Gail Halvorsen, also know as the "Candy Bomber", poses for a portrait in the cockpit of a Cessna 182 Turbo Skylane belonging to the Civil Air Patrol on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the Spanish Fork-Springville Airport. Halvorsen earned his nickname by air-dropping candy to kids during the Berlin Airlift after World War II from 1948 to 1949.
I'm surprised I haven't run into camera malfunctions (knock on wood) with how much I shot during March.
The weather has gotten beautiful around Utah County (highs from the high 50's to low 70's, but with snow still capping the mountains), and it seems everyone in the valley decided to get out and be active. Spring sports such as soccer, softball, baseball, and even college football have begun ramping up, while men's college volleyball is about to enter tournament season - and sporting events haven't even been the majority that've kept myself and the rest of the photo staff busy. There's just been loads of general assignments, which truly run the gambit in terms of what they entail.
In the latter portion of the month, I was assigned to photograph the Daily Herald's picks for player of the year in high school basketball (both boys and girls) and wrestling. The newspaper decided on motion to be the theme tying together the pictures. So, I took inspiration from my friend Logan Riley who used rear-curtain sync on a player-of-the-year series this past winter, and tinkered with it a bit. The photos were a several-second exposure with a small bit of constant light throughout to make the blur of the players' motion visible with a pop of the studio lights at the end to freeze the player. After some experimenting with my friend an co-worker Dominic Valente (who did a wonderful job assisting me, and our sports editor Jared Llyod who assisted when Dominic was busy), we shined two cell-phone flashlights through colored gels to make the blur different colors - which we coordinated with each player's school colors. It was a fun shoot, and I look forward to trying something different for the next round of player of the year sports portraits.
For my Monday Close-Up this month, I decided to learn more about motocross: specifically in its most entry-level and smallest form, pit bike racing. I went to a pit bike race held at a local Honda motosports dealership and met the Millers. Randy Miller, the patriarch of the Miller crew, is an active dirt-bike racer, and he's in the process of introducing his children to the sport. The story ended up only being a two-day shoot due to other story ideas and contacts not panning out, but it was neat to learn a little about pit bikes (and I even got to ride one thanks to the Millers, which was obviously pretty sweet). The story I wrote can be read here: provodh.com/60kie.
With winter coming to an end, I'm hitting a transitional period personally and at work. Assignments are taking place outside more often (oh how I've missed some nice natural light), and I'm personally getting ready to trade in my skis (at least for the season) for whatever other summertime activity I get myself into. I've finally put my voice back into commission by joining a small choir here in Provo (for those of you that don't know, singing is a love of mine that is only narrowly bested by photojournalism for me). I also went back home to Ohio for a few short days to visit my alma mater of Ohio University and sing with the men's choir I sang with in college, the Singing Men of Ohio.
With another busy month behind me, I'm getting closer and closer to seeing what it is like to spend a full year in a community working for a newspaper.
Riggen Gibbens, 4, of Highland, tosses a toy football in the air as his mother Lacey watches among various taxidermy mounts at The Hunt Broker's booth during The Big Outdoors Expo on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at the UCCU Center on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem.
The grilled pineapple is pictured Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at Braza Grill in Lehi.
Diane Garcia poses for a portrait at Garcia's family farm along South River Bottom Road on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 in Spanish Fork. The property has been in Garcia's family since her great-great grandfather settled the land in 1852.
Samatha Buck, center, and Amaya Simp, right, both of Provo High School, shoot smoke rings to try and knock a cup off the head of Scot Gilbert, not pictured, at the IM Flash booth during SheTech Explorer Day on Friday, March 3, 2017 in the Grande Ballroom on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem.
Whitney Hjorth, 3, of Orem, spins about as she plays with her wand during a Fairy Tea session Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Provo City Library.
Anistyn Barber, 9, center, of Provo, plays with her wand along with other kids during a Fairy Tea session Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Provo City Library.
From right, Andrew Sanchez, Cory Burtcher and Janelle Sanchez, all of Orem, enter Cinemark Movies 8 during its last day of operations Thursday, March 16, 2017 in Provo.
Hailie Johnson, 13, of Herriman, tries to counterbalance several younger children Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Neptune Park in Saratoga Springs. Though there's still snow atop the mountains, the 20th marked the official start of Spring.
