksonville, Ohio, on September 27, 2008. The kids had to stay outside while the parents prepared for a wedding to be held in the home later that day.

Mary Fierce of Jacksonville, Ohio, laughs after showing her new beer can figurine to friends during bingo at the Elks Lodge in Nelsonville, Ohio, on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008. The figurine had a retractable wooden penis. "I call him Viagra," Fierce said.

Brandon Mayle, 4, son of Cathy and Brandon Mayle, shows off his squirrel in Chesterhill, Ohio, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008. Mayle once killed a bird and kept it in a Ziploc bag for two days under his pillow.

David Conner, 21, watches for squirrels with Brandon Mayle, 4, son of Cathy and Brandon Mayle, during a squirrel hunting trip at their property in Chesterhill, Ohio, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008. "I don't know many 4 year-olds who can use a gun," Conner said about his young hunting partner, who once killed a bird and kept it in a Ziploc bag for two days under his pillow.

David Conner, 21, guts a squirrel after a hunting trip at the Conner property in Chesterhill, Ohio, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008. Conner went hunting with Brandon Mayle, 5, a family friend.

Jessie Skinner, 9, shows off his green vampire teeth while shooting a BB gun with friends at the Pettit family residence in Glouster, Ohio, on Oct. 10, 2008.

Corey Megrew, 4, shows off his mask during a trail ride and fish fry at his parent residence in Stockport, Ohio, on October 11, 2008.

John Singree of Chesterhill, Ohio, owns a horse barn that attracts visitors from all over the state. Singree and his wife, Becky Singree, operate the barn seven days a week and offer lessons and trail riding sessions.

Sam Thompson, 4, son of Cyrina and Wes Thompson, looks back to his mother after they picked flowers and gathered sticks to make wreaths at their home in Millfield, Ohio, on Oct. 17, 2008. The Thompson’s straw bale house was built by Wes Thompson, who owns a straw bale construction company. "We're just trying to become as self-sufficient as possible because I don't feel confident with the way things are going in the world," Wes Thompson said. Cyrina Thompson runs a Waldorf-inspired children’s preschool out of the home as well.

Cyrina Thompson, teacher at the Magnolia Children's School, practices singing and dancing with students Elise Erlewine, 4, left, Ben Thompson, back, and Zofia Walkowski, 3, at Thompson's straw bale house in Millfield, Ohio, on Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. The school, inspired by Waldorf educational teachings, emphasizes creative, practical, and intellectual pursuits. "It's about really understanding a child's development and trying to meet the children where they are," Thompson said. The straw bale home was built by Cyrina's husband, Wes Thompson.

Last Hurrah in Omaha

Here's a few from the last few weeks in Nebraska. I just finished and I'm still getting settled into Ohio. More to come on that later.

I got to cover an Elvis Tribute Artist early on in August:



I also went to America's largest Czech Festival. I've never seen so many kolaces and costumed kids before.



And remaining features and assignments: