Photographers have these things we like to call "crutches."

Similar to the actual medical tools, a trusty old crutch can be our best friend and worst enemy. It simply depends how often we need to use it.

A "crutch" is something we might fall back on to make an otherwise dull photo a bit more interesting.

For example, several years back, a mentor and friend of mine told me repeatedly, "You tilt your camera too much." By tilting the horizon, I was trying to make the photo something it most definitely wasn't: Interesting. I even remember I got a NastyGram e-mail from a local resident, saying it made her feel queasy every morning to look at my tilted photographs. People can be brutal. :)

Another crutch I'm 100 percent guilty of, brought to my attention by a former photo editor: "Get your camera off the ground." I was, am still am, too dependent on a low angle photograph.

Editors sometimes cringe at crutches, such as motion blur or fish eye lenses, because more often than not, we should instead be finding real moments, or expanding our horizons and attempting new photographic techniques.

When I was shooting down in Florida, my good friend Chris McGonigal (now a picture editor at AOL) told me one of his biggest pet peeves is when photographers use a flag as the crutch of their photo. Flags can be cliche, but flags are patriotic. There's a time to get the American flag in a photo and there's a time to leave the flag alone. Veterans Day: Appropriate. Wedding photos: Not-so-appropriate. (My brother was married a few weeks back, and needless to say, he and his new wife were a bit confused when the photographer took their photo standing by a flagpole on the golf course.)

As I shot these photos for Veterans Day, the American in me was grateful for all the sacrifices made by veterans of past and present, for without them, the First Amendment would not exist. And the photographer in me kept thinking, "What would Chris say?"

Nikon D3, 200 mm, 4000 ISO, f2.8, 1/800, Manual
John Hopkins, of the New Berlin Veterans Memorial Committee, prepares to accept a gift from New Berlin Eisenhower and New Berlin West middle school students Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, at the community-wide Veterans Day program, held at New Berlin Eisenhower High School. Veterans and active duty service members were recognized through songs and speeches presented by students, faculty members and community leaders. Next year's Veterans Day program will be held in the fieldhouse at New Berlin West High School.

Nikon D3, 200 mm, 4000 ISO, f2.8, 1/500, Manual
Danny Crane, a sophomore at New Berlin Eisenhower High School, plays, "Taps" Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, during the community-wide Veterans Day program, held at New Berlin Eisenhower High School. Veterans and active duty service members were recognized through songs and speeches presented by students, faculty members and community leaders. Next year's Veterans Day program will be held in the fieldhouse at New Berlin West High School.

Nikon D3, 200 mm, 1000 ISO, f2.8, 1/800, Manual
A member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8171 salutes Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, during a Veterans Day Ceremony, held at ProHealth Care Regency, Muskego. Veterans and Regency residents gathered together to recognize and remember those who have served their country.

Mmmmmm ... it smells like fall! Every year, I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and gutting out my Jack-O'-Lantern. Last year, I used my pumpkin's stem as a nose and totally beat my boyfriend in a pumpkin-carving contest (shhhh, it's never a "contest" unless I win) ...

This year, I have a different plan. You see, there are these new pumpkins out called Knuckle Heads. Basically, they have warts. Through my observations, adults love them, kids are scared of them and senior citizens think they're diseased. Not true, to say the least. Knuckle Heads have taken about 10 years to engineer. They are grown from specialized pumpkin seeds. The discolored bumps on their skin makes your Jack-O'-Lanterns all the more scarier. Scroll down to the last three photos and decide for yourself ... personally, I think they're pretty darn cool — not something I'd use to make a pumpkin pie (if I even knew how to), but definitely something I'll bring to the pumpkin-carving table.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/200, Manual
Emma Ross, a first-grader at Country Meadows Elementary School, Muskego, reacts to the slimy insides of her pumpkin Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, during a pumpkin-carving party, held in the school's cafeteria. Although the students drew their own pumpkin faces, parent volunteers took care of the carving. The pumpkins were carved in support of the Muskego Historical Society Arts and Crafts Fair.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/200, Manual
Cassidy Nicholson, a first-grader at Country Meadows Elementary School, Muskego, guts her pumpkin Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, during a pumpkin-carving party, held in the school's cafeteria. Although the students drew their own pumpkin faces, parent volunteers took care of the carving. The pumpkins were carved in support of the Muskego Historical Society Arts and Crafts Fair.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/2500, Manual
Bria Wright, 3, runs through a pumpkin patch, right past a brand new pumpkin species, the Knuckle Head (bottom center), Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, at Awe's Orchard, located on Highway 100, Franklin. This year is the first year Awe's is selling Knuckle Heads, which are part of the Super Freak pumpkin series. The pumpkins, which are grown from special seeds and develop bumps or "warts," took approximately 10 years to engineer. Paula Awe, who owns and operates the orchard and pumpkin patch with her husband, says the pumpkins are quite popular because their textures allow for scary and goofy faces.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/2000, Manual
Rahab Shirk, 2, checks out a brand new pumpkin species, the Knuckle Head, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, at Awe's Orchard, located on Highway 100, Franklin. This year is the first year Awe's is selling Knuckle Heads, which are part of the Super Freak pumpkin series. The pumpkins, which are grown from special seeds and develop bumps or "warts," took approximately 10 years to engineer. Paula Awe, who owns and operates the orchard and pumpkin patch with her husband, says the pumpkins are quite popular because their textures allow for scary and goofy faces.