Colton Estey, a student from Illinois Central College, begins climbing up a tree along with other students from colleges around the country during a practice for an arboricultural event Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at Wymount Field on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo. The practice was a part of the National Collegiate Landscape Competition, and an arboriculture competition was held on Friday.
Cows stand in a field along Lakeview Parkway in Provo as a controlled burn takes place in a rural area of Springville on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.
Rachael Hall hitches her bike up after the Ladies Fancy Ride as part of International Women's Day activities Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at the Provo Bicycle Collective. Hall helped organize the bicycle ride, which was one of several events held in Provo in celebration of International Women's Day.
From left, the Boldt family including Aaron, Sadie, Nancy, Lance and also David Hair pose for a portrait Thursday, March 9, 2017 in front of Joshy's House of Hope, located at 43 North 100 East in American Fork. Nancy is holding a photo of her sons Benjamin and Joshua, both of whom died of cancer. The Boldts bought the home to host meetings for Canary Garden, a center for grieving families, which is in its 14th year.
Sgt. Spencer Cannon briefs the media as the Utah County Sheriff's Office investigates the scene of two fatalities Friday, March 24, 2017 at a home at the end of S. 1800 W. in Benjamin.
Gail Halvorsen, also know as the "Candy Bomber", poses for a portrait Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the Spanish Fork-Springville Airport.
Brigham Young Cougars outfielder Keaton Kringlen (17) jumps, but can't catch the ball as it sails out of the park for a home run to put UCSB ahead 1-0 in the first inning of the second game of a double-header between Brigham Young University and the University of California Santa Barbara on Friday, March 10, 2017 at Miller Park in Provo.
Lehi right fielder Alli Butterfield (3) listens to head coach Tim Kennedy speak after the Pioneers were swept by the Red Devils 13-0 in a game between the Springville Red Devils and the Lehi Pioneers on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at Springville High School.
Timpview midfielder Cesar Alvarez (14) heads the ball while guarded by Skyridge forward Jaxon Sorensen (2) during a game between the Skyridge Falcons and the Timpview Thunderbirds on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Skyridge High School in Lehi.
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Tanner Mangum (12) fumbles the ball during the spring scrimmage Saturday, March 25, 2017 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars opposite hitter Ben Patch (13) celebrates his scoring hit along with middle blocker Miki Jauhiainen (19) during a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Long Beach State 49ers on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at the Smith Fieldhouse in Provo. Patch celebrated his 1,000th kill during the game.
Springville senior Andrew Slack poses for a portrait Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at the Daily Herald in Provo. Slack plays as a center and was selected by the Daily Herald as the Utah Valley Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
American Fork senior Taylor Moeaki poses for a portrait Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at the Daily Herald in Provo. Moeaki plays as a guard and was selected by the Daily Herald as the Utah Valley Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Payson senior Chayce Loveless poses for a portrait Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at the Daily Herald in Provo. Loveless wrestles in the 190-pound weight class and was selected by the Daily Herald as the Utah Valley Wrestler of the Year.
Randy Miller talks to his son Bode, 1, after taking a ride around the Miller's neighborhood on a pit bike Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 in Lehi. Bode has a few years to go before he rides himself, but Randy's motto is that if you can ride a bicycle without training wheels, you can begin to learn how to ride a dirt bike.
Devin Miller watches as riders blur past him in a race during the first round of the Pit Bike Race Series on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 at Monarch Honda in Orem. Though just 8-years old, Devin has been riding pit bikes for 3 years.
Randy Miller gives his son Devin, 8, a thumbs-up before a kid's race during the first round of the Pit Bike Race Series on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 at Monarch Honda in Orem. Being their first official races for both Randy and his son, Devin was a bit cautious after a less-than-perfect practice run, but eagerly took the starting line after some encouragement from his father.
The Millers, including Diann, left, Breann, 5, bottom center, Randy, center left, Bode, 1, in arms, and Devin, 8, bottom right, watch a race during the first round of the Pit Bike Race Series on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 at Monarch Honda in Orem. “We play together, and it helps the family grow closer together,” explained Diann.
Randy Miller talks with his daughter Breann, 5, during the first round of the Pit Bike Race Series on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 at Monarch Honda in Orem.
Bode Miller checks out a pit bike as his brother Devin takes off his gear in the garage Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 at the Miller's home in Lehi. “A lot of the guys that stay in the industry start when they are young,” said Jeff Panelley, Digital Marketing and Events Coordinator at Monarch Honda in Orem.