j.r. ward II photography

Signs

2011-05-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

As I was working and searching through my photo archives today I kept running across pictures of signs. I thought I would share a few different entertaining ones.

snatched at Big Dawgs Tavern in Sandersville, GA.

snatched in Bangkok Thailand..

snatched outside of my dry cleaners on Ponce in ATL. Lots of homeless people sleep behind building.

Huddle House somewhere between ATL and Charleston

cheers

JRW II

One Year Ago Today: Thailand

2011-04-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

I have been revisiting some images of my trip to Thailand. I just realized that it has already been a year since my great pal Joe B and I took that trip. I thought i would share a few images from the trip of this day one year ago. We arrived at Phuket International Airport after spending our first few days in Bangkok. The best part is that we arrived on the first day of the Songkran Festival. If you have never heard of this festival check it out.....Songkran Festival is the Thai New Year celebration and can get a bit wet to say the least......

http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/play/quick-guide-songkran-2011-thailand-386855

welcome to Phuket

Hanging out at The Watermark.

                                                              cheers
                                                                    jrw II

A winner of 39th Creativity International Awards...

2010-09-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

I Just found out I was a winner in the39th INTERNATIONAL CREATIVITY AWARDS (2009) for My documentary MY FATHER HAS GIFTED HANDS.... it won Student Photography Book Campaign. a bit of a late notice but good news either way.... Thanks Creative Circus........

http://www.creativityawards.com/39A_Student_Photography_Book_Campaign.php

Headed to Thailand for two weeks

2010-04-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

I am in the ATL airport waiting for a connecting flight to Tokyo .....
Then on to meet Joe B in Bangkok. Damn it is hot up in the airport. I
just can't wait to get there.

Soulphonics & Ruby Velle @ The Earl

2010-03-09T14:38:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of doing a quick, early morning shoot for the Atlanta-based band Soulphonics & Ruby Velle a few weeks back. Over the weekend I decided to go and check out the band and SNATCH a few pictures during their show @ the Earl in East Atlanta. They played and amazing, sold out show featuring Lee Fields. I thought I would share my version of the experience.

Image from shoot @ 11 alive news studios

A Little Fun Time While Shaving My Beard

2010-01-25T12:32:00.000-08:00

Last week I finally decided to shave the itchy beard that I had been growing for over three months. I have always hated shaving, which is why I do it rarely. I decided to snatch some images while shaving. My love of self portraiture got the best of me and I created a couple of creepy characters as I was shedding massive amounts of facial hair.

Yeah I went there. It was simply the power of my shrinking mustache!

That's it. I hope you all enjoyed me making an ass of myself. I did!

cheers

J.R. Ward II

My Day With a Lost Dog

2010-01-25T11:54:00.000-08:00

Last Friday I was heading out and discovered a dog wondering around Jenn's parking lot. She was just sniffing around dragging her leash behind her with no owner in site. I called for her and she came running right up to me and greeted me with a jumping lick in the face. She had a Chip ID tag with a chip number on it, but no owner info. I called the number on the tag only to discover that her owner had not registered her yet. The guy from the chip service referred me to the Animal Action Rescue here in Atlanta. I called them and spoke with a very kind woman named Debra. She eventually tracked down the vet/shelter where the dog received the chip and after a number of hours they finally tracked down the owner. I ended up spending the day with the dog, and the owner came over later that night to get his lost pup. It turns out he was working in the area and while parked in his truck he turned is head for a moment and the pup decided to jump out of the window and make a run for it. Scout(my dog) and I enjoyed spending our day hanging out with the our new friend who I decided to call Pinecone. I really want a dog named Pinecone or maybe I will name my first kid Pinecone. I am glad I found the dog and could help her get back home. Here are a few images I snatched during the day on my phone.

Scout getting to know her new friend. Gotta love how dogs do their thing.

I would say they got along just fine.

