On Assignment for NBC News

NBC News reached out to me recently and asked me to cover a church service in Atlanta.  This was a great assignment where I had to be patient and hunt for the images.  The congregation was very thin at the beginning of the service, but eventually filled in.  By the way, I live for hunting images.  I love when the image isn't there waiting for you.

I've recently been focusing on my portrait work more and more as I shoot assignments.  Portraits in this kind of situation are tough, because I sometimes only have a few minutes with a subject.

I had to quickly walk around and find different places to set up the portrait shot.  I settled on one before the service and kept my eye out for where I would shoot the second portrait. I spent about two minutes with Pastor Billy Honor before the service and then another two minutes following the service.

On this particular assignment, I was covering a black church's reaction to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump becoming President-elect Donald Trump.  The first shot is of church member Octavia Jones reacting as Pastor Billy Honor was preaching that  "IT'S TIME FOR HEAVEN TO START RAISING HELL. YOU HAVE TO BE DILIGENT AND KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN. I WANT YOU TO SPEAK UP. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD."

It was at this moment that worshiper Octavia Jones jumped out of her seat and spread her arms in front of this beautiful stain glass window and began to shout.

View fullsize

Octavia Jones reacts as pastor Billy Honor preaches during a church service at Pulse Church, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News

View fullsize

Billy Honor, pastor of Pulse Church, poses for a portrait following a worship service at his church, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta.Branden Camp / for NBC News

View fullsize

Pulse Church congregants holds hands during a service, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News

I was struck immediately by a man wearing a "Black Lives Matter" shirt in a church.  No religion, no politics, right?  Here we had religion and politics clashing together.

View fullsize

D'Andre Mayberry enters Pulse church before a church service, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News

View fullsize

A woman prays during a church service at Pulse Church, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News

View fullsize

Congregants listen as pastor Billy Honor preaches during a church service at Pulse Church, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News

View fullsize

Billy Honor, pastor of Pulse Church, poses for a portrait before a worship service at his church, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta.Branden Camp / for NBC News

On Assignment for Boston Globe

With the presidential election drawing closer, more and more assignments are focused around presidential candidates and campaign rallies.  

The Boston Globe asked me to go to Ellijay, Ga. to photograph Ted Cruz supporter Joe McCutchen.  I ended up spending the whole day following McCutchen around town.  McCutchen believes Cruz will win the Republican nomination through talk radio as well as small business owners coming together to promote Cruz.  After spending the day around town, we ended the day with a quick portrait session at his home.  Here are the photos from my assignment.

Joe McCutchen, supporter of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, poses for a portrait at his home, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Joe McCutchen is reflected in the window of a local business that is promoting Republican presidential candidate Tex Cruz, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga. 

Joe McCutchen carries an election sign promoting Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Joe McCutchen, supporter of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, is reflected in a mirror while visiting City Barber Shop in downtown Ellijay, Ga., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015.  BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Joe McCutchen, supporter of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, laughs with his barber Marcelle Lowry at City Barber Shop, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

A man reads a newspaper while he waits to get his hair cut at the City Barber Shop in downtown Ellijay, Ga. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Joe McCutchen, supporter of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, shouts "Cruz for President" after eating lunch at Poole's BBQ, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga.  McCutchen and other supporters hope to host a visit from Ted Cruz at Poole's BBQ in early 2016. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

A look back at Veterans Day 2015

Nov. 11, 2015 - Marietta, Ga, U.S - A woman walks through Marietta National Cemetery on Veterans Day. (Credit Image: © Branden Camp via ZUMA Wire)

Nov. 11, 2015 - Marietta, Ga, U.S - GEORGE ESSAFF holds a flag during a Veterans Day parade. (Credit Image: © Branden Camp via ZUMA Wire)

Nov. 11, 2015 - Marietta, Ga, U.S - DAVID THOMAS, a Vietnam War Army veteran, salutes during a parade on Veterans Day. Thomas deployed to Vietnam from 1970-71. (Credit Image: © Branden Camp via ZUMA Wire)

Nov. 11, 2015 - Powder Springs, Ga, U.S - A photo of Vietnam War Army veteran DAVID THOMAS, bottom right, is displayed in a photo album along with other photos that were taken in Vietnam. Thomas deployed to Vietnam from 1970-71. (Credit Image: © Branden Camp via ZUMA Wire)

Nov. 11, 2015 - Marietta, Ga, U.S - JACK PORTER, 74, visits the grave of his brother who was killed in action while serving in Vietnam. (Credit Image: © Branden Camp via ZUMA Wire)