Today I began a long-form story on farming. I started the day networking with farmers and agriculture professionals at AG Forecast 2016 in Macon, Georgia and ended my day at Blessed Acres Farm, a small farm in Milner, Georgia. I plan to spend the next 6-9 months documenting the lives of farmers and better understanding agriculture in Georgia.
Jennifer Head and her farm dog walk through Blessed Acres Farm, Friday, Jan. 29, 2016, in Milner, Ga. Photo: 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 remember it was January 2005 and I was sitting in an office building in New Brunswick, NJ. The local news said it was going to snow as much as two feet. Being a Georgia boy my whole life, I thought for sure that it wouldn't really snow that much, that it couldn't snow that much. After all the most snow accumulations I saw growing up were inches. Where I grew up, just the idea of snow got you out of school. Sure enough, it snowed around 22 inches on that Saturday.
Only being in the "Garden State" a few months, I was getting my taste of what I thought would be home for the rest of my life. I'm not going to lie, I was pretty excited to see that much snow. It marked a new beginning for me. Fast forward 12 years and I can't be more happy to only see an inch of snow on some parts of the ground here in Georgia. It may not be Central Park covered in 24 inches of snow, but it's still beautiful.
Sunlight shines on a house during a light snow fall, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Woodstock, Ga.
A cyclist rides on an ice covered street during a light snow fall, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Woodstock, Ga.
Snow flakes fall on a horse during a light snow fall, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Woodstock, Ga.
Snow flakes fall on horses during a light snow fall, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Woodstock, Ga.
Snow falls on a shed during a light snow fall, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Woodstock, Ga.
There are many times as a freelance photojournalist that I don't get hired to cover assignments, but I go anyways. It's important to me that I document history even if I don't have the luxury of getting paid to do it. Covering Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz was one of those "self assignments." Cruz made a campaign stop north of Atlanta, Georgia in the city of Kennesaw. He met with press before the event and then made his way over to an airplane hanger to speak to supporters.
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)