I would like to think "Pinecone"(never got her real name) enjoyed herself. I am glad we finally got her to her owner later that night. I hope she is doing well now, but I would have kept her if I had to.

cheers

J.R. Ward II

Brothers Kitchens

2010-01-14T15:45:00.000-08:00

When I was home a few months back my parents and I spent the afternoon out in the country visiting the Kitchens Family. Dr. Kitchens and his wife Layne have been very good to my family and we consider them dear friends. I wanted to go out there and shoot some portraits of their two sons, Christopher, and Nathaniel as part of a future project, and to give them as a gift to the family. We had a great afternoon. They led us around their property as i snatched photos. After we were done shooting we sat at the table, had coffee and apple pie, and talked for a few hours. We discussed everything from growing up in Sandersville to religion and civil war history. It was a great day with great friends.
Here are some of the images i SNATCHED......

                                                    one love to the Kitchens Family.....
                                                                                 cheers
                                                                              j.r. ward II

My Childhood Kingdom_The Old WACO Recreatoin Dept. ball fields

2010-01-13T15:04:00.000-08:00

I spent a good portion of my early childhood growing up in a small, rented house across the street from the old Washington County public swimming pool and Recreation Departement baseball fields in Sandersville, Georgia. The woods, pool, ball fields, and rail road tracks surrounding that area were my own little kingdom. Thomas Kay and I roamed and ravaged that kingdom with two wild and glorious
imaginations. We would build forts, play war (with bb guns and heavy coats), stomp in puddles, break into the sports field power box to turn on the lights for a late night game of tackle football, and ride our bikes over every hill and stretch of dirt or grass in our Kingdom. I met most of my childhood friends on those ball fields for long, hot summer practices and games. It was a place of firsts. I learned more than i care to explain at the city pool. I spent every single day there in the summer eating corn chips and drinking grape soda. I made friends there I would have never met any place else in my community. I smoked my first cigarette when a much older girl I had a crush on rode by my house in her red camaro and threw out a lipstick smeared cigarette butt. It hit the road still smoking a bit, so when she was out of site I ran out into the road, put that thing to my lips and took a puff. That was my first cigarette. I also got my first concussion on the tennis courts, my first kiss, and my first heart break somewhere along the way during my adventures in that Kingdom and in that place.

I go back there almost every time I am home. I park my car next to the lot where our house once stood since it burned down a number of years back. I like being there and walking along the paths and baseball fields that were the setting of my childhood. I can still smell the fresh cut baseball field grass spread along the road in tall, narrow piles. I can feel that sharp, crisp, winter air that seemed to be the life blood of my youth. when I am there or when I think of that place I will always hear the shouts of young boys and girls in all their youthful glory...

I snatched a few images of "my childhood kingdom" to share.(click on indiv. images for larger view: click back button to return)

The city pool pump house. The pool has been filled in, but you can still see the pool edges.

These footprints remind me of my favore pair of red, brooks baseball cleats. I wore them everywhere.

I hit my first home run on this field. It was just me and my dad. He pitched it just right and I will never forget that swing, and the "THWWWAAAK" sound of the ball connecting with the bat. My dad stood silent and proud on the pitchers mound and watched me circle the bases waving to the imaginary crowd.

The red clay surrounding these rail road tracks stained every article of clothing I had. I wore those stains proudly. The red clay cliffs around the rail road tracks were at least 15 to 20 ft. high on each side of the tracks when I was a kid. Thomas and I would climb and scale those cliffs with a carefree style and grace only a young boy could possess. Those Cliff walls held the secrets of our youth, and represent a sense of freedom that I have rarely experienced since those days.

Almost every one of my friend's parents has spent some time in these bleachers. Gossiping, yelling, watching and conversing. Being a part of a community.....
This place also reminds me of Joe May and the Whole May family. Mr. Allen and Sammy May were the best damn youth baseball coaches EVER!!!!!! They coached me throughout my childhood. One love to team GK.... and one love to JOE MAY... I miss you brotha

Here is to "THE GLORY DAYS"!!!!!
cheers
j.r. ward II

ATL Snow

2010-01-13T12:46:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of images i snatched during our little snowy night in Atlanta.

J.R. Ward II Photography images featured on New York Times Lens Blog

2010-01-08T10:51:00.000-08:00

Greetings,
A couple of weeks ago I discovered that three of my images I submitted to the NY Times photography, video, and visual journalism blog (LENS) were chosen to be a part of a series called "Photos:Families, One and All". The pictures were all reader submitted images that said "Family". Althought this is no feature article on my work, I am pleased. Hell, it is New York Times related, and I will take it. Please feel free to take a look. My three images are on page two; 2 images on row one across, and first image on row two across.
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/24/readers-5/

word....

j.r. ward II

Dubose Porter_Porter for Georgia Governor

2010-01-07T14:44:00.000-08:00

Greetings one and all,
I have put together a number of images I have snatched of Georgia House of Reps. Minority Leader Dubose Porter and his family. During my stint as a photographer for The GA House of Reps. I got to know him and his wonderful wife Carol fairly well. I was instantly captivated by Rep. Porter from the first time I stepped onto the House floor to work. I am honored to have had the privilgege to document him in action, and to make a visit to his family farm to photograph him and his family for his current gubernatorial campaign. Yes, he is running for Governor of Georgia and you should give him a look...I wanted to share some of the images i have snatched along the way......

SNATCHED: GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPS. 2009 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

SNATCHED: PORTER FAMILY FARM

Please check out the Porter for Georgia website and blog to learn about Rep. Porter, his family and campaign.
http://porterforga.com/
http://porterforgeorgia.blogspot.com/

i hope this helps gain support for Rep. Porter's campaign, if that is not your thing......enjoy the images!

cheers

j.r. ward II

Thanksgiving with Washington County Family Practice: Patients, Friends, and Family

2009-12-11T08:50:00.000-08:00

This year we changed things up a bit for Thanksgiving. Instead of just chilling at home and eating (mom, dad, and myself), we decided to serve dinner and eat with the patients and staff of Washington County Family Practice where my mom works. It ended up being one of the best Thanksgivings I can remember. I missed being with the rest of the Ward family, but it was worth it. I can't thank the Doctors and staff enough for putting it all together (esp. the Eaton Family). The whole day reminded me of the importance of not only family, but community. I am sensing the beginning of a new Thanksgiving day tradition. I can't wait for next year. Here are a few of the images snatched from that day.....

see you next year.......

cheers

john-robert ward II

Medical Images

2009-12-07T09:25:00.000-08:00

As I have been going through my photo archives I decided to put together a series of Medical related images. I have never really set out to shoot these types of images, but somehow I have been naturally attracted to the subject matter and have managed to snatch these images throughout the years. I am sure a big part of this attraction is due to the fact that i pretty much grew up following my father around the hospital while he made rounds, or spending my days in his office while he was seeing patients. My father even once set up the operating room for me to perform surgery on one of my Cabbage Patch Kids (yes I had Cabbage Patch Kids). I had nurses assisting me and everything. My attraction to the images in this series may seem strange, but the colors, textures, and subject matter seem to invoke in me the feeling of being a kid and how much I adored my father. I felt so important just trailing behind him. To me, and many others in our community, he was "the man"..... he saved lives... Not many kids can say that about their father. Dad, you are still "The Man"and you saved lives...........
j.r. ward II

The above image is a newspaper clipping I found of Kindergarten students visiting my father's office.
Each of those kids wrote my father a thank you note and he kept each of those notes hung on the wall in his office for as long as I can remember.

I wrote the above poem to my father one Christmas eve when I realized I forgot to get him a present. I think I was in 4th or 5th grade.

