Blog

Keisha Lance Bottoms Declares Victory As The Next Mayor of Atlanta

Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated her opponent, Mary Norwood, by only a little more than 700 votes. I covered Bottoms election party for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta.

Bottoms arriving for her election party.

A trumpet player warms up during sound check for an election party for Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Bottoms greeting supporters before her election party

A photo of Keisha Lance Bottoms is displayed on a screen as a band warms up before an election party.

Charles Doyle picks up a sign he made promoting Keisha Lance Bottoms

Supporters wait on Keisha Lance Bottoms to arrive for an election party.

Kasim Reed introduces Keisha Lance Bottoms during an election night party.

Bottoms speaks to supporters during her election night party.

Supporters celebrate as results come in showing Bottoms winning over Mary Norwood.

Keisha Lance Bottoms takes the stage after declaring victory over her opponent Mary Norwood.

Keisha Lance Bottoms delivers her victory speech after declaring victory over Mary Norwood.

On Assignment for NBC News

NBC News reached out to me recently and asked me to cover a church service in Atlanta. This was a great assignment where I had to be patient and hunt for the images. The congregation was very thin at the beginning of the service, but eventually filled in. By the way, I live for hunting images. I love when the image isn't there waiting for you.

I've recently been focusing on my portrait work more and more as I shoot assignments. Portraits in this kind of situation are tough, because I sometimes only have a few minutes with a subject.

I had to quickly walk around and find different places to set up the portrait shot. I settled on one before the service and kept my eye out for where I would shoot the second portrait. I spent about two minutes with Pastor Billy Honor before the service and then another two minutes following the service.

On this particular assignment, I was covering a black church's reaction to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump becoming President-elect Donald Trump. The first shot is of church member Octavia Jones reacting as Pastor Billy Honor was preaching that "IT'S TIME FOR HEAVEN TO START RAISING HELL. YOU HAVE TO BE DILIGENT AND KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN. I WANT YOU TO SPEAK UP. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD."

It was at this moment that worshiper Octavia Jones jumped out of her seat and spread her arms in front of this beautiful stain glass window and began to shout.

Octavia Jones reacts as pastor Billy Honor preaches during a church service at Pulse Church, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News — Octavia Jones reacts as pastor Billy Honor preaches during a church service at Pulse Church, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News

Billy Honor, pastor of Pulse Church, poses for a portrait following a worship service at his church, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta.Branden Camp / for NBC News

Pulse Church congregants holds hands during a service, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News — Pulse Church congregants holds hands during a service, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News

I was struck immediately by a man wearing a "Black Lives Matter" shirt in a church. No religion, no politics, right? Here we had religion and politics clashing together.

D'Andre Mayberry enters Pulse church before a church service, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News — D'Andre Mayberry enters Pulse church before a church service, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News

A woman prays during a church service at Pulse Church, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News — A woman prays during a church service at Pulse Church, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News

Congregants listen as pastor Billy Honor preaches during a church service at Pulse Church, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News — Congregants listen as pastor Billy Honor preaches during a church service at Pulse Church, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta. Branden Camp / for NBC News

Billy Honor, pastor of Pulse Church, poses for a portrait before a worship service at his church, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Atlanta.Branden Camp / for NBC News

Atlanta Protest in response to police shootings

As tensions rose again following recent police shootings of unarmed black men, I covered Atlanta's reaction for The Associated Press. Demonstrators gathered at the Center for Civil and Human Rights and then marched in the streets of Atlanta following the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Georgia NAACP president Francys Johnson speaks to a reporter at the Center for Civil and Human Rights before marching with demonstrators through downtown Atlanta, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher i… — Georgia NAACP president Francys Johnson speaks to a reporter at the Center for Civil and Human Rights before marching with demonstrators through downtown Atlanta, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Demonstrators march in Atlanta on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

An Atlanta police officer watches demonstrators march during a protest in Atlanta on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Branden Cam… — An Atlanta police officer watches demonstrators march during a protest in Atlanta on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Black Lives Matter protesters march in downtown Atlanta, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C.  (AP Photo/Branden Camp) — Black Lives Matter protesters march in downtown Atlanta, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

A young boy holds his fist up while wearing tape over his mouth during a Black Lives Matter protest at an entrance to Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okl… — A young boy holds his fist up while wearing tape over his mouth during a Black Lives Matter protest at an entrance to Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. The Black Lives Matter chapter of Atlanta is boycotting major retailers following the recent police shooting deaths involving black men. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

A demonstrator sits at the Martin Luther King Jr. Historical Site during a protest in Atlanta on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo… — A demonstrator sits at the Martin Luther King Jr. Historical Site during a protest in Atlanta on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

