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Shooting Drinks

No no no not like that. The Register Star does a lot of special sections and this one just happened to be about drinks from around the Rockford area. Now, the plus about this one is that I get the chance to play with my lighting and the negative is that I had to look at all of these great drinks and not indulge. Well here are a few of my favorites. Hope you enjoy and catch you soon.

-B.Lewis

 


County Queen


Brittney Stanfel poses for the judges Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Belvidere.
So last year this time, I was photographing my first ever county fair. Yes, I am a city slicker and I mean it's just hard to wrap my mind around the idea of the Cook County fair. Anyways, so much like the Ross County fair back in Chilli, one of the biggest events of the week is the Queen Pageant. Now the difference of going from rural Chillicothe to the modestly size city of Rockford is...there is a lot more of everything including perspective pageant queens. So after about an hour of just grabbing the needed and expected shots, I finally decided to push it and miss a few to make some better images. And I have to say, I did just that. So check out a few of my favorites from the Boone County Queen Pageant. Thanks again for stopping through.

- B.Lewis


Clairissa Lein is crowned by 2013 Miss Boone County Olivia Johnson on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Belvidere.

Madison Dittbenner walks across the stage during judging Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Belvidere.

Brittney Stanfel returns backstage after posing for the judges Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Belvidere.

Former Miss Boone County winners prepare to take the stage Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Belvidere.

Miss Boone County contestants get prepared to take the stage for the results of the judging Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Belvidere.

Madison Dittbenner, Deborah Mitchell and Brittney Stanfel walk out one last time before the judges make their decisions during the Miss and Little Miss Boone County Fair Queen Pageant on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at the Boone County Fairgorunds in Belvidere.

A Little Miss Boone County contestant puts down her award Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Belvidere.
P.S. I thought I would throw a few of my favorites from the Winnebago County fair as well just because.

Katherine Hardwick covers her face as the results come in for the Little Miss Winnebago County Pageant on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, at the Winnebago County Fairgrounds in Pecatonica.

Chelesea Demos makes faces to a friend that is walking off stage Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, at the Winnebago County Fairgrounds in Pecatonica.

Danielle Tumilowicz is overwhelmed as 2013 Winnebago Fair Queen Megan Magee crowns her 2014 Winnebago County Queen on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, at the Winnebago County Fairgrounds in Pecatonica.

2013 Miss Winnebago County Queen Megan Megee walks back into the hall Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, at the Winnebago County Fairgrounds in Pecatonica.

Emotional Rollercoaster

Tyrese Craft, 9, holds his sister, Taryne, 6, during a remembrance rally Saturday, April 19, 2014, along the Rock River in Rockford. The rally was held in the remembrance of Natasha Cleary and her children who were killed and all other families that were affected by domestic violence.

So as I have been getting back on that high horse recently, I have been looking for the one thing that has been missing in my time in Rockford with many of my assignments. It was emotion. Everything was a portrait, some guy doing something or a portrait. I mean creating emotion with light is one thing, but nothing can compare to actually experiencing true emotions.

I guess the photo gods finally shed light on me or maybe the winter finally broke, but whatever I started getting some pretty good assignments again/finding a really good one that not only have touched my heart, but also one of a special family which this project that I am wrapping up not only has me on cloud nine because I feel like the photos are great, but also it's an amazing story that not only show the love of parents, but also your fellow man. That's coming soon so be on the lookout.

Anyways here is just a few of the photos that have been feeding my soul, while still feeding the beast.

B.Lewis


Tanzee Miller glances at her daughter, Sloane, 11, while she holds a sign Friday, May 9, 2014, at the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza in Rockford. The YWCA hosted a rally in support of the "Bring Back Our Girls" initiative that is trying to push the government to help intervene in the kidnapping of close to 300 Nigerian school girls

A man holds a fire hose after attempting to put out the fire, but running out of water Saturday, April 12, 2014, at the 700 block of Donelda Lane in Rockford. The fire broke out in the garage of the home around 5:45pm and quickly spread to the house.

Third grade teacher Chana Payne is taken back while looking over the new Rockford Public School plans with first grade teacher Tammy Altensey on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at Walker Elementary School in Rockford. RPS is planning to close several schools with others receiving renovations and getting add-ons.

livia Cardino is hugged by her sister, Tatina after breaking into tears after lighting a candle for their grandparents Rey and Leticia Cardino on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at Riverside Community Church in Machesney Park. The Cardinos were murdered in 2009 during a home invasion by Omarrian Jones who is currently serving life in prison.

Kathy Johnson holds back tears after she released a balloon in the memory of her son, Casey Sheets Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at Riverside Community Church in Machesney Park. Johnson is one of more than twenty sets of families and friends who showed up to pay their respect to loved ones during the ninth annual Carol McFeggan Homicide Victim Memorial.

Taryne and Tyrese Craft along with others release their balloons at the end of the rally Saturday, April 19, 2014, along the Rock River in Rockford.

And this one is one of those stories that it fully didn't transfer into the photos fully, but Glen Lewis is a WWII veteran who changed my whole thought on war, as well as, my personal life when it comes to love and marriage. He told us about his experience during the war while fighting back tears and how he met his now deceased wife through the pen pal program, which those letters kept him alive. We ended with talking about how he loved and missed his wife and with the most honest tone I have ever heard said, "I would trade places with her in a heartbeat, but for now all I can do is wait."



A photo of Glen Lewis' pen pal during the war, Ruth, who later became his wife Friday, May 2, 2014, at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center in Rockford.