Express-News Shots of the Week 6/27

The summer continues to be as busy as always and the assignments at the SAEN continue to offer something new every day. It was nice to have a few nature shoots lately. They were really a nice departure form some of the PR events that I've been shooting. I've also met a lot of interesting people that have given me a little more insight into the city and the people that live here. I think I will let the images speak this week, enjoy.

The Dixon family walks through the wildflower trail portion of the Michell Lake Audubon Center while participating in the Alamo Area Nature Challenge on June 18, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

The Dixon family looks for directions as they participate in the Alamo Area Nature Challenge at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center on June 18, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Bryce, right, and Sara Dixon inspect a retama plant as the Dixon family participates in the Alamo Area Nature Challenge at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center on June 18, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

A dragonfly sits on a plant at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center on June 18, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

The Dixon family searches for specific plants while participating in the Alamo Area Nature Challenge at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center on June 18, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Black-bellied whistling ducks are pictured along the Mission Reach portion of the San Antonio River on June 22, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Justin Hernandez, 11, drives the to basket while playing basketball at the Dan Cook Youth Center on June 24, 2011. SA Youth recently recieved a $1.8 million grant from TEA. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Albert Selfridge, 7, creates a collage at the Dan Cook Youth Center on June 24, 2011. SA Youth recently recieved a $1.8 million grant from TEA. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

C.H. Guenther & Son Inc. housekeeper Maria Martinez gives a thumbs up to a passing car while picketing outside of the flour mill on South Alamo Street June 24, 2011. June 25 marks the two-month anniversary of the strike where workers hope to gain higher wages and better health benefits. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

C.H. Guenther & Son Inc. mixer Michael Blancas holds up a fake rat while picketing outside of the flour mill on South Alamo Street June 24, 2011. Blancas said that non-union laborers are refered to as rats or scabs. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Express-News Shots of the Week 6/18

This post has shots from the past few weeks since I didn't get around to doing one last week. Work and my online Spanish class have been taking a lot of time but I finally have time this weekend to get some stuff done. What I love about this job is that every day is different. I could be shooting food at one assignment then celebrities as the next. First off are a few shots from Eva Longoria's book signing for her first cookbook at a local mall. It seems like you would have to train for a marathon of signing and smiling like this. Next is a photo from a PR event I went to that was raising awareness for how hot it can get in a locked car in the summer. People were supposed to have worn fur coats and sit in the car to see how hot it would get but needless to say that didn't happen. Then we a couple food shots that look and tasted pretty good. Last but not least we have a unique workout class that spends the last 15 minutes power napping. They also turn off the lights and put on the slow zen jams. Enjoy.

Eva Longoria, right, greets customers at a signing event for her first cookbook, "Eva's Kitchen: Cooking with Love for Family and Friends", June 4, 2011, at Williams-Sonoma at the Shops at La Cantera. Only people with on of 400 tickets were allowed to get Longoria's signature in their books. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Williams-Sonoma employee Ellen Boyer, left, hands out food samples made from recipies in Eva Longoria's cookbook to customers waiting in line to get their copies of the book autographed June 4, 2011, at the Shops at La Cantera. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Eva Longoria personally signed hundreds of copies of her first cookbook, "Eva's Kitchen: Cooking with Love for Family and Friends", June 4, 2011, at Williams-Sonoma at the Shops at La Cantera. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Nachos bake on the dashboard of a car June 1, 2011, at the San Antonio Fire Academy as a demonstration by the SAFD on how hot it can get in a car during the summer. The temperature rose to about 150 degrees, which can kill an animal or child locked in the car in a matter of minutes according to SAFD District Chief Joe Jones. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

The greek pizza, turkey panini and French Lover dessert crepe are pictured in Taste's main dining area May 27, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Taste's turkey panini is pictured May 27, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

San Antonio resident Navarra Williams works out during the downtown Spectrum athletic club's Sets and Reps class June 17, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

San Antonio resident Rosanne Samaniego lifts weights during the Sets and Reps class at the downtown Spectrum athletic club June 17, 2011. Samaniego said she enjoys the class because the power nap at the end gives her a chance to rejuvenate before going back to work. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

San Antonio resident Navarra Williams takes a power nap at the end of a Sets and Reps class at the downtown Spectrum athletic club June 17, 2011. The class consists of 45 minutes of weight training, then a 15-minute power nap to rejuvenate the mind and body. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

2011 Dallas Mavericks Championship Celebration

This last week was crazy and I'm finally getting around to putting up some of my recent work. This post is dedicated to the Mavs' Championship Celebration in Downtown Dallas on June 16, 2011. It was a ridiculously hectic day and I drove about 14 hours during the 24 hour period. I only saw the parade on the American Airlines Center big screens but it was nice not to have to fight the crowds and heat to get a good view. I did get to see the rest of the celebration up close and personal as the players and coaches were interviewed and thanked the fans in the AAC for making it such a memorable season. I got to bring my good equipment with me so without access to the press line I think I came away with some pretty good images. It was nice not have to run on deadline for once. Then the once in a lifetime experience continued as I had the opportunity to meet and get my photo taken with Dirk, Jet, Cuban, Carlisle and even Dirk's shooting coach from Germany. It was an amazing experience to remember and I hope to have many more. Enjoy.

Dirk and Jet celebrate as thousands of fans cheer.

Brian Cardinal cleans up the stage before his fellow Mavs enter the arena.

Brian Cardinal hypes up the crowd before the rest of the Mavericks take the stage.

Mark Cuban gives the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy a quick shine as the Mavericks take the stage.

Jason Terry thanks the fans for their support throughout the season.

Fans give Dirk a standing ovation as he takes a seat to be interviewed.

Dirk looks around the stadium as fans cheer.

A fan holds up a homemade LeBron James doll.

Caron Butler celebrates as fans cheer and streamers fall from the rafters in the AAC.

The Larry O'Brien Trophy sits on the interview table as fans give the Mavericks a standing ovation in the American Airlines Center.