Wednesday, April 18, 2007

The healing begins 04.17.07

UF students remember Virginia Tech victims – University of Florida students gather for a candlelight vigil on the Plaza of the Americas to remember the 33 people killed at Virginia Tech on Monday:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid452329882/bclid452316393/bctid791792994

Monday, April 16, 2007

Prom Rugby 04.14.07






Saturday, April 7, 2007

"Hello History!" 04.06.07

2007 Championship celebration – Gator fans filled the stands of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Friday night to celebrate the UF men’s basketball team and their second consecutive NCAA title:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid452329882/bclid361569315/bctid742750161

I said it's great...to be...a Florida Gator

....especially this year.

Well wishes for the Gator Boys – Florida fans express their passion for the Gators before their national championship game against Ohio Monday night:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid452329882/bclid361569315/bctid716053008

Gators killing time – Florida and Ohio fans try to kill some time around Atlanta before the late championship game Monday night:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid452329882/bclid361569315/bctid716057575

and finally...the town favorite:

NCAA Champions once again
- Florida fans celebrate throughout Atlanta Monday night after the Gators defeated Ohio State:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid452329882/bclid361569315/bctid715959555

Gators dominate UCLA 03.31.07

More Final Four coverage...

Pre-game festivities in Atlanta – Final Four fans get pumped up in Atlanta Saturday afternoon before the semifinal games later that night:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid452329882/bclid361569315/bctid716057738

UF 76, UCLA 66 – Gator fans celebrate Florida’s victory over UCLA at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta Saturday night:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid452329882/bclid361569315/bctid716057751

Atlanta, here I come!

I got the chance to go to Atlanta for the Final Four...too bad I couldn't shoot or watch the game though. Instead I did a bunch of videos documenting fans and businesses preparing for the games. Not the ultimate way to celebrate a championship, but was still a lot of fun.

Road to the 2007 Final Four – The road from Gainesville to Atlanta holds some of the most interesting towns and people that are worth a quick stop before making it up for the Final Four:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid452329882/bclid361569315/bctid716057749

2007 NCAA Final Four Practice – The Gators hit the courts of the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for the final practice before their semifinal game against UCLA Saturday night:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid452329882/bclid361569315/bctid716053211

Azio Downtown greets Gators – Azio Downtown manager Kevin Kohler talks about being the official 2007 Final Four gathering restaurant for Florida fans in Atlanta: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid452329882/bclid361569315/bctid715959215

They call me video girl

Ok...so I haven't been posting in awhile - I know. But, I've been working a lot in the past month. I got a full-time temporary job at The Gainesville Sun as their sports online/multimedia producer, and I've been filming and editing a bunch of videos ever since.

The first video I ever attempted to film and edit was Gatornationals -- a four-day event that brings in about 100,000 specators every year. I was so nervous, but determined -- for anyone that knows me, I'm head over heels about cars and racing, so i was driven to produce something good. I'd never been to an NHRA event, and apart from the crazy stories of how loud it would be from colleagues, I had NO IDEA what was coming. I was practically going into convulsions when the first two Top Fuel cars flew down the track. Unless you've been there, there's just no way to explain how it feels to be six feet from a 300+ mph car when it launches. Freaking AMAZING. I hope I'll be able to do it again next year.

Anyway...this is what I came out with:

2007 Gatornationals - Thousands of spectators packed the Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Fla., to watch the 2007 ALDelco NHRA Gatornationals held March 15-18:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid452329882/bclid537026791/bctid716057730

Glenn Epps, of Plantation, sports a mohawk at the 2007 Gatornationals Sunday afternoon. Epps said that he's been coming to the event as often as he could since 1982.

Mike Bell warms up the tires in a burnout before racing in the 2007 Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway Friday afternoon.

Denise Mills, from Orlando, covers her ears as two funny cars blast down the track Friday afternoon during the 2007 Gatornationals. This was Mills' first time at Gatornationals. Lining the track, the bleachers vibrate from the sheer intensity of the sound resonating from many of the top division class cars.

Drag racer Ashley Force, daughter of 14-time NHRA funny car champion John Force, speaks to members of the media about moving up into the funny car division and competing against her father this year at the 2007 Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway Friday afternoon.

Ashley Force, daughter of funny car driver John Force, screams down the track in her 2006 Ford Mustang in the 2007 Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway on Saturday. Ashley Force ending up with an ET of 4.832 at 306.67 mph in the quarter mile.

Startled by the sound, Jennifer Schooler, of Gainesville, reacts with excitment while Johnny Diamond, of Pensacola, shields his ears from the sound of a funny car roaring down the track.

Jim Head warms up the tires in his 2007 Toyota Solara before racing down the track.

Crew members prepare Mike Ashley's 2007 Dodge Charger during the funny car division race at Gatornationals Saturday afternoon.

Funny car driver Scott Kalitta does a burnout in his 2007 Toyota Solara before racing at Gatornationals Saturday afternoon. Kalitta ended up finishing with a 4.919 ET at 257.87 mph in the quarter mile.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Let's Go Fly a Kite! 02.18.07

The decorative tale of William Hernandez's kite flickers in the wind during the 15th Annual Kite Day Festival at Haulover Park Sunday afternoon. Families and kite enthusiasts from all over the nation took part in the event, hosted by Miami-Dade Parks and Skyward Kites.

