The Faces of STAIR

Most of you know that one of my favorite assignments is photographing for STAIR of Birmingham. I'm lucky enough to visit the 13 sites all over Birmingham and capture the essence of this outstanding program for Birmingham students. This week I tagged along to 4 sites. This guy, just made my day. Learning to be a better reader is really the best gift a kid can ever get. Please visit the website of STAIR of Birmingham for more information on how you can become a STAIR tutor AND donate to keep this wonderful program going!

Sunday Church Series - First Pres

 One of my favorite churches in Birmingham, First Presbyterian Church. 

New Friendships, New Understandings

Today wrapped up the weekend long retreat of Kids In Birmingham 1963.  This group, with contributors from across the country gathered here to meet each other and share their experiences. I was privileged to join the group for church yesterday at the 16th Street Baptist Church and again today at Parker High School. We were delighted to be joined by an impressive group of the school's leaders. This activity of joining hands and showing appreciation for each other was especially meaningful for me.

For those of you who grew up in Birmingham in 1963, I encourage you to share your story on the website. If you are a teacher in the Birmingham area and would like some of us to come and speak with your class, please contact Ann Jimerson via the website.

Many thanks to Ann Jimerson and her committee for planning a most memorable weekend.

Never Forget

Today I joined fellow Kids in Birmingham 1963 contributors who were in town for a weekend long retreat.  Each of us were growing up in this city during the Civil Rights Movement and have our own stories to tell. I was fortunate to join the group today for services at the 16th Street Baptist Church, the site of the September 15, 1963 church bombing. We gathered before for a group photo surrounding Birmingham artists Elizabeth MacQueen's beautiful memorial sculpture, The Four Spirits.

A special thank you to the congregation at the church for a warm welcome. I wish you all could have heard that wonderful message and music. It was very special sitting in that sacred space on this day.

* Many of the members of this group live here in Birmingham are eager to come speak to school or other groups in at the Birmingham area.  Contact Ann Jimerson on the website for more information.

Sunny Day

Wade Sand and Gravel on a blue sky day!

The Dahlia Lady

Kathy Whitfield is renowned in Birmingham as The Dahlia Lady. Visiting her backyard Bluff Park garden is breathtaking. She and her husband show dahlias all over the country and often sell blossoms to florists and flower arrangers in the area.  I'm featuring their garden on my newest phototalk: GARDENS OF BIRMINGHAM. 

Wade Sand and Gravel Part I

I recently revisited a favorite venue. I was at Wade Sand and Gravel to reshoot in a higher resolution some peeling paint that has been haunting me for years. Today, while wandering around after the shoot, I decided to do a little challenge. I just shared with my photography class the benefits of shooting the same thing a zillion ways. Thank  you Kim Riegel for this assignment in 2008. Here's my "homework" for my class.

BTW, I teach a five week class for amateurs who want to improve their photographs at Vestavia United Methodist Church Conservatory of the Arts. Please check the website for my next class series.

Come back for more photos from this shoot!