let the good times roll...

It may have been a little too chilly early in the day, and the sun seems to be racing across the sky to an early twilight. But as long as you can do summersaults, why not?

One moment in time for one great cause

In late April my friend and favorite photo editor, Rodney Curtis, swung by my house to go over my portfolio and as always, he was a flurry of energy. Despite being laid off a year ago from the Detroit Free Press and still unable to find full-time work to support his family, Rodney was still full of positive energy and love for the universe. He was working on making his book Spiritual Wanderer into an iBook (eBook?) so it could constantly be updated and linked to his blog. As he left, I was expressing my gratitude for his feedback. "Thanks for making me feel useful," he said.

A few days later he was in the doctor's office being told he had leukemia. As in step with his personality, Rodney's facing it with amazing strength and humor, as is his supportive and beautiful family. He was hit hard-core with chemo, but without any change, the hospital let him go. Now he's working with Karmonos Cancer Center in Detroit. First step: bone-marrow transplant.

To help defray medical costs, he's been on COBRA since being laid off, photographers in the area who have been touched by his skills and humor have pooled together some amazing photos to be sold. Both newspapers, Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, also donated some historical images as well. The sale ends Aug. 1st, please take the time to look, buy and pass along:
http://defcode.com/rodney/

thank you Rodney, for making me feel useful.

Ed and his boat

Sitting on Empire Beach in Northern Michigan I watched as this determined young boy made his way to the waves with an odd contraption. Ed made the boat, with other rescue boats on it in his bedroom, which according to his mom, is filed to the rim with drawings, blueprints and random models in the making. His confidence as he walked to the shore, set it up, then place it in the water was so great, a little inspiring and of course reminded me of Caleb and the gifts we give our children when we just don't get in their way.

Brother Vincent Reyes 1940-2010

He fed and clothed the hungry, loved photography and was slightly radical (like most bros.) Getting out people's story who passed through the doors of Capuchin Soup Kitchen was so important to him. He asked me, along with photographers Steve Perez (okay, he asked Steve first) and Ed Hahn,to help created the book "My Name Is..." to give a face and story to those who use the Detroit soup kitchen. To me, I was one mistake from being in their shoes, to him, he was in their shoes.

Foot Pedal photos from Bill&Petra's wedding

Press Preview Day 1 at the North American International Auto Show

Covering the auto show is quite an excruciating experience for someone who doesn't care much for cars. And in these days of blogging, everyone needs to be the first to write/photograph something about a show. So, i try to slow it down and make something I'd like to see, because honestly, i don't care what's under the hood as long as it starts. The whole shoot was about 2.5 hours.

Today we bury Martha Ann

Today Martha Ann, who was murdered in a drive-by shooting almost a year ago will be laid to rest next to her grandfather due to the generosity of The Detroit News readers. Since her cremation, Martha's remains have been tucked in her grandmother's linen closet due to the fact her grandmother couldn't afford to bury her.

Here's her story, which was produced last month: