every once in a while i cover a story that sticks with me. all of the subjects that i meet affect me in some way, some make my day better, others present me with a challenge, but then there are those stories that i just can't get out of my head. gregory smith is one of those stories.
smith was a bright 16 year old high school student who had his life ripped away from him a little over a week ago. he was performing at his high school's talent show on a friday night, he was an accomplished song writer, and was shot to death after the show. from what i am told greg and several friends left the school and were waiting for a ride home when a mustang pulled up and four guys got out. the murderers made everyone lay on the ground and then robbed greg. smith complied with all of their requests, but was still shot execution style and killed on the spot. a great kid killed for no reason.
i hate covering these stories for all of the obvious reasons, and this one was no different. i had to cover it for a total of three days so far and each day i felt more and more like a vulture. every time i went out i had to tell myself that the family wanted me there, even if i wasn't sure if that was the case, and that i was helping to find the cowards that did this.
last saturday i was sent out to cover the funeral. it was the first time in my career that i had covered a funeral from inside the church, and i felt like the biggest asshole in the world. i barley shot any frames, and tried to blend in with the wall. it may not have been the smartest decision as far as making great images go, but i can live with that.
maybe it's because of my grandfather's recent passing, but this one affected me more than i can remember a story affecting me in a long time. when all was said and done i felt at peace with myself. which i am proud to say.
i made the images that were needed, and hopefully the family will see justice served.
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