Nikon D2H, 22 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/2000, Manual
Awe's Orchard, located on Highway 100, Franklin, has a new kind of pumpkin this year: The Knuckle Head. The pumpkins, which are grown from special seeds and develop bumps or "warts," took approximately 10 years to engineer. Paula Awe, who owns and operates the orchard and pumpkin patch with her husband, says the pumpkins are quite popular because their textures allow for scary and goofy faces.

In last week's paper, we ran a story on two farmers with one common bond: Jack King, of Muskego, and Ray Saltzmann, of New Berlin, are the final two remaining dairy farmers left in their communities.

Nearly every day, I drive past Saltzmann's farm on the corner of Moorland Road and College Avenue. Oftentimes, as I'm stuck in the line of traffic approaching the corner's four-way stop, I look over to my left and see New Berlin's remaining "touch of country." I always wondered what type of family lived on the farm — the huge space of land amidst all the construction and city sprawl seemed to catch my eye every time.

I wondered how "that guy" felt about Muskego's upcoming Wal-Mart or traffic whizzing by on College Avenue. Soon enough, I'd find out.

Reporter John Schultz and I spent a little time with both Saltzmann and King. King's farm seemed to have an entirely different feel — possibly a bit more quiet, or unaffected, by the city life. (For now, at least.) And although Saltzmann intends to stay put for the time being, he has long-term plans of moving his dairy herd to Rock County.

The photos below are the types of pictures that tend to stay in the back of my mind for quite some time. The day I photographed Jack King cutting hay was a perfect, sunny, warm Wisconsin mid-summer day. Through these photos, I hoped to convey the peacefulness and independence a life of farming can bring. I wanted the photos to be simple and clean. I wanted these photos to record what the land was like for Muskego's last remaining dairy farmer. A few weeks later, when Ray called me and said one of his cows was about to give birth, I was there in a heartbeat: Saltzmann, whose farm has been in his family since 1867, says one of the things he enjoys most is witnessing the cycle of life. 

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 200 ISO, f2.8, 1/4000, Manual
Jack King, who has been a farmer in Muskego for nearly 70 years, cuts some hay Wednesday, July 9, 2008, on one of his rented parcels, located just off of Parker Drive, Muskego.

Nikon D2H, 19 mm, 200 ISO, f2.8, 1/4000, Manual
Jack King, who has been a farmer in Muskego for nearly 70 years, climbs back onto his tractor to cut some hay Wednesday, July 9, 2008, on one of his rented parcels, located just off of Parker Drive, Muskego.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/6400, Manual
Jack King, who has been a farmer in Muskego for nearly 70 years, walks from his barn to his house Wednesday, July 30, 2008. King, who has help running the farm from both his children and grandchildren, is the last remaining dairy farmer in Muskego.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 200 ISO, f2.8, 1/2500, Manual
Jack King, who has been a farmer in Muskego for nearly 70 years, cuts some hay Wednesday, July 9, 2008, on one of his rented parcels, located just off of Parker Drive, Muskego.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 800 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, Manual, WITH FLASH
Ryan Brueggeman, an employee of Ray Saltzmann, helps deliver a calf Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008, on Saltzmann's New Berlin dairy farm, located on the corner of Moorland Road and College Avenue. The farm is the only working dairy farm left in New Berlin. The birth of the calf above went about as easy as it possibly could have, Saltzmann said.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 800 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, Manual, WITH FLASH
A mother cleans off her newborn calf just minutes after birth Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008, on Ray Saltzmann's New Berlin dairy farm, located on the corner of Moorland Road and College Avenue. The farm is the only working dairy farm left in New Berlin. The birth of the calf above went about as easy as it possibly could have, Saltzmann said.

