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.

Donald Trump campaigns in Atlanta - Getty Images

This was my second Trump rally I've covered.  Trump rally's are something everyone should experience.  Because, it is an experience.  The supporters are some of the most colorful people you will see at a campaign rally.  There is always a moment where Trump calls out the press and everyone turns and boo's us.  After all, I get a chance to document history.  Regardless of whether or not Trump becomes president, we will always remember when.

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Associated Press photographer David Goldman, left, Getty Images freelance photographer Branden Camp (Me), center back, Reuters freelance photographer Tami Chappell, and New York Times freelance photographer Kevin D. Liles work from the stage as Republican candidate Donald Trump signs autographs for attendees in Atlanta.  Photo by Atlanta Journal-constitution photographer Hyosub Shin

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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Georgia World Congress Center, February 21, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump won the South Carolina Republican primary over nearest rivals Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).

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People cheer as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Georgia World Congress Center, February 21, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump won the South Carolina Republican primary over nearest rivals Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).  Branden Camp/Getty Images

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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Georgia World Congress Center, February 21, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump won the South Carolina Republican primary over nearest rivals Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).  Branden Camp/Getty Images

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Maria Murray poses for a photo before attending a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at the Georgia World Congress Center, February 21, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump won decisively in the South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary, the 'first in the south.' Branden Camp/Getty Images

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Danny Merck, right, and Ed Edwards wait in line to see Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speak at a campaign rally at the Georgia World Congress Center, February 21, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump won decisively in the South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary, the 'first in the south.'  Branden Camp/Getty Images

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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Georgia World Congress Center, February 21, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump won the South Carolina Republican primary over nearest rivals Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).  Branden Camp/Getty Images

Farmers - Oglethorpe County, Georgia

This story is a part of a long form story I will be working on throughout the rest of this year about agriculture in Georgia.  If you are a farmer or know a farmer that you think would be great for this story, please fill out the form at the end of this blog post.

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Cows graze at sunset in Stephens, Ga., Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016. With over 42,000 farmers working in the Georgia agriculture industry, farming contributes over $73 Billion to Georgia’s economy each year.  Forecasters say profits are expected be down as well as exports in 2016 nationwide due to a fragile world economy.  Photo by Branden Camp

2016 AG Forecast Seminar

Every year, several seminars are held all over Georgia where forecasters, economists and other professionals share large amounts of data and predict what the agriculture industry is likely to do.  Like previous years, 2016 is looking grim for farmers. 

Production is actually steady and expected to grow in some areas.  It's the rest of the world that is struggling. The U.S. dollar is extremely strong compared to many other countries.  Countries like Japan, China, and Korea where their fragile currency is in decline, importing U.S beef will be too costly.  This will surely dampen profits for Georgia farmers and farmers nationwide.

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Farmer Phil Sanders works on his John Deere tractor at Buffalo Creek Straw and Seed Farm, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in Stephens, Ga.  With over 42,000 farmers working in the Georgia agriculture industry, farming contributes over $73 Billion to Georgia’s economy each year.  Forecasters say profits are expected be down as well as exports in 2016 nationwide due to a fragile world economy.  Photo by Branden Camp

An Unlikely Farmer

Before the seminar began, I saw Melanie Sanders sitting quietly in the back of the room as the room filled with Georgia farmers and agriculture professionals.  I approached her and asked if I could sit and ask her a few questions.  We talked briefly about farming before the 2016 AG Forecast seminar began.

A few days later, Sanders allowed me to follow her around and have a look into her life as a farmer.  I learned quickly that Sanders, though quiet, is a strong force in the farming community.

She has worked for 20 years at a local bank, is the chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and serves on the Board of Education in Oglethorpe County and manages to squeeze time in for farming. 

Melanie doesn't like to get up in a room full of people and give a speech, but when she see's her and other farmers livelihood being threatened, she's willing to venture outside of her comfort zone.

The Advocate

With less than two weeks before the commissioners voted on whether or not a poultry farmer could continue his operation, Sanders typed up a letter to send to every poultry farmer she could.  She spent an entire Saturday collecting addresses.  She sent the letters hoping farmers would show up to advocate for this poultry farmer.

“The meeting was packed. It was standing room only.”  15 farmers got up and said “let us earn our living.”  “That was way out of my comfort level, but I felt good about what I was doing.”  In the end, the man was able to build his poultry houses.

“If you wanna have influence on things, you gotta step right in there”, Sanders said.

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Farmer Phil Sanders, left, and Chance Fowler, 20, right, work on a John Deere tractor at Buffalo Creek Straw and Seed Farm, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in Stephens, Ga.  With over 42,000 farmers working in the Georgia agriculture industry, farming contributes over $73 Billion to Georgia’s economy each year.  Forecasters say profits are expected be down as well as exports in 2016 nationwide due to a fragile world economy.  Photo by Branden Camp

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Farmer Melanie Sanders stands in the door a storage building on Buffalo Creek Straw and Seed Farm, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in Stephens, Ga.  With over 42,000 farmers working in the Georgia agriculture industry, farming contributes over $73 Billion to Georgia’s economy each year.  Forecasters say profits are expected be down as well as exports in 2016 nationwide due to a fragile world economy.  Photo by Branden Camp

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Farmer Melanie Sanders stands next to a large water puddle on Buffalo Creek Straw and Seed Farm, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in Stephens, Ga.  With over 42,000 farmers working in the Georgia agriculture industry, farming contributes over $73 Billion to Georgia’s economy each year.  Forecasters say profits are expected be down as well as exports in 2016 nationwide due to a fragile world economy.  Photo by Branden Camp

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Daily Life Georgia - On Assignment For Associated Press

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Kennesaw State University students play a game of bubble soccer on campus at sunset, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, in Kennesaw, Ga. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

I'm four weeks into my last semester in college at Kennesaw State University north of Atlanta.  Throughout my entire college career, I've always had a camera hanging on my shoulder.  I have been hired on the spot by photo editors simply because I had my camera at the right moment.

I also believe that if you are aspiring to be a photojournalist, you really should have a camera at all times.  You never know what will unfold right in front of you.  New York Times staffer Tyler Hicks won a Pulitzer while covering a mall shooting with a small camera while he was in Kenya.  His wife eventually brought him his professional gear.

I took these images for the Associated Press after one of my evening classes. Class let out a little early and I was making my way back to my car. As I was walking across campus, I spotted a bunch of college students running around in big bubble suits.  The sun was falling behind the trees and the sky turned to that nice blue color, lined with purple colored clouds. 

As a last note, I highly encourage you to visit AP's image blog and study away.  This is how I learn and grow as a photojournalist.

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Kennesaw State University students play a game of bubble soccer on campus at sunset, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, in Kennesaw, Ga. (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

"Happy Hunting"

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.