A job that pays more than money ever could
I have called the Roanoke Rapids my home for 27 years now even though
I have raised two boys in the city and watched them grow into men and was involved in many activities in the community growing up.
I have also seen thousands of kids grow up before me, some stick out more than others, some are closer to me than others, but I will say the smiles I see through my camera are all equal.
I started as a part time sports photographer in the area 12 years ago for the local paper.
My first published photo sits on my wall. It wasn’t local because I had not been hired by the paper but it was a professional football game.
I stood on the sidelines of the Washington Redskins on Christmas day December 25, 2000 and photographed my first of many professional sports.
That was the bonus part, the true joy came when I started with the paper in February 2001.
That’s when I started shooting the local children at their best game always. Many kids or parents did not know me or who I was, and many still don’t. But I was always called the paper man.
Over the years I have met many parents and kids and made many friends, well I have made many enemies as well I am sure. I have seen kids grow up through my camera and now I am starting to see their kids through its lens.
Nothing makes a kid smile more than to see his or her name or photo somewhere.
I have been honored to see and photograph kids from the area from recreation league, to middle school to high school to college and never made it to shoot Kentwan Balmer in a NFL game, but I hope that one day before I die, I get to add to my accomplishments by adding several local kids in a professional sport as I started my part-time career on the sideline of the Washington Redskins.
Nothing beats the joy of seeing a child smile or ham it up for the camera. They all would ask “Am I going to be in the paper?” I would say we will see.
Well after 12 years at the paper, I am no longer there, but with the help from a friend ( Lance Martin of www.rrspin.com ) I am able to still see those kids smile through my camera.
Even if the little ones still call me cameraman or paper man, it still makes me smile as well.
I have had so much support from the community, parents and even the kids who play helping me to continue on with what I love to do.
So if your children play sports in the
I thank God and the kids for letting me do what I so much love to do. So I hope to see you at a game somewhere in the Valley soon.
If you have any sports information, coach or if your child just plays any sport I would be glad to photograph and or atleast spread the word of the local children. Contact me at