AVW

4th of July

2011-07-06T15:59:00.000-07:00

2011-05-25T17:30:00.000-07:00

DEVILS CAST OUT

2010-11-17T21:00:00.000-08:00

"Springville's Jarell Nicholes sits against a wall with his hand over his face after losing to Highland High School

in the 4A state semi-finals Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City."

TV is for the birds... so let's see if it will fly!

2010-11-17T20:23:00.000-08:00

"12 students, known as the Rocky Mountain Dream Team, of Rocky Mountain Elementary roll a TV off the school's

roof in front of the entire student body Monday, Nov. 8, 2010 in Lindon.

Rocky Mountain Elementary kicked off Family Week on Monday encouraging their students to "drop" TV and

other electronics and spend more time doing other activities with their families."

Voter's Day

2010-11-03T21:55:00.000-07:00

SALT CITY 50

2010-09-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

ACCEPTED:

REJECTED:

A Place To Call Home

2010-09-29T21:20:00.000-07:00

"Jenalee Moreland, right, hugs Tera Riddle, the Moreland's family mentor from Habitat for Humanity, after receiving the the keys to their brand new home Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, in Springville."

"The Moreland's new home was built in under two weeks as part of the Builders Blitz project sponsored by Habitat for Humanity and the Utah Valley Home Builders Association."

"Jonathan Moreland reacts as he discovers toys in his new bedroom Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, in Springville."

2010-09-26T21:34:00.000-07:00

You're NOT on the list!

2010-09-26T21:31:00.000-07:00

When I asked him if I could jump on the trampoline he promptly responded, "You're not on the list."

Friends In Need Stampede/5K Eagle Mountain, Utah

2010-09-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

Camp Williams, Utah: Utah National Guard

2010-09-26T21:15:00.000-07:00

Fotoperiodismo: Una collección de imágenes

2010-08-05T15:44:00.000-07:00

POWELL, Lake

2010-08-05T15:37:00.000-07:00

(above photo by Marissa Van Wagenen)

Festival's Balloons Remain Grounded

2010-07-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

"Participants in the Provo Balloon Festival deflate and pack up their balloons for another day. High winds kept the balloons from taking flight Friday morning in Provo."

Thomas is on the scene!

2010-06-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

"Arthur Van Wagenen holds his brand new baby boy, Thomas, the morning of his birth while his wife, Jasmine, recovers from the days exhausting events. Thomas Van Wagenen was born Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah."

My brother Arthur and his wife Jasmine welcomed a new baby boy into their family last week. This is just a preview of Thomas' birth story. I hope to get some more photos up soon of this miraculous event. Congrats Arthur and Jasmine!

Memorial Day

2010-06-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

"Lt. Col. David F. Gunn, retired after serving 40 years in the army, says Memorial Day is for reflection and gratitude."

"Lt. Col. David F. Gunn displays several of the medals he has acquired after serving 40 years in the army. During Memorial Day Gunn spends time thinking of friends who died while serving their country."

I sat in with the reporter while he interviewed Lt. Col. David F. Gunn and was surprised by the difference in importance regarding memorial day that separated the two generations. During the epochs of WWII and Vietnam everyone, I feel, was affected on a much more intimate level. Most had a dad, brother, cousin, uncle or best friend that fought in these wars, and sadly, fought and died. The draft itself had widespread influence because every young man had the possibility of being called to war.

Now, there is no draft. Soldiers enlist themselves. Some go to war, some don't. But in WWII and Vietnam so many were sent to fight and so many never made it home that establishing a day of remembrance for those soldiers was absolutely necessary.

I can think of two, maybe 3, friends who are serving in ROTC right now. The odds of them being sent off to war are unlikely. Its no wonder this day has become synonymous with barbecuing and picnics.

Listening to Lt. Col. Gunn speak of his friends who were killed in battle added new perspective to why we celebrate Memorial Day. Gunn said it was a day for reflection and gratitude. I guess what I'm grateful for most is the fact that these tragic affects of war are no longer persistent in the younger generation, yet at the same time this generation should use this celebrated day as a time to remember those who have been harshly affected.

Utah's Indian Winter

2010-05-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

"BYU grounds crew uses rakes to shake heavy snow off of tree branches around campus Monday, May 24, 2010."

"BYU students tread through the snow heading to class south of campus Monday morning, May 24, 2010."

I'm not sure whether to complain or go skiing.

Provo Balloon Festival

2010-05-24T12:04:00.000-07:00

Probably one of my worst responsibilities as a photog with the university paper is digging up old file photos (this task often takes hours due to our abysmal archiving system). The nice part is that I often come across some nice shots that have been overlooked or were just never published. I was pulling some festival and celebration type photos for the Friday tab when I came across a few old ones that I liked. The 4th of July Balloon Festival was a fun assignment, except they didn't launch any of the balloons due to forecasted stormy weather. Of course it didn't rain at all that day. However, due to Utah's indian winter this year we'll probably have snow on the 4th of July. (May 24th, 2010, 2 inches of snow on the valley floor.)

Livin in a FIXED world

2010-05-20T13:24:00.000-07:00

"Neils Olson, above photo, and Britton Osborne perform several tricks on their fixed gear bicycles outside their home in south Provo. Olson and Osborne switched to riding fixed gear bikes due to their simplicity; they require less components and therefore are much easier to fix and maintain."

