This week I had the opportunity to watch political history unfold as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his leadership role. Rep. Matt Gaetz led the movement along with a small group of Republicans. My first day covering the hill started at a press conference where Speaker McCarthy ensured reporters there wouldn’t be a shutdown and he was correct. That outcome ultimately led to his removal as House Speaker.
Here are some images I made during this historical week in Washington D.C.
With no assignments on the calendar this day, I set out to make some images for myself. It's very important that photographers keep themselves staying hungry and sharp.
Members of many different faiths gathered to honor the late Muhammad Ali during an interfaith service at the Atlanta Masjid of Al Islam in Atlanta, Georgia. The light was extremely beautiful following the service that day. My hope was to capture the rich culture and beauty that exist within this community in Atlanta.
June 9, 2016 - Atlanta, Ga, U.S - Light shines on the face of Khadija Pegues, 13, right, as she holds her 2-year-old sister, Khatima Pegues, following an interfaith service at the Atlanta Masjid of Al Islam mosque in Atlanta. People gathered to honor the late Muhammad Ali, who died on June, 3, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona.
June 9, 2016 - Atlanta, Ga, U.S - Muslim men pray before an interfaith service at the Atlanta Masjid of Al Islam mosque in Atlanta. People gathered to honor the late Muhammad Ali, who died on June, 3, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona.
June 9, 2016 - Atlanta, Ga, U.S -Light shines on the face of a young boy at the Atlanta Masjid of Al Islam mosque in Atlanta. People gathered to honor the late Muhammad Ali, who died on June, 3, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona.
June 9, 2016 - Atlanta, Ga, U.S - People gather before an interfaith service at the Atlanta Masjid of Al Islam mosque in Atlanta. People gathered to honor the late Muhammad Ali, who died on June, 3, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona.
June 9, 2016 - Atlanta, Ga, U.S - Muslim men pray before an interfaith service at the Atlanta Masjid of Al Islam mosque in Atlanta. People gathered to honor the late Muhammad Ali, who died on June, 3, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona.
June 9, 2016 - Atlanta, Ga, U.S - Imam Suleimaan Hamed closes his eyes during prayer during an interfaith service at the Atlanta Masjid of Al Islam mosque in Atlanta. People gathered to honor the late Muhammad Ali, who died on June, 3, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona.
June 9, 2016 - Atlanta, Ga, U.S - Muslim men pray before an interfaith service at the Atlanta Masjid of Al Islam mosque in Atlanta. People gathered to honor the late Muhammad Ali, who died on June, 3, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona.
June 9, 2016 - Atlanta, Ga, U.S - Children run past a Muhammad Ali shirt hanging on display at the Atlanta Masjid of Al Islam mosque in Atlanta. People gathered for an interfaith service to honor the late Muhammad Ali, who died on June, 3, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona.
June 9, 2016 - Atlanta, Ga, U.S -Light shines on the face of a young boy at the Atlanta Masjid of Al Islam mosque in Atlanta. People gathered to honor the late Muhammad Ali, who died on June, 3, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona.
June 9, 2016 - Atlanta, Ga, U.S - Light shines on the face of Khalil Pegues, 9 following an interfaith service at the Atlanta Masjid of Al Islam mosque in Atlanta. People gathered to honor the late Muhammad Ali, who died on June, 3, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Kennesaw State University students are taking advantage of the incredible weather these days. If you walk on campus, you will find students laying in hammocks all over campus. The trees surrounding the campus green are prime real estate. Here are a few images I took after my evening class.
A student relaxes in a hammock on campus at Kennesaw State University, Tuesday, March, 15, 2016, in Kennesaw, Ga. Photo by Branden Camp
College students on campus at Kennesaw State University, Tuesday, March, 15, 2016, in Kennesaw, Ga. Photo by Branden Camp
This story is a part of a long form story I will be working on throughout the rest of this year about agriculture in Georgia. If you are a farmer or know a farmer that you think would be great for this story, please fill out the form at the end of this blog post.
Cows graze at sunset in Stephens, Ga., Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016. With over 42,000 farmers working in the Georgia agriculture industry, farming contributes over $73 Billion to Georgia’s economy each year. Forecasters say profits are expected be down as well as exports in 2016 nationwide due to a fragile world economy. Photo by Branden Camp
2016 AG Forecast Seminar
Every year, several seminars are held all over Georgia where forecasters, economists and other professionals share large amounts of data and predict what the agriculture industry is likely to do. Like previous years, 2016 is looking grim for farmers.
Production is actually steady and expected to grow in some areas. It's the rest of the world that is struggling. The U.S. dollar is extremely strong compared to many other countries. Countries like Japan, China, and Korea where their fragile currency is in decline, importing U.S beef will be too costly. This will surely dampen profits for Georgia farmers and farmers nationwide.
Farmer Phil Sanders works on his John Deere tractor at Buffalo Creek Straw and Seed Farm, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in Stephens, Ga. With over 42,000 farmers working in the Georgia agriculture industry, farming contributes over $73 Billion to Georgia’s economy each year. Forecasters say profits are expected be down as well as exports in 2016 nationwide due to a fragile world economy. Photo by Branden Camp
An Unlikely Farmer
Before the seminar began, I saw Melanie Sanders sitting quietly in the back of the room as the room filled with Georgia farmers and agriculture professionals. I approached her and asked if I could sit and ask her a few questions. We talked briefly about farming before the 2016 AG Forecast seminar began.
A few days later, Sanders allowed me to follow her around and have a look into her life as a farmer. I learned quickly that Sanders, though quiet, is a strong force in the farming community.
She has worked for 20 years at a local bank, is the chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and serves on the Board of Education in Oglethorpe County and manages to squeeze time in for farming.
Melanie doesn't like to get up in a room full of people and give a speech, but when she see's her and other farmers livelihood being threatened, she's willing to venture outside of her comfort zone.
The Advocate
With less than two weeks before the commissioners voted on whether or not a poultry farmer could continue his operation, Sanders typed up a letter to send to every poultry farmer she could. She spent an entire Saturday collecting addresses. She sent the letters hoping farmers would show up to advocate for this poultry farmer.
“The meeting was packed. It was standing room only.” 15 farmers got up and said “let us earn our living.” “That was way out of my comfort level, but I felt good about what I was doing.” In the end, the man was able to build his poultry houses.
“If you wanna have influence on things, you gotta step right in there”, Sanders said.
Farmer Phil Sanders, left, and Chance Fowler, 20, right, work on a John Deere tractor at Buffalo Creek Straw and Seed Farm, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in Stephens, Ga. With over 42,000 farmers working in the Georgia agriculture industry, farming contributes over $73 Billion to Georgia’s economy each year. Forecasters say profits are expected be down as well as exports in 2016 nationwide due to a fragile world economy. Photo by Branden Camp
Farmer Melanie Sanders stands in the door a storage building on Buffalo Creek Straw and Seed Farm, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in Stephens, Ga. With over 42,000 farmers working in the Georgia agriculture industry, farming contributes over $73 Billion to Georgia’s economy each year. Forecasters say profits are expected be down as well as exports in 2016 nationwide due to a fragile world economy. Photo by Branden Camp
Farmer Melanie Sanders stands next to a large water puddle on Buffalo Creek Straw and Seed Farm, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in Stephens, Ga. With over 42,000 farmers working in the Georgia agriculture industry, farming contributes over $73 Billion to Georgia’s economy each year. Forecasters say profits are expected be down as well as exports in 2016 nationwide due to a fragile world economy. Photo by Branden Camp
Kennesaw State University students play a game of bubble soccer on campus at sunset, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, in Kennesaw, Ga. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
I'm four weeks into my last semester in college at Kennesaw State University north of Atlanta. Throughout my entire college career, I've always had a camera hanging on my shoulder. I have been hired on the spot by photo editors simply because I had my camera at the right moment.
I also believe that if you are aspiring to be a photojournalist, you really should have a camera at all times. You never know what will unfold right in front of you. New York Times staffer Tyler Hicks won a Pulitzer while covering a mall shooting with a small camera while he was in Kenya. His wife eventually brought him his professional gear.
I took these images for the Associated Press after one of my evening classes. Class let out a little early and I was making my way back to my car. As I was walking across campus, I spotted a bunch of college students running around in big bubble suits. The sun was falling behind the trees and the sky turned to that nice blue color, lined with purple colored clouds.
As a last note, I highly encourage you to visit AP's image blog and study away. This is how I learn and grow as a photojournalist.
Kennesaw State University students play a game of bubble soccer on campus at sunset, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, in Kennesaw, Ga. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
