Displaced Thanksgiving

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Beaumont residents David Sublett (left) and Anaiebell Davis (right) prepare their Thanksgiving meal at the MCM Elegante Hotel in Beaumont on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2005. They said the hotel provided an easier option for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.


Paul Ryan (from left to right) of Fort Worth enjoys a Thanksgiving meal with his wife Angie Ryan and daughter Sarah Ryan, 10, at the MCM Elegante Hotel. Paul Ryan works for AT&T (formerly SBC) and is helping with Hurricane Rita recovery. His family traveled to Beaumont to be with him for the holiday.


Pete Harrington (left) and his wife Shelly Harrington (right) have a champaign Thanksgiving meal with their family Dylan Harrington, 5, (center) Melanie Harrington, 9, (lower left) and Katie Kinney, 18, (lower right) at the MCM Elegante Hotel. The family currently lives in a FEMA-provided trailer until their Groves, Texas home is repaired. Their home was destroyed by Hurricane Rita.


The family of Ruth Mattox (center in pink) of Beaumont have a laugh over dessert after a Thanksgiving meal at the Gulf Coast RV Resort in Beaumont. The family had Thanksgiving dinner at the trailer because the Beaumont home of Ruth Mattox, the family matriarch, has mold and was seriously damaged and by Hurricane Rita.
 

Denied

West Brook High School's Will Wilson (No. 31, right) uses his head to deflect a pass intended for Clear Creek High School's Austin Yancy (No. 17, left) during a playoff football game at Galena Park ISD Stadium in Houston on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2005.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Beaumont carnival

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Carnival attendees scream as they ride the YoYo at the Todd Armstrong Shows, Inc. carnival in the parking lot of Parkdale Mall in Beaumont on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2005.


Tekedra Holland, 17, (left) and her cousin Troyvon Tillman, 3, take a play plane ride at the Todd Armstrong Shows, Inc. carnival in the parking lot of Parkdale Mall in Beaumont.
 

Thanksgiving

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Cherise Williams, 4, (right) licks her lips as her grandmother Sarah Williams (left) prepares a turkey during Indian Day at the Indian Village Assembly of God church near the Alabama-Coushatta reservation on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005.


Judy Williams prepares Indian fry bread during Indian Day at the Indian Village Assembly of God church near the Alabama-Coushatta reservation.

(Right) Sage Williams, 6, calls for a stray dog as he waits for lunch during Indian Day at the Indian Village Assembly of God church in Livingston.

(Below) The Rev. Rudy Martinez keeps an eye on everyone as he gets food during Indian Day at the Indian Village Assembly of God church.




Angel Beene (right) feeds her son Seth Williams, 21 months, (left) during Indian Day at the Indian Village Assembly of God church near the Alabama-Coushatta reservation.


Church attendees share a meal during Indian Day at the Indian Village Assembly of God church.


Church members sing gospel songs in the sanctuary during Indian Day at the Indian Village Assembly of God church near the Alabama-Coushatta reservation.

Please also see my Thanksgiving story and Fayrouz's take on the event on her blog.

Touchdown reception

West Brook High School's Blake Kelly (No. 12) looks up to make a touchdown reception against Clear Creek High School during a playoff football game at Galena Park ISD Stadium in Houston on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2005. West Brook won the game and advances in the playoffs.


Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
 

"Rita Captured" is available

UPDATE:   The 2nd printing has SOLD OUT as well. Thank you for supporting the photo department and the United Way.

Rita Captured

The Beaumont Enterprise produced a book titled "Rita Captured." Part of the proceeds go to the United Way Agencies to help out folks who were affected by this monster storm. It's an all-color, high quality bound book with about 170 pages of images.

Anyone interested can pre-order the limited-edition book online through a secure Web site. It's a coffee-table photo book about Hurricane Rita as told primarily through the eyes of Jennifer Reynolds, Scott Eslinger and myself. Dave Ryan selflessly worked many hours to complete the book and get it to press.

I've seen proof pages of the book and can honestly say it's the highest quality and most comprehensive look at this storm. For folks who lived through this storm or were smart enough to evacuate before it hit, the book is an essential keepsake. It covers everything from Winnie to Cameron, La. and from Sabine Pass to Jasper.

We're working with some local businesses and community groups to organize a few staff book signings in January. So, I may get a few cups of coffee. ;-}

Enough for now,
 

Oil pump

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

An oil pump works into the night in High Island on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005.

Welcome to PhotoJournalism

For folks new to this blog, welcome. :-)

UPDATED: 2009

This blog is maintained by Mark M. Hancock. I'm a Dallas-based pro photojournalist for magazines, daily newspapers and corporate clients. Some of my work is represented and distributed internationally by Zuma Press.

Previously, I was an award-winning staff photojournalist for The Dallas Morning News (1996-2004) and The Beaumont Enterprise (Hearst Corp., 2005-2008) daily newspapers.

In addition to my freelance photojournalism work, I'm also an Editor of books at Squadron/Signal Publications.

This is primarily a photo blog. I try to post an image, photo story or video each day depending on my work schedule. Periodically, I post a detailed explanation of some aspect of professional photojournalism (PJ).

Written photojournalism-related posts are linked on the sidebar under "All PJ-related posts." The end line "Enough for now," is also linked to All PJ-related posts.

Photos and text entries are sorted by lables at the bottom of each post. Click on the lable to see the last 20 entries coded with the same lable. To browse all lables, see "All lables" near the top of the sidebar.

If you would like to purchase an print for your home, please click the © symbol in the same post. Because I shoot for different clients, the link takes you to client-specific instructions to buy prints and/or reproduction rights from the copyright owner(s). All images presented since May 2008 are available on the sidebar link titled "Buy photos."

Relevant comments are welcomed and encouraged. This blog doesn't allow anonymous comments. To comment, simply create a free Blogger profile here or use an Open ID. I try to answer most new questions in the same comment section, through a new text post or via e-mail.

The right-hand sidebar contains links of interest for PJs and photojournalism buffs. The more popular links include: the PJ Candy Store (selected equipment and gear for PJs), Pix of the Day/Week, Major PJ contest calendar and links to other PJ staff, freelance, VJs (video journalisism), TV, collegiate and other photobloggers throughout the world.

My wife, Fayrouz, is a Chaldean, Australian-Iraqi blogger. She has three blogs: Fayrouz in Dallas (current events), Fayrouz Break Room (humor) and Chaldean Thoughts (religious news). She provides commentary on current events, book reviews, occasional interviews and photos as well as relevant links on her blogs.

My actual work activities can be followed on Facebook as well as these Twitter feeds:   @newseagles, @emergencynews and @squadron_books

Again, welcome to PhotoJournalism. Make yourself at home and the door is always open.

Enough for now,

West Brook QB dives

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

West Brook High School quarterback Joe Chaisson (No. 11, bottom) dives for a first down against James Madison High School during a football playoff game at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005.
 

Championship Bull Riding

Nathan Foyil of Guthrie, Okla. rides Shimmering Oz during the YMBL Championship Bull Riding competition at Ford Park in Beaumont on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005.


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


Daniel Phillips of Lamesa, Texas rides Fools Gold during the YMBL Championship Bull Riding competition at Ford Park in Beaumont.





(Above) Bull fighter Blue Jeanes (right) watches as Seth Reynolds of Springfield, Mo. gets thrown during the YMBL Championship Bull Riding competition at Ford Park.

(right) Cowboys reach to help Colt Munden of Springtown, Texas after he was injured during the YMBL Championship Bull Riding competition at Ford Park.


I wanted to use "The Beast" to light this, but didn't have enough time because of my other assignments (one in Baytown). Maybe next time. :-)

Hometown homecoming

Brookeland is a kindergarten-through-12 school in rural Southeast Texas. Last year, they had seven graduating seniors. This year they expect 12. As such, they don't have a football team. However, they take great pride in their basketball team.

Before basketball season officially starts each year, they celebrate homecoming. It's akin to homecomings of yesteryear. The entire community is invited and involved in the celebration.


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

(Above) Harleigh Sepulvavo, 6, (right) waits restlessly for the Queen's Court to begin with her father Durk Sepulvavo during homecoming activities at the school in Brookeland on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005.

(Right) Ryan Whitmire, 6, blows a whistle on his boutonierre during homecoming activities in Brookeland.



(Above) Kindergartener Hunter Spring (right) checks out the trophy of Queen's Court kindergarten dutchess Autumn Murray (left) during homecoming activities in Brookeland.

(Right) Brookeland High School cheerleaders mingle on a trailer near the traditional bon fire during homecoming activities in Brookeland.
 

Touchdown run

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

West Brook High School quarterback Joe Chaisson (No. 11, center) runs the ball for a touchdown thanks to a key block by Hunter Hamilton (No. 76, left) on James Madison High School's Michael Vinson (No. 19, right of center) during a football playoff game at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005.
 

Highway 87

Texas Highway 87 once connected Port Arthur to High Island and the Bolivar Peninsula through the McFaddin Wildlife Sanctuary. It allowed motorist to cruise between endless Texas shorelines and pristine salt marshes. Previous storm damage destroyed the road.

Consequently, the road was closed and motorists were forced to travel many miles around the obstacle. The area's protected status has made reconstruction progress slow. Hurricane Rita only aggravated efforts to rebuild the road. Solutions are being considered, but the road remains impassable.


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

The asphalt is washed away near the end of Highway 87 in the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge area near Sea Rim Park on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005.


(Left) An officer with the oil spill division of the Texas General Land Office surveys the area beyond the end of Highway 87 in the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge area near Sea Rim Park.

(Below) Exposed sand socks are washed with the tides near a washed-out dune near the end of Highway 87 in the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge area near Sea Rim Park.





(Left) A sea shell and chunk of asphalt from Highway 87 coexist on the beach in the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge area near Sea Rim Park.

(Below) Pieces of Highway 87 mix in the sand in High Island.





A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officer patrols the beach near the former Highway 87 route in High Island.
 

Aaron Brannen, state champion

Aaron Brannen lost his mother to pneumonia. Still, he persevered, practiced and became the Texas State Champion cross country runner.


