Photographers have these things we like to call "crutches."

Similar to the actual medical tools, a trusty old crutch can be our best friend and worst enemy. It simply depends how often we need to use it.

A "crutch" is something we might fall back on to make an otherwise dull photo a bit more interesting.

For example, several years back, a mentor and friend of mine told me repeatedly, "You tilt your camera too much." By tilting the horizon, I was trying to make the photo something it most definitely wasn't: Interesting. I even remember I got a NastyGram e-mail from a local resident, saying it made her feel queasy every morning to look at my tilted photographs. People can be brutal. :)

Another crutch I'm 100 percent guilty of, brought to my attention by a former photo editor: "Get your camera off the ground." I was, am still am, too dependent on a low angle photograph.

Editors sometimes cringe at crutches, such as motion blur or fish eye lenses, because more often than not, we should instead be finding real moments, or expanding our horizons and attempting new photographic techniques.

When I was shooting down in Florida, my good friend Chris McGonigal (now a picture editor at AOL) told me one of his biggest pet peeves is when photographers use a flag as the crutch of their photo. Flags can be cliche, but flags are patriotic. There's a time to get the American flag in a photo and there's a time to leave the flag alone. Veterans Day: Appropriate. Wedding photos: Not-so-appropriate. (My brother was married a few weeks back, and needless to say, he and his new wife were a bit confused when the photographer took their photo standing by a flagpole on the golf course.)

As I shot these photos for Veterans Day, the American in me was grateful for all the sacrifices made by veterans of past and present, for without them, the First Amendment would not exist. And the photographer in me kept thinking, "What would Chris say?"

Nikon D3, 200 mm, 4000 ISO, f2.8, 1/800, Manual
John Hopkins, of the New Berlin Veterans Memorial Committee, prepares to accept a gift from New Berlin Eisenhower and New Berlin West middle school students Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, at the community-wide Veterans Day program, held at New Berlin Eisenhower High School. Veterans and active duty service members were recognized through songs and speeches presented by students, faculty members and community leaders. Next year's Veterans Day program will be held in the fieldhouse at New Berlin West High School.

Nikon D3, 200 mm, 4000 ISO, f2.8, 1/500, Manual
Danny Crane, a sophomore at New Berlin Eisenhower High School, plays, "Taps" Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, during the community-wide Veterans Day program, held at New Berlin Eisenhower High School. Veterans and active duty service members were recognized through songs and speeches presented by students, faculty members and community leaders. Next year's Veterans Day program will be held in the fieldhouse at New Berlin West High School.

Nikon D3, 200 mm, 1000 ISO, f2.8, 1/800, Manual
A member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8171 salutes Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, during a Veterans Day Ceremony, held at ProHealth Care Regency, Muskego. Veterans and Regency residents gathered together to recognize and remember those who have served their country.

Mmmmmm ... it smells like fall! Every year, I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and gutting out my Jack-O'-Lantern. Last year, I used my pumpkin's stem as a nose and totally beat my boyfriend in a pumpkin-carving contest (shhhh, it's never a "contest" unless I win) ...

This year, I have a different plan. You see, there are these new pumpkins out called Knuckle Heads. Basically, they have warts. Through my observations, adults love them, kids are scared of them and senior citizens think they're diseased. Not true, to say the least. Knuckle Heads have taken about 10 years to engineer. They are grown from specialized pumpkin seeds. The discolored bumps on their skin makes your Jack-O'-Lanterns all the more scarier. Scroll down to the last three photos and decide for yourself ... personally, I think they're pretty darn cool — not something I'd use to make a pumpkin pie (if I even knew how to), but definitely something I'll bring to the pumpkin-carving table.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/200, Manual
Emma Ross, a first-grader at Country Meadows Elementary School, Muskego, reacts to the slimy insides of her pumpkin Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, during a pumpkin-carving party, held in the school's cafeteria. Although the students drew their own pumpkin faces, parent volunteers took care of the carving. The pumpkins were carved in support of the Muskego Historical Society Arts and Crafts Fair.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/200, Manual
Cassidy Nicholson, a first-grader at Country Meadows Elementary School, Muskego, guts her pumpkin Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, during a pumpkin-carving party, held in the school's cafeteria. Although the students drew their own pumpkin faces, parent volunteers took care of the carving. The pumpkins were carved in support of the Muskego Historical Society Arts and Crafts Fair.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/2500, Manual
Bria Wright, 3, runs through a pumpkin patch, right past a brand new pumpkin species, the Knuckle Head (bottom center), Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, at Awe's Orchard, located on Highway 100, Franklin. This year is the first year Awe's is selling Knuckle Heads, which are part of the Super Freak pumpkin series. The pumpkins, which are grown from special seeds and develop bumps or "warts," took approximately 10 years to engineer. Paula Awe, who owns and operates the orchard and pumpkin patch with her husband, says the pumpkins are quite popular because their textures allow for scary and goofy faces.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/2000, Manual
Rahab Shirk, 2, checks out a brand new pumpkin species, the Knuckle Head, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, at Awe's Orchard, located on Highway 100, Franklin. This year is the first year Awe's is selling Knuckle Heads, which are part of the Super Freak pumpkin series. The pumpkins, which are grown from special seeds and develop bumps or "warts," took approximately 10 years to engineer. Paula Awe, who owns and operates the orchard and pumpkin patch with her husband, says the pumpkins are quite popular because their textures allow for scary and goofy faces.

