shutter to think

The General for National Public Radio

Earlier this spring I was assigned to photograph General Vang Pao's funeral in Fresno, Ca. During the Vietnam War, the General was appointed by the CIA to lead a guerrilla army into battle against communist troops along the Ho Chi Minh trail. He then helped thousands of Hmong exile to the United States. This was my first introduction to Hmong culture despite having traveled to SE Asia so many times before. I was in awe of the traditions, and yet familiar with the culture in a way that reminded me of my mother's side of the family. The elderly were held with the utmost respect. And while one elder could grant you a wish, another one could easily as deny it. Fortunately, the elders allowed me to photograph very close to their family during this time of mourning, with a gracious thank you to the reporter.

Please have a listen to Doualy Xaykaothao's very touching story, and view the slideshow of my pictures: The General, His Sisters, and Me

In the vineyards for The Bay Citizen / New York Times

Last week I found myself back in the vineyards for an assignment about vineyard workers. I had forgotten how beautiful it is up there and how i miss working in this area, particularly doing stories around the migrant population and winemaking.

I was up real early to beat the approaching rain storm that would have cancelled any work that morning. Luckily it was only sprinkling and the storm gave me a an hour and half before it began to dump big drops of rain.

To read the column, click here:

Napa takes Care of Migrant Workers

US immigration policy has become so complicated and upside down that politicians just can't figure out a more efficient system to allow migrants from Central America and Mexico work legally in the U.S. Although there is a work visa, H2A, the red tape and paper work make it very daunting and nearly impossible for any company to provide visas for their workers.

Many migrant workers would tell you simply that they would much rather work legally, although most from the Napa Valley pay income tax, and have a safer journey from Mexico then the dangerous crossing that they have been doing for decades. Many Americans complain that they take away jobs from citizens, but many of those same people refuse to work these jobs the migrants do. It is a complicated and emotional issue for both sides, but the Napa Valley has figured out a way to make it work for them and the multi-million dollar wine industry.

Psychopath Test for National Public Radio

A couple weeks ago I drove out to Stockton, Ca to photograph the father whose son has been imprisoned for 26 years and was denied parole  because of  a test that proved that he is a psychopath.

To listen or read more about this story, this evaluation test, and the Dixon family:

Can A Test Really Tell Who's A Psychopath?

Since we couldn't get access to the prison to photograph the father's bi-monthly visits to his son, I photographed him at home. I also brought my holga to try and capture something different. I do this often. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. And not always a holga.

I met Mr. Dixon at his home. He is such a nice man. Showed me pictures of his son and the room in which he prepares for his return.

Many thanks to Coburn Dukehart, photo & multimedia editor, for this assignment and the great edit.

The father of a so-called pyschopath - Images by Lianne Milton

San Mateo County for Bay Citizen/New York Times

Little did i know how diverse Redwood City was until I met a neighborhood president who showed me around "Little Mexico" for a story about the disparities in class and race in San Mateo County. I spent some time photographing this Mexicano strip of colorful bodegas on May 10 which coincidently was also Latin America's Mother's Day. Beyond the line of trees is the hidden wealthy city of Atherton in which folks, such as, Apple C.E.O., Steve Jobs, and the executive chairman of Google, Eric Schmidt, reside behind tall fences and walls and heavy foliage.

To read the story click here: San Mateo's Asian and Hispanic Voters Speak Up

San Mateo County for NYT/Bay Citizen - Images by Lianne Milton

San Jose unions for Wall Street Journal

Here's a recent portrait assignment for the Wall Street Journal about how some local labor groups say that the city of San Jose has unfairly proposed cuts. The assignment was to photograph the president of the union at her place of work which is at the city's new library.

To read the story, please click here:

Rifts Emerge Among San Jose's Unions

Here are some outtakes:

Payday Lending for the Silicon Valley Community Foundation

This was a recent editorial job for a foundation magazine. The assignment was heavy on the graphics side and i thought that the photo/design team who hired me did a wonderful job illustrating this story despite the fact that the lede subject did not want to be photographed to protect her identity.

The story follows the payday lending and loan trap that can cause people to end up in more in debt then they borrowed.

The article also highlights advocacy and education programs that assist people with their finances and how to stay out of the vicious borrowing and fees circle.

To read the article, click here for the pdf:

The Payday Problem

Chinatown, SF

Some gems I scanned from a roll I shot in Chinatown, San Francisco.