A dolphin-shaped kite sails high in the sky during the 15th Annual Kite Day Festival at Haulover Park Sunday afternoon. More than 200 kite enthusiasts came to enjoy the weather and take part in the event.

Seven-year-olds Diana Ruiz, left, and Kamaile Luciano, right, entertain themselves on an inflatable slide at the 15th Annual Kite Day Festival at Haulover Park Sunday afternoon.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Step Back in Time 02.13.07

Naples Park Elementary student Tyler Daugherty, 11, studies a World War II rail car that was used by Nazis to transport Jews during the Holocaust. "It breaks my heart to see it," Daugherty said about the rail car. "I can't believe that they actually stuffed people in this - it makes me sad."

Henry Eisenberg, 84, is comforted by Merle Saferstein from the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, Inc., during an emotionally touching speech by Auschwitz survivor Leo Schneiderman. Hundreds gathered in the Broward County Convention Center Tuesday afternoon for the unveiling of a World War II rail car acquired by the HDEC.

Leo Schneiderman, an Auschwitz survivor, captivates the audience with chilling stories about his experiences during the Holocaust.

The eerie sight of a World War II rail car looms in the background as the audience listens to Holocaust survivor Leo Schneiderman.

Shooting in Luxury 01.14.07

A model sets the tone in "Evening on the Med" - the grand opening ceremony of Acqualina's new spa, ESPA, and eatery, Costa Grill. The hotel/condominium's event also included a beachside buffet and silent auction hosted by Celebrity Chef Rocco DiSpirito and Law and Order Actress Diane Neal - benefiting Safe Horizon, a victim assistance organization.

Acqualina, a luxury hotel/condominium in Sunny Isles Beach, celebrates the grand opening of its new 20,000 square-foot spa, ESPA. The new addition features 11 treatment rooms, an outdoor spa veranda with a Jacuzzi and pool.



A Pucci outfit shimmers onstage during an Emilio Pucci fashion show at the grand opening ceremony at Acqualina.

Lights in the Field 01.10.07

Sherry Patrick, the new president of the Gainesville Alachua County Association of Realtors, poses in the lobby of Coldwell Banker Wednesday afternoon.

Torah Celebration 12.28.06

Rabbi Alexander Kaller, upper left, overlooks Rabbi Yochanon Klein as he carefully fills in a letter for Lillian, Tatyana and Misha Podlog during the completion and dedication of the new Torah Scroll in Aventura.

Rabbi Yochanon Klein carefully fills in a letter of the new Torah Scroll during the completion and dedication ceremony in Aventura

After placing the crown atop the new completed Torah, David Joukov, left, leads a parade of followers across Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles Beach to the Chabad-Russian Center.

The crowd dances and claps in celebration as Rabbi Alexander Kaller, left, chants verses from a prayer book at the welcoming of the new Torah at the Chabad-Russian Center in Sunny Isles Beach.

April - Dec 2006

I had a friend who wanted me to take a few pictures of her before I officially left Gainesville. I'm starting to really like portrait photography, and I really want to try to pursue it more on the side from photojournalism.





King's Jewelry 12.21.06

Carole Levine, a loyal customer of King Jewelers, admires a necklace at the store's 95th anniversary celebration Thursday night. The event debuted its recently expanded 8,000-square-foot Aventura showroom along with exclusive holiday jewelry and watch collections.

Cyndy Albert, left, examines a A. Fanfani necklace at King Jewelers' 95th anniversary celebration.

Lorraine Bleustein, a King Jewelers customer of 18 years, compares Breitling watches at the store's 95th anniversary celebration.

It's a Big Urban World Out There. 12.01.06

Florida coach Urban Meyer answers questions from Host Dave Neal about their teams' upcoming 2006 SEC Football Championship Game this Saturday during the SEC Coaches Luncheon Friday afternoon.

Gator Nation Domination 01.08.07

A sea of fans celebrate on University Avenue and N.W. 17th Street after the Gator's BCS National Championship victory January 8, 2007. The University of Florida went home with a 41-14 victory over Ohio State University.

Gator fans celebrate during the first quarter of the BCS National Championship game at the Swamp Restaurant.
Katie Brandy, left, steals a kiss from Mark Miller on University Ave. during a celebration of the the Gator's BCS National Championship victory.
Moe Brown cheers in the Swamp Restaurant during the last 5 minutes of the Gator's BCS National Championship victory.

UF fans dance and cheer to the beat of drums on Buckman Drive following the Gator's BCS National Championship victory.

Aloha - June 2006

Trip to Hawaii!!! My cousin, her boyfriend and I went to O'ahu this summer to visit our cousin Brian who lives right on the beach. It was the first time I had been back to Hawaii since I was 3, so it was pretty much a new experience to me. Absolutely amazing over there. Thailand may be my favorite place, but Hawaii is definitely a close second.








...And They're Off! 05.06.06

Oaks Race and the 132nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in April 2006.

I got to assist SI photographer Bill Frakes with the Kentucky Derby this year, and had an absolute blast. Besides the not sleeping, it was undoubtedly a once in a lifetime opportunity. I even got a shot in the magazine! yay!



Gat-or Done!! 04.03.06

University of Florida's 73-57 NCAA Championship win against UCLA on April 3, 2006.






Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Whiplash 11.30.05

Brandhi, a dominatrix, was definitely the most interesting to cover. And low and behold, Eric, the tattoo artist introduced me to her. She was fantastic - working weird poses and was up for anything. Her red hair just made everything perfect.