Weddings 2009

2009-12-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

I am sharing some of my favorite images from the weddings I have shot this year. I have always been one of those people who said, "I will never shoot weddings". Well as times have gotten tough for us all, especially while trying to begin a new career, I took on some weddings. Each one has had its challenges but at the end of the day I found myself enjoying being able to document such an important day in peoples lives. Shooting weddings has been a huge part of how I have made it through the past year and i am grateful to each of the families for letting me in, and paying for it......I look forward to shooting more.
enjoy j.r. ward II

Goodson Wedding

Bussell Wedding

Hudson Wedding

Varin Wedding

Last but not least, I have to thank Jenn for all of her hard work assisting me during these weddings. She has played a huge role in me being able to successfully document the "big day" in these peoples lives. I could not do it without your help, your great eye, and your special touches....

JOE MAY's Birthday

2009-10-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

I woke up today with mixed emotions. Normally this is one of the most exciting days of the year for me. We have always celebrated our Libra birthdays on the Saturday night between Joe's and my birthday. The fact that this year Joe is not with us hurts me more than i could ever explain. The loss of Joe has created an emptyness within my heart that i thought i would never have to experience and will never get over. Joe has always been the glue that bonded many of our friendships. His death has brought many of our friends closer and forced us to realize the importance of true friends, and the fragility of us all. When someone close to you dies people constantly tell you, "Everything happens for a reason", or "Maybe something good will come from his death." That just does not cut it for me..... I want him back. I think we all have a hard time controlling the tears, anger, and frustration. I can't for any reason understand why someone who was such a Large part of our life could just be ripped away from us. If that is not enough, how could such amazing people like Joe's parents have to deal with the death of both of their sons. That goes beyond life throwing you a curve ball. I know that nothing could ever replace Joe and Ed for Mrs. Selwyn and Mr. Allen, but those of us who live on will never forget their amazing sons, and will be there for them as long as we have air to breathe. I can't help but think about one of the last great conversations Joe and I had at 4a.m. in his truck outside of Jenn's house in Athens. We talked about Ed, how lucky we were to have our group of friends, being in our 30's and just starting to figure out our paths in life. That night Joe said something to me I will never forget. He told me how jealous he was of the relationship I had with Jenn, and how lucky I was. Little did he know that his world was about to be turned upside down (in a good way) by one of the most amazing people to come into his life, his Andrea, his Sunshine. She came into his life and made Joe oficially THE KING. At that moment I never imagined that Joe would not be physically present at our 32nd birthday party. I have tried so hard to be strong and positive, but sometimes it hurts so damn bad, and I am just angry. All of us have been dealing with it in our own way, and at least we have one another, but i know that each of us wishes that we could be leaning on Joe. I am going to do my best to celebrate on this day in honor of my great friend. Although there will be an empty space at the party I know Joe will not be missing from the festivities. He will be in every sip of a drink, every pig-in-a-blanket we eat, and every hip-hop lyric I scream at the top of my lungs, and in the eyes of his Andrea. Joe is in all of us now. That is something to be proud of....
   We love you and miss you KING CHANGY......(i hope you and ed are riding some dirt roads today)
           one love
                   john-robert ward II

the happiest i ever saw joe......ever

one love to DRE DAY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE MAY AND PASS THE CROWN

My Birthday Dinner_thanks Jenn

2009-10-15T13:05:00.000-07:00

Jenn and Scout gave me a great birthday dinner again this year. I thought i would share a few pictures, and say thanks to my two girls.....

i always get some great decorations and my birthday song by The Beatles is always playing when i first walk in the door. Jenn has always does it up....i also always get a card from scout.

My homemade Coca Cola Cake Jenn baked for me.(you go miss changy) Awesome!!!

my favorite...hello asparagus pee !

i got to grill the steak... it was a hell of a meal.....

thanks Butch....a.k.a Jenn Brooks

Birthday Blog Post...

2009-10-14T13:47:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to thank all of my friends and family for the kind words, facebook messages, texts, emails, calls, and cards. Thanks for all the Love. I always say that my birthday is not a big deal, but it feels great to know how many people are out there thinking of you. Good to know so many Great people have my back. I love you all.

