News Archives - James DeCamp Photography

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa – A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture photographed Monday, December 27, 2021 at the Ohio History Connection in Columbus, Ohio. Kwanzaa (/ˈkwɑːn.zə/) is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day. It was created by activist Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of Africa, including West and Southeast Africa. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966.

January 10, 2022/0 Comments/by James

Zelniks

News, People, Products

Another day, Another Zelnik 🙂

Ryan Miller photographed Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at his Columbus home making a Zelnik. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Basic ingredient board – (l-r, top-bottom) Ground pepper in mortor & pestle, salt, Butter, Ajvar Paste (made with roasted red peppers and roasted eggplant), Leeks, white brined sheep cheese (basically feta) and Eggs. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Fresh Leeks (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Making dough. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Sautéing chopped leeks. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Making dough. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Cutting dough. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Ryan Miller adding egg & Sheep Cheese mixture to doughed pan. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Adding leeks to pan. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

A Peek inside a Zelnik. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Ryan Miller sealing dough together. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Sealing dough together. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Pulling the pan out after an hour cook. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Cutting finished Zelnik. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Finished Zelnik with Ajvar Paste. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Ryan Miller photographed Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at his Columbus home. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Heating instructions detail from packaging (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Except from (614) Magazine:

Chances are, you don’t know what zelnik is. Most people don’t.

But this savory Macedonian pastry is making its way into the (614) thanks to a new Columbus eatery named after the dish—and it’s this delightful mesh of cheese and phyllo dough that gave the owner a sense of identity as a child.

“Zelnik was always my favorite food growing up, and it was always fun for me to share that with my friends,” said Zelnik founder Ryan Miller of his delivery-only operation. Orders for the dish are taken through Instagram DM at @zelnik614 and are due the day before deliveries, which are currently Tuesday and Friday by Miller himself.

“When I was a kid, nobody else ever really knew what it was, but this always gave me a little bit of an identity that’s different from everyone else,” he said. “So I’ve always kind of liked it for that purpose, in addition to what it does for my taste buds.”

Traditionally made of egg, soft Bulagarian cheeses, and sautéed leek stuffed into a rich, flaky crust, Zelnik takes a hot second to make. Which is probably why, as far as Miller knows, there aren’t any other Columbus spots slinging his Eastern European pastry. And if they are, perhaps not with as much love and history as Miller.

For Miller, food has always been a passion—a form of self-expression, even—and zelnik has always been a part of this. He believes strongly in the power of food to maintain and even preserve important aspects of family life as well.

In his food blog, “Dining with DiMiller,” Miller wrote about how his children’s ethnic identities will be even more diverse than that of he and his wife, who have heritages composed of many countries.

“In time what is left of those ethnic identities? What part of each distinct culture is passed on? What is forgotten? Things that we can be sure will carry on—culinary traditions, heirloom ingredients, cooking methods, recipes. All things food,” MIller wrote.

True to his blog, the recipe for zelnik was passed down from Miller’s great-grandmother, (“Baba”) on his mother’s side (the Macedonian side of his family), even if it took an unusual path through his family tree to him.

Neither his grandmother nor his mother learned how to make zelnik; in fact, Miller’s father—who isn’t Macedonian at all—was the one who took the time to annotate the recipe. And not without a little trouble.

“My great-grandmother never used traditional measuring devices, so [Miller’s father] had to jot down and approximate things. But that’s how a lot of old world cooks are; they just kind of eyeball things. My Dad would stop her, grab the mug she was using to portion ingredients, and measure how much it held. And that’s how we have the recipe now.”

And as Miller worked to perfect the zelnik recipe for commercial sale over the last year, he also incorporated his own set of tweaks and polishes.

“It’s traditionally made in this big sheet, but not everybody’s going to buy a big sheet of something they don’t know,” he said. “ So I shrunk it down to an 8-by-8 square and kind of experimented with the ingredient amounts to get everything right.”

Zelnik offers two permanent menu items: Baba’s Original Zelnik, featuring eggs, Eastern European cheeses, and fried leek; plus the deeply savory Spiced Beef Zelnik, complete with seasoned ground beef, fire-roasted tomato, and a similarly enticing cheese blend.

In addition to these mainstays, Zelnik seasonally cooks up some inventive variations that are far from traditional, but most definitely still delicious. These include a recent pork and sauerkraut pastry for New Year’s Eve and a variant with smoked turkey offered around Thanksgiving. What’s more, Miller—an avid fan of Mexican food—plans to experiment with a Zelnik highlighted by Mexican flavors in the near future.

Every Zelnik is paired with a unique and delicious complimentary sauce. Miller’s permanent menu items come with the sharp, fruity, and subtly spicy ajvar. A relish made from roasted ajvarski pepper (native to Macedonia) and eggplant combined with vinegar, oil, and a robust blend of spices, Ajvar’s kick of bright acidity is a perfect compliment for a rich and hearty zelnik.