His name is Gregory Palo, but you might want to put an "M" before Palo, because his dad's name is Gregory too, he says.

"This is about good enough for a good snack ... so, that's my catch for today," Gregory said matter-of-factly Tuesday afternoon as he slung three fish over his shoulder and walked away from his lucky fishing spot at Idle Isle Park, Muskego. Gregory's parents told him to either walk home or call as soon as he caught enough fish for a snack.

A snack, I thought? This boy is actually going to EAT these not-so-tiny fish once he gets home? Whatever happened to Fruit Roll-Ups and popsicles? After a few minutes of talking with the little pro, all of my doubts subsided. He was hardcore into this. He was telling me the truth. He was ... no joke. 

This afternoon turned out to be one of those days where I couldn't possibly imagine a more satisfying profession. I'm not dillusional — I realize that hardly anyone (in the big scheme of things) will see the photos I made, and I'm fine with that. Even less people will read this blog. But Gregory absolutely made my day, and I hope he makes your's. He's the slice of life we try and capture every time the camera clicks. The only thing that set him apart from Andy Griffith's son, Opie, was when he pulled a cell phone out of his pocket to check the time. I was so in awe of this little fisherman — I honestly wouldn't have blinked if Aunt Bee popped out of the bushes told him it was almost dinner time.

So why do we take pictures like this, you ask. It's a good question, and I'd love to hear your input. Personally, I take photos like this because I think readers can relate. Maybe you used to be an Opie, or maybe your son or grandson is. The pictures we take are snapshots of what happens within our communities in any given week. The photos we take should tell the stories of all of our residents, no matter how young or old they may be. The pictures in our paper should make you feel ... something. If you react, we've done our job.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/6400, Manual

Nikon D2H, 35 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/6400, Manual

Nikon D2H, 35 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/6400, Manual

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/4000, Manual

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/4000, Manual

Nikon D2H, 35 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/3200, Manual

Last night, I spent a little time looking through archives of old pictures I've taken. I do this maybe once or twice a year — for me, it's a good way to keep myself in check and see firsthand ways I can improve. But every time I do this, memories come rushing back.

I'm not the type of photographer to hang my own photos on my walls or clutter my apartment with picture frames. My professional archives are in binders underneath my couch and my personal archives are in dusty photo albums packed away in my closet. But with every photo is a memory — whether the photo is of a complete stranger or someone I love, my archives document my life, whether I'd like to remember those moments or not. With each photo, I remember how I felt the moment the camera clicked.

I shot the photo below last week. When I was taking it, memories of my years down in Florida flooded my mind. I spent two years working in a city which consisted of approximately 70,000 retirees. Although I wouldn't trade this experience in for the world, I felt as though I had retired before my life ever began. But these people were lovin' life. They had been there, they had done that, and now, they were ready to soak up some sun and hide from their grandchildren. It is a mystical, magical, frightening place. I learned to appreciate and be thankful for every stage of life. They were no longer worried about the numbers on their paychecks or how they looked in the swimming pool. If they liked basket weaving, they basket weaved seven days a week. If they liked softball, they hit the diamonds 365 days per year. If they liked to belly dance, they shook it until the sun went down. And I photographed it all.

I learned a few life lessons down in Florida, but more importantly (for this moment, at least), I learned how to make photos of senior citizens doing nothing but ... walking.

Nikon D2H, 125 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/4000, Manual
Dan and Marge Shadd, of the Franklin Seniors Walking Club, get some exercise Thursday, July 31, 2008, right outside the Milwaukee County Sports Complex, Franklin. The club, which meets from 9 to 11 a.m. every Thursday, is open to all Milwaukee County residents. 

If you're willing to throw pizza dough in the air, I'll be there.

Last week, I had a little fun at StoneFire Pizza in New Berlin. Mike Tostado, a professional pizza chef, was teaching anyone who would listen how to throw pizza dough. Although Mike was using a fake pizza dough called Throw Dough (a rubber substance that is the official practice dough for the U.S. Pizza Team), nonetheless, it was still cool to watch.

As a photographer, something I'll always be addicted to is patches of light. Although the room was rather dark and I would have used a flash to take a normal photo, there was a recessed light shining down on Mike's face as he tossed the dough in the air. I set my camera's exposure to the patch of light and made a photo I was happy to walk away with.

However, working for a newspaper, you can't always shoot for yourself. The first photo is the one that made me smile, but I also turned in the second photo below, in case my editors decided the first one wouldn't reproduce well on newsprint. The second photo was taken with flash while the first photo wasn't. 

