2016 was a year full of fun and exciting times. I got to welcome my precious niece into the world. It marked the first full year of my employment with the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. At times it seemed as though I following the Postal Creed to the letter. Neither rain nor snow nor heat kept me from going out to photograph the wild weather of the South Plains. Photographically the year was full of celebration and defeat. Elections and parades. News and features.
Additionally, you can check out some of my previous photos of the year slideshows dating back to 2011.
Snow on the Masked Rider
While Lubbock was still recovering from Winter Storm Goliath, another snow storm blew into the South Plains. I braved the snow and drove up to campus. When I arrived I was rewarded with big, fluffy flakes of snow fluttering in the wind. There I set up a tripod and snapped away while at the Masked Rider statue and the statue of Will Rogers and Soapsuds.
Texas Tech Celebration Against Oklahoma
This was my very first assignment freelancing for the Associated Press. At this moment Texas Tech defeated the No. 3 ranked Oklahoma Sooners. Toddrick Gotcher ran toward the crowd to celebrate as the crowd ran onto the court to celebrate.
Toddrick Gotcher Proposal
In the middle of the game, there was a rumor going around that Toddrick Gotcher would propose to his girlfriend. Following the senior day victory against Kansas State, Gotcher grabbed a microphone and went up to former Texas Tech athlete, Kelly McQuaid and proposed to her.
Lubbock Christian Championship
The undefeated Lady Chaps had the opportunity to host the first few rounds of the NCAA Division II National Championship. Here they lifted the regional champion trophy after winning to move onto the Elite Eight in Indianapolis, Ind.
Baseball Collision
I happened to capture this by pure accident. I was following Floydada’s Abraham Perez as he ran between second and third base when he crashed into New Deal’s Cipriano Barajas.
Cesar E. Chavez March
Lubbock residents marched along University Avenue to celebrate Cesar E. Chavez. To add more information to the picture I walked in front of the banner to show the name and all of the marchers in the background.
Regional Tennis Collision
Much like the baseball collision, I caught this moment by chance. Cherokee was chasing down the ball when she knocked down half of the barricade net.
Hail and Rain in Floydada
On this day, Jordan Sigler and I were driving north to chase down a storm system that was producing hail and tornadoes. Once we turned on the highway to intercept the cell between Lockney and Floydada a bright rainbow appeared in the sky. Then the hail began falling from the south. The driver of this truck was likely very confused when he saw me standing in the hail on the side of the road taking his picture.
100 Meter Crash
As Kaisha Roberts crossed the finish line I expected her to celebrate. However, she tripped and fell to the ground shortly after crossing the line.
Texas Tech Tennis
There’s nothing particularly notable about this picture. I just enjoyed the strong eye contact, lighting and placement of the racket and ball on either side of her face.
Coronado Graduation
The upper levels of the USA are rather dark compared to the court level. So here I framed a parent as he took a picture of a new graduate from Coronado High.
Election Elation
After waiting around for election results to come in, Lala Chavez received a phone call to hear that she won.
Fireworks
While shooting the Buffalo Springs Triathlon a couple weeks earlier, I found an ideal overlook to photograph the annual fireworks display. I brought out the long lens to fill the frame with the fireworks.
Nosybody
While taking pictures of Berkeley Branham saddling a horse for the rides, another one stuck its nose straight into the camera lens.
Record High
In the middle of a heat wave, I went around a few parks looking for residents trying to beat the heat. I found this father and daughter enjoying the playground equipment.
Retro Reflection
Looking for some unique angles I found this reflective hubcap on a Ford Model A. The difficult portion was keeping myself out of the reflection. If you look closely, you can see my knee right in front of the El Camino’s bumper.
Joyland
It was surprisingly more difficult that expected to hold a camera still while facing backwards on a moving ammusement ride.
Powerman Zofingen
Texas Tech Graduation
Every year graduation ceremonies commence with little trouble. While Turgut Baturalp was accepting diploma the dean struggled to place the hood over his head, knocking off his cap in the process.
Building Fences
After a slew of goats at the LISD Ag Barn were killed in the previous weeks the district decided to update security around the student’s animals.
Will Rogers Rainbow
While on campus filming B-roll for a separate project a faint hint of a rainbow appeared in the sky. I rushed toward the statue of Will Rogers and Soapsuds. The rainbow continued to spread across the sky centered above the statue.
Lubbock-Cooper Celebration
Between the players, cheerleaders, students and fans this picture has multiple layers of visible celebration.
Retail Repair
While walking along 34th Street looking for flooded cars I came across employees trying to keep the water out of their store.
Raining Day
On the same day as the flood above, I heard a rumor that the flood water gets deep around Stumpy Hamilton Park. While driving there I had to park a couple blocks away to avoid getting stuck. I came across some Lubbock High students looking in their cars to see how deep the water was inside.
Lubbock Lightning
In what ended up being an incredibly long night, it turned out to be enjoyable sitting on the roof watching the lightning stretch across the sky.
Made Goals
In an effort to show new abilities I began practicing using remote cameras. Here’s a simple goal shot from a remote set behind the soccer net.
Panhandle South Plains Fair
Looking to showcase the numerous foods available at the fair, I came across Jonathan King who was eating two corndogs at the same time.
Losing Season
Even though it was only the fifth game of the season, this shot of Patrick Mahomes at the end of the loss to Kansas State sums up the feeling of the whole season.
Zach Smith Dunk
A Zach Smith dunk is always predictable. Especially during a dunk contest.
Volleyball Tips
At times you have to utilize the layout of a gym for specific pictures. Here I was able to look straight down the top of the net as Meagan Ellis tipped the ball over the net.
Football Hurdles
Photographing a clean hurdle can be nice, but the excitement goes away when the ball is fumbled immediately after the hurdle.
Takedown
It is easy to feel Ward’s pain as he yells out during this tackle.
2016 Carol of Lights
Years ago, I was able to make my way up into the Carillon Tower to get pictures of the carillonneurs performing during Carol of Lights. This year I was able to do it again.
Lone Star Varsity Super Team
While looking portrait ideas around Main Event, one option stood out above the rest. A giant Pac-Man machine.