“A lot goes into Ajvar, and it’s a delicacy; it’s known as the vegan caviar of Eastern Europe,” Miller said.

Previous pastry pairings have included a homemade gravy for the smoked turkey pastry, and a créme fraîche and mustard sauce for the pork and sauerkraut pastry.

While Zelnik has received serious local interest after its late October launch this year, the Ohio University grad and former engineer is taking a measured approach.

“I don’t ever think this will be an on-demand kind of thing,” he said. “It takes a lot of time to make, and they’re traditionally prepared for special occasions, for holidays.”

But that doesn’t mean Zelink isn’t on a path to bigger and better things. As Miller plans his next move—be it a permanent spot, a cloud kitchen, or a shared location—it’s clear he’s doing what moves him, and sharing a huge part of himself along the way.

“I have hopes that someday Zelnik will not only be something that foodies seek out, but be a household name for everyone,” Miller said. “I’m excited to continue challenging myself to come up with fun, unique combinations that people love.”

Learn more about Zelnik at instagram.com/zelnik614

January 14, 2021/0 Comments/by James

Homeward Bound

Features, Images, News, People

A story on the Columbus Humane and the Franklin County Dog Shelter from (614) Magazine

Conrad, 12, black pull over and white stripe pants, Clara, 10, black coat & bluejeans, Marian, 8, Blue coat, Finnegan, 5, plaid shirt, and Rue, Aussie dog photographed Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Highbanks Metro Park. Rue was recently adopted by the family from Columbus Humane. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Jennifer and Rue, an Aussie dog photographed Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Highbanks Metro Park. Rue was recently adopted by the family from Columbus Humane. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Conrad, 12, black pull over and white stripe pants, Clara, 10, black coat & bluejeans, Marian, 8, Blue coat, Finnegan, 5, plaid shirt, and Rue, Aussie dog photographed Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Highbanks Metro Park. Rue was recently adopted by the family from Columbus Humane. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Rue, an Aussie dog photographed Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Highbanks Metro Park. Rue was recently adopted by the family from Columbus Humane. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Conrad, 12, black pull over and white stripe pants, Clara, 10, black coat & bluejeans, Marian, 8, Blue coat, Finnegan, 5, plaid shirt, and Rue, Aussie dog photographed Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Highbanks Metro Park. Rue was recently adopted by the family from Columbus Humane. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Rue, an Aussie dog photographed Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Highbanks Metro Park. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Sean Dundar and Rachael Reichley and their adopted Aussie Panda photographed Monday, January 11, 2021 at the Columbus Humane Facility. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Rachael Reichley and their adopted Aussie Panda photographed Monday, January 11, 2021 at the Columbus Humane Facility. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Sean Dundar and Rachael Reichley and their adopted Aussie Panda photographed Monday, January 11, 2021 at the Columbus Humane Facility. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

An excerpt from (614) Magazine

When you and your partner both work at Columbus Humane, it can be difficult to avoid bringing home a rescue dog.

Sean Dundar, a Humane Agent, had been clear with his wife, Rachael Reichley—they weren’t going to be adopting one of the Australian Shepherds he helped rescue from an overcrowding situation in Reynoldsburg.

“(I said to her) under no circumstances is one of these dogs entering our house,” he explained.

A few days later, the couple had a new dog.

“She hopped right into my lap,” Dundar said of “Panda,” a female Aussie around three years old, whom he’d shared an instant connection with. “That was just kind of it.”

Panda was one of over 40 Australian Shepherds rescued Dec. 6 by Franklin County Dog Wardens, Reynoldsburg Police Department, and Columbus Humane from a home with overcrowded, unhealthy living conditions.

The Franklin County Dog Shelter took 16 of the dogs, while Columbus Humane took the remaining 29.

The dogs initially needed to be quarantined after one of them exhibited respiratory infection symptoms likely related to the Canine Distemper Virus. Once quarantine ended, Panda and the other dogs at Columbus Humane and the Franklin County Dog Shelter have all found loving homes—all except for one that’s in foster care because she gave birth to three puppies.

Mom and the three puppies will be available for adoption via Franklin County Dog Shelter in the coming weeks.

Dundar was one of the agents on-site to rescue the shepherds after Columbus Humane received a call the morning of Dec. 6 from another agency already on scene.

Dundar was familiar with the address. Columbus Humane had visited the home before when it was teetering on the edge of being overwhelmed with the dogs. This time, they learned that the dog owner had died, leaving the wife as the sole person responsible for over 40 dogs. She had placed all the dogs in carriers and, while some looked well-fed, others looked a little malnourished.

“You could tell that essentially they were just getting group fed,” Dundar said.