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 320 ISO, f2.8, 1/200, Manual

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 320 ISO, f2.8, 1/200, Manual, WITH FLASH
Mike Tostado, a pizza chef, teaches kids how to throw pizza dough Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at StoneFire Pizza, New Berlin. Ready-Set-DOUGH!, an interactive pizza-tossing demonstration, was held right around dinner time three nights in a row. The kids took a turn at throwing using Throw Dough, a rubber substance that is the official practice dough for the U.S. Pizza Team.  

A year ago today, I started at CNI. Twenty-six years ago today, I was born. Since birthdays are a million times more exciting if you're still in the single digits, this morning I told one of my 5-year-old subjects that it's my birthday. I figured it'd be a great distraction. He guessed I just turned 10 years old. God bless him.

Anyways, if I'm lucky, I may be doing a little of this tonight ...

Nikon D2H, 170 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, Manual
Brooke Bollis, 4, licks her fingers during a cake icing art project Friday, June 20, 2008, held at the Franklin Public Library. Children and their parents played with safe and edible craft materials.

There's been graduations. There's been floods. There's been more graduations. And there's been more floods.

Let's start with the graduations. I had five of them to shoot this month. When you photograph the same event five times within three weeks, you really start to work. This year, I struggled a bit. Hundreds of graduation photos taken by other news photographers kept flashing through my mind. "Look for something different. Avoid the typical getting-ready-in-the-bathroom-mirror shot." As close-knit as photographers are, we NEVER want to get the same photo. It's like, The Battle of the Photographer Ego, Times 100.

Week after week, I looked for different moments. Different details. Different expressions. A different type of centerpiece photo for each community. Sometimes, the events most catered to be perfect photo opportunities are the hardest assignments for photojournalists to put behind them.

Here is a sampling of what I found.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 800 ISO, f2.8, 1/100, Manual
Graduating seniors at Franklin High School receive their flowers and diplomas Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at the FHS Commencement Ceremony, held at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex. This year's ceremony — originally scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2008 — was delayed two days, due to flooding in the Sports Complex. The FHS valedictorian for the Class of 2008 is Ryan Spott.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/1000, Manual
Josh Hintz, a graduating senior at Franklin High School, stands in a ray of sunlight Tuesday, June 10, 2008, shortly before the FHS Commencement Ceremony, held at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex. This year's ceremony — originally scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2008 — was delayed two days, due to flooding in the Sports Complex. The FHS valedictorian for the Class of 2008 is Ryan Spott.

Nikon D2H, 185 mm, 800 ISO, f2.8, 1/100, Manual
Graduating seniors at Franklin High School face their friends and family members Tuesday, June 10, 2008, during the processional the FHS Commencement Ceremony, held at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex. This year's ceremony — originally scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2008 — was delayed two days, due to flooding in the Sports Complex. The FHS valedictorian for the Class of 2008 is Ryan Spott.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/125, Manual
A graduating senior at Whitnall High School gets a drink of water Sunday, June 1, 2008, shortly before the start of the Whitnall High School Commencement Ceremony, held in the school's gymnasium. The WHS Class of 2008 valedictorian is Amy Strasburg.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 800 ISO, f2.8, 1/400, Manual
Julie Voelkel, a graduating senior at Whitnall High School, enters the gymnasium Sunday, June 1, 2008, during the processional shortly before the Whitnall High School Commencement Ceremony, held in the school's gymnasium. The WHS Class of 2008 valedictorian is Amy Strasburg.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 800 ISO, f2.8, 1/125, Manual
Some personalities could be seen through the shoes hidden underneath the gowns of graduating seniors at New Berlin West High School Saturday, June 14, 2008, during the school's Commencement Ceremony, held in the school's field house. The valedictorian for the New Berlin West Class of 2008 is Hilary Monaco.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/200, Manual
Tyler Valkoun, the salutatorian for the New Berlin West Class of 2008, addresses his peers Saturday, June 14, 2008, in the school's field house. The valedictorian for the New Berlin West Class of 2008 is Hilary Monaco.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 800 ISO, f2.8, 1/400, Manual
Graduating seniors at New Berlin West High School line up to accept their diplomas Saturday, June 14, 2008, in the school's field house. The valedictorian for the New Berlin West Class of 2008 is Hilary Monaco.

If I weren't a photojournalist, I can't honestly say I would have attended a Memorial Day ceremony Monday. It's far too easy to sleep in on what would normally be an additional day off, or head off to the family barbecue an hour early. But that's exactly why I love my job: It forces me to experience and appreciate things I might otherwise pass on by. For those who have served our country or lost a loved one in war, no other day is more important.

