speechless, for once….

I’ve been so neglectful of the blog – not because there hasn’t been anything to write, but because I haven’t really had the time.  June has been insane. I’m sort of glad it’s July already!  Although I was just at the store and they have back to school supplies already

Anyway – back to this post…..

I have a great friend named Jayme.  This is a photo from the lastest spring session of Sammi and Jayme…..

 Jayme works for the National Jefferson Awards.  Long story short, Jayme suggested to her bosses that I come in and take some photos for their annual award ceremony in Washington, DC.  I researched the Jefferson Awards and was really surprised about all the wonderful things people do become a recipient of  such a prestigious award.  The awards were founded by local Delawarean, Sam Beard, Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis and U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr.

It was a honor to be in the room with the recipients of the awareds. The also award 13 National Awards.  It was really hard to photograph people as they tell their 1 minute stories as to why they were a Jefferson Recipient.  I’m sure some of my pictures are out of focus – it was hard to see through the tears.

(After a couple of the speech’s I actually hugged some of the people!)

One of the National Recipients was Warrick Dunn, a former NFL running back who played 12 seasons for the Atlanta Falcons & Tampa Bay Buccaneers and attended Florida State.   Warrick recieved an award for  establishing a foundation that has helped more than 100 single parents become first time home owners in Florida, Louisiana and Georgia.   Warrick also spent significant amounts of time with the 100+ students talking about his foundation and volunteerism – which was established to honor his late mother, a Louisiana Police Officer, who, working overtime,  was brutally gunned down when Warrick was 18.

One of my duties for the Jefferson Awards “assignment” was to photograph Warrick spending time with the kids.  He was so down to earth and we had fun!  On the night of the gala – he even watched me work on the pictures and “selected” which ones I would submit to the PR company! 

He was so comfortable that he busted out in a rap during his photoshoot!  I wish I video-recorded it!  

 …..then he’d break out into the Tomahawk Chop  (Florida State Seminoles)

 just then Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg walked into the room, so then we got back to being “official”  and the rap came to an abrupt end.

I have to thank Jayme for a fabulous opportunity and my trusty wingman and second shooter, and 2 time Jefferson Award Recipient himself, Jimmy, for his amazing help!!

I’m so humbled to have my photos featured on some pretty amazing sites – including:   ESPN, several local to Chicago and Atlanta news-blogs!!  Incredible -

MLB.COM – article

Atlanta Falcon’s Website Article

Chicago White Sox Website Article

Photographing Justice Ginsburg was an experience like no other and will be in another blog post!   I can’t post any of the photos….  so when I can, I will blog about it! 

Happy 4th…..