A demonstrator burns sage at the Martin Luther King Jr. Historical Site during a protest in Atlanta on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. (AP… — A demonstrator burns sage at the Martin Luther King Jr. Historical Site during a protest in Atlanta on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Black Lives Matter protesters argue with a man outside a restaurant during a protest in downtown Atlanta, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.… — Black Lives Matter protesters argue with a man outside a restaurant during a protest in downtown Atlanta, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

A demonstrator holds a sign during a protest in Atlanta on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Demonstrators block an entrance to Lenox Square Mall during a Black Lives Matter protest in Atlanta, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. &n… — Demonstrators block an entrance to Lenox Square Mall during a Black Lives Matter protest in Atlanta, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. The Black Lives Matter chapter of Atlanta is boycotting major retailers following the recent police shooting deaths involving black men. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

An Atlanta police officer tells Black Lives Matter protesters to move out of the street during a protest in downtown Atlanta, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. The protesters gathered in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, O… — An Atlanta police officer tells Black Lives Matter protesters to move out of the street during a protest in downtown Atlanta, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. The protesters gathered in response to the police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Okla. and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Most Segregated Hour

This is a powerful story about two churches, one white and one black, coming together to work through race issues. Associated Press writer Rachel Zoll and I worked on this story together in Macon, Georgia.

The Rev. James W. Goolsby, Jr., senior pastor of the First Baptist Church, left, and the Rev. Scott Dickison, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Christ, right, pose for a photo at Dickison's church in Macon, Ga., on Monday, July 11, 2016. Ther… — The Rev. James W. Goolsby, Jr., senior pastor of the First Baptist Church, left, and the Rev. Scott Dickison, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Christ, right, pose for a photo at Dickison's church in Macon, Ga., on Monday, July 11, 2016. There are two First Baptist Churches in Macon _ one black and one white. Two years ago, Dickison and Goolsby met to try to find a way the congregations, neighbors for so long, could become friends. They’d try to bridge the stubborn divide of race. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Paul Bronson, left, joins hands with District Attorney David Cooke during a Black Lives Matter prayer vigil at First Baptist Church, with a predominantly African-American congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Monday, July 11, 2016. Pastors of both First B… — Paul Bronson, left, joins hands with District Attorney David Cooke during a Black Lives Matter prayer vigil at First Baptist Church, with a predominantly African-American congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Monday, July 11, 2016. Pastors of both First Baptist Churches in Macon are trying to bridge the stubborn divide of race against a painful and tumultuous backdrop. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

The Rev. James W. Goolsby, Jr., pastor of the First Baptist Church, left, and the Rev. Scott Dickison, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Christ, walk together in Macon, Ga., on Monday, July 11, 2016. In September 2016, they plan to lead joint di… — The Rev. James W. Goolsby, Jr., pastor of the First Baptist Church, left, and the Rev. Scott Dickison, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Christ, walk together in Macon, Ga., on Monday, July 11, 2016. In September 2016, they plan to lead joint discussions with their churches' members on racism in the history of the U.S., and also in the history of their congregations. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

The Rev. Scott Dickison teaches from a book of sermons by Martin Luther King Jr. during a Sunday School class at the First Baptist Church of Christ, a predominantly white congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Sunday, July 10, 2016. This class was held day… — The Rev. Scott Dickison teaches from a book of sermons by Martin Luther King Jr. during a Sunday School class at the First Baptist Church of Christ, a predominantly white congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Sunday, July 10, 2016. This class was held days after the fatal police shootings of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota, and the fatal ambush on Dallas police. "It’s weeks like these when we need more than ever to be with God’s people," Dickison told the roomful of congregants. (AP Photo/Branden Camp

Paul Bronson prays during a Black Lives Matter prayer vigil at First Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Monday, July 11, 2016. The pastors of both First Baptist Churches in Macon are trying to bridge the… — Paul Bronson prays during a Black Lives Matter prayer vigil at First Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Monday, July 11, 2016. The pastors of both First Baptist Churches in Macon are trying to bridge the stubborn divide of race against a painful and tumultuous backdrop. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Parishioner Bea Warbington-Ross sings during a worship service at First Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Sunday, July 10, 2016. The retired human resources specialist says, "There’s no reason for Sunda… — Parishioner Bea Warbington-Ross sings during a worship service at First Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Sunday, July 10, 2016. The retired human resources specialist says, "There’s no reason for Sunday to be the most segregated day." (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

A parishioner at First Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, leaves after a worship service in Macon, Ga., on Sunday, July 10, 2016. There are two First Baptist Churches in Macon, one black and one white. (AP Photo/Bran… — A parishioner at First Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, leaves after a worship service in Macon, Ga., on Sunday, July 10, 2016. There are two First Baptist Churches in Macon, one black and one white. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Marty Price, 11, attends a Black Lives Matter prayer vigil on the steps of the First Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Monday, July 11, 2016. The pastors of both First Baptist Churches in Macon are tryi… — Marty Price, 11, attends a Black Lives Matter prayer vigil on the steps of the First Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Monday, July 11, 2016. The pastors of both First Baptist Churches in Macon are trying to bridge the stubborn divide of race against a painful and tumultuous backdrop: the 2015 massacre at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina; the much-publicized deaths of blacks at the hands of law enforcement; the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the sniper killing of white Dallas police officers. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

