April Photo of the Month

Nothing beats a real world experience – whether you're blowing dandelion seeds, rolling down a hill or playing in the mud. There isn't to much that will equal outdoor activity.

MY HONORABLE MENTION

It's always nice to have straightforward feedback in regard to work I may have done, whether favorable or not. Either way, it has a way of polishing the standard and increasing the excellence. Here is a message received through email today after shooting an assignment at a local school recently. The image is from the school musical.

Tony and Melanie,

Thank you so much for your recent coverage of the TC musical and fourth grade pioneer days.

We always appreciate your kindness and genuine interest that goes over and above your jobs as reporter and photographer. Everyone around here knows and loves you guys!

Melanie, thank you in particular for your attention to accuracy. You always do such a great job reporting in an accurate fashion. The kids love seeing their name in quotes, and their picture on the front page.

Again, we appreciate you both so much!!

Have a great weekend,

Shelly Calvert, on behalf of all of us at Troy Christian Schools

Academy of Country Music Awards

By chance you're wondering and hopefully your top picks, or favorite artists, won big at the ACM awards this year ... here is what I know and am willing to share.

– Entertainer of the Year: Taylor Swift

– Male Vocalist of the Year: Blake Shelton

– Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert
– Vocal Duo of the Year: Thompson Square
– Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum

– New Artist of the Year: Scotty McCreery
– Album of the Year: Four the Record, Miranda Lambert
– Single of the Year: "Don't You Wanna Stay," Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson 

– Song of the Year: "Crazy Girl," Eli Young Band
– Vocal Event of the Year: "Don't You Wanna Stay," Jason Aldean and K. Clarkson
– Songwriter of the Year: Dallas Davidson
– Video of the Year: "Red Solo Cup," Toby Keith

A young singer/songwriter, Taylor Swift, sings a little jingle during the 2007 Country Concert at Hickory Hill Lakes in Fort Loramie, Ohio. Fans are still buzzing in response to Swift's music since she set foot on the stage.

Blake Shelton entertains a crowd at the 2009 Country Concert Music Festival in Fort Loramie. Country music enthusiasts who took part in a fan survey asking who they’d like to see in 2012 will get to see their top three pix, including Blake Shelton, when the annual festival returns to Fort Loramie, Ohio July 5-7, 2012.

Husband and wife team Keifer and Shawna Thompson made a harmonious stop at Troy's Hobart Arena in early May 2011 in Troy, Ohio.

Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum performs at the Darke County Fair Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010, in Greenville, Ohio.

Country music artist Toby Keith pauses between songs while entertaining a crowd at the 2006 Country Concert Music Festival in Fort Loramie, Ohio.

March Photo of the Month

I usually tell people who ask the question, "where do I stand" – or "what do I do?" It's simple, if you have access to a camera and you're in the right place at the right time – go wherever you want, as long as your on public property, and shoot from every angle possible until told otherwise. You may amaze yourself with the results. My suggestion is always have your camera accessible.

Zippity aye!

Go ahead just put yourself out there – try something that may get you out of your comfort zone. Remember there's someone who'll support you.

Philippians 4

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Isaiah 40

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

1 John 4

4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

February Photo of the Month

The Arnold Sports Festival

Yaxeni Oriquen meets Arnold

It was a great experience over the last 5-plus years to have been a part of the working media during the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio. It felt like a rare charge during each of these experiences to have captured some unique images from the Arnold Sports Festival. It may conceivably be, that I had an advantage as the working media to feel the way I did after brushing shoulders with other photographers from well known publications – I mean very well known.

This year, however, I will be passing up the opportunity to cover the show in any capacity.

Unsure who may grab the title of any of the competitions including Ms. International but this year as defending Ms. International Champion and 6-time winner, Iris Kyle, is no longer a contestant due to an injury. This puts others in line for the title including 4-time winner, Yaxeni Oriquen, as a possible front runner in the contest. Yaxeni, representing Venezuela, is shown here with former bodybuilder and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, in 2008, while being presented with the Ms. International Champion trophy.

Last year though, I dropped by to walk through the venue and see any possible new events. I went with no intentions of covering anything then I walked right into a crowd surrounding the former Governor himself. Take a look.