Sam Jolley pumps out a rep as he works out Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, at VASA Fitness in American Fork. Jolley was once an avid motocross rider, but in 2003 a crash during a race left him paralyzed from the waist down.

As I was looking back at all of these photos, it's hard to believe just how much happened in January.

To begin with, I finally got around to doing a Monday Close-Up on Sam Jolley (I had been waiting to do this story for a few months). Sam was once a motocross rider, but a crash during a race ended his career 15 years ago and left him paraplegic. Today, Sam is amazingly active considering his physical state. He often works out, paraglides, skis, and does other adventurous things with his free time. It was a struggle to get winds that were consistent enough for Sam to paraglide, but two days before the story published, he finally took to the skies - which allowed me to make a crucial few photos at the last minute. His journey to where he is today has been long and grueling. His story includes the photo above and the eight that follow below. Read more about Sam here: provodh.com/2lto7.

The biggest news of the month was easily the passing of Thomas S. Monson, the late President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, his passing didn't seem to have the outward emotional effect on the people of Utah that I thought it would. Among photographers, we would joke that Monson's death would be the biggest "drop everything and go to work, all hands on deck" news event that we could possibly experience in Utah. Though, once he passed, there was little to cover. I went to Temple Square to photograph scenes there, but found only two floral wreaths and flags at half-staff. Monson's viewing was totally closed to the media. The media was only allowed to be outside of the building where the viewing was held for two hours. During the funeral itself, photographers were confined to the back rows of the LDS Conference Center (which is how access usually is when General Conference is held there, so that wasn't a big surprise or hassle). His casket was loaded into a hearse in an underground tunnel and the burial was also off-limits to the media, so all of those photo opportunities were not possible. It was interesting to hear from more seasoned photographers that when the last Prophet/President of the LDS Church passed away, all of those restrictions to the media were not in place (viewing, hearse loading, burial, etc.). A sort of general news essay from funeral proceedings make up the last seven photos of this blog post.

Besides working with Sam Jolley and Monson's funeral, I had plenty of daily assignments to keep me busy. The political scene was very active with local mayors taking office, entertainment was lively with everything going on at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, and sports teams are in the midst of their seasons before entering playoff season. I sadly got to spend only one afternoon up at the Sundance Film Festival, but I did manage to attend a swanky RSVP-only party in Sundance on one of my days off (one must fit some personal fun time into a busy month).

All in all, I think January was a solid month. Going forward, I hope to really start honing my Monday Close-Ups into more striking projects that will find their way into my portfolio, and also continuing to look for fresh takes on general assignments.

Sam Jolley transfers from his wheelchair to a piece of exercise equipment at VASA Fitness in American Fork. From a young age, Jolley took to motocross to fulfill his love of adrenaline-filled activities. “That’s when I knew I was born to be on wheels…I just wasn’t planning on these wheels,” he said.

Sam Jolley tightens hooks affixed to his wrists as he works out at VASA Fitness in American Fork. The hooks allow him to get a better grip on weights, since Jolley has a lack of dexterity in his fingers in addition to being paraplegic.

Sam Jolley reaches back to put on his sweatshirt at his home in Pleasant Grove before going out with his son.

Sam Jolley watches old footage of himself tandem paragliding as trophies from his motocross career sit on a shelf at his home in Pleasant Grove. “The bike things sort of grew up with me," said Jolley of his passion for motocross. "It’s always been my peaceful time in the middle of chaos.”

Sam Jolley waves to a neighbor as they drive by while he gets into his truck with his son at Jolley's home in Pleasant Grove. Jolley's truck is specially engineered so that he can not only get into the driver's seat, but also drive the vehicle himself.

Sam Jolley throws a stray dodgeball back into the mix as his son, Treven Jolley, 14, left, competes in a pick-up dodgeball match at Get Air Hang Time in Orem. Jolley's son lives with his mother in a rural town about an hour away. “I get him on the weekends," explained Jolley. "He’s been a big part of my life.” 

Sam Jolley practices ground handling and other paragliding skills with the help of Mark Rich, a Draper resident with Project Airtime, before taking flight at the Flight Park State Recreation Area in Draper. Jolley learned how to paraglide with Project Airtime, a Draper-based non-profit that aims to get everyone into the skies. 

