From Fall 2011…

Feature Hunting GOLD.  Yes, on a random feature hunt in the town of Brownwood, TX Hannah Boen and I stumbled across these twin brothers that run a mechanic shop together. We learned upon return to the office that the Reporter-News has written several articles on the twins in the last decade.  The editors chose not to run Hannah’s story and my portrait but the image made  it’s way into our print edition at the end of the year in a special section of photography.  And now some information on these brothers-  Twins Orus, left and Otis Stokes have spent their entire lives side by side in Brownwood. They are 86 years old and have worked at their auto body shop, Stokes Brothers Garage, since 1941. Their shop is located on the corner of Main and West Mayes streets, the brothers are  proud to say they learned about mechanics on their own. They say the secret to their longevity is hard work.

“Remember, it’s always technique, speed, then power,” Don Chandler said. Chandler shows Marissa Smith, 6, how to aim her elbow to break a board during their practice on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at the Abilene Mixed Martial Arts studio.

To read Jeremy’s fantastic story click here

Billy Blanks leads a Tae Bo fitness class at Fit By Faith gym in Brownwood, Texas on Friday, October 7, 2011. Blanks, the internationally known celebrity fitness instructor led three classes on Friday to help raise money for deployed U.S. troops. He will offer more classes on Saturday during Tae Bo For The Troops in Brownwood.

Yes. West Texas has a talented football team called the “Blizzards”

Winters High School cheerleaders take the field with the school mascot, the Blizzard, to start the game against Goldthwaite High School in Winters on Friday, October 21, 2011.

Cooper High School sophomore Michael Johnson has an attitude to match his costume as he gathers with the marching band before their opening performance during the annual “Boo Bowl,” football game against Midland High School at Shotwell Stadium on Friday, November 4, 2011.

Gloria Lopez gently touches her mother’s cheek as she visits with her at the Kent County Nursing Home in Jayton on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. Maria Sauceda,79, moved to the nursing home after suffering a stroke that left her unable to speak. Sauceda has daily visits from her children that live in the area.

Abilene Christian High School Head Coach Mark Coley screams in victory over the 66-44 win against The Covenant at Moody High School on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

At first glance, these yard sale clothes reminded me of gigantic ornaments hanging on a Christmas tree.

The age-old art of ballet caught on in the United States in the late part of the 19th century. It became popular in West Texas around 1983 when Nancy Gore opened her studio, Ballet Abilene. Gore has taught the graceful dance of ballet to thousands of children over nearly three decades. [...]

On any given work day, Misty Garcia might jump into a pond full of alligators, grapple a feisty bird or flee an angry hog.
Of course, being the veterinarian at the Abilene Zoo, she also might spend the day drudging through paperwork and managerial tasks.
Garcia’s work is unpredictable because she, along with the entire zoo [...]

George and Diana Shaffner are pleased with their family of 23.
The couple love, respect — and spoil — their 12 horses and 9 cats, most of whom were rescued. If it were up to the Shaffners, their 35-acre home, Rising Sun Ranch, would be large enough to sustain countless more animals in [...]

Most people think Ira Miller is a perfect picture of health for a woman in her early 70s. They are right about the physical condition, but short on her age by nearly two decades.Miller said she is having as much fun as she did in her youth, but at 88 she does [...]

In an East Texas cotton field in 1928, Edna May Cassidy’s life work began with a song. She said God put a hymn in her heart while she sowed cotton alongside her grandfather.
Cassidy was eight years old. Since then she has devoted her life to serving others and spreading the gospel.
“I’m 91 years [...]

Judy Tiedemann is the captain of a small, earnest crew of volunteers in Brownwood. She commands the vessel with a balance of authority and praise for a meal well prepared five days a week.
Tiedemann is the kitchen manager at the Loaves & Fishes food kitchen at the Salvation Army, but most volunteers [...]

These are some images made between my first day at the Abilene Reporter-News on Aug. 22 through Sept. 22. It’s strange to think that I’ve been living here for almost two months now.  Abilene is a dusty town, much larger than Gillette and full of unusual stories.  Drought and record breaking heat were the big [...]

August was a month of transition for me, I was hired as a staff photojournalist at the Abilene Reporter-News in Abilene, Texas.  One year and two months in Wyoming changed my life in so many ways.  Those months brought Love, friendship, my first taste of a real winter, the most lovely landscapes I’ve ever seen [...]

My Jeff, and his celestial music
Outlaw Canyon Hole in the Wall- Wyoming

Jeff’s birthday
Jeff at home in Montana
This lamb was saved by grafting it to another mother, that happen to be an entirely different breed but took the lamb as her own.
Photojournalist Jim McAuley in action
Carlos Macias grills tomatoes, corn on the cob and chilies to [...]