Friday Night

Photographed the company during "Artrageous," an open house and art walk for the artist studios on Orr Street. I could watch Genene and Fernando forever; they are so dynamic and beautiful together.

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On the last day of my internship this past summer, I got to photograph Obama when he came to my hometown. There was a photographer "pit" up front and I was crawling around on the floor, sweating, and switching lenses; it took place in an airport hangar so it was pretty stifling when packed with people. Still, it was pretty exciting to be that close to a president--I'm green enough at this to admit that! (I'm also glad I didn't take my well-meaning landlady's advice about what to wear: she works in politics and told me to wear a suit and heels because I'm "going to meet the president").

Dancer Feet

Because of their frequent pointe work, female dancers' feet can really take a beating. This pair looks pretty good--most of the nails are still on.

MCB Backstage

Pictures from the past two weekends that the Missouri Contemporary Ballet has been performing. I'm trying to get more backstage, "moment" pictures and lay off of the dancing pictures for a while. I've decided that dance pictures are like potato chips: you can't eat just one! I keep thinking I'll get the image right and in focus if I take "just one more."

Red

I can't remember the official name of this duet, but it is mesmerizing--dancers are Noelle Lelakus and Christopher Benjamin of the Missouri Contemporary Ballet. It's actually one of their older pieces from last year, choreographed by resident choreographer Shannon West.

If you look at these pictures, it looks like a classical piece but it is actually set to this eerie music by the band St. Vincent (I had never heard of them but that's not saying much), a song called "Your Lips Are Red." Check it out on YouTube, for some reason it won't let me link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XST5L2lO2hQ

In Transit

This couple was coming up from the laundry room and they were perfectly positioned, sitting against the back wall of the elevator, it was great. Of course, by the time I got my camera out, he had moved in order to keep the elevator door open. So it's a memory of a picture that could have been, but at least I enjoyed the process.

Elvis

Mario Manzini is an Elvis impersonator who lives in Columbia and I photographed him for a Staff class/Missourian piece last spring. His gig was at the Eagles Lodge in California, Missouri, one of those small towns where the social life seems to revolve around the club. Manzini finished packing from the performance around midnight, still had to drive back to Columbia, and had another gig the next morning.