As I approached a veteran in the crowd at Muskego's ceremony and asked him for his name, he actually thanked me for taking his picture. It caught me off guard for two reasons: First, it's rare for people to thank me for taking their photos. Some actually run away. Second, he shouldn't have been the one doing the thanking — it was HIS day to be recognized.

Nikon D2H, 170 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/5000, Manual
Joseph Streff (center), a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 488, salutes Monday, May 26, 2008, at a Memorial Day ceremony, held at Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin. Mayor Jack Chiovatero and Senator Mary Lazich addressed the crowd.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 320 ISO, f2.8, 1/8000, Manual
Dennis Duran, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8171, watches the red, white and blue balloons float into the air Saturday, May 24, 2008, during Muskego's Memorial Day Ceremony, held at ProHealth Care Regency, Muskego. The ceremony included several readings, songs, a Memorial Wreath, a salute by the Rifle Squad, and remarks by Tracy Snead, Muskego's Common Council president.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 320 ISO, f2.8, 1/4000, Manual
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8171 bow their heads in prayer Saturday, May 24, 2008, during Muskego's Memorial Day Ceremony, held at ProHealth Care Regency, Muskego. The ceremony included several readings, songs, a Memorial Wreath, a salute by the Rifle Squad, and remarks by Tracy Snead, Muskego's Common Council president.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/1250, Manual
Patryk Schlomann, 12, a member of Boy Scouts Troop 93, out of New Berlin, grabs a balloon Monday, May 26, 2008, at a Memorial Day ceremony, held at Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin. Names of deceased veterans were attached to the balloons and released at the conclusion of the ceremony. Mayor Jack Chiovatero and Senator Mary Lazich addressed the crowd.

If you give 10 rolls of duct tape to a room full of feisty middle school students, they're probably going to ... tape you to a wall. And then throw pies at your face.

God bless Matt Lesar, principal at Forest Park Middle School. He actually let them do it. I can't say I was surprised — every time I step into the school, Matt seems to be bouncing around the hallways with a big smile on his face. I never doubted he'd be up for a laugh or two, even at his own expense.

"This isn't as fun as I thought it was going to be," Lesar said Friday morning as whip cream pies were being flung at his face. But it's all for a good cause, he reminded himself. The students raised more than $2,000 for Hoops for Heart, an organization that helps fight heart disease and stroke.

"Leave him up there for the rest of the day!" one of the seventh-grade girls jokingly said to a friend. The students succeeded in securing Lesar to the wall, using nearly every inch of the 1,200 feet of tape they were given.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, WITH FLASH, Manual
Matt Lesar, principal at Forest Park Middle School, Franklin, gets taped to the wall Friday, May 23, 2008, by top fundraisers for the Hoops for Heart challenge. Forest Park students raised more than $2,000 for Hoops for Hearts, which helps fight heart disease and strokes. Using 10 rolls of duct tape, the students succeeded in securing Lesar. As he hung from the wall, the students then threw numerous pies in Lesar's face.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, WITH FLASH, Manual
Matt Lesar, principal at Forest Park Middle School, Franklin, gets taped to the wall Friday, May 23, 2008, by top fundraisers for the Hoops for Heart challenge. Forest Park students raised more than $2,000 for Hoops for Hearts, which helps fight heart disease and strokes. Using 10 rolls of duct tape, the students succeeded in securing Lesar. As he hung from the wall, the students then threw numerous pies in Lesar's face.

Nikon D2H, 20 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, WITH FLASH, Manual
Matt Lesar, principal at Forest Park Middle School, Franklin, gets taped to the wall Friday, May 23, 2008, by top fundraisers for the Hoops for Heart challenge. Forest Park students raised more than $2,000 for Hoops for Hearts, which helps fight heart disease and strokes. Using 10 rolls of duct tape, the students succeeded in securing Lesar. As he hung from the wall, the students then threw numerous pies in Lesar's face.

Nikon D2H, 145 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, WITH FLASH, Manual
After he was taped to the wall, Matt Lesar, principal at Forest Park Middle School, Franklin, gets slammed with whip cream pies Friday, May 23, 2008, by top fundraisers for the Hoops for Heart challenge. Forest Park students raised more than $2,000 for Hoops for Hearts, which helps fight heart disease and strokes. Using 10 rolls of duct tape, the students succeeded in securing Lesar.

This afternoon, for the very first time, I felt as though more people were eyeing up my hair instead of my camera.

Students, staff and parents at Ronald Reagan Elementary School, New Berlin, parted ways with their long locks during Reagan Gives Back Day. The ladies (and even one brave man) donated inches upon inches of hair to Locks of Love, an organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 who are suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

It was great to see the girls grinning from ear to ear, in full realization they were doing something positive for those in need. I photographed three or four girls before I finally captured the priceless reaction below.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/125, Manual
Kaitlyn Fischer, a fourth-grader at Ronald Reagan Elementary School, New Berlin, reacts to having several inches of her hair cut off Friday, May 16, 2008, during a Locks of Love donation. The school held an assembly to celebrate Reagan Gives Back Day, where several students, as well as the school's principal, donated their hair. Locks of Love provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 who are suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

Michelle Moore was no more than a few weeks pregnant when she came down with a case of rubella, otherwise known as German measles. In fact, at the time, she didn't even know she was expecting.

The rash lasted just over a day, but for Michelle's unborn child, the effects would last a lifetime.

That was 43 years ago. Today, Michelle's son, Michael, is completely dependent on his parents' care. Michael was born with rubella syndrome, a birth defect that can cause mental retardation.

Although she loves her son deeply, Michelle doesn't want other women to have to experience what she has gone through, she says.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
Michael Moore, of New Berlin, waits to begin his music therapy class Thursday, May 1, 2008, at the Goodwill Community Service Center, Waukesha. When Moore's mother, Michelle, was pregnant with Michael, she contracted rubella, otherwise known as the German measles, which caused Michael to contract rubella syndrome at birth.

A photographer really can't go wrong when a bright blue sky is your background.

I spent some time today at Holy Apostles School, New Berlin, where students and staff participated in High Interest Day. Activities included football, knitting, theater, bubble-blowing, fencing, French cooking, science experiments, and, of course, a rock wall.

Adventure Rock, located in Pewaukee, provided the climbing wall. These kids zipped up the wall faster than I could lift my camera. I tried rock climbing a couple times when I was living down in Australia, several years back. I think what made me check the sport off my list as a potential passion was when the instructor told us a horror story about forgetting to tie the rope to the stump at the top of the cliff and ... well ... gravity isn't very forgiving to forgetfulness.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 200 ISO, f6.3, 1/8000, Manual
Jake Schreiner, a seventh-grader at Holy Apostles School, New Berlin, rappels down a rock wall Friday, May 9, 2008, during the school's High Interest Day. The climbing wall was staffed by Adventure Rock, Pewaukee. Approximately 50 presenters helped the children experience various activities including football, knitting, theater, basketball, rock climbing, cooking and science fun.

Nikon D2H, 35 mm, 200 ISO, f2.8, 1/2500, Manual
A student at Holy Apostles School, New Berlin, rappels down a rock wall Friday, May 9, 2008, during the school's High Interest Day. The climbing wall was staffed by Adventure Rock, Pewaukee. Approximately 50 presenters helped the children experience various activities including football, knitting, theater, basketball, rock climbing, cooking and science fun.

As some of you may recall, we ran a story several months ago on the homecoming of Cpt. Tim Patterson. Patterson, a New Berlin resident and Franklin police officer, had just returned home after serving a year with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

As a follow-up to the initial story, I spent a little more time with Tim and his family as he readjusted to life back at home.

Please click on the photo below, which will direct you to an audio slideshow I produced. Be sure to check today's paper for John Schultz's complete story. Working with the Pattersons for the past couple of months has been a photographer's dream. Thank you, Tim, Margie and Abby, for sharing your story.

CLICK ...

Thanks to The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, I had the opportunity to meet a bald eagle and owl up close and personal this past weekend. The center presented a program at the Muskego Public Library. The Raptor Center specializes in the medical care, rehabilitation, conservation, and study of eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons.

I couldn't stop focusing on the birds' beautiful faces. Of all their features, I'd argue the most striking are their eyes. It was interesting to see the owl turn its neck completely around to look who's behind its back. Owls have had it figured out all along! An owl's neck has 14 vertebrae, which is twice as many as humans. This allows the owl to turn its head through a range of 270 degrees.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f3.2, 1/160, Manual

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual

One thing I’ve come to realize about photographing politicians is this: They never come in the front door.

Yesterday, Gov. Jim Doyle stopped by the New Berlin City Hall to discuss responsible use of the Great Lakes waters. Whenever I arrive at a press conference, I try and think of one photo I can grab that is as far away from the podium and microphone as possible. Every newspaper and television station will get that shot. Sometimes, it’s nice to work for something different.

I decided the best opportunity yesterday would be a photo of the governor greeting local politicians as soon as he entered City Hall. It’s something I was almost sure would happen.