I thought twice before posting this birthday letter/poem my dad wrote for me on this birthday, but i decided to share it because I love him so much, and am so proud to have him as a father and hero. i can't even express how humbling it is to have such a great man say these things about me and mean them. a son can't beat getting this letter for his birthday.....(good luck with the doctors handwriting)
(you can click on image to enlarge)

damn i am getting old

i am so proud of where/who i came from

i have def. been blessed with the most amazing, loving parents, and am thankful.

i know i would not be as happy without these two to make my days brighter.

jenn always hooks up a good birthday dinner.. this year Filet Mignon

I always do it up with my Libra Babies.

Last but not least... I can't remember a birthday celebration without my Brotha JOE MAY.

My birthday is three days before Joe's, making us the babies of our class. We have always combined our birthday throw downs and his absence this year breaks my heart terribly. Joe you will always remain to be with me/us on this day and i miss you and love you more than i could ever have thought.

Things are not quite as "Changy" without you, but we will be doing it up this year on your birthday. we will continue to celebrate our Libra Babies birthdays on that day... now and forever.

One Love King Changy....you will always be the King

Again, thanks to everyone for a happy birthday to me....

cheers

j.r. ward II

Kenya Program 1998

2009-10-08T10:19:00.000-07:00

I just started scanning negatives from my time in Kenya . I traveled to Kenya while attending The College of Charleston during the summer of 1998. The same summer of the American Embassy bombings in Kenya, and Tanzania. I went with a group of anthropology students from CofC and The University of Southern Mississippi led by Dr. Bruce Roberts. Many of these images have never seen the light of day, other than having the film processed. Most of the developed prints I had were stolen during a break in of my apt. a number of years back. The negative scanning process will probally take me forever, but I wanted to share a few images I was excited to finally have in front of me.....

more to come soon.......

Tutaonana...

j.r. ward II (Mwangi)

Lovin listening to records while working

2009-10-07T10:59:00.001-07:00

Just catching up on some work. Editing photos while listening to some
records. Can't beat that. Well I could be getting paid to be out
shooting.

Braves in black and white

2009-10-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

snatched while working at a braves game in 2008.

The Storm

2009-10-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

snatched shortly after the storm...my father being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

Snatched_ images from Crescent Beach Trip

2009-08-11T11:48:00.001-07:00

Jenn and I got to spend a few days on Crescent Beach with her family last week. Here are a few images. I will attempt to post more later.

this rainbow appeared after the storm in the images above rolled through... or maybe jenn just made it come out.....

My Lab

2009-07-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

i thought i would share a quick, close-up view of the space where i spend a lot of my time. My lab, my studio (if you can call it that), my workspace, and home. these are just glimpses of what i see around me.

leave it to the photographer in me to put up make-shift flags to block the glare on my computer screen coming from the windows instead of just buying curtains.

this is a CD jenn made our friends. super swell summer, a comp. of everyone's favorite summer songs.
not so happy about this situation.

the Spud Webb poster i had in my room as a kid.(i tend to save things) if you don't know who Spud Webb is..... you better recognize....

picture of a picture.. how original. photo of me by Greg Strelecki

i have had this Fair Poster for quite some time...

HANDS

2009-07-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

I seem to be attracted to hands when i am photographing people. Sometimes a persons hands can tell you so much. I have found that hands can project a great amount of emotion.

HANDS.............

sustainability and photography_ NPR

2009-07-16T08:28:00.000-07:00

i just wanted to share this photography related link from npr.org
http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2009/07/this_slideshow_requires_versio.html?ps=bb1

Today's pictures

2009-07-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

Sometimes while i am working i like to take a break from whatever i am doing and search through my image library for old images i may have over looked or never finished working on. i try to edit or work on one or two of these a day when i can. just for the sake of doing something i like, or feel like working on. I figure there is a place for every image.... somewhere....

These were shot a while back while I was assisting at a wedding in Atlanta for my friend, and fellow photographer Justin Evans. http://justinevansphotography.com/
There are so many situations like these where I never really get a chance to really absorb the images at the time they were shot. I usually end up finding them, and enjoying them much later.

