Reality check

Sometimes, things happen that make you realize that what you do as a photographer is more than just make pretty pictures for people.

I do a lot of work for Goodwill of Central Arizona; photographing everything from Grand Openings to Christmas parties to PR events. Good people doing good work; I enjoy working with everyone there and being a part of something that helps people who really need the help.

One of the more recent things Goodwill is doing is called the ecademie Charter High School. Most of these "kids" come from a disadvantaged background, or worse; and are making a serious attempt to better themselves against tough odds. Some have been in prison or are already parents; but most are just having a rough time getting started in life.

On April 27th, Goodwill held a Prom for the e-cademie students at a downtown hotel, and we made on-site prints from portraits I had Jim Baker shoot for me, while my nephew Ben ran the printers and I covered the event. Most of these kids had never had professional photographs made of them, and Deana, my contact with Goodwill on this shoot said, "Make them happy, and send us the bill". The kids went nuts over the photos and we shot and printed our brains out until we ran out of paper near the end of the night. Everyone was happy, and we were tired.

Less than a week later, I received a call from e-academie asking for photos of a student at the prom named Andrew, because a few days after the prom he had attempted to hi-jack a car, and was spotted and chased by the police. When he ran from the car and in a gun battle with the police was shot in the leg, he put his gun to his head and killed himself.

He had already been in juvenile corrections. He was 17.

His mother had NO photos of him, and the school wanted to give her every photo of him they could. Especially an 8x10 for his funereal.

I remembered this kid because of who he was; a big, loud, tough acting Hispanic dude, who really wasn't all that tough, but sure tried to be. He was one of those central "life of the party" type kids who you notice.

Here is a shot from the dance floor with William (in a white shirt, towards the back), mixing it up.