Photography

Abraham Pardee evens out a piece of metal during demonstrations to show how natural resources are reused to make sustainable products at the Ornamental Metal Museum during International Blacksmith Day in 2012.

A runner warms up for a 5k race in downtown Memphis near some Elvis Presley iconography. The King of Rock & Roll’s legacy still lingers in his hometown 37 years after his passing.

Gregniqua Johnson screams her head off while riding the ring of fire as her family and friends watch (right) during the last day of the 34th Annual Springfest in Southaven, MS at Snowden Grove Park.

Stilian Kirov, former associate conductor for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, rehearses with the Memphis Youth Symphony in 2010.

(left) Allen Hughes of Boy Scout Troop 55 leans out from his peers in order to get a better view of the American Flag during an Eagle Scout promotion ceremony for seven members of his troop. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the troop.

Members of the Memphis Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit board up the windows and doors of Uptown Hot Wings, Fish and Groceries in North Memphis as part of the Blue Crush effort to reduce crime in the area and demonstrate greater police presence to residence. Since 2005, the store has been charged with several drug violations and acts of violence against residents in the surrounding community.

One of gardener Tina Ann Aur’s preferred styles of gardening is to train plants to wrap around lattices, trusses and other frameworks to give her gardens more vertical structure and shape.

(center) Dr. Rick Hanna, attending physician in Le Bonheur’s ER, leads an assessment and stabilization of a young man’s injuries after he was brought to the hospital’s trauma bay after being struck by a car while riding his bike. Le Bonheur is home to the only Level 1 children’s trauma center in Tennessee and is seeking recertification from the American College of Surgeons.

In 2009, Shanyna Ison, a criminal justice student at University of Memphis, was diagnosed with a skin disease that doctors have been unsuccessful to identify and treat. Ison is the only known person to have this condition and requires monthly treatments at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. The disease has affected her walking and eating abilities and given her a vitamin deficiency. Ison has to remain mostly indoors away from direct sunlight as much as possible. Due to non-compatible insurance coverage, most of the money for her monthly treatments has come from family and friends and whatever support she can raise in the community.

Anthony Hunter attends the AFSCME’s “We Are One” March in Memphis, TN on the 43rd anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Color Me Rad 5k race ends with a color infused dance party. A portion of the proceeds from the race go to Special Olympics Greater Memphis. White-clad participants ran through Memphis International Raceway getting bombarded with color at various checkpoints.

Firefighters in Hernando, MS turn on their water hoses to help local kids keep cool during the hot summer weather.

Eugene Durking attempts to make a snow angel on Choctaw Ave before the last of the snow melts following flurries that fell across the city on February 7th.

Bob Tarter, Director of The Natural History Education Company of the Midsouth, shows off Rocco, a Black-headed Python, to visitors of the first annual Eagle Fest at Arkabutla Lake’s Dub Patton Recreation Area. Eagle Fest was designed as a fundraising initiative to begin the building process of the ARK, a 154 acre park which plans to be a hub of activity for Wildlife Conservation Education Outreach. Visitors to Arkabutla got to interact with wildlife, play games and learn about local conservation efforts.

Delana Turner hugs her 8-month-old daughter, Delajah. For the past year, Turner has been a part of the Agape FIT (Families in Transition) program that helps homeless pregnant women.

Crowds cheer on their school’s runners during a 100 meter heat during the Shelby County track jamboree hosted by Bartlett High School.

Memphis-based actress Natalie Newberry poses for a portrait.

(right to left) Jason Benson and Wes Bennett dive into the Wolf River, dressed as UPS delivery workers, while participating in the 14th Annual Polar Bear Plunge and Chili Cook-off at Mud Island River Park. The Polar Bear Plunge and Chili Cook-off raises support for the Special Olympics of Greater Memphis.

February 14th concluded the first Mr. and Ms. SRVS Sweetheart contest for the SRVS Cares Fund with a crowning ceremony of the winners. Angela and Cadaryl were named Mr. and Ms. Learning Center. As the final tallies were counted, everyone enjoyed a waltz dance performed by individuals of the Learning Center. Over $6,000 was raised by the contestants for the fund, which will be used to give back to employees who have experienced a life altering event.

(right) Idlewild second grader Sydney Berry acts nervous as Preston Warford of Terminix shows off “Legs,” a tarantula, during a presentation Warford made to the students about bugs and how they can be beneficial to the ecosystem.

Filipino children cover their faces in sand while playing on the beaches of Magsaysay Island in the Philippines.