Ray

My husband and I have been going to Einsteins Bros Bagels since we met. It's right across the street from where he works, the people who work there were friendly, and there's Ray.

Ray Kasper is one of those local characters who you know even if you don't actually know him. He's always in Einsteins with his wife, his nephew, a friend, a new acquaintance or maybe just himself. He always has his own mug, sits in the chair with the plaque on the back that the store gave him, may have one of his books of poetry out on the table in front of him, and always sits at the largest table. Ray doesn't do this to take the space, but to invite others to sit with them. He may tell them a joke or start a game with a bored child at a nearby seat, but he's always friendly.

And he's been doing this for more than a decade.

I've met Ray and chatted with him numerous times, but Tuesday, the very last day that the store would be open, I got to shoot Ray for the paper. Hearing his story and getting to know who he actually was made me think of the people we see every day that you know but don't really know, and how lucky we are, even in this trying time for our business and industry, to get the chance to hear the stories, happenings and moments of the characters around us.

Definitely worth it.

I asked the same question many asked him, "So Ray... where do you go from here?" He's not quite sure yet.

Maybe Chick-Fil-A.

Maybe somewhere else.

But it has to have a few things: good coffee, be a clean place, and have nice people who work there.

I don't know where he'll end up, but I'll be interested in tracking him down. And see what characters he brings with him.

The Great Train Race

Inflatable Planetarium

Wild Bunch Wildlife Rescue

My last project here will be on a wildlife rehabilitation center and the one-woman-show that runs it. What I'm really excited about for this is that the woman, Diana O'Conner, is very open to me being there, and I will hopefully get to spend the night at some point. It's always nice when you connect with someone on the projects where you work, and I'm getting an understanding as to why this passion means so much to her.

Paul Stefan Home

A quick series of shoots I'm doing on the Paul Stefan Home. The ladies and their children who live here make it a nice time going, and are very friendly and open about their experiences.

Snow Day

These were taken earlier this month on the last good snow of the year (probably). So, the photographers hit the road in search of news and weather (which was everywhere).

About 4 days a week I get up early to coach some rowing before work. On this day we were inside, so I grabbed a couple of photos on my way there.


Did it need a sign?


Trying to keep the floors clean from the slush.


I don't know if it worked out well, but it looked like fun.

Dreams of a First Home

The Free Lance-Star began a series last week to localize and put faces on the stimulus package. It's called The Stimulus: Bringing It Home. This began with an idea by Mike Morones, my co-worker here in the photography department, initially dealing with Obama's agenda. We planned that one out, but due to some happenings at the paper in January, it never took off. That plan got adapted by a reporter, Bill Freehling, to now be this series. I think it should prove to be some heartfelt stories and a strong package, running occasionally over the next few weeks, and being 15 stories long.
It's been a lot of work planning it out, building the multimedia presentation for it with the help of Alex Russell, and then updating that as the stories run. We're going to keep working on it and improving it throughout the series as well. Figure why not make it all that it can be when we actually have the chance to do so?
I was lucky enough to get to shoot the kickoff story, and I was actually happy with out it turned out. Got to meet a couple of great first-time home buyers, who give my currently renting and leasing self some hope.
Tracy and I spent hours talking and chatting as we waited for delivery men to arrive and handymen to show up. I really enjoyed our conversations.

Child Support

Child Support - Ghana is one of NGOs I've met that really touched me. I'll write more about it, but here are some photos of their projects. I had the chance to spend 2 days with Eric Coomans and the other volunteers in Wa, Northern Ghana.


A children's home where 10 children live with one house-mother when their parents are not able to take care of them.


A hospice center. Hospice here does not mean the final stages, and while many are no longer here, some leave once recovered. Rashida is 24 years-old.


A rehabilitation center for malnourished babies and children. Being one of the poorest regions in Ghana, the malnutrition stems from not being able to afford food.


A home and training program for young women. These women would have otherwise been sent to Accra for a life of carrying water and goods on their heads to make a living, which often results in becoming a commercial sex worker to get by. Instead they are being trained to sew and in hairdressing, and have their own business which they run.