100 Years

Rolf Morral is 100 years old, and the living definition of a patriarch. Over the past few months I've started the process of gathering images and audio to try and tell part of this amazing man's story. I do not remember the first time I met Rolf, because I've known him my entire life. For as long as I've known him, he has lived in the house next to my grandmother's in Upper Arlington. My mother remembers his wife, Lily as her "second mother" as the children of both households basically grew up as part of both households. I've been blessed to have grown up as a pseudo-grandchild in this amazing family. Rolf has been able to keep close family ties spanning not only several generations, but also spanning several continents. He was born in Spain, and Lily was born in Sweden, so he has family scattered around the globe. In a time when the nuclear family is the norm in America, and usually families only (sometimes even begrudgingly) get together on holidays, the Morrals show a completely different family life. They get together, often, sometimes for no reason at all other than to talk and get a quick bite to eat. And its not just a few of people, since much of the family now lives in and around Columbus, it is fairly common to see them eating breakfast together at First Watch, or going out for tapas (Spanish appetizers) at Rolf's favorite restaurant Maca. I can only begin to scratch the surface of Rolf's story here, but I just wanted to share some of his story. I think the two things that amaze me the most about Rolf are his ability to keep his huge family so connected and devoted to each other, and his physical and mental vibrancy even at the age of 100. At a point in my life where my grandmother is beginning to show the early signs of Alzheimer’s, being able to listen to Rolf tell stories about skiing in the Alps as a teenager is stunning to me.


Rolf at his grandaughter Julia's house visiting his great grandson, Nicolas


Rolf riding an exercise bike during a physical therapy session




Rolf's family spends time together at Maca, a tapas restaurant in Powell.


Rolf holds his grandson, Nicolas

Last night in Scotland

Arthurs Seat, Edinburgh

I have been incredibly lucky to have spent the last 5 weeks in scotland with some truly amazing photojournalists. I've realized yet again that this is definitly what I want to do with the rest of my life and I am so glad to be a part of the viscom program at Ohio University because of the talent which is there. Although we are all great friends we're also incredibly competitive and push eachother to photograph better than ever. I've improved the way I shoot and go about photographing a situation so much over this trip that most of my portfolio will be turned over from this trip and what isn't will soon be replaced in the following months.

North Berwick Highland Games

Terry says he takes the field school to Scotland because there are hundreds of good pictures to be made, Its not like its hard to find a story or great light here, the challenge is to shoot in ways that we've never shot before and at a level that is much higher than our normal shooting. I have been stunned by the work that has come out of this program.

William Kerr, has been a piper for 40 years

Our last day in Edinburgh Sara and Kristin and I walked down the royal mile and princes street, picking up a few presents for friends and family back home. Its weird to look back and remember coming into town right after we arrived and figuring out how to get around this city which I'm very comfortable in. I have to say though that knowing that our last ride back to Queen Margaret College on the 26 bus was over was a relief as the buses have become slower and slower since the festival started. Its going to be odd coming home and not seeing men in kilts walking down the street everywhere you look and not being able to hear bagpipes 24/7.

The Fringe Festival on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh


Thistle

Cheers!

Why I'm a Photojournalist

I am a photojournalist for a lot of reasons, although sometimes I forget why I do it. Ultimately it’s because of the people I meet because of my work. Everyone has a story, and I am continually amazed by the stories I get hear and to be a part of telling.

The Post at Ohio University is doing a series of stories on OU graduates including Rick Hicks, a 44 year old music education major who came back to Ohio University after working for several years. He took classes for one year at OU after graduating high school but wasn't able to stay because of financial issues, and five years ago he decided to come back to finish what he started.

He is married and has five adopted children including triplet sons, and is one of the most easy going friendly people I've ever met, as well as an amazing trumpet player. He's going to be a high school band director.