The Rev. James W. Goolsby, Jr. poses for a portrait at the First Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Monday, July 11, 2016. The 59-year-old Atlanta native and graduate of Morehouse College and Mercer’s Mc… — The Rev. James W. Goolsby, Jr. poses for a portrait at the First Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Monday, July 11, 2016. The 59-year-old Atlanta native and graduate of Morehouse College and Mercer’s McAfee School of Theology, has been the pastor here for more than 12 years. He said he and a previous pastor at the white church tried to build ties between the congregations but the effort didn’t go very far. This time is different, he said, in part because of his relationship with the new pastor, Scott Dickison. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

In this Monday, July 11, 2016 photo, the Rev. Scott Dickison poses for a portrait at the First Baptist Church of Christ, a predominantly white congregation, in Macon, Ga. The 33-year-old North Carolina native and Harvard Divinity School graduate bec… — In this Monday, July 11, 2016 photo, the Rev. Scott Dickison poses for a portrait at the First Baptist Church of Christ, a predominantly white congregation, in Macon, Ga. The 33-year-old North Carolina native and Harvard Divinity School graduate became the pastor about four years ago. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Members of the community join hands during a Black Lives Matter prayer vigil in front of the First Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Monday, July 11, 2016. The pastors of both First Baptist Churches in … — Members of the community join hands during a Black Lives Matter prayer vigil in front of the First Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Monday, July 11, 2016. The pastors of both First Baptist Churches in Macon are trying to bridge the stubborn divide of race against a painful and tumultuous backdrop: the 2015 massacre at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina; the much-publicized deaths of blacks at the hands of law enforcement; the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the sniper killing of white Dallas police officers. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Parishioners clap during a worship service at the First Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Sunday, July 10, 2016. There are two First Baptist Churches in Macon _ one black and one white. (AP Photo/Brande… — Parishioners clap during a worship service at the First Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, in Macon, Ga., on Sunday, July 10, 2016. There are two First Baptist Churches in Macon _ one black and one white. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Small Towns - Personal Project

We all see the small brown sign that reads "Historic Downtown" when we enter most small cities in America. This week I began visiting these cities and meeting locals. Some of these cities are thriving while many are becoming vacant.

Artist Skip McNutt poses for a portrait at his studio in historic downtown Adairsville, Ga.  McNutt is hoping to use his art to bring business to small towns in Northwest Georgia.  If you visit historic downtown Adairsville,  a mural … — Artist Skip McNutt poses for a portrait at his studio in historic downtown Adairsville, Ga. McNutt is hoping to use his art to bring business to small towns in Northwest Georgia. If you visit historic downtown Adairsville, a mural that McNutt and a colleague painted depicting the great locomotive chase is displayed on the old train depot.

Artist Skip McNutt stands outside his studio in historic downtown Adairsville, Ga.  McNutt is hoping to use his art to bring business to small towns in Northwest Georgia.  If you visit historic downtown Adairsville,  a mural that McNu… — Artist Skip McNutt stands outside his studio in historic downtown Adairsville, Ga. McNutt is hoping to use his art to bring business to small towns in Northwest Georgia. If you visit historic downtown Adairsville, a mural that McNutt and a colleague painted depicting the great locomotive chase is displayed on the old train depot.

A Kingston resident walks his dogs past DeSoto Hotel, one of many vacant buildings in downtown Kingston.  Photo by Branden Camp — A Kingston resident walks his dogs past DeSoto Hotel, one of many vacant buildings in downtown Kingston. Photo by Branden Camp

A house sits surrounded by overgrown grass in Kingston Ga.

A cross sits on display inside a cemetery in Kingston, Ga.

A tractor and a utility truck are seen through the windows what used to be a restaurant in downtown Kingston, Ga.

A car drives through a mostly vacant downtown Kingston, Ga.

86-year-old G.B. Hood, who has lived in Kingston his whole life, exits a local convenience store in downtown Kingston, Ga.

86-year-old G.B. Hood, who has lived in Kingston his whole life, is reflected in the doors of a local convenience store in downtown Kingston, Ga.

A sign sits on display in front of a mostly vacant downtown Kingston, Ga.

Kingston, Georgia resident Ronald Lee crosses over the railroad tracks in downtown Kingston, Friday, May 13, 2016. Kingston, like many small American towns, are becoming vacant. Lee says that due to extremely low water pressure, businesses don't have sufficient water pressure to operate their businesses.