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


(Above) Aaron Brannen practices with the 3A cross country team at Bridge City High School in Bridge City.

(Right) Aaron Brannen stretches before practice with the Cardinals cross country team at Bridge City High School.


Aaron Brannen and Sean Aucoin listen to "Breakdown" by Jack Johnson together during lunch at Bridge City High School.


Aaron Brannen (left) waits for instructions from Dedra Morris (right) in the assistant principals office during his period as an office messenger at Bridge City High School.


Aaron Brannen checks information on a board during an English lecture at Bridge City High School.


Aaron Brannen practices guitar while waiting on instant messages from his friends in his room at his father's home in Port Arthur.




(Above) Aaron Brannen (right) listens as Ricky Brennan, his father, (left) reads cross country predictions from a Web site at his father's home in Port Arthur.

(Left) Bridge City High School's Aaron Brannen keeps the lead during the regional cross country track meet in Humble. He won the meet and advanced to the state championships, which he also won.


Award Winner:   2nd place, Web site, Best Sports Picture Story (Unaffiliated Sites), National Press Photographers Association 2006 Best of Photojournalism competition.
 

Interception

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

West Brook High School's E.J. LaBlanc (No. 2, center) misses the ball as James Madison High School's Loyce Means (No. 20, left) initially misses and then recovers the pass for a interception during a football playoff game at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005. Madison's Michael Vinson (No. 19, right) blocked for Means' run.

Beaumont's 5A West Brook eventually won the game 28-19 against Houston's James Madison High School and advances in the playoffs.
 

Ramps closed

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Cars merge under Interstate-10 as the eastbound entrance ramps are closed from downtown onto the highway in Beaumont on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005. The Texas Department of Transportation closed the eastbound ramps to reduce traffic congestion until construction projects are completed in Orange County.

It's not an impressive image, but getting it involved several near-death moments while walking onto the overpass. It didn't help to see all the smashed-flat animal carcasses on the overpass.

Leaping for yards

Ozen High School quarterback London Durham (No. 7, top) get hit mid-leap by Dayton High School's Danny Gaskamp (No. 1, bottom) during a football playoff game at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown on Friday, Nov. 11, 2005.

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Dwight Yoakam concert

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Dwight Yoakam performs in concert at Wild Bill's in Beaumont on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005.

Ozen lateral

Ozen High School quarterback Anthony Boutte (No. 11, center), laterals a ball during a football game against Vidor High School at West Brook High School in Beaumont on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
 

Burning ban lifted

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

A controlled fire burns near Highway 87 in Bridge City on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005. Orange County lifted the burning ban to allow residents to burn off excess debris caused by Hurricane Rita.

The blue abnormality in the lower right-hand corner is an indicator of a dying hard drive. The original file is OK, but the file corrupted during processing. Consequently, I'll be spending lots of "quality time" with the Mac for the next few days to salvage information before we get a new drive.
 

Football jubilation

Earl Thomas celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Anahuac at Mustang Stadium in West Orange on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2005. It was the first day for high school football to return to Southeast Texas after Hurricane Rita.

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


Award winner:   3rd Place, Sports Photo, Press Club of Southeast Texas, Excellence in Media Awards.
 

Shrimp boats

Shrimp boats remain moored in the Port of Beaumont on Monday, September 26.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise



This image is actually from the "flight-o-destruction." However, I made this image toward the end of the flight to remind myself everything wasn't destroyed. So, let's think of it as an example of repetition of patterns or a classic "S" pattern composition. :-)

Rita on sidebar

With this post, initial Hurricane Rita images roll off the front of PhotoJournalism. I wish it were as easy to make it vanish for everyone living in the affected areas.

Undoubtedly, Rita will continue to surface in the news I cover for a long time. It's the reality of living in a post-disaster area. I'm privileged to document the long-term recovery after this massive assault.

I still haven't found enough time to post all the images, so I'll continue to post them into the Mark-O-Rita section. I also placed a link to the index on the sidebar in the top section. I'll announce when the initial phase images are all posted.

In the meantime, please periodically review the images and consider which would be competition worthy and in which order. After all are posted, I'll ask for feedback to assemble competition photo stories. I'll need groups of 5, 10, and 20-or-less. Until then, please play photo editor and cut through the pile of images until the right combination of images appears.

If we want to make it more difficult, try including all Katrina images with Rita and cut the story to 10 images.

Thanks again for your continued support and thoughts.

Enough for now,

Dia de los Muertos alter

Alter items commemorate dead family members on the ofrendas at the home of Roberto C. Flores in Beaumont on Oct. 28, 2005. The alter was created in anticipation of the Mexican traditional Dia de los Muertos, which occurs each Nov. 2.

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


Alter items commemorate dead family members on the ofrendas at the home of Roberto C. Flores in Beaumont. The traditional Mexican holiday translates to "Day of the dead" and allows the family to honor and celebrate the lives of those who have died.


Roberto C. Flores poses for a portrait with his family's ofrendas, alter to commemorate dead family members, at his home in Beaumont.