The portrait always matters.

Organizer of Making lemonade out of lemons speaking to young girls about abuse. 

The headshot has been around for a longtime and isn't going anywhere. So, knowing how to shoot one or capture a talking head is something good to know.

A photo story about a man who collects cans.

I was excited to hear on the first day of class that we were required to do a photo story with sound. That has been my aspiration for a long time since I learned how to do Sound slides two years ago.

Shooting my personal assignment was a delight because I had already envisioned the direction I wanted it to go. It was cool hearing how the audio just rolled out in conversation. I thought it would be much harder to get the audio to go in a direction to where it tells the story how I knew the images would have the best effect.

The worst part was when I was shooting at the gas station and these guys were yelling out why is she taking pictures. I actually thought I would be shot. But, I high tailed out of there and continued my shots somewhere else.

            The images were just amazing as to how they went with the sound. I never could have imagined that sound could go with images so good. I enjoyed the assignment, and it actually prompted me to purchase sound slides. I absolutely can’t wait to shoot another one.

Man handing Can Man an empty can after seeing him digging for them.(PHO-245 Shalisha Russell)

Can Man walking away from one can to another at the Valero gas station on Monroe and Auburn in Toledo, Ohio. 

Sunshine group project.

Resident of Sunshine Homes painting in the activities center shot as a group project. (PHO-245 Shalisha Russell)


Shooting the group project was very nice because the staff was incredible and the residents were so excited to see us. This assignment meant a lot to me because these people can find happiness in such a situation, when there are so many that do not count their blessings.
This wasn't hard for me to shoot with other photographers around because it wasn't like a competition. It was more like we all helped each other as a group. I enjoyed myself, I still have the notes the residents wrote for me in my wallet. The notes say thank you.
I was happy to be a part of such an assignment where the end result was helping an organization show their culture. the culture of taking care of residents and keeping the founders vision alive. I loved every moment of that group assignment.

Resident coloring in the activities center shot as a group project.

resident working his job folding clothes stops to smile.

Resident holding the clothes he has folded close to his chest.

Resident in a rocking chair in the activities center. 

Update

Bonnie burnside was given her 5,000 dollars back from Toledo Auto Finance. She called me the next day and confirmed the information.So, happy to help her.