Mobile test post

2009-07-10T06:54:00.001-07:00

Just testing my phone for mobile blogging, but this is a photo i took of my friend from Louisiana, PINECONE.

fourth of july 2009_poolside in the country

2009-07-09T21:18:00.000-07:00

these are some images from our fouth of july celebration and weekend. we went to good old sandersville, georgia on saturday to celebrate with some good friends. we spent the day by the pool out in the country...Rapid Run style. It was All Changy.....thanks to bayley, her mom, and whole family for having us(and thomas too... i guess you are pretty much in that family now.. and i am glad for it)

-j.r. ward II

yesterday_the dog gets a bath

2009-07-09T18:17:00.000-07:00

i thought i would share a few images i snatched while jenn was washing scout. we have been using this kick-ass soap called shampoochie. they are a company out of north georgia. it makes scout smell like a hippie, but a very clean fresh-smelling one. scout loves it... anyway, here is my "ode to shampoochie". just hanging out while jenn bathes my bitch.....
j.r. ward II

a tough month or so.

2009-06-29T08:27:00.000-07:00

It has been about a month since the loss of our great friend Joe May. I continue to have feelings of why, confusion, anger,and loss. I am sure we all do. I do not think this is a situation where you wait for life to become normal again. Life will never be normal without Joe. I guess it will hurt less at some point, but there is no replacing the hole created in my heart and soul by Joe's death. I think of him every day, and even had an amazing, prophetic dream about him. I continue to take pictures and attempt to go on with my daily activities, but Joe is always with me and on my mind. I still do not have all of the words to express how I feel at this point. I am not sure I understand or can explain many things these days, but when the words or images come to me I will express them. I love you and miss you very much Joe, "king Changy"
j.r. ward II

diagnosis:dad

2008-07-14T18:33:00.001-07:00

i read this again and thought it kind of relates.
the meaning i took from it kind of jumped out
at me. it was a different message this time.
i guess that is the beauty of good writing.

snatched

2008-07-14T18:19:00.000-07:00

just a different perspective i thought i would share.

images snatched from the park

2008-07-07T09:04:00.001-07:00

some images snatched

from the park. looking out

around , up, and within.

a walk with the doctor

2008-07-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

THESE DAYS: tight pants

2008-06-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

©j.r. wardII
some dudes
rock
the tightest pants
these days.
maybe this will aid in
decreasing the population.
one constricted scrotum at a time..

2008-06-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

©j.r.ward II
The beautiful Sydney Grace Smith. I had my first visit with Sydney Grace this past Sunday. As one can see, she is an angel, as rob likes to say... I agree.

welcome SYDNEY GRACE SMITH. congrats. rob and shana

2008-06-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

©jrwardII
today two of my dear friends had a healthy baby girl. SYDNEY GRACE SMITH was born this morning at 10:02 a.m. 7lbs 3oz
one love bitches.... good luck i will start polishing the shotgun robbie.....

unquiet mind II

2008-06-13T20:50:00.000-07:00

feelings exist that will not fade.

momentary lapses in judgement

have laid the groundwork for involuntary criticism

of the mind by workers unknown.

the strings can not be cut
for years undetermined.
indecent thoughts dissolve the cerebellum.
a hole in ego leaks all that is left.
outside fades in.
lavish locusts form a tribe.
formerly a tribe of men.
learn to fear and run from the light.
the rays seek darkness.

©jrwardII
(another project for mental illness awareness.....)

unquiet mind

2008-06-13T19:18:00.000-07:00

©jrwardII

in spite of all odds
i feel pain and regret.
nerves are tense
trembling even.
the marvel of my imagination
escapes me moment by moment.
i fear quiet places
unless there is dirt.
i spit insincere narratives.
my flesh is made of mistakes.
gums bleed
and teeth are splintered.
mercy pleads for my forgiveness.
my sins are stained with pleasure.
i dream with a bag over my head.

jrwII

(project shot to communicate the importance of mental illness awareness
and inspired by kay redfield jamison' s memoir AN UNQUIET MIND.)