Mad House

The other day I covered the Running of the Brides event for AOL. Since 1947, Filene’s Basement drastically marks down their wedding dresses from $10,000 to anywhere between $249 to $699. It’s no wonder hundreds of ladies wait in line for hours in order to grab one of the 2,500 gowns that are discounted. It was fun and scary at the same time!

Vigil for Haiti

On Friday the 29th, I covered a bit of the Haitian community and their supporters, candlelight march across the Brooklyn Bridge. They honored the memory of the over 200,000 estimated dead and showed solidarity with those who are injured and who lost their family members and homes in the devastating Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti. It was a much smaller than expected turn out, most likely because of the extremely cold weather. My prayers go out to the Haitians that lost their loved ones, and those suffering today because of the quake.

"To measure the man, measure his heart."

- Malcolm Stevenson Forbes

McNeil for Smithsonian Magazine

A little while back I photographed activist Joseph Alfred McNeil, an important figure in U.S. civil rights history, for the Smithsonian Magazine. He was one of the original four that took part in the 1960 sit-in at an F.W. Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina that only served “whites.” He's a humble and inspiring man. It was a blessing to have met him.

From his bio:
"A Wilmington native, he graduated from Williston Senior High School. McNeil earned a degree in engineering physics from North Carolina A&T State University in 1963. His roommate at Scott Hall on the A&T campus was another sit-in participant, Ezell Blair Jr. McNeil spent six years as a U.S. Air Force officer and attained the rank of captain. He is now a major general in the Air Force Reserves. He worked in computer sales for IBM, as a commercial banker for Bankers Trust in New York City, and as a stock broker for E.F. Hutton in Fayetteville. He now resides in Hempstead, N.Y. He is married to the former Ina Brown, and they have five children."

|lā′ərs| of ny - twelve

Below are some images from assignments and additions to my personal project, |lā′ərs| of ny. In addition to shooting everyday, I've tried to keep my spirits up and hopeful that the industry will turn around soon and provide photographers and editors with jobs again. I myself am hunkering down, and relentlessly trying to shoot everyday, and continuing to work on personal projects. When not freelancing or working the picture desk, I'll work on my |lā′ərs| of ny project and the story I've been working on for quite sometime about the Guardian Angels. With a new year brings new hopes.

I'm constantly inspired by some of my photog buddies that are producing amazing stories and doing incredible daily work. I wish everyone continued success, and all the best while pursuing this craft we so much love.

"By trying, you may fail others. By not, you fail yourself."

- Unknown

Verve Photo - Featured

I was recently featured on Verve Photo. From the site: "Photographer and photo editor Geoffrey Hiller has created Verve to feature photos and interviews by the finest young image makers today. Verve is a reminder of the power of the still image. Verve will also point you to new photo agencies, publications and inspiring multimedia projects."

The site is a really cool place to go and read about amazing photographers located all around the world, as well as a place to seek inspiration. A few of my good friends have been featured on the site as well, so take some time to scroll through the incredible list Geoffrey has created so far. You can view the site here.

Polar Bear Splash

Today was a cold day covering The Coney Island Polar Bear Club for the AP, where hundreds of people jumped into the icy Atlantic water to start their New Year's. Buuurrrrr!

New Work and Website

For the last few weeks I've been busy working on a new site, and finishing up on some personal projects. Tonight I launched my new website along with new work. You can view it here.

Hell and Back

Last Sunday I had an assignment covering retired NBA star Luther Wright from Linden, NJ. Wrights story and testimony is incredible. He went from playing for the Utah Jazz, to living on the streets. Wright is now back on his feet after finding a path through spirituality. He now lives his life day to day trying to stay off drugs and helping others who are going through similar situations. It was a blessing and honor spending the morning with him. You can read the remarkable story here.

|lā′ərs| of ny - eleven

I wish I could keep up with updating this blog, however to be frank, I can't. These days there are one-to-many things going on. Besides working at AOL News, I am also freelancing. Therefore most of my time away from the office I spend marketing. Sometime in December, something great will be happening. It's part of my marketing strategy that I'm very excited about it, and I will announce it here.

New York has been such a difficult community breaking into. It's so competitive here, unlike any other location I have ever lived. With that said, this city and the large community of photographers here, have pushed me to continue shooting and developing stories. Currently, I am working on three stories. Two are almost finished. In the future, I don't think I will take on so many personal photographic stories because it's far to difficult being able to focus on just one. I hope to be complete with at least two by next month. For now, below are images from some assignments and occasional personal stock work.

"I believe in the sun even if it isn't shining. I believe in love even when I am alone. I believe in God even when He is silent."

-Unknown

|lā′ərs| of ny - ten

I love my career, life's never ending adventures, people, communities, diversity, color, the country side, culture and everything else good that God created. It's just been one of those periods in my life that has been great. Between AOL News, freelancing, shooting stock, and working on a couple of personal photo projects, I've been staying very busy. Even though the industry is in a period of transition and re-organization, its been exciting times lately. I'm constantly inspired by my fellow colleagues' passion, their work and their drive to continue doing what they love!

Below are some images from assignments and personal work. More to come...

"'I can't do it' never yet accomplished anything; 'I will try' has performed wonders."

- George P. Burnham

|lā′ərs| of ny - nine

Its been awhile since I have posted on my personal project - |lā′ərs| of ny. Below are some additions to the set and of course, nothing is edited. The images are just the best from each day of the week.

Besides continuing this personal project, I have been trying to finish another project I've been working on for over a year now, about the Guardian Angels. It's been a daunting task because I've been waiting for one picture to happen for over 6-months now. Yes, just one picture. What that is I will not say, but for those of you that have snuck a peak of my work, you know what I am talking about.

I try to shoot as much as I can throughout the week, but I've also been working on the picture desk at AOL News. Great things are happening, and I am excited to be part of the team. I really enjoy photo editing, but photography is still my love. However, I enjoy having a foot in both worlds. More to come...

"If a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it's as though I've neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up."

- Richard Avedon

Meet The Breeds

I love animals, especially dogs. Today I had a fun assignment covering the 'Meet the Breeds' dog and cat show. To see more images, check them out on LIFE here.

There were 41 CFA registered cat breeds and 160 AKC registered dog breeds shown at the event. Some were ugly as heck, while others I wanted to take home right then and there! More to come...

"Beware of doubt — faith is the subtle chain that binds us to the infinite."

- E. 0. Smith