Sam Jolley paraglides through the air in the direction of Lake Mountain at the Flight Park State Recreation Area in Draper. Jolley explained that he often tells people, “In the midst of all of your struggle, don’t forget to have fun.”

Provo High School faculty walk through a partially-completed hallway during a tour of the new Provo High School that is currently under construction Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018. The high school is located at 1300 N. Lakeshore Dr. in Provo.

Utah County Commissioner Nathan Ivie looks to fellow commissioner Bill Lee as the seat of commissioner Greg Graves remains vacant during the State of the County Address on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo. Graves failed to appear at several public meetings and events after a female Utah County employee accused the commissioner of sexual harassment.

ALA junior Kaden Dengin, center, performs with fellow students during show choir practice Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, at American Leadership Academy in Spanish Fork.

Brigham Young Cougars forward Luke Worthington (41) is fouled while his shot is contested by several Loyola Marymount Lions defenders during a game between Brigham Young University and Loyola Marymount University on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, at the Marriott Center in Provo.

Pleasant Grove guard Kael Mikkelsen (24) dives to throw the ball back in bounds during a game between the Pleasant Grove Vikings and the Lone Peak Knights on Friday, Jan. 26, 2018, at Pleasant Grove High School.

Brigham Young Cougars guard TJ Haws (30) and Pepperdine Waves guard Colbey Ross (4) reach for the ball after Ross lost control of it during a game between Brigham Young University and Pepperdine University on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, at the Marriott Center in Provo.

The BYU bench helps up and cheers on Brigham Young Cougars guard Paisley Johnson (13) as she runs back out into the action after she fell into the bench on a play during a game between Brigham Young University and Saint Mary's College of California on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at the Marriott Center in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars guard TJ Haws (30) protests an official's call after fouling Pacific Tigers guard Roberto Gallinat, background, during a game between Brigham Young University and University of the Pacific on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, at the Marriott Center in Provo.

Brandyn VanTassell, of Maple Mountain, sustains a hold on Byron Anderson, of Desert Hills, during the Utah All-Star Dual on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, at the UCCU Center in Orem.

The newly-married couple, Joseph and Claudia Young, both 90, kiss after their sealing ceremony Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, at the Provo Utah Temple.

Anna Dean, left, demonstrates how to use an interactive station where visitors can find out what famous people they're related to, on Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, at the FamilySearch Center in Lehi. 

Cindy and David Walter, of Alpine, dance during an inaugural ball for Provo's first female mayor, Michelle Kaufusi, on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, at the Provo City Library. 

Porter's Place owner Bob Trepanier poses for a portrait in the restaurant Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, in Lehi. A broken sewer pipe has caused the restaurant to close, and it is uncertain if the pipes will be fixed and if the restaurant will be reopened. 

Dan Reynolds, lead vocalist for Imagine Dragons, gives a shoutout as he talks with the media during the premiere of "Believer" at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, at the Marc Theatre in Park City. "Believer", a documentary-style film told from the perspective of Reynolds, focuses on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their relationship with the LGBTQ community.

Church officials stand as the casket of Thomas S. Monson, the late prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is brought to the rostrum during his funeral service Friday, Jan. 12, 2018, at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Monson passed away Jan. 2 of natural causes at age 90.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, former second counselor in the First Presidency, right, and President Henry B. Eyring, former first counselor in the First Presidency, sit on either side of the vacant seat of President Thomas S. Monson during Monson's funeral at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

Attendees stand as the funeral party makes their way out to their seats during President Thomas S. Monson's funeral at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

Linda Winegar, of Pleasant Grove, holds her hand on her son, Finn, 8, as the casket of Thomas S. Monson is taken away after the funeral service at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Finn had never been inside the conference center before the funeral.

Church officials talk amongst themselves before the funeral of Thomas S. Monson at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir listens as President Russell M. Nelson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks during the funeral of President Thomas S. Monson at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

A floral wreath dedicated to the late LDS President and Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, stands in front of the Church Administration Building on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, at Temple Square in Salt Lake City following his death the prior night.