Teresa Butz memorial photos

Last night I covered the vigil for the victim of a stabbing last week. It was an event that I did not look forward to covering. It is not an easy assignment by any means, for a variety of reasons. People are skeptical of my presence, of why I might want their picture over that of someone else. Mostly though, people would like to be left alone in their grief. I just try and be quiet. Still and quiet, and respectful. Mindful of the hurt these people must be going through. Although I felt conspicuous, I received a few thank you for being here’s, which helped.

Every time I have spoken with someone about Teresa, the victim, their faces light up. They said she was a marvelous human being; a good friend; a great coworker. Genuine, and fun. It is my hope, that through the Seattle PI publishing my photos, the residents of South Park might be brought some relief, some how, somewhere down the line.

South Park is such a complex area and it’s tragic that the only time it is covered by the local press is within crime stories. I hope I might be able to cover it a more positive light some day down the road.

The entrance to the ballfield at South Park Community Center. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Crowd members watch a candle light vigil for the victim of a stabbing early last week at the South Park Community Center in south Seattle Thursday July 23, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Diana Ramirez, who was first to hear the victim screaming in the streets and respond, is comforted by her father while speaking at a candle light vigil for the victim of a stabbing early last week at the South Park Community Center in south Seattle Thursday July 23, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Crowd members watch a candle light vigil for the victim of a stabbing early last week at the South Park Community Center in south Seattle Thursday July 23, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Rhonda Benoit sits on the edge of the baseball diamond bleachers outside of the South Park Community Center during a candle light vigil for the victim of a stabbing early last week. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Norman Gonsalves uses his iPhone in place of a candle during a vigil for the victim of a stabbing early last week at the South Park Community Center in south Seattle Thursday July 23, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Crowd members hold hands during a candle light vigil for the victim of a stabbing early last week at the South Park Community Center in south Seattle Thursday July 23, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Three girls who are sisters (names withheld at request of parent) work to light candles on top of a metal container following a vigil for the victim of a stabbing early last week at the South Park Community Center in south Seattle Thursday July 23, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Marité di Flores, 10, walks away with a bouquet of flowers following a candle light vigil for the victim of a stabbing early last week at the South Park Community Center in south Seattle Thursday July 23, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Thanks for looking!

Daniel

Seattle Police vow to find killer in South Park stabbing

On Monday I photographed a community meeting in the south Seattle neighborhood of South Park, where community leaders, residents, and the media met with police and city officials. The gymnasium at the South Park Community Center quickly filled up, and after brief speeches by both Seattle mayor Greg Nickels and high-ranking police officials, the microphone was opened to the public. Concerned residents spoke of fearing for their safety after dark due to lack of suitable street lighting.

They said South Park had a lot of drug problems, small crime problems — but not this: a brutal home invasion that left a woman dead and her partner lucky to be alive. The crime scarred the community and you could see that reflected in the faces of all present.

Seattle Police Department Southwest Precinct officers listen during a public meeting to discuss the stabbing of an area resident and crime in the area, at the South Park Community Center in Seattle Monday July 20, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Barbara Apodaca, who has lived in the area almost eight years, listens during a public meeting to discuss the stabbing of an area resident and crime in the area, at the South Park Community Center in Seattle Monday July 20, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Kajia Jacob, who has lived in South Park for two years, asks if police dispatch service can be improved in the area, during a public meeting to discuss the stabbing of an area resident and crime in the area, at the South Park Community Center in Seattle Monday July 20, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels discusses reorganizing police forces in the South Park area during a public meeting to discuss the stabbing of an area resident and crime in the area, at the South Park Community Center in Seattle Monday July 20, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

South Park residents listen during public meeting to discuss the stabbing of an area resident and crime in the area, at the South Park Community Center in Seattle Monday July 20, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Carlos Garza of the youth group Another Way Out, asks Mayor Greg Nickels if the area can gain more night lighting and even surveillance cameras, during a public meeting to discuss the stabbing of an area resident and crime in the area, at the South Park Community Center in Seattle Monday July 20, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

King County Sheriff's Captain Patrick Butschli, left, and South Park resident of 20 years Jesus Rodriguez listen during a public meeting to discuss the stabbing of an area resident and crime in the area, at the South Park Community Center in Seattle Monday July 20, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Beth Yockey-Jones, left, gets a hug from Jane Hudson, who both lived next door to the victim, before a public meeting to discuss the stabbing of an area resident and crime in the area, at the South Park Community Center in Seattle Monday July 20, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

This was a difficult event to cover. Sensitivity is key. Quietness and deference are essential. As I was shooting and even on the drive home, I could not stop thinking, this may only be an assignment for me — but this is a way of life for them.

Daniel

Lake Union Crew Club Wedding | Seattle wedding photographer

I photographed the wedding of Amy and Rich at the Lake Union Crew Club in Seattle a few weeks ago. It was a fun ceremony and being right on Lake Union, it could not have been a more Seattle wedding.

Can you find me in the overhead photo? I set up a remote camera on the patio overlooking the ceremony. It is always a good thing to be in two places at once during a wedding, and the remote camera lets me do that. I used a Nikon D2H, with 18-35, and Pocket Wizards, to do that shot.

Thanks for looking!

Daniel

Seattle editorial photographer | Lebowski Fest Seattle

Lebowski Fest came to the south Seattle city of Tukwila. Dozens dressed as characters from the movie The Big Lebowski, while quaffing down white russian drinks, and bowling a few frames.

Jeff Dowd, the real life inspiration for the film’s main character “the dude” was also in attendance.

Fan Dale Phillips of Tacoma waits in line before the start of Lebowski Fest at Acme Bowl in Tukwila Tuesday July 21, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Skylar Tennent is costumed as fictional screenwriter Arthur Digby Sellers, complete with a fake iron lung, while enjoying the festivities at Lebowski Fest at Acme Bowl in Tukwila Tuesday July 21, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

The most-ordered drink during Lebowski Fest at Acme Bowl in Tukwila was the White Russian, a drink made famous by the film. The drink is made from vodka, half-and-half, kahlua, and ice. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

A participant in a lookalike contest looks to the crowd during Lebowski Fest at Acme Bowl in Tukwila on Tuesday July 21, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Pictures from other fan festivals are displayed on large screens in the bar area during Lebowski Fest at Acme Bowl in Tukwila Tuesday July 21, 2009. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Thanks for looking!

-Daniel

Folklife Festival 2009

Folklife is one of the few events in Seattle that can bring out the crowds. Every year the four-day cultural music and arts festival attracts thousands to Seattle Center. The days are long and filled with the sights and sounds of laughing, cheering, clapping, rhythmic drumming, and of course singing. More importantly, the festival offers something for everyone: I saw young’ns running through International Fountain, hippies toking, teenagers snuggling, and older people watching on, all in a state of bemused horror. Folklife is a laid-back experience precisely because there is so much going on. The constant din of the festival really only hits you upon leaving, when finally, there is silence.

Folklife Festival at Seattle Center May 22-25, 2009.

Folklife Festival at Seattle Center May 22-25, 2009.

Folklife Festival at Seattle Center May 22-25, 2009.

Folklife Festival at Seattle Center May 22-25, 2009.

Folklife Festival at Seattle Center May 22-25, 2009.

Folklife Festival at Seattle Center May 22-25, 2009.

Folklife Festival at Seattle Center May 22-25, 2009.

Folklife Festival at Seattle Center May 22-25, 2009.

Folklife Festival at Seattle Center May 22-25, 2009.

I have never seen so many kids with free hugs signs, what a strange phenomenon.

Folklife Festival at Seattle Center May 22-25, 2009.

Folklife Festival at Seattle Center May 22-25, 2009.

Folklife Festival at Seattle Center May 22-25, 2009.

Folklife Festival at Seattle Center May 22-25, 2009.

Thanks for looking!

Daniel

Sports Shooter Academy VI

I can’t say enough good things about my week spent in California, attending the 6th Sports Shooter Academy. It is an intense learning experience, where students and professionals alike shoot a wide range of sports and events, under the guidance of talented professional photographers.

faculty were photographers from USA Today, LA Times, the OC Register, and freelance photographers from as far away as Colorado.

It is one thing to shoot things I don’t normally (such as horse racing and waterpolo), but thanks to NIKON USA’s underwriting of the whole workshop, all participants had access to a million dollars worth of gear. Need a top of the line camera and a $6000 telephoto lens? No problem. Without the support of Nikon, the workshop would have been a completely different experience.

By far, the best part of the workshop is seeing what other people came up with from the same event. When you are shooting alongside 30 other photographers, it is essential to look for different vantage points and moments. It was great to see my best pitted up against everyone elses — and in turn, learn from the pictures my peers saw.

That said, here are some of my favorite images from across the three days of shooting

Thanks for looking,

Daniel