The dogs ranged from roughly about 10 months to six years in age. Panda, who was around three years old, earned her name after staff saw her playing with a squeaky toy of the same name. It was then that Dundar’s wife was instantly won over. Especially after Panda sat in her lap, and put her head under her chin.

“It was adorable,” Reichley said.

The couple decided to adopt her at the beginning of December, but the dogs’ quarantine meant they couldn’t officially take her home until Jan. 1.

Since then, Panda has been very attached to him and his wife, Dundar said. She’s much more social than they anticipated, running up and greeting all visitors to the home. Panda also knows how to sit, spin, stay, and is becoming familiar with her other roommates, Fifi, a female senior pit bull mix, and Mous, a male four-year-old beagle mix.

Panda is obsessed in particular with Fifi, Dundar said. They spend a lot of time together, and Mous isn’t permitted to join in on the girl time.

“They’re doing really well,” Dundar said.

While Panda is acclimating to her new doggie siblings, Rue, another recently adopted Aussie, is bringing new life to a family that was grieving the loss of their previous shepherd.

Fifteen years ago, Jennifer and her family adopted Foster, or “Fozzy Bear” from the Franklin County Dog Shelter.

The Aussie mix, Jennifer said, “was just an amazing dog,” and great with her kids, now 12, 10, 8, and 5.

But recently, Foster had needed a lot of palliative care, and had gone deaf and blind. The family lost him in October. Soon after that, her kids started asking about getting another dog, Jennifer said.

“I was not ready at all,” she said.

Just before Christmas, she reconsidered, and began keeping an eye on shelter websites in Delaware and Franklin counties.

That month, she saw the story about the large group of Aussies that had been rescued. Still missing Foster, the story moved her.

“It felt like something kind of came alive in my heart,” she said. “There could be room for new love.”

Toward the end of December, Jennifer was able to get an appointment with Columbus Humane. When Rue, a female Aussie just over a year old, came into the room to meet Jennifer and her kids, the children’s faces lit up, Jennifer said.

Friendly, curious, and a bit cautious, Rue walked up to each one of the kids.

“It was almost like she chose us,” Jennifer said.

Jennifer talked it over with her husband, and they decided to make Rue part of the family.

Now in her new home, Rue is very affectionate, and plays with all four kids, Jennifer said. She fetches, and walks well on a leash. She’s not totally house trained yet, but she’s learning. Every morning, she wakes up the kids by climbing on them and kissing them.

“She’s unbelievably good,” Jennifer said.

Since November, the family has been quarantining out of concern for the greater public health during the pandemic, Jennifer said. She and her husband pulled their kids from activities, and put them in virtual schooling. Bringing in new life during this slow period has been amazing, she said.

“I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect dog for our family,” she said.

January 9, 2021/0 Comments/by James

DTFA – The Corley Family

Features, Images, News, People

This is the thirteenth of an ongoing series of assignments that I had for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. This has been a very meaningful project for me, as I too was adopted, but I had found a forever family when I was only months old. Many of the children I have documented in this series were not so fortunate, spending years in a system that passed them from one home to another until DTFA stepped in and helped them find a stable home life and loving forever family.

OUR CHILD IS PERFECT, EVEN WHEN HE ISN’T

By Sadie Marshall-Corley

Sadie and her husband, Cody, adopted their son, Latrell, through the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program. The Corleys, who live in Louisiana, want to raise awareness about the importance of foster care adoption, and specifically, the critical need to find permanent, loving homes for teenagers in foster care.

People often say that our son is ‘lucky’ to have us, but they could never understand that we are the ones who are truly lucky and blessed to have him.

My husband, Cody, and I had thought about adoption for a while. But adopting a teenager was never the plan, until it was. Cody is a middle school teacher and had a 14-year-old student named Latrell. Cody and Latrell formed a bond that extended from class to extracurricular activities. And it was during this time that Cody learned that Latrell was in foster care. Months later, I met Latrell.

Latrell spent eight years in foster care. He needed a family. Before we finished the certification process, Latrell was moved to Monroe, Louisiana, which was about two hours away. Frustrated, but not deterred, we pressed on. We exchanged phone numbers, became Facebook friends and traveled to Monroe to take Latrell to dinner so we could see him and continue getting to know him.

In October 2016, Latrell asked us if we were interested in adopting him. Prior to that, we had just been getting to know one another and hadn’t made any solid plans or promises. My heart almost burst when he asked that one question. It took a few more months, but Latrell moved into our home in February 2017.

During this process, Kerri Byrd, our Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter, was our guardian angel. I can’t tell you how many times I called her crying. The process was slow, and I felt like it was robbing us of time with our son. He was already 15, and we had limited time before he’d be off to college or living on his own.

