On the Greyhound

It was an inspiring nine-hour journey to San Antonio on the Greyhound...with a story to tell: click the photo to view a slideshow.

keeping Austin weird

Sights from my months spent living and working in Austin with my aunt Nancy and uncle Bill above Lake Travis. This was my first sight as I walked in the door:

And five minutes later, I found the scorpion was captured by its prey - a little house spider!



Dia De Los Muertos. My abuela Kay Keehn, who learned and loved unceasingly.

Don Dickson, 63, sifts through the remains of his home of 19 years on Canyon Road in Steiner Ranch, where a fire broke out five days earlier and destroyed more than 20 homes. "We start building new memories today," he said. Texas has endured the worst drought in history, with over $250 million in damages amid the Bastrop wildfires that displaced thousands.

Eric Odom, 17, and Nina Gomez, 16, talk and eat under the Banister Ln. bridge as an Amtrak train rumbles overhead Saturday in Austin. "We just had the munchies so we came down here," said Odom. He said they spend several hours together under the bridge every week.

How to start the morning, with fresh grapefruit juice.

Covering the UT Ballroom Dance club

I worked in the bakery at HEB and eventually the night-shift of donut frying and baking! I would make my own pizzas to get me through the night.

Beautiful way to end shift, 6 a.m.

Jason Salas, husband to my bakery buddy Malinda and former executive chef of Green Pastures, prepares spaghetti in the humble kitchen of their apartment in South Austin. "Being a chef consumed all of my time," said Jason, who literally began "at the bottom" cutting vegetables in the basement at The Driskill hotel for six months, before eventually cooking for Bobby Flay, who offered him a job. "I turned him down, because I met Malinda," he said. Jason is looking for another day job while remaining faithful to his craft and "true love, a family."

Of all countries to choose from, my palate stayed at home with this delicious burger.

onething 2011

I joined the College Station House of Prayer crew on a trip to Kansas City for the annual onething conference hosted by International House of Prayer. This year was titled "Jesus: Our Magnificent Obsession," and that He is! With a healed mind, the hope of my calling and joyful freedom, it's truly going to be a new life in His glory. Click the photo to view an audio slideshow:

Thanksgiving 2011: New Traditions

Thanksgiving is gaining new traditions with a growing family. The Keehns (my mother's side) celebrated an exciting family trivia game that will include "new blood" next year. ;-)

This year's holiday brought back many memories of gathering at my grandmother Kay Keehn's home in Seguin. The four daughters have ensured the history and value for tradition lives on with the grandkids, and we will furnish new but familiar traditions for our children.

Click the photo to view a slideshow:

Kathryn Fox, 7, swings in the hammock at my sister's home in Bryan, near College Station.

Russo's Spot

First shots with my new 28mm f2.8. About to hit the spot.

Robert Russo unloads wood for his concrete company Sunday. He built the covered skate spot with his son, Ben, about five years ago. A skater in the 80s, Russo has since hung up the boards.

Ben built a skateboard press and sells boards for $7.

"Chicken," as she is named, is the lone survivor of nine chickens that produced eggs for the Russos, until a wildcat raided the coop last year.

Thrashed my board.

times beneath the train tracks

On my way to skate an unexplored ditch, I found this couple sharing a moment as the train roared overhead.

Eric Odom, 17, and Nina Gomez, 16, talk and eat under the Banister Ln. bridge as an

Amtrak train rumbles overhead Saturday in Austin. "We just had the munchies so we came down here," said Odom. He said they spend several hours together under the bridge every week.

Skateboard Wonderland

A skater in my neighborhood built this wonderland two minutes from my house. I was in awe. When nobody answered the door, I couldn't help myself from skating the strange and magical place. Then some other boarders showed up and I felt relieved that "anyone can skate."

Click the picture for a slideshow.

For Melissa and Cory Smith

Before taking engagement photos for Melissa and Cory Smith around the South Congress Bridge in Austin, I honestly didn't feel happy. I don't want to be solely a wedding photographer or portrait photographer, but I needed to get out and see that it's all about making good pictures for people. They are a couple of high school sweethearts from 5,000-population La Grange, Texas.

Click the photo for a slideshow of favorites.

Steiner Ranch Wildfire

Don Dickson, 63, sifts through the remains of his home of 19 years Thursday on Canyon Road, five days after a fire broke out in the Steiner Ranch area of Austin. Click the photo for a slideshow.

The Dock

Click photo for a slideshow!

Entering the cabin area, I found my cousin Carl Langner sleeping. It was his 28th birthday the day before.

Bill's Bus Yard

Click for a slideshow and description:

Special Olympics

It was a sigh of relief to be out shooting sports. I came to watch and snap some shots of my friend Eric Mullins, an all-sports athlete and spokesperson for the The Special Olympics, compete in a softball tournament at Koger Stokes Complex, across from SAC.

Erich bats.

Special Olympics photog John Bost