Upper Big Branch Mine disaster

On Friday, April 9th, I went to Montcoal, WV to the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster area to photograph the last day of search efforts. Four missing miners still had not been located, and search crews struggled all day to get to the second sealed refuge chamber where miners might be. When I arrived, I photographed the front of the mine entrance, supporters with signs, and a press conference with West Virginia governor Joe Manchin and Kevin Stricklin, an administrator for the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. Later that evening, I attended a candle light vigil for the victims and families still awaiting news of their loved ones. After midnight, it was announced that there were no survivors and 29 miners in total were killed in the explosion on Monday.

Stuart's 1st Birthday

My friend Julie Graham's son Stuart turned one year old on February 17th. She had the great idea to put him in front of a cake, and let him go at it. After eating a few bites, to our surprise he started crying! Fortunately it didn't last long, and he returned to covering himself in cake and icing. My job was easy, Julie had the task of the cleanup afterwards.

Julie, Rachel and Stuart Graham

I tagged along with my good friend Julie Graham and her two adorable children Rachel and Stuart, to see what a typical day is like for her as a stay-at-home mom. The Grahams live in an historical home in tiny Van Wyck, SC. If you blink, you'll miss it.