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

Limo Joe

"Limo" Joe has lived behind Home Depot for over six years. He got the nickname Limo because he once ran a limo service, along with two other businesses, before money "became God."

"I went crazy and gave all the money to my kids," he says. Limo's daughter serving in the marines will send him clothes and food, but he refuses money he doesn't ask.

Since then, Limo says he's found everything he needed in life by losing it. He has almost died three times on the streets, but surviving physically is the only hard part for him. Giving up his idol of money allowed Limo to find the joy and peace of Christ and his Spirit, and a humility that only comes with a reverent fear of God.

I was blessed to deliver food to him and other homeless on the Northside as a part of the Bread and Water ministry at Northwest Community Church.

They wonder about "the girls" who come down from Austin on weekends to walk the streets to make money, using it to buy makeup at the Walgreens nearby. They complain about the system, those in leadership who cannot offer any solutions. "Give us bags and pay us to clean up the streets," Limo once asked a judge in vain.

Proverbs 22 is one of his favorite passages from The Bible.

Another Old Room

A brief poem is necessary for this room where I've grown ten years. The next dwelling awaits in Austin! Next week, I begin staying with my aunt and uncle above Lake Travis, where I'll freelance and save money until, hopefully, UT calls my name.

Ready to leave this room;

return upon new seasons:

Remember what has changed;

realize what never could.

Searching through a prism,

seeing the light and shadow of life;

sensing absence and presence.

Soul stirring in a cold wind.

Tomorrow's room isn't as reminding,

the rent in a new town or city,

teaching you more about living.

Tell me again because I'm tired of unwinding.

The Roswell Ranch

It's dry in Texas. Really dry. But that didn't stop my mom, Jan, cousin Roger and Tia Nancy from making a day-trip out to our cousins' 15,000 acre hunting ranch in Eagle Pass, Texas, where good times with greatly missed family awaited us. Click pic below to view a slideshow!

Wedding!

I could not be more happy for my sister Lisa Cleveland and the love of her life, Michael Niswander. They met at His Hill Ranch Camp (Comfort, TX) in 2007, and their relationship grew as counselors there. Below, they began to skip and smile in a new life together. Click to see a slideshow! A note on the pics: black & white shots are included in addition to color as personal preference.

Click for rehearsal pics:



And the wedding:

Lisa - UNT Music Graduate

It was a special moment watching my sister walk across the stage. Click pic below for a slideshow!