American Leadership Academy's Jorge Gonzalez (16) reacts as time runs out giving South Summit the 3-1 victory in the 2A State Boys Soccer Semifinals game between the American Leadership Academy Eagles and the South Summit Wildcats on Friday, May 12, 2017 at Juan Diego Catholic High School in Draper.
Not every month is a standout, crazy month.
May was good, though. There was a crazy busy week (filled with graduations and several high school state sporting events), and other weeks ebbed and flowed.
Graduations always make me nostalgic, and the few I covered were no exception. It's crazy to think that just one year ago I myself was graduating from a college in Ohio, and now I'm covering graduations in Utah - life's unpredictable like that I suppose. On the other hand, it was personally fulfilling to see names I recognized from sporting events, high-school functions, and general community events in a few graduations. One of my favorite things about working at a newspaper is getting to understand communities. Graduations are culminating opportunities to see people from different walks of life hit a common milestone, and being able to point out a few different threads from people's lives that come together during such events was wonderful. It put a smile on my face being greeted by the ROTC instructor I met at a story back in September, listening to the crowd cheer as star athletes I photographed in games receive their diplomas, and running into school faculty members I had met while on assignment at schools. I'm so thankful to have a full-time job that allows me to see communities develop, and I'm glad I have the opportunity to continue watching Utah County grow.
Aside from that personal little tangent, I feel decently happy with how this month's pictures turned out. I shot more portraits than usual, which is something I enjoy. I feel like I have "my setup" totally down, but I'd like to make my portraits more distinguishable as "my own". I'll give a heads up once I figure that one out. Aside from portraits, I shot a few sporting events, graduations, and then just a mix of daily assignments. As always, the variety of assignments has been pretty nice, and I look forward to pushing myself creatively as the summer rolls around (though, when does one not want to "push themselves creatively"? haha).
For my Monday Close-Up this month, I photographed a story about Amanda Barton, a Lone Peak High School senior who has stage four kidney failure and undergoes dialysis three times a week before her classes. Photos from that story make up the last six pictures of this blog post. You can see a wider edit and the written story (which was a collaboration with one of our writers this month) here: provodh.com/b0ak1.
Besides work stuff, I'm excited to experience a summer in Utah. I've been working on my mountain-biking skills, and I recently bought myself a hammock system, so I'm doing my best to break out of my shell and get outside into the beautiful outdoors that Utah has in abundance.
Diane Thompson poses for a portrait during the last day of business at Diane's Wig Shop on Thursday, May 11, 2017 in Orem.
Lincoln Beck, 8, of Spanish Fork, climbs up a parking post as his father Will, left, listens to Festive People perform during the first show of the season for the Rooftop Concert Series on Friday, May 5, 2017 in downtown Provo.
McKenna Petty, bass guitarist for The Aces, performs with the band during the first show of the season for the Rooftop Concert Series on Friday, May 5, 2017 in downtown Provo.
Dogs explore the area along with visitors at the grand opening of the Orem Bark Park on Saturday, May 20, 2017 next to Mount Timpanogos Park in Provo Canyon.
Ava Del Francia, 2, of Midway, grimaces as Dawna Whitehead, of Fantastic Face Painting, finishes up Francia's tiger face paint during the baby animal birthday party Friday, May 19, 2017 at Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi.
Megan Hunter, right, laughs along with her classmates after a rocket was launched during Mike Jones' class Monday, May 8, 2017 at Timberline Middle School in Alpine.
A student chases after her rocket as it drifts away from the open field where it was launched during Mike Jones' class Monday, May 8, 2017 at Timberline Middle School in Alpine.
Lili Westover, 4, of Lehi, bounces about as Perry Renner checks the time during the Utah Pasifika Festival on Saturday, May 27, 2017 in downtown Provo.
Kiara Maryott jumps rope with her high-honors cord as she waits with other graduates in line for their diplomas during Provo High School's Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at the UCCU Center in Orem.
Lone Peak students cheer and joke around as fellow students file toward their seats during Lone Peak High School's Commencement Exercises on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Marriott Center in Provo.
Ivana Johnson cheers as her name is announced to receive her diploma during Provo High School's Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at the UCCU Center in Orem.
Utah Valley Wolverines pitcher Logan Hold (29) pitches the ball during a game between the Utah Valley University Wolverines and the Brigham Young University Cougars on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at Brent Brown Ballpark in Orem.
Timpanogos first baseman Spencer Olsen (25) fumbles with and drops the ball, but still throws to first base in time for an out in the second inning during a game between the Timpanogos Timberwolves and the Springville Red Devils on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at Timpanogos High School in Orem.
Skyridge's Hunter Bringhurst (2) scores as she safely slides into home plate off a wild pitch during a game between the Orem Tigers and the Skyridge Falcons on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Skyridge High School in Lehi.
Spanish Fork outfielder McKell Stone poses for a portrait Monday, May 8, 2017 at the Spanish Fork Sports Park. Now in her senior year, McKell has torn her ACL twice.
American Fork junior Nathan Mumford poses for a portrait Saturday, May 27, 2017 at American Fork High School. Mumford was selected as the Daily Herald's Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
Timpanogos' Tyler Cornish poses for a portrait Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Brent Brown Ballpark in Orem. A senior, Cornish is a pitcher and shortstop for the baseball team. Cornish was selected as the Daily Herald's Baseball Player of the Year.
Amanda Barton walks from one FrontRunner train to another at the Murray Central Station on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 on her way to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. To get to her three dialysis treatments a week, Barton boards the 5:16 a.m. FrontRunner train from the Lehi Station to arrive at the hospital for her treatments at 6:30 a.m.
Amanda Barton checks the stop schedule as she rides the FrontRunner train Wednesday, May 24, 2017 on her way to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City.
Amanda Barton looks towards registered nurse Brooke Walker as she and University of Utah student Stephanie Matalone ready Barton for dialysis Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at Primary Children's Hospital Outpatient Services in Salt Lake City. Barton has stage four kidney failure, and undergoes dialysis three times a week to keep her body functioning.
Blood pumps in and out of Amanda Barton as she undergoes dialysis Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at Primary Children's Hospital Outpatient Services in Salt Lake City. Her dialysis treatments typically last about three hours, during which she can't leave her seat.
Amanda Barton looks around for friends as she and fellow soon-to-be graduates line up in sections to form lines before Lone Peak High School's commencement exercises on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Marriott Center in Provo.
Amanda Barton hugs a friend as they and fellow soon-to-be graduates gather in sections to form lines before Lone Peak High School's commencement exercises on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Marriott Center in Provo. Barton will attend Utah State University in Logan in the fall.