Springville forward senior Anna Smith (3) and Skyridge midfielder junior Sage Gentry (30) compete for the ball as Springville defender senior Diana Sanchez (4) helps up Skyridge midfielder senior Breesa Nawahine (10) during the first round of the division 4A state tournament between the Skyridge Falcons and the Springville Red Devils on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016 at Springville High School.
Aside from seeing a surplus of pumpkins and a few trick-or-treat assignments, October was a relatively regular month for me.
I started off the month photographing the LDS Church's semi-annual General Conference, which was something unlike I've never experienced before. Since moving to Utah I've learned about the Mormon faith (being that 89% of people in Utah County are Mormon), and getting to photograph the largest gathering in the Mormon Church (with the church's president and most of the higher-ups present) was a first for me.
Otherwise, I've been pushing myself to find more off-moments in everyday assignments. The sort of off-moments that don't necessarily make for a solid newspaper picture, but something weird. I consider myself a relatively straightforward photographer when it comes to style, so I'm trying to photograph the weird moments I usually wouldn't consider as picture-worthy to try and break out of my own mold. In that spirit, I recently sold a Nikon mirrorless camera I won in a contest and bought a Fujifilm X-T2, which I've been using to revive my Instagram account. I'm using it in tandem with my typical DSLR setup to spur me to shoot a bit differently. It's also a trusty (and silent) secondary camera to take with me on assignments.
Now winter's beginning to set in. Snow hasn't fallen, and it hasn't gotten freezing cold yet, but winter in Utah will be something unlike the Ohio winters I've experienced my whole life. I look forward to what the chillier months have to bring at the Daily Herald.
Trick-or-treaters make their way along the candy route along the track during Trunk-or-Treat on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016 at Mountain View High School in Orem.
Michael Graf, left, holds hands with his fiancé Sarah Baker as they head towards their seats before the afternoon session of the 186th semi-annual General Conference of the Church of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 in Salt Lake City.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cover themselves as a rain storm quickly moves through the area while they make their way towards the Conference Center from Temple Square before the afternoon session of the 186th semi-annual General Conference of the Church of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 in Salt Lake City.
Mak Oberg, 3, swings on a rope swing while his brothers Zak, 3, front center, and Kaydon, 4, play on the trampoline next to their grandmother Laura Oberg outside the Oberg's home Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016 in Santaquin. The three boys moved in about two years ago when their father ran into personal issues and are now taken care of by their grandparents, Laura and Blain Oberg.
Wendy Asay, right, and McKay Ahping stand with signs during a sidewalk rally for independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016 at the intersection of University Avenue and Bulldog Boulevard in Provo. Ahping organized the event, and encouraged people to bring copies of the U.S. Constitution and signs to support Evan McMullin.
Independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin looks out from a side room to
Brimhall Room 302 as he's introduced before speaking at the Provo City Library
on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016.
Miley, 6, and Lola Meng, 4, wait for independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin as he takes pictures with audience members after he spoke at the Provo City Library on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016.
Springville defender senior Jensena Warren (11) lays on the field in frustration just after after Springville fell to Skyridge 2-1 in the first round of the division 4A state tournament between the Skyridge Falcons and the Springville Red Devils on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016 at Springville High School.
Salem Hills' Kaden Stewart's face paint runs after a sweaty first half during the first round of the state football tournament between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Salem Hills Skyhawks on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 at Timpview High School in Provo.
Timpview players celebrate around senior Mikayla Powell (28) as she hoists up the championship trophy after shutting out East 2-0 in the girls soccer state championship Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.
Utah Valley University forward Isaac Neilson (22) poses for a portrait during media day Monday, Oct. 10, 2016 at the UCCU Center in Orem.
Brigham Young Cougars running back Jamaal Williams high-fives fans as he makes his way through the Cougar Walk on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Springfield outside linebacker Vili Kolomalu (92) takes a moment to himself at halftime during the first round of the state football tournament between the Orem Tigers and the Springville Red Devils on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 at Springville High School.
Draft horse teams circle the rodeo grounds before being judged during the draft horse show at the Fall Festival at the Young Living Lavender Farm on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 in Mona.
Peyton Smith, 6, of Eagle Mountain, relaxes as she watches "Horton Hears a Who!" after a celebration in honor of the school becoming a National PTA School of Excellence on Monday, Oct. 10, 2016 at Pony Express Elementary School in Eagle Mountain.
Amanda Lauret, center, holds her son Rexton, 4, in her lap as she and her family claps along with the rest of the crowd during a celebration in honor of the school becoming a National PTA School of Excellence on Monday, Oct. 10, 2016 at Pony Express Elementary School in Eagle Mountain.
Chris Palmer, role playing as a judge, covers his face while the Bountiful Metro SWAT Team secures the courtroom during an active-shooter scenario Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016 at the Fourth Judicial District Court in Provo.
Andrew Smith secures a suspect with a riot shield as the rest of the Bountiful Metro SWAT Team secures the courtroom during an active-shooter scenario Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016 at the Fourth Judicial District Court in Provo.
Byron Burwell, center, shovels mulch with other volunteers for the playground at Geneva Elementary School on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 in Orem.
Angalee Bodell, 3, dressed as Ariel from "The Little Mermaid' covers her eyes from the sun as she stands with her sister Alexis, 6, dressed as a witch, as their parents take a picture of them at the Trick-or-Treat Village held at Nolen Park on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016 in Eagle Mountain. Roughly 2,500 people came out to the event on the sunny afternoon.
Landon Coones, an event tech with UVU, smiles as he holds a lightsaber somebody offered him after a meeting of the Lightsaber club Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016 at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Julie Tamez,
11, and other performers head towards the
stage during a Day of the Dead celebration Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 at
Thanksgiving Point in Lehi.
Remi Toolson, 2, checks her elbow as Asher Toolson, 5, shouts with excitement while coming down the slide with other kids at Hee Haw Farms on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016 in Lindon.