Nikon D2H, 22 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/2000, Manual
Awe's Orchard, located on Highway 100, Franklin, has a new kind of pumpkin this year: The Knuckle Head. The pumpkins, which are grown from special seeds and develop bumps or "warts," took approximately 10 years to engineer. Paula Awe, who owns and operates the orchard and pumpkin patch with her husband, says the pumpkins are quite popular because their textures allow for scary and goofy faces.

In last week's paper, we ran a story on two farmers with one common bond: Jack King, of Muskego, and Ray Saltzmann, of New Berlin, are the final two remaining dairy farmers left in their communities.

Nearly every day, I drive past Saltzmann's farm on the corner of Moorland Road and College Avenue. Oftentimes, as I'm stuck in the line of traffic approaching the corner's four-way stop, I look over to my left and see New Berlin's remaining "touch of country." I always wondered what type of family lived on the farm — the huge space of land amidst all the construction and city sprawl seemed to catch my eye every time.

I wondered how "that guy" felt about Muskego's upcoming Wal-Mart or traffic whizzing by on College Avenue. Soon enough, I'd find out.

Reporter John Schultz and I spent a little time with both Saltzmann and King. King's farm seemed to have an entirely different feel — possibly a bit more quiet, or unaffected, by the city life. (For now, at least.) And although Saltzmann intends to stay put for the time being, he has long-term plans of moving his dairy herd to Rock County.

The photos below are the types of pictures that tend to stay in the back of my mind for quite some time. The day I photographed Jack King cutting hay was a perfect, sunny, warm Wisconsin mid-summer day. Through these photos, I hoped to convey the peacefulness and independence a life of farming can bring. I wanted the photos to be simple and clean. I wanted these photos to record what the land was like for Muskego's last remaining dairy farmer. A few weeks later, when Ray called me and said one of his cows was about to give birth, I was there in a heartbeat: Saltzmann, whose farm has been in his family since 1867, says one of the things he enjoys most is witnessing the cycle of life. 

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 200 ISO, f2.8, 1/4000, Manual
Jack King, who has been a farmer in Muskego for nearly 70 years, cuts some hay Wednesday, July 9, 2008, on one of his rented parcels, located just off of Parker Drive, Muskego.

Nikon D2H, 19 mm, 200 ISO, f2.8, 1/4000, Manual
Jack King, who has been a farmer in Muskego for nearly 70 years, climbs back onto his tractor to cut some hay Wednesday, July 9, 2008, on one of his rented parcels, located just off of Parker Drive, Muskego.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/6400, Manual
Jack King, who has been a farmer in Muskego for nearly 70 years, walks from his barn to his house Wednesday, July 30, 2008. King, who has help running the farm from both his children and grandchildren, is the last remaining dairy farmer in Muskego.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 200 ISO, f2.8, 1/2500, Manual
Jack King, who has been a farmer in Muskego for nearly 70 years, cuts some hay Wednesday, July 9, 2008, on one of his rented parcels, located just off of Parker Drive, Muskego.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 800 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, Manual, WITH FLASH
Ryan Brueggeman, an employee of Ray Saltzmann, helps deliver a calf Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008, on Saltzmann's New Berlin dairy farm, located on the corner of Moorland Road and College Avenue. The farm is the only working dairy farm left in New Berlin. The birth of the calf above went about as easy as it possibly could have, Saltzmann said.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 800 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, Manual, WITH FLASH
A mother cleans off her newborn calf just minutes after birth Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008, on Ray Saltzmann's New Berlin dairy farm, located on the corner of Moorland Road and College Avenue. The farm is the only working dairy farm left in New Berlin. The birth of the calf above went about as easy as it possibly could have, Saltzmann said.

His name is Gregory Palo, but you might want to put an "M" before Palo, because his dad's name is Gregory too, he says.

"This is about good enough for a good snack ... so, that's my catch for today," Gregory said matter-of-factly Tuesday afternoon as he slung three fish over his shoulder and walked away from his lucky fishing spot at Idle Isle Park, Muskego. Gregory's parents told him to either walk home or call as soon as he caught enough fish for a snack.

A snack, I thought? This boy is actually going to EAT these not-so-tiny fish once he gets home? Whatever happened to Fruit Roll-Ups and popsicles? After a few minutes of talking with the little pro, all of my doubts subsided. He was hardcore into this. He was telling me the truth. He was ... no joke. 

This afternoon turned out to be one of those days where I couldn't possibly imagine a more satisfying profession. I'm not dillusional — I realize that hardly anyone (in the big scheme of things) will see the photos I made, and I'm fine with that. Even less people will read this blog. But Gregory absolutely made my day, and I hope he makes your's. He's the slice of life we try and capture every time the camera clicks. The only thing that set him apart from Andy Griffith's son, Opie, was when he pulled a cell phone out of his pocket to check the time. I was so in awe of this little fisherman — I honestly wouldn't have blinked if Aunt Bee popped out of the bushes told him it was almost dinner time.

So why do we take pictures like this, you ask. It's a good question, and I'd love to hear your input. Personally, I take photos like this because I think readers can relate. Maybe you used to be an Opie, or maybe your son or grandson is. The pictures we take are snapshots of what happens within our communities in any given week. The photos we take should tell the stories of all of our residents, no matter how young or old they may be. The pictures in our paper should make you feel ... something. If you react, we've done our job.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/6400, Manual

Nikon D2H, 35 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/6400, Manual

Nikon D2H, 35 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/6400, Manual

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/4000, Manual

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/4000, Manual

Nikon D2H, 35 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/3200, Manual

If I weren't a photojournalist, I can't honestly say I would have attended a Memorial Day ceremony Monday. It's far too easy to sleep in on what would normally be an additional day off, or head off to the family barbecue an hour early. But that's exactly why I love my job: It forces me to experience and appreciate things I might otherwise pass on by. For those who have served our country or lost a loved one in war, no other day is more important.

As I approached a veteran in the crowd at Muskego's ceremony and asked him for his name, he actually thanked me for taking his picture. It caught me off guard for two reasons: First, it's rare for people to thank me for taking their photos. Some actually run away. Second, he shouldn't have been the one doing the thanking — it was HIS day to be recognized.

Nikon D2H, 170 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/5000, Manual
Joseph Streff (center), a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 488, salutes Monday, May 26, 2008, at a Memorial Day ceremony, held at Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin. Mayor Jack Chiovatero and Senator Mary Lazich addressed the crowd.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 320 ISO, f2.8, 1/8000, Manual
Dennis Duran, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8171, watches the red, white and blue balloons float into the air Saturday, May 24, 2008, during Muskego's Memorial Day Ceremony, held at ProHealth Care Regency, Muskego. The ceremony included several readings, songs, a Memorial Wreath, a salute by the Rifle Squad, and remarks by Tracy Snead, Muskego's Common Council president.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 320 ISO, f2.8, 1/4000, Manual
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8171 bow their heads in prayer Saturday, May 24, 2008, during Muskego's Memorial Day Ceremony, held at ProHealth Care Regency, Muskego. The ceremony included several readings, songs, a Memorial Wreath, a salute by the Rifle Squad, and remarks by Tracy Snead, Muskego's Common Council president.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/1250, Manual
Patryk Schlomann, 12, a member of Boy Scouts Troop 93, out of New Berlin, grabs a balloon Monday, May 26, 2008, at a Memorial Day ceremony, held at Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin. Names of deceased veterans were attached to the balloons and released at the conclusion of the ceremony. Mayor Jack Chiovatero and Senator Mary Lazich addressed the crowd.

Thanks to The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, I had the opportunity to meet a bald eagle and owl up close and personal this past weekend. The center presented a program at the Muskego Public Library. The Raptor Center specializes in the medical care, rehabilitation, conservation, and study of eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons.