As other media set up their cameras around the podium inside, I waited in the lobby. A friendly City Hall employee caught my attention and gave me the “inside scoop” as she pointed to the back door. Minutes later, Gov. Doyle walked in and I made the first photo posted below. The other two shots are from the actual press conference.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/100, Manual
Gov. Jim Doyle shakes a few hands Wednesday, April 9, 2008, shortly after arriving at the New Berlin City Hall. Doyle made the announcement that the Great Lakes Compact is ready to be signed into law under an agreement reached with legislators. The Great Lakes Compact will ensure the Great Lakes waters are used responsibly. Doyle was joined at the New Berlin City Hall by lawmakers, environmental group representatives and business leaders.

Nikon D2H, 155 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/125, Manual
Gov. Jim Doyle addresses lawmakers, environmental group representatives and business leaders Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at the New Berlin City Hall. Doyle made the announcement that the Great Lakes Compact is ready to be signed into law under an agreement reached with legislators. The Great Lakes Compact will ensure the Great Lakes waters are used responsibly.

Nikon D2H, 20 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/125, Manual
Gov. Jim Doyle addresses lawmakers, environmental group representatives and business leaders Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at the New Berlin City Hall. Doyle made the announcement that the Great Lakes Compact is ready to be signed into law under an agreement reached with legislators. The Great Lakes Compact will ensure the Great Lakes waters are used responsibly. 

Last night, as I walked into the West Allis Central Fieldhouse for the Girls Indoor Track Conference Championships, I honestly wondered to myself, "When are they going to turn the lights on?"

Then, I realized ... there was no turning up the wattage on these bad boys.

I looked at my camera and said a little prayer.

Coming from Florida — where nearly every prep sport is played outdoors — indoor track sort of made me want to cry. I looked at the Nikon D3 of the photographer next to me. He sensed my pain and said, "Yeah, you can't shoot anything in here under ISO 5000." In full realization that my camera has no capability of shooting any higher than 1600, he walked away, kindly laughing.

For those who are unfamiliar, ISO is the standard measurement of a camera's sensitivity to light. For film cameras, the ISO is the film speed, which is based on the composition of the film. Back in the film days, in order to change the ISO, the photographer had to load a film with a different speed. With digital cameras, ISO can be changed by selecting a speed from the ISO menu, which reconfigures an electronic circuit that emulates film speed. Sometimes, rooms are so dark that altering the camera's shutter speed and aperture are simply not enough. The ISO is a third variable that can create a correct exposure.

I'm not proud of posting a photo taken at ISO 1600 (as I rarely ever shoot above 500), but I wanted to show you what it looks like. Grain, noise, and lots of it.

However, with the newest, top-of-the-line cameras these days, higher ISO's are able to be used with little to no noise.

The second photo posted below is simply an overall shot to give you a sense of last night's available light. I shot the first photo at ISO 1600, 1/160, f2.8 and the second photo at ISO 640, 1/125, f2.8.

Nikon D2H, 155 mm, 1600 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Brookfield East's Morgan Mayer-Jochimsen competes in the pole vault Wednesday, April 2, 2008, during the Girls Indoor Track Conference Championships, held in the West Allis Central High School Fieldhouse, West Allis.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/125, Manual

I've always prided myself on a fairly strong stomach. I've never met a rollercoaster I didn't love. And not even an upside down flight in an open-cockpit WWII Stearman could make me nauseous.

But that was back in the day. My younger years (umm, 2006). Something mysterious happens when you hit the age of 25 ...

A balloon sent me over the edge. But trust me ... it was a BIG one. As I stepped inside a 20-foot inflatable Earth Balloon this afternoon, I grounded myself on Antarctica quicker than the 5-year-olds surrounding me could ask where Santa lived on the North Pole. There's something about a huge balloon inflating around you that's a bit unsettling to an empty stomach.

But what an incredible learning experience for the kids. Entire classes at Southwood Glen Elementary School, Franklin, entered the balloon through a zipped doorway and looked at the world from the inside out. The kids then learned an invaluable lesson on conserving our planet's natural resources. Here are a few quick photos ...

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, Manual, WITH BOUNCE FLASH
Andrew Smith (right), a second-grader at Southwood Glen Elementary School, Franklin, looks up inside a giant Earth Balloon Tuesday, April 1, 2008, in the school's gymnasium. Students had the chance to sit inside the 20-foot hand-painted inflatable globe. Entire classes entered the balloon through a zipped doorway and looked at the world from the inside out. The experience, presented by WhereAbouts Inc., taught the students about the world's water resources and various cultures.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/80, Manual
Students at Southwood Glen Elementary School, Franklin, raise their hands with questions while inside a giant Earth Balloon Tuesday, April 1, 2008, in the school's gymnasium. Students had the chance to sit inside the 20-foot hand-painted inflatable globe. Entire classes entered the balloon through a zipped doorway and looked at the world from the inside out. The experience, presented by WhereAbouts Inc., taught the students about the world's water resources and various cultures.

