Layman Storage and Air Care Tire Center

That's right folks, limited space is available to store boxes in my single car garage. We have two guard dogs and a climate controlled facility. Just kidding.


The last intern at the Albuquerque Journal needed a place to store his stuff before his big gig in Howston. That would be Shaminder Dulai. He is sporting a new dew. I will miss you Mr. Dulai and can't forget the late night chats on photojournalism.

While you are away I will enjoy looking through the stuff. I can't wait to see what you have in all those boxes.

Amarillo by morning

I was attending the SWPJC over the weekend in Fort Worth, Texas. I decided to drive. It was a crazy drive back home. I was in a blizzard like road conditions. I couldn't see so I stayed in a hotel for the night. I awoke and drove out that morning. There were many semi-trucks flipped over because of the ice. Breaker Breaker 10-9er we got many Smoky's responding to accidents on I-40. Do you copy?

Powerful Production About Iraq War

Every once and a while you see something that makes you stop and think. I saw this on the Dallas Morning News site a while back and come back every so often to play the chapters again. This is presented like a DVD movie with the different story elements. This new way of presenting catches my eye because its something people are used to. They don't have to click through all the different links to get to the page. The DMN has its on web page for this story. Its a very powerful story. The paper had all the ducks in a row and had some amazing access. The story is about Cpl. Eric Morante struggle to recover from being wounded in battle and trying to hang on to his Marine life. Click on Cpl. Morante's name to launch the site.

A blend of JFK and Elvis could make a political rock star or just be Sen. Barack Obama

I had the chance to photograph possibly the next President of the United States a couple days ago. Sen. Barack Obama came to town and he had quite the following. They had to set-up overflow rooms for people to hear his speech. He spoke for about 20 minutes then had a question and answer with the crowd. The crowd had the chance to ask questions and the hands shot up like a bunch of fifth graders knowing the answer to spelling cat. "KAT!" Anyways, here is the photo.

So last year

The tabloids and Internet sites were quite the buzz when the youngest Spears was formally introduced as being pregnant. I was watching CNN at work and had the camera by my desk and snapped this screen grab. Its kind of sad to see the news go this way. The monster machine has turned into a me monster whoever can get the biggest reaction goes for it. Spears, Jolie, Pitt and any other celebrity that might create a stir is the first story. The public wants to have the water cooler chats on the reality T.V., and celeb gossip.
People aren't interested in the serious stories that make the world go around. Kenya, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, the Koreas and any other hot spot are buried in the newscast or paper. People aren't interested in the issues of the world. Its ironic because the local news stations have the policy of "if it bleeds it leads." Why can't the major T.V. networks have that policy when it comes to issues such as genocide and war.

Back to the Taxidermist

So after nearly a couple weeks of not smelling like dead elk or some other kind of wild animal I went back to the shop I have been documenting. I have shot every angle possible on the floor of the staff working on mounts or skinning animals. I saw a ladder in the corner grabbed it and hung out with my buddy "Mountie" the elk. Its something different from the shop just waiting for a couple more moments for the story to be complete.

Santa's Last Minute Pick Up

My wife and I were shopping for the kids late at night. Which I recommend if you want to avoid crowds during Christmas shopping. We were strolling the aisles and saw Santa shopping for a coffee maker. He was handing out candy canes and asking if people were naughty or nice. I looked at Jenny and bolted to the door. The rule of the Layman's never leave a camera at home. Santa was at Target just shopping and I need to document a moment. I ran to the parking lot got loose paper and camera. He was walking to the checkout and I was thinking dang it. Should I get him checking out or what. Then a little girl and her family appeared. He gave her a candy cane. I was using my wife's point and shoot and was firing away. Then the moment appeared. Most Santa photos I have seen are kid crying, Santa's helpers on a smoke break or the SantaCon photos. Anyways, have a good week.