Imprelis Herbicide for The New York Times

Last Thursday afternoon, I got a call from The New York Times asking if I could run out and make some images of dead evergreen trees just north of Columbus. Apparently this story has been unfolding all over the country as complaints are surfacing that allege a DuPont chemical could be causing the death of many homeowner's landscaping. The homeowner in this particular story, Robert Deprato, talked to me for a little while about camera gear, and then asked if I needed to use a macro. He ended up having a 90mm macro lens, which helped to illustrate the dead pine needles a little bit better than any glass I had.

If you're interested, read the story in The NYT or the Denver Post, where it also ran.

Dayton Dragons for The New York Times

Last Monday I had an opportunity to work with George Vecsey, a New York Times writer, on a story about the Single A baseball club, the Dayton Dragons, who are quickly approaching the record of consecutive sold out games- 815 -since opening twelve years ago. I met George, who had been at the park for a few hours already, shortly after getting there. We had briefly discussed photo ideas via e-mail, and everything sounded pretty open ended. Right off the bat, George said, "I've worked with a lot of photographers over the years. I trust your eye." It was a great way to start a shoot, especially because I don't have a chance to work with writers very often. I haven't been to a baseball game in going on four years now, so it was a really nice change of scenery. I was excited to pick up The Sunday Times and see 6 images on the front page of the sports section, and another two inside. Take a look at the slideshow here.

Worthington, Ohio for The New York Times

A few weeks ago I got a call from editor Dave Scull at The New York Times asking if I would work on a story about education and the economy as job losses continue to hit across the board. Even Worthington, Ohio, widely regarded as an upper-middle class Columbus suburb has felt the effects. I was more than happy to take the story, and spent a day at Wilson Hill Elementary School where I primarily focused on Grace Koo's children. Afterwards, I accompanied the family to swimming lessons and then home while they ate dinner.

The Times ended up running the lede image 6 columns on the front of the National section, with two supporting images and a preview image on A1.







Elementary school was interesting- I don't think I've been in one since my younger sister "graduated" from 5th grade...11 years ago I guess? It kind of threw me for a loop when I walked in- it looked like how I remember it, right down to the warm, inviting teachers, but I seemed to have forgotten how small everything is. It was also fun for me to deal with kids cheesing at the camera and trying to get my attention, reminding me of being 8 or 9 and having somebody come into the classroom, watching fellow classmates pester the visitor. I wasn't one of those kids, but it was interesting to see the dichotomy from this angle. Reversing the roles, I suppose.

I had a really great time on this shoot. Grace and her family made the day really fun, and were very welcoming to me. It's always really great to leave an assignment with a big smile, knowing you've done the story and those affected by it the justice they deserve.

If you'd like to read the story, please do so here. I was also pleased to see that the Columbus Dispatch syndicated the story from the Times, knowing that it reached a hyper-local audience as well as the rest of the nation.

On the road (Pt. 2)

Here's a bunch of political work for The New York Times.


Bob Armstrong, Mayor of Defiance, Ohio


Laborer's Union, Canton, Ohio


Ted Strickland Rally, Akron, Ohio


Election Day Volunteers, Canton, Ohio


Election Day, Canton, Ohio


Awaiting Results at the Ted Strickland/Democratic Party, Columbus, Ohio

Recent Outtakes

I only posted the two portraits from my recent political assignment, so here's a few more.

Cincinnati Politics for The New York Times

I had the chance to follow around Congressman Steve Driehaus and opponent Steve Chabot last weekend. You can read the story and see what ranhere.

These are a few outtakes from the weekend.


Kitty Atkins-Bullock; Long time Chabot supporter


Pat Wheeler; Tea Party Protestor

Meredith Rutledge for The New York Times

I photographed Meredith Rutledge, the assistant curator at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for The New York times last week. It was one of the most fun assignments I've had in awhile- I like music a lot and so does she (obviously) so once we got talking, she invited me into the vault. The vault is the place where they keep all of the stuff that's not on display/too valuable to display, such as the OG copies of Jon Lennon's lyrics and stuff. It was a really great rewarding assignment.

You can read the article here, about how business travel is starting to rebound.

West Virginia Mining Disaster for the NYT

Last Monday evening I got a call from The New York Times asking me to go cover the mining disaster in Montcoal, West Virginia. Deadline was 11:30 and I found out I couldn't remote transmit the images from Montcoal due to lack of wireless access and no cell phone signal. I got into Montcoal around 9:30 and had about 45 minutes to work before driving back out to Charleston in a torrential downpour so I could edit in 15 minutes and have the images to them by deadline. They didn't end up having anything in print- I think I was too close to deadline that they had already laid out the pages.

I ended up going back the next day for Time, but by that point it was overrun with media and unique images were difficult to come by.

I can't imagine a town that small losing so many people. Montcoal reminded me very much of the communities surrounding Athens. It was difficult to read that the four remaining miners passed away.






Thanks to Robert Caplin for sending me these screen grabs.

Tim Oldani for The New York Times

I photographed Tim Oldani of Scott Depot, WVa. last month for The New York Times. He's an ex-marine who suffers from PTSD and was convicted of stealing night vision goggles to sell them on eBay. Normally, a crime such as this should carry a five year sentence, but due to his service in Iraq, Oldani was given five months followed by three years of supervision.

Click here to read the story