By December 2017, Latrell was officially a Corley. He says he is now “living his best life.” What a compliment from a now 17-year-old boy!
While Latrell was already a teenager when we met, his experiences had been so limited. It was heartbreaking at first, but we realized that it allowed us to experience a lot of the typical “firsts” with him that are often missed when an older child is adopted. We got to teach him how to drive and give him his own room for the first time in his life. We bought him his first plane ticket for his first trip out of state. We gave him his first dog, helped him secure his first job, and more. It has been an incredible journey.

The biggest change for Latrell has been his grades. When he came to us, he was nearly failing. Today, he has a 3.5 GPA. He is now confident. It has been more amazing than I have the words to describe watching him blossom and develop a sense of self.

To anyone considering foster care adoption, a teenager can bring out the most love and hope a person can have in their heart. We are so lucky to have met Latrell and be given the opportunity to bring him into our family. He is the light of our world, and we couldn’t imagine life without him in it.

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program provides grants to adoption agencies to hire and train recruiters in our Child-Focused Recruitment Model to find loving, permanent homes for the nearly 155,000 children waiting in foster care across the United States and Canada. The model is up to three times more effective at serving youth who have been in foster care the longest.

Considering adoption? Please check out this guide

Also, please prayerfully consider your financial support of this great organization.

June 9, 2018/0 Comments/by James

DTFA – The Patterson Family

Features, Images, News, People

This is the twelfth of an ongoing series of assignments that I have had for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. This was a very meaningful project for me, as I too was adopted, but I had found a forever family when I was only months old. Many of the children I have documented in this series were not so fortunate, spending years in a system that passed them from one home to another until DTFA stepped in and helped them find a stable home life and loving forever family.

WHO KNEW A GAME OF UNO COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE?

By Jacquelynn Patterson

Jacquelynn and Kevin Patterson are adoptive parents from Kevil, Kentucky. They have three daughters. Their oldest, Haylee, was adopted through the Foundation’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program.

Our daughter, Haylee, came home to us at age 13. After living a life of uncertainty, growing up in homes that were deemed unsafe and foster homes that were not permanent, our daughter is finally home.

We met Haylee in September 2016. We weren’t sure what we were getting into, but we knew the need for foster-to-adopt families in Kentucky was critical. We also knew that teenagers were being overlooked and that thousands of teens needed loving parents. We wanted to be that family for a teenager.

During our first meeting, Haylee was shy, and it was hard to get her to talk to us. Everything changed when we learned that she likes to watch professional wrestling. Kevin loves the WWE. That was our in. From there, we moved on to playing what can only be described as the most epic and memorable game of Uno ever played. It took 90 minutes, and we laughed the entire time. Haylee began opening up and started making jokes. In the end, she won the game, but we had broken the ice. Leaving that day, we knew we had met our daughter, and Haylee says she knew she had met her parents. “I thought they were so weird, but deep down, I knew they were my family.”

When Haylee came to live with us, it was easy to see she was broken, lacked confidence and couldn’t see all the beautiful things about her. It’s hard to blame her, she had been through a lot. As she once said, “no one wanted a child like her.”

We try to instill in Haylee how much opportunity she has ahead of her. She takes joy in now being a big sister, oldest child, oldest grandchild, friend, cousin and daughter. Not everything has been smooth, but we work through the obstacles together. Every moment of resistance and frustration has been worth it.

Haylee didn’t smile in photos before. Now, she loves to smile and loves life, herself and her family. Today, when she is asked about being adopted, Haylee says, “It just feels great to be wanted and to be home.” We have a hard time remembering life without her. It’s like she’s always been here.

Considering adoption? Please check out this guide

Also, please prayerfully consider your financial support of this great organization.

June 3, 2018/0 Comments/by James

DTFA – The Broom Family

Features, Images, News, People

This is the eleventh of an ongoing series of assignments that I had for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. This was a very meaningful project for me, as I too was adopted, but I had found a forever family when I was only months old. Many of the children I have documented in this series have not been so fortunate, spending years in a system that passed them from one home to another until DTFA stepped in and helped them find a stable home life and loving forever family.

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

By Kameca Broom

Kameca and her husband, Jamar, adopted Elias and Niyah through the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program. The Brooms, who live in Mississippi, hope that anyone considering foster care adoption sees it as a higher calling.

Adoption is choosing to love someone who you will teach how to love others unconditionally. My children are not biologically mine, but my heart doesn’t know the difference. I’ve always wanted to fill my home with children, and while we didn’t take the path that I originally thought, it’s taken us to an amazing place.

My husband, Jamar, and I first learned about foster care adoption from a high school friend who was working for the Mississippi State Department of Health. She opened my eyes to the great need for foster-to-adopt families. There was so much to learn and do to prepare our hearts and minds for bringing children into our home.

During our journey, we decