Laura (my wife) and I moved back to Atlanta from New Jersey in spring of 2012. One of my favorite things about being back down south is hanging with my dad. I try to take portraits of my dad as often as possible. He always laughs when I grab my camera and ask him to pose.
My dad laughs because just about every time I see him, I make him pose for a portrait. Photo by Branden Camp
If you ever hang out with Associated Press photo editor Mike Stewart, he always ends the conversation with "happy hunting" or "go make an image." Every time I'm on assignment, both these sayings echo through my head. I have this good anxiety that runs through me every time I head out to find an image. I'm afraid of not making a good image. AP staff photographer David Goldman says he always works until he is mentally exhausted in order to make a great image. I've made this my goal as well.
My favorite assignments have been the ones where I have to go out and find an image when the photo editors says something like, "It's January and people are out enjoying spring like weather. Take a photo that tells that story."
Here are some of my favorite images that I've had to go hunt down this month.
I made my way down to Plains, Georgia to see former President Jimmy Carter teach Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church. He announced on Dec. 6 that his doctors told him there was no evidence of cancer in his brain. Sadly, after this victory, Carter announced just two weeks later that his 28-year-old grandson Jeremy Carter passed away in his sleep. Here is a photo essay of my time in Plains, Georgia.
Former President Jimmy Carter prays during Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Plains, Ga. A recent MRI showing no cancer on Jimmy Carter's brain is "very positive" news for the former president but will not end his medical treatment, doctors said. Carter, 91, announced on Dec. 6 that doctors found no evidence of the four lesions discovered on his brain this summer and no signs of new cancer growth. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
People line up to see former President Jimmy Carter teach Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Plains, Ga. A recent MRI showing no cancer on Jimmy Carter's brain is "very positive" news for the former president but will not end his medical treatment, doctors said. Carter, 91, announced on Dec. 6 that doctors found no evidence of the four lesions discovered on his brain this summer and no signs of new cancer growth. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
Jan Williams shows guests an offering plate that former President Jimmy Carter made before he teaches Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Plains, Ga. A recent MRI showing no cancer on Jimmy Carter's brain is "very positive" news for the former president but will not end his medical treatment, doctors said. Carter, 91, announced on Dec. 6 that doctors found no evidence of the four lesions discovered on his brain this summer and no signs of new cancer growth. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
Church member Warren Chancey listens as former President Jimmy Carter teaches during Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Plains, Ga. A recent MRI showing no cancer on Jimmy Carter's brain is "very positive" news for the former president but will not end his medical treatment, doctors said. Carter, 91, announced on Dec. 6 that doctors found no evidence of the four lesions discovered on his brain this summer and no signs of new cancer growth. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
Former President Jimmy Carter teaches during Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Plains, Ga. A recent MRI showing no cancer on Jimmy Carter's brain is "very positive" news for the former president but will not end his medical treatment, doctors said. Carter, 91, announced Dec. 6 that doctors found no evidence of the four lesions discovered on his brain this summer and no signs of new cancer growth. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
Former President Jimmy Carter, right, sits with his wife, Rosalynn, as they wait to pose for photos with guests at Maranatha Baptist Church, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Plains, Ga. A recent MRI showing no cancer on Jimmy Carter's brain is "very positive" news for the former president but will not end his medical treatment, doctors said. Carter, 91, announced on Dec. 6 that doctors found no evidence of the four lesions discovered on his brain this summer and no signs of new cancer growth. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
A church member cleans up the sanctuary after former President Jimmy Carter taught Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Plains, Ga. A recent MRI showing no cancer on Jimmy Carter's brain is "very positive" news for the former president but will not end his medical treatment, doctors said. Carter, 91, announced on Dec. 6 that doctors found no evidence of the four lesions discovered on his brain this summer and no signs of new cancer growth. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
A man leaves after hearing former President Jimmy Carter teach Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Plains, Ga. A recent MRI showing no cancer on Jimmy Carter's brain is "very positive" news for the former president but will not end his medical treatment, doctors said. Carter, 91, announced on Dec. 6 that doctors found no evidence of the four lesions discovered on his brain this summer and no signs of new cancer growth. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
Former President Jimmy Carter walks with his wife Rosalynn after teaching Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Plains, Ga. A recent MRI showing no cancer on Jimmy Carter's brain is "very positive" news for the former president but will not end his medical treatment, doctors said. Carter, 91, announced Dec. 6 that doctors found no evidence of the four lesions discovered on his brain this summer and no signs of new cancer growth. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
People visit the old Plains High School where former President Jimmy Carter attended, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Plains, Ga. A recent MRI showing no cancer on Jimmy Carter's brain is "very positive" news for the former president but will not end his medical treatment, doctors said. Carter, 91, announced Dec. 6 that doctors found no evidence of the four lesions discovered on his brain this summer and no signs of new cancer growth. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
A view of downtown Plains, Ga., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. A recent MRI showing no cancer on Jimmy Carter's brain is "very positive" news for the former president but will not end his medical treatment, doctors said. Carter, 91, announced Dec. 6 that doctors found no evidence of the four lesions discovered on his brain this summer and no signs of new cancer growth. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
A woman walks through downtown Plains, Ga., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. A recent MRI showing no cancer on Jimmy Carter's brain is "very positive" news for the former president but will not end his medical treatment, doctors said. Carter, 91, announced Dec. 6 that doctors found no evidence of the four lesions discovered on his brain this summer and no signs of new cancer growth. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
A man walks through former President Jimmy Carters' campaign headquarters in downtown Plains, Ga., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. A recent MRI showing no cancer on Jimmy Carter's brain is "very positive" news for the former president but will not end his medical treatment, doctors said. Carter, 91, announced Dec. 6 that doctors found no evidence of the four lesions discovered on his brain this summer and no signs of new cancer growth. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
A man walks through former President Jimmy Carters' campaign headquarters in downtown Plains, Ga., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. A recent MRI showing no cancer on Jimmy Carter's brain is "very positive" news for the former president but will not end his medical treatment, doctors said. Carter, 91, announced Dec. 6 that doctors found no evidence of the four lesions discovered on his brain this summer and no signs of new cancer growth. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)
With the presidential election drawing closer, more and more assignments are focused around presidential candidates and campaign rallies.
The Boston Globe asked me to go to Ellijay, Ga. to photograph Ted Cruz supporter Joe McCutchen. I ended up spending the whole day following McCutchen around town. McCutchen believes Cruz will win the Republican nomination through talk radio as well as small business owners coming together to promote Cruz. After spending the day around town, we ended the day with a quick portrait session at his home. Here are the photos from my assignment.
Joe McCutchen, supporter of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, poses for a portrait at his home, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE
Joe McCutchen is reflected in the window of a local business that is promoting Republican presidential candidate Tex Cruz, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga.
Joe McCutchen carries an election sign promoting Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE
Joe McCutchen, supporter of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, is reflected in a mirror while visiting City Barber Shop in downtown Ellijay, Ga., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE
Joe McCutchen, supporter of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, laughs with his barber Marcelle Lowry at City Barber Shop, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE
A man reads a newspaper while he waits to get his hair cut at the City Barber Shop in downtown Ellijay, Ga. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE
Joe McCutchen, supporter of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, shouts "Cruz for President" after eating lunch at Poole's BBQ, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga. McCutchen and other supporters hope to host a visit from Ted Cruz at Poole's BBQ in early 2016. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE