Acting The Part

Re-enactor Brian Barry, portraying a private in the 47th Illinois Infantry pushes an antique wheelbarrow, then plays the harmonica for his 1-year old son Liam during a Civil War encampment at Sommer Park in Peoria.

Two "Headers" Are Better Than One

Notre Dame seniors Alex Garcia, left, and Drew Whalen were two big reasons for the state championship season for the Irish. The sports staff at the Journal Star couldn't decide which of the pair would be the area's best player, so they decided to make both the Players of the Year in boys soccer. Getting them together wasn't the chore, but the timing of getting the soccer balls to bounce off a foot and another's head at the same time was. Luckily I got the shot on the 9th frame.

Supporting The Flag

Twelve-year old James Rickman of Boys Scout Troop 21 walks underneath the large American flag his fellow scout help carry in a Veterans Day parade in Peoria Heights.

Playing War

The best that can happen for any photographer at a "planned event" is something that happens unplanned. During a mock battle of re-enactors portraying American and German troops fighting it out on the fields of Normandy in WWII, Brendan Schuller and Matt Clausen put down their blank loaded weapons and rescued a baby deer from the field of battle. Here are a couple of images from that assignment.

-Ron

Water and Sand

Had a couple of sports assignments where water and sand became the elements and sometimes the obstacles.

In The Clouds

I can't help but look up on a day that features some great cloud formations while I'm framing up a shot, whether it's at a track meet or picturing a church at sunset.

Inspirational

I've covered athletes in a variety of sports for over 35 years, and every so often, an individual comes along that just astonishes. Anthony Robles is wrestler who won the 2010-11 NCAA individual wrestling championship in the 125-pound weight class despite being born with only one leg. I recently photographed him at a clinic he held for young wrestlers. Many of the wrestlers came away from the session filled with inspiration more than just learning new techniques.

-Ron