The Dowland brothers including, from left, Sam, 5, Logan, 3, Brody, 8, and Mason, 6, work to create a "secret spot" while playing in a vacant lot that will eventually be the site of a home in a neighborhood east of Interstate 15 on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017 in Santaquin. Santaquin is a sleepy town in the rural southern part of Utah County. Cities in the northern part of the county, such as Lehi, are booming. Since the 50’s, Lehi has gained roughly 57,503 citizens whereas Santaquin has gained about 9,848 in the same time. Santaquin has been described as “Lehi 25 years ago” and though it is currently growing slowly but steadily, the city is preparing itself for a population boom of its own.
November was a busy month.
Though sometimes stressful, being busy is fulfilling. This past month offered a wonderfully-balanced assortment of assignments. I shot a good deal of sports, but I also had loads of news, feature and portrait assignments to balance the equation. I often tell people that one of the reasons that I love newspapers is the wide variety of assignments that I get to shoot. Variety is the spice of life. And in November that spice was quite balanced and sweet, but thick.
The Herald's photo staff once again underwent changes in November. My boss, Sammy Jo Hester, recently accepted a job as a photo editor at the L.A. Times and clocked in her last day at the newspaper this month. I'll be sad to see Sammy go (and miss her puns and ability to surprise me with my favorite sweets after long weeks), but she has a wealth of talent that I'm glad she'll be able to continue to grow at a place as respected as the L.A. Times. We've been accepting applications for her position, and I think we will fill the position within the next week. Though I thought about applying to the position myself, I decided that I would remain happiest keeping busy with assignments as the chief photographer since my long-term goal is being a daily photographer at a large metropolitan newspaper.
So, for the last half of the month I've been wearing a few more hats. Since Sammy left I've filled the managing roles of the photo editor (going to budget meetings, coordinating assignments with writers, setting up and/or creating our photo options for front-page centerpieces everyday, etc.). Filling extra roles while also being the newspaper's chief resource for photos has been a lot at once, but it feels good to push myself in new ways.
Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Zayne Anderson (23) claps along with his teammates as the band plays the school's fight song after BYU lost their last home game of the season to University of Massachusetts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Massachusetts Minutemen wide receiver Andy Isabella (23) briefly loses the ball as he is hit by Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Butch Pau'u (38), but the Minutemen quickly recovered the ball, during BYU football's last home game of the season against University of Massachusetts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Sterling Hansen, 17, holds Dippie Hansen, 9, both of Bluffdale, upside down after the Cougars scored their first and only touchdown during BYU football's last home game of the season against University of Massachusetts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Massachusetts Minutemen cornerback Lee Moses (3) breaks up a pass near the end zone intended for Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Talon Shumway (21) during BYU football's last home game of the season against University of Massachusetts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Aaron Becraft, of Saratoga Springs, rides his motorcycle with other members of the Patriot Guard Riders of Utah during the Veterans Day parade Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 in Layton. “You get all walks of life that come together," said Becraft. "We ride, that’s where the common bond is.” To see more from this Monday Close-Up, click here: http://provodh.com/eyl4s.
Doug Wooly, of West Valley City, sports a Patriot Guard Riders patch as he adjusts his sunglasses while setting his watch after the Veterans Day parade Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 in Layton.
Stephen Booth, center, of Salt Lake City, talks with Chris Smith, right, also of Salt Lake City, and other Patriot Guard Riders of Utah as they make their way through a terminal before a homecoming event Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017 at the Salt Lake City International Airport.
Cadets from the Utah Military Academy hold up letters spelling out "welcome home" during a homecoming event for Edgar Harrell, a retired corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps and a survivor from the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in 1945, on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017 at the Salt Lake City International Airport.
Patriot Guard Riders of Utah greet Edgar Harrell, a retired corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps and a survivor from the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in 1945, during a homecoming event Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017 at the Salt Lake City International Airport.
A woman waiting for a ride watches as the Patriot Guard Riders of Utah make their way away from a terminal after a homecoming event Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017 at the Salt Lake City International Airport.
Kory Harris and his son, Corwin, 5, pose for a portrait outside of their home Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017 at Francis K Mobile Home Park in Orem. During campaigning for the Orem mayoral race, supporters of Hans V. Andersen left flyers at residences in several local neighborhoods stating that they would possibly lose their homes due to the actions of city council. The Harris' home was one of the residences that received such a flyer. The statement was false, and the flyer also stated that Andersen was the only candidate willing to stop their actions.
Pheasants make their way out of a holding crate during a release of pheasants into the wild Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017 in Goshen Canyon.
Taylor Karlsson, left, and her husband, Emmanuel, right, both of Orem, listen with other attendees to Rebecca Clarke, of Orem, speak during a public hearing held by the Alpine School District Board of Education concerning the consolidation of Hillcrest and Scera Park Elementary Schools on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017 at the Alpine District Office in American Fork.
Eric Thorkelson, playing Santa Claus, watches as Tre Galbraith, 5, of Provo, plays with bubbles shot out of a bubble gun by Tre's mother, Megan, during a playtime session with Santa on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017 at University Place in Orem. The sessions with Santa, called Quiet Santa, are for children with sensory sensitivities and developmental disorders, like autism.
Edgar Harrell, a retired corporal in the United States Marine Corps and a survivor from the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in 1945, poses for a portrait Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo.
Pat Schow hands a movie ticket to a customer as other customers wait in line at the box office before a movie Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 at the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem. Schow, a Highland resident, has been volunteering at the theatre for over 30 years.
Lehi tackle Hayden Erickson (78) and other players high-five Lehi fans after the Lehi Pioneers defeated the Springville Red Devils in a 5A state semifinal game Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
Skyridge wide receiver Nathan Upham (21) makes a deep catch while guarded by Corner Canyon defensive back John Scheffner (23) during a 5A state semifinal game between the Skyridge Falcons and the Corner Canyon Chargers on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
Brigham Young Cougars outside hitter Veronica Jones-Perry (12) spikes the ball past San Francisco Dons right-side hitter Emily Zinger (9) during a game between Brigham Young University and University of San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 at Smith Fieldhouse in Provo.
The Lone Peak Knights celebrate their victory over the Pleasant Grove Vikings in five sets in the 6A girls volleyball state championship match Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 at the UCCU Center on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem.
Lone Peak outside hitter Madelyn Robinson poses for a portrait Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 at Lone Peak High School in Highland. A senior, Robinson has been selected as the Daily Herald's Utah Valley Volleyball Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Utah Valley Wolverines guard Gabrielle Leos (21) looks to an official after she fouled Brigham Young Cougars center Sara Hamson (22) during a game between Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017 at the Marriott Center in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Dave Rose reacts to an official's call during a game between Utah Valley University and Brigham Young University on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017 at the UCCU Center in Orem.
Salem Hills guard David Jones (14) pokes the ball away from Lone Peak guard Chantry Ross (0) during a game between the Lone Peak Knights and the Salem Hills Skyhawks in the Utah Valley Tipoff Classic on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017 at the UCCU Center in Orem.