I couldn't stop focusing on the birds' beautiful faces. Of all their features, I'd argue the most striking are their eyes. It was interesting to see the owl turn its neck completely around to look who's behind its back. Owls have had it figured out all along! An owl's neck has 14 vertebrae, which is twice as many as humans. This allows the owl to turn its head through a range of 270 degrees.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f3.2, 1/160, Manual

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual

Muskego residents are serious about their dodgeball.

The second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament was held this weekend at Muskego High School. Approximately 35 teams entered the tourney and pelted balls at one another in front of a packed house. The teams ranged from lunch ladies adorned in hair nets to sports teams decked out in their school uniforms.

I only got hit twice.  

Nikon D2H, 135 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/200, Manual
Erika Drenzek, a member of the Muskego High School varsity girls softball team, celebrates a win Friday, March 14, 2008, during the school's second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament, held in the MHS gymnasium. Approximately 35 teams entered the tournament.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Lee Perry, a cafeteria worker at Muskego High School, dodges a throw Friday, March 14, 2008, during the school's second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament, held in the MHS gymnasium. Approximately 35 teams entered the tournament.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Two teams compete Friday, March 14, 2008, at Muskego High School during the school's second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament, held in the MHS gymnasium. Approximately 35 teams entered the tournament.

Go ahead. Tell THESE guys roller skating isn't a sport. I dare you.

When I was a kid, we spent our Saturday afternoons skating in circles to the music of Bryan Adams and Cyndi Lauper. "The Oldies," we called it.

Come to find out, the Oldies now are tunes from Jock Jams and "Come on Ride the Train." Hey ride it ... woo woooo ...

The music may have changed, but the skates definitely are the same.

Here are a few photos from roller skating class at a Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego. This particular school is one of just two schools left in the area to teach roller skating to its students.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f6.3, 1/30, Manual
Dylan Seawright (right), a student at Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego, lets out a little frustration while taking a break Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, during a physical education roller skating class.

 
Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Cole Janz, a student at Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego, keeps his balance Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, during a physical education roller skating class. The students are required to arm themselves with helmets and wrist guards before they are allowed to participate. The school has been teaching roller skating for the past 15 years.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Andrew Haupenchal (left), a second-grader at Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego, lets out his excitement Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, during a physical education roller skating class. The students are required to arm themselves with helmets and wrist guards before they are allowed to participate. The school has been teaching roller skating for the past 15 years.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
A student at Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego, takes a tumble Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, during a physical education roller skating class.

I'm a sucker for wandering backstage.

As photojournalists, we're given the opportunity to see moments audience members oftentimes may miss. A few days back, I was assigned to photograph the rehearsal for a Winter Concert recital, held at the Muskego High School Performing Arts Center. I walked in the front door and sat down with the audience for a few minutes. I found my way to the front row and shot a few different angles of the kids singing on stage. After about a half hour, my frustration was getting to me. I had one or two "decent" shots, but nothing I was proud of. I decided it was time to move on to my next assignment, so I gathered up my gear and slipped out the side door. But as I was leaving, I glanced backstage and saw some great moments happening — the teachers were helping some of the children with their hand motions. They were encouraging the kids to sing louder and pay close attention to the director.

This, in my opinion, is the type of story we're there to tell. Anyone can bring along a point-and-shoot camera and take a picture from the 17th row. But not everyone is afforded the opportunity to see an unassuming teacher simply encouraging her student to do his best.

I wish I knew how to make a nice photo out of a basketball player shooting a free throw. I really do. But, I don't. Free throws rarely lend themselves to appealing photographs. So, during those moments, instead of focusing on the players, I look around. Sometimes, I see photos like this. Othertimes, I don't see a thing.

Her name is Sophie and she's 3 years old. When Sophie gets "big," she wants to be a cheerleader, she says. But for now, she's perfectly happy as the mini-mascot for the Muskego High School cheerleading squad. For the first half of last night's boys varsity basketball game between New Berlin Eisenhower and Muskego, Sophie shook her poms, grinning from ear to ear, all while staying within arm's reach of the girls she looks up to oh-so-much.

As photographers, we're inherently people-watchers. Not a day goes by where I don't see the world through a viewfinder, whether my camera is physically in my hands or not.

This photo was shot with a "long" lens (telephoto zoom) at 200 mm. I was sitting on the opposite end of the basketball court. If I had attempted to take this picture with a wider lens, chances are, I wouldn't have gotten the shot. The further away (and less obvious) the photographer is, the more natural people will be.