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A couple of weeks ago Roanoke Times food reporter Lindsey Nair and I traveled to Crozet to spend the day with the women of the Our Lady of the Angels Monastery. The nuns greeted us at 6 am and we were given the opportunity to observe their morning prayer and then head off to the cheese barn for cheese making day. I found this story months ago looking around for ideas online, I but wasn't able to report it until now.

There is a list of 100 "Just Right" things about photojournalism that was created by photojournalist Chip Litherland. I often look at this list and think about how it applies to my work. Number 11 on the list is, "Showing people things they have never seen ever and having the responsibility to introduce them to it in a way that doesn't completely sensationalize the issue."

I think this concept was particularly strong in my mind while photographing this assignment. The nuns at Our Lady of the Angels allowed us into a part of their life with warmth and openness. I left realizing the importance of showing the quiet moments in their life, as well as the louder moments when the women were diligently working.

It seems like almost every day I think about how amazing it is that people let us into their lives as journalists. We often share very private and personal moments with those whose stories we are telling.

A year ago, a good friend and fellow roller derby girl Brooke Smith was diagnosed with Aveolar Soft Part Sarcoma, a very rare form of cancer. After being diagnosed, Brooke wrote a blog talking about her life, fears and dreams. After reading this blog I wanted others to hear her story and the things she believed. I felt that if people took what a 21-year-old had to say to heart, their lives may be impacted, even changed.

The night before the story came out in the Roanoke Times, Brooke had called me because she wanted to get out of the house. We went to what was the Greystone Tavern in Salem and danced like crazy. During the evening, she told me that all she wanted was for the story to help people. I believe it did.

Brooke passed away yesterday morning and I had to say goodbye to a great friend. Brooke taught me a lot of things; to smile, always give a hug when you leave, and that life is too short to cry over the small things.

I believe our friendship was strengthened throughout the time we worked together on her story. Through the story, I was able to spend time with her in many personal situations that I may otherwise not have been able to be at.

I will cherish the night we drove up on the parkway to look at the full moon in July, the sleepovers we were able to have and the lessons she has taught me.

http://www.roanoke.com/wb/185721

Sometimes photojournalists have sticky jobs. Especially when we are doing our best to avoid getting champagne all over our cameras. I once had a mentor who lost an expensive lens in the middle of a sports victory celebration! So as I photographed the Salem Red Sox celebrate their win over the Lynchburg Hillcats, sending them to the playoffs, I reminded them that my camera was expensive when they yelled out "Camera girl!" and began to lift their bottles and cans to spray me!

Here are some images from the celebration. (and a great one of the Lynchburg Hillcats manager getting kicked out after the first inning)

As a photojournalist, my role within the news organization involves witnessing moments in the community with a simple black box that traps light. I often tell people that I'm not taking their picture but borrowing a moment and sharing it with rest of the world.  Being able to witness life's moments and share them is the greatest gift. I'm thankful for it everyday.

But, for every cherubic smile, cacophonous laugh and confident handshake that I'm able witness, there are occasions where I have to photograph a member of the community during a somber moment.

Thursday evening, Hokies United held a vigil on the Drillfield at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg for slain students Heidi Childs and David Metzler. I've covered quite a few vigils, so one might think that the process has become easier with experience. It hasn't and I don't foresee it happening at all.

At a little after 7:00pm the vigil began. Friends of Childs and Metzler told stories to a group of close to a hundred people standing in front of the War Memorial Chapel. I was standing in the middle of the crowd and I began to think about Childs and Metzler.

My eyes began to water.

I never want to be at these types of events but I know that I have to be there. I'm a witness. It's my role to show how a community feels for the readers who could not attend or who were unaware.

September is the beginning of football season, and last week marked the start of the Timesland area high school football games. Hidden Valley defeated Patrick Henry 44-14. Cheering crowds, touchdowns and a slight chill to the air must mean that college and then pro football is not far behind...ahhh my favorite time of year!

Here are a couple of outtakes from last week's game.