Tools That Shape Us - Final Project

I wanted to capture something real. Something that others see every day. We come across hundreds of strangers daily, viewing them with a distinct stereotype based on their job, appearance, or situation we find them in. We use their apparent tools to help us label these strangers. But what is the real story that is inside their heart? What is the actual tool that shapes them?



Kathy Smith Hill has been a talented hair stylist since she was a young girl. To her clients, she may just appear to be the person behind the sheers creating their newest hairstyle. Kathy is a selfless caregiver to her horses, dogs, children, and husband.



Kara Kimball works many hours waitressing in order to bring in extra money for her and her newlywed husband. Is she just the girl who writes down your sushi order? Kara is graduating from Brigham Young University, becoming a Child Life Specialist. She will enhance many terminal children's lives during their stay in hospitals; giving them hope and comfort.



Jaycob Brugman learned from his older sister to play the piano. In high school, he specialized in wheel throwing and was in the schools ceramics club. He's not just talented in the creative field; Jaycob was drafted out of high school by the Yankees, recruited by Brigham Young University, becoming the 2011 Freshmen All-American. Through years of determination and countless endurance, Jaycob is on his way to play major legue baseball.



As an Attorney, Richard Hill is frequently nested under the stiff lawyer type of person. Looking further, his genuine heart voids all pre-dispositions. Viewing him in his work setting, you would never guess that he has been battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer for the past four years. At one point, he was given a 2% chance of survival. By replacing fear with faith, his endurance has keep him alive. During long conference calls with clients, Rich is in the hospital receiving treatments to save his life.



Russell (RJ) Gale plays a special role as a husband and grandfather with a new-found love for whittling. His carving skills intrigue many, but inside, Russ has experience more then most could dream of. Lying about his age as a young boy, he enlisted in the army and was soon trained as a Green Beret military officer. His battle scars entail bullet hole, a mark from where parachuting into a tree caused a branch to puncture through his leg and various others. Parachuting into endangered foreign countries with a mission that lacked any further help from our country, Russ has sacrificed his life numerous times. He has served his family; he has served his Nation; he has served his Lord.

Assignment # 7

The BYU baseball team successfully made a exciting comeback defeating the Utah Utes. I was so thrilled to capture the action!

Assignment #5 | Portrait - B&W - Resubmission

After submitting my Black & White photo's for this assignment, I had a very difficult time feeling that I had accomplished my full potential for this assignment. I wanted to display the way my mother's smile makes everyone around her smile. The first submission, I didn't quite capture her full smile. It was posed. So, I followed her down to feed our horses. I was stunned at how many great shots I got of her just doing her thing. It was nearly impossible to chose just one.



Now that is our horse Sissy and my marvelous mother.

I know that a horse probably isn't what you were thinking to qualify for a portrait, but it is a portrait of my horse Tinkerbelle. This picture means so much to me. A few years ago, Tink's mother Ellie (our other horse) was in this exact spot, only The middle pole was not there. Some lightning scared Ellie which made her kick up her legs lodging one of her hooves all the way down in between the two poles. Ellie tugged and tugged, causing the muscles and skin to tear away from her ankle. By the time my mother found her, She had lost too much blood and had to be put down by the vet. Tink stands here almost every time I go see her. I wonder if she remembers; she was there when it happened.

Assignment #5 | Portrait - B&W

While still having camera troubles (I am looking into a decently priced place to get it fixed), I was able to capture moments with two people I love with their laughing smiles.

Jaycob

My incredible Mother

And of course, the long waited self-portrait that I just had to take. Me showing of my "Midget-Size" in front of an enormous door.

Assignment #5 | Portrait - Color

I have been having major camera struggles these past couple weeks. I posted my photo's for this assignment on the due date but just could not let myself leave them up, as I was completely unsatisfied with how they turned out. I started fresh and am much happier with what I shot.

This is Kylee. I was walking around Riverwoods and saw her taking her engagement pictures. I talked with her and her fiance for a little while and found out that they are getting married this Saturday! She is so stunning and was gracious enough to let me photograph her.

This is Austin. I have known him for almost a year now and he has honestly only spoken 5 words to me total. "Good, How are you" and "Bye." I was so excited to be able to catch this image of him ecstatic while watching his cousin playing baseball. This photo is one in a million when it comes to Austin.

Here is my dreaded self-portrait. I had to try taking this many different times. Originally I posted a different one but I ended up liking it better in Black and White so that will come with the next assignment.

Black & White Fix

Color to Black & White