Protesting 101

2010-05-07T15:27:00.000-07:00

(left image) Karl Rove, author of "Courage and Consequence", shakes hands with four-year-old James Pletsch and his mother Sarah during his book signing tour visit to Provo . Rove served as Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush from 2000 to 2007 and Deputy Chief of Staff from 2004 to 2007.

(right image) An anonymous protester stands outside a Border's bookstore in Provo expressing strong disapproval for Rove's visit to Provo and the release of his new book.

A couple of weeks ago I was assigned to take pictures of Karl Rove's book signing event in Provo. I really didn't know who Karl Rove was but it was obvious that the Press did. When I showed up at Border's bookstore there were three other photographers from the Trib, DesNews, Herald and a handful of reporters.

Outside the store, however, the welcoming party for Rove wasn't so welcoming. A large bearded man with a V for Vendetta mask and two other college kids were carrying signs accusing Rove of being a criminal and protesting his visit to Provo.

As I casually snapped a few photos of the protesters I overheard the masked-man say that one of the problems with protesting is that most people take one quick glance at them, look away, and never even read their signs (maybe its the mask, hmmm).

But it's true. And that used to be me. I've gotten better though, and certainly more sympathetic for protesters and activists now that my older brother is often one of the protesters carrying a sign. He is a dedicated pacifists and founder of his own newspaper The Mormon Worker.

Unfortunately, protesters get the stigma of being wackos or extremists... nope, that's just my brother... and your brother... who believe in something strong enough to try and do something about it.
So next time you see one, stop and chat with your friendly neighborhood protester. You might learn something.

BYU Graduation April 2010

2010-05-05T20:04:00.000-07:00

College graduation... somewhat bitter sweet these days. With few employment opportunities most people I know are advising students to prolong their college career. I'm graduating in August and I'm starting to think they might be right. However, one gets to the point where they are just burned out. So, in the words of Def Leppard, "Lets get the ruck out of here!"

E.O.

2010-05-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

Photojournalism Portfolio 5/10

Bouldering in Lil' Cottonwood Canyon

2010-04-20T11:17:00.001-07:00

The Secret Garden

2010-04-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

"After several months in the climbing gym Mason McMullin climbs outdoors for the first time up Lil Cottonwood Canyon in The Secret Garden."

It certainly felt good to get outside on some real boulders today. For the past few months my buddies and I have been going to the climbing gym here in Provo. Fridays are the only days I go because I get in free with a member (Brit and Neils... thanks ladies). The gym honestly doesn't compare to bouldering outside. On real boulders you have to consider the "scare factor". There is risk involved in climbing 20 feet up a boulder with sharp rocks and tree roots underneath you and not knowing if your foot or hand is going to hold or give out. It gets your adrenaline going, which is partly why being outside is such a blast.

More New York Marathon...

2010-04-13T17:44:00.000-07:00

(left) "Mark Fenton sits and waits before receiving his marathon number at the New York expo center."
(right) "Thousands of marathon runners rode the ferry from Manhattan Island to their starting destination
on Staten Island."

"New York marathon participants sport the colors of their home country, Holland, on the subways of New York."

New York to Boston

2010-04-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

"Mark Fenton laces up his running shoes the morning of the New York Marathon"

New York, New York - 26.2 miles through five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Manhattan. Mark Fenton, remember New York.

Fall 2007, my good buddy Mark and I traveled to New York so he could run the New York Marathon. Between the Chinese black market and the Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village it was an amazing trip. Our mistake was doing all the sight seeing before Mark actually ran the race. For four days we walked all over the city. Mark was totally spent the day of the race.

Spring 2010, my good buddy is at it again. He's heading off to Boston, which he qualified for last year running the St. George Marathon in Utah. Wish I could make it out this time. Good luck buddy.

The Up-to-date Helen Jeppson

2010-02-08T12:33:00.000-08:00

"Nana reading her second choice newspaper, The New York Times, at the end of the day."

"Nana noticing a camera pointed directly at her face as she reads the paper."

I love my grandma! For this post that information is more of side note...

I didn't bother to ask and get the facts straight, but years ago the local newspaper made a blunder with her subscription to the paper, so she canceled and hasn't renewed it since.

Now newspaperless, my grandmother has given me the charge of bringing her a BYU school newspaper everyday so she can get her fill of the days events. Being the amnesiac that I am I often forget to produce a paper upon my return home or I'll forget the school newspaper and only bring home the New York Times (both are unacceptable).

I love her continual interest in the community. If I need a score from last night's BYU basketball game, I can always ask my grandma. If I purchase organic bananas at the grocery store she'll tell me about a recent article that claims organic bananas are a waste of money.

(Side note continued... My grandma is the coolest.)

ZION NAT'L PARK, Utah

2010-01-27T13:54:00.001-08:00

Having recently looked at a Utah state map I was reminded of all the amazing spectacles and landscapes that are so close to home. Zions Nat'l Park in southern Utah is a definite sweet spot. I'm glad I at least had my point-n-shoot on this hike to get a shot of the europeans hiking in front of me.

DAWN PATROL

2010-01-26T15:15:00.001-08:00

2010-01-26T15:03:00.000-08:00

Backcountry, Big Cottonwood Canyon. The troupe: Art & Drew VW, Drew Hegewald.

Barcelona 09

2009-10-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

2009-05-22T12:48:00.000-07:00

Let's get this started...