Muskego residents are serious about their dodgeball.

The second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament was held this weekend at Muskego High School. Approximately 35 teams entered the tourney and pelted balls at one another in front of a packed house. The teams ranged from lunch ladies adorned in hair nets to sports teams decked out in their school uniforms.

I only got hit twice.  

Nikon D2H, 135 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/200, Manual
Erika Drenzek, a member of the Muskego High School varsity girls softball team, celebrates a win Friday, March 14, 2008, during the school's second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament, held in the MHS gymnasium. Approximately 35 teams entered the tournament.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Lee Perry, a cafeteria worker at Muskego High School, dodges a throw Friday, March 14, 2008, during the school's second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament, held in the MHS gymnasium. Approximately 35 teams entered the tournament.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Two teams compete Friday, March 14, 2008, at Muskego High School during the school's second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament, held in the MHS gymnasium. Approximately 35 teams entered the tournament.

I'm back! 

This past weekend was unexpectedly quite busy. If you haven't heard by now, you must be in a coma. A huge congratulations goes out to the New Berlin Eisenhower boys basketball team on winning their first-ever state championship title. The Lions entered the WIAA playoffs with a fourth seed — they were even left off a list of teams to watch in the sectional. But with hard work, determination and an incredibly strong New Berlin fan base, the boys took home the gold Saturday, with a win over Adams-Friendship, 54-41.

It was great to be a fly on the floor and witness these kids' dreams come true. Here are a few picks from the two games I covered at Madison's Kohl Center.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
New Berlin Eisenhower's Alex Krzykowski, a senior guard, gives a Number 1 to the crowd Friday, March 7, 2008, shortly after the team's Division 2 semifinal win over Monroe, held at the Kohl Center, Madison. The final score was 53-49.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
New Berlin Eisenhower's Kevin Marr (center), a junior forward, goes up for a basket Saturday, March 8, 2008, during the WIAA Division 2 Boys State Championship game, held at the Kohl Center, Madison. Eisenhower won the state championship title, with a win over Adams-Friendship, 54-41.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
New Berlin Eisenhower students cheer on their team shortly after the end of the third quarter Friday, March 7, 2008, during the Division 2 semifinal game against Monroe, held at the Kohl Center, Madison. Eisenhower won the game, 53-49.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, Manual
David Scheidegger, head coach for New Berlin Eisenhower, talks with his players shortly after the end of the first quarter Friday, March 7, 2008, during the Division 2 semifinal game against Monroe, held at the Kohl Center, Madison.

Nikon D2H, 112 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
New Berlin Eisenhower's Tristan Tobin, a senior guard, questions a call Friday, March 7, 2008, during the second half of the Division 2 semifinal game against Monroe, held at the Kohl Center, Madison. Eisenhower won the game, 59-43.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/400, Manual
New Berlin Eisenhower's Tristan Tobin (right), a senior guard, hugs his teammate, Mitch Sperka, a sophomore forward, Friday, March 7, 2008, shortly after the team's Division 2 semifinal win over Monroe, held at the Kohl Center, Madison. The final score was 53-49.

Nikon D2H, 92 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/400, Manual
New Berlin Eisenhower's Tristan Tobin, a senior guard, goes up for a basket Saturday, March 8, 2008, during the WIAA Division 2 Boys State Championship game, held at the Kohl Center, Madison. Eisenhower won the state championship title, with a win over Adams-Friendship, 54-41.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
David Scheidegger, head coach for New Berlin Eisenhower, yells to his players Saturday, March 8, 2008, during the WIAA Division 2 Boys State Championship game, held at the Kohl Center, Madison. Eisenhower won the state championship title, with a win over Adams-Friendship, 54-41.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
With the help of his teammates, New Berlin Eisenhower's Jim Root (left), a senior forward, hoists up the WIAA Division 2 Boys State Championship trophy Saturday, March 8, 2008, following their win over Adams-Friendship. The tournament was held at the Kohl Center, Madison.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
New Berlin Eisenhower's Tristan Tobin, a senior guard, hugs his mother, Lori Tobin, Saturday, March 8, 2008, following Eisenhower's WIAA Division 2 Boys State Championship win over Adams-Friendship. The tournament was held at the Kohl Center, Madison.