Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

I have to tell you, growing up I was a hard core Notre Dame football fan. And growing up, I disliked the University of Alabama because they stole a national championship from Notre Dame. So, you can tell that God has a sense of humor because where would I end up working, but in Tuscaloosa, Alabama covering the very team that I grew up disliking. The strangeness of life never ceases to amaze me. While working there, I was given the opportunity to attend Alabama to complete a BA in Telecommunications and Film. I jumped at the chance, particularly since the boss was footing the bill. I started my classes and 2/3rds the way through the first semester, I had a "slight heart attack" and was forced to stop classes. My doctor gave me a choice- photojournalism or school, one or the other had to go. I was 26 years old. I worked, met my ex (who I refer to as "she who must not be named"), had 3 kids and we each opened businesses- mine in photography and marketing and her a day spa. What we didn't realize at the time was how much insurance was for the self-employed. In the late 1990's, I paid $5,000 a month every month for my family health insurance. After a few years of this, I went back to work to get us and the kids insurance. My ex ran her spa and I did my marketing and photo work outside of my regular photo gig. As mentioned previously, I was in Tuscaloosa and photographed Alabama football for 20 years- almost without exception, every game. Eventually, I also ended up going back to school and received a full scholarship for my BA and then a full Fellowship for my Masters from Alabama. My heart softened for this school significantly because when I went back, everyone I dealt with was just magnificent. I was an older student now- in my 40's, and was quite serious about my work and graduated with a 4.0 for both degrees. So, I absolutely love the University of Alabama because they were so good to me. Two of my former professors have even visited me here in China and were amazing in assisting me with my package that I sent to my current school to apply for the position I am in. Here is a shot that I made right before leaving for China, and it is a "jub shot" jubilation after the touchdown. I happened to be dong three different things at once when I shot this, too. I was shooting for two different magazines and writing an article for Popular Photography & Imaging's online web site. I was testing a Sigma lens and shot this image with that lens- a Bigma, if memory serves me correctly. I am also including the cover shot that it became for one of the magazines I was shooting for. Hope you enjoy!

debbie wrazen Loc: Western New York

Congrats. (:

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Great work.