Keisha Lance Bottoms Declares Victory As The Next Mayor of Atlanta

Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated her opponent, Mary Norwood, by only a little more than 700 votes.  I covered Bottoms election party for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta.

Bottoms arriving for her election party.

A trumpet player warms up during sound check for an election party for Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Bottoms greeting supporters before her election party

A photo of Keisha Lance Bottoms is displayed on a screen as a band warms up before an election party.

Charles Doyle picks up a sign he made promoting Keisha Lance Bottoms

Supporters wait on Keisha Lance Bottoms to arrive for an election party.

Kasim Reed introduces Keisha Lance Bottoms during an election night party.

Bottoms speaks to supporters during her election night party.

Supporters celebrate as results come in showing Bottoms winning over Mary Norwood.

Keisha Lance Bottoms takes the stage after declaring victory over her opponent Mary Norwood.

Keisha Lance Bottoms delivers her victory speech after declaring victory over Mary Norwood.

Bernie Sanders - On Assignment for Atlanta Journal-Constitution

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders arrives for a campaign rally for Atlanta mayoral candidate Vincent Fort at Saint Phillip AME Church, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in Atlanta.  Branden Camp for AJC

Volunteers for Atlanta mayoral candidate Vincent Fort lead U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders through a crowd of supporters following a campaign rally. Branden Camp for AJC

Atlanta mayoral candidate Vincent Fort, left, sits with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders during a campaign rally at Saint Phillip AME Church in Atlanta.  Branden Camp for AJC

Atlanta mayoral candidate Vincent Fort speaks to several thousand supporters during a campaign rally at Saint Phillip AME Church in Atlanta.  Branden Camp for AJC

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks to thousands of supporters of Atlanta mayoral candidate Vincent Fort during a campaign rally at Saint Phillip AME Church in Atlanta. Branden Camp for AJC

Supporters react to U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders during a campaign rally for Atlanta mayoral candidate Vincent Fort in Atlanta. Branden Camp for AJC

Atlanta mayoral candidate Vincent Fort gestures to several thousand supporters during a campaign rally at Saint Phillip AME Church in Atlanta.  Branden Camp for AJC

A cardboard cutout of Bernie Sanders sits against a wall as people line up before a campaign rally for Atlanta mayoral candidate Vincent Fort. Branden Camp for AJC

Supporters of Atlanta mayoral candidate line up before a rally. Branden Camp for AJC

Friday Night Lights - On Assignment For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Way behind on blogging.  High School Football is back in full swing.  Here are a few shots from my last few assignments for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Harrison High School band performs during a game against North Cobb High School, Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, in Kennesaw, Ga. Branden Camp for The AJC

Valor Christian football players of Colorado warm up before a high school football game against Greater Atlanta Christian School, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Norcross, Ga. Branden Camp for The AJC

Greater Atlanta Christian cheerleaders pose for a photo before a high school football game against Valor Christian of Colorado, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Norcross, Ga. Branden Camp for The AJC

Greater Atlanta Christian football players warm up before a high school football game against Valor Christian of Colorado, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Norcross, Ga. Branden Camp for The AJC

Harrison’s Lawrence Shadd III (15) attempts to catch a pass during a game against North Cobb High School, Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, in Kennesaw, Ga. Branden Camp for The AJC

Greater Atlanta Christian's Robby Fowler (5) converts a fourth down run for a first down as he eludes the tackle from Valor Christian's Chase Lopez (29) during a high school football game against Valor Christian of Colorado, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Norcross, Ga. Branden Camp for The AJC

A referee signals good on a kick by Greater Atlanta Christian during a high school football game against Valor Christian of Colorado, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Norcross, Ga. Branden Camp for The AJC

Americus Police Officer Laid to Rest - On Assignment for The Associated Press

I recently covered the funeral of  Americus police officer Nicholas Ryan Smarr, who was shot and killed while responding to a domestic dispute.  His lifelong friend Georgia Southwestern University police officer Jody Smith was also killed while responding to the same dispute.

It was very painful to watch a small town mourn the loss of one of their own.  Here are images from that day.

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Portrait of Cherry Glover - On assignment for Atlanta Journal-Constitution

She didn't stop smiling the whole time I was with her.  Yet, her story rips your heart out of your chest.  She has a developmental disability that prevents her from living a normal life.  She has four children, but currently has custody of one, her 7-year-old daughter, Asia Glover.  Read her story at AJC's website.

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Cherry Glover, who has a developmental disability, said All About Developmental Disabilities has been a big part of her life. “They really feel like a family to me, because I never had that,” said Glover, shown in her Atlanta home. “And they’ve really been there to help me just grow and learn, and I never fail … because they’ve been there for me. They have my back.” Branden Camp for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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Cherry Glover, who has a developmental disability, lays her head on her daughter, Asia Glover, 7, in hopes of getting her to smile at their Atlanta home as they pose for a portrait. Glover and her four kids are one of more than 100 families in metro Atlanta that will be helped by All About Developmental Disabilities’ Adopt-a-Family program this year. Branden Camp for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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Cherry Glover (left), who has a developmental disability, and AADD caseworker Dionne Walker have worked together for several years now. Besides helping Glover with “life skills training” and tracking her progress, Walker assisted Glover in compiling her family’s wish list for the Adopt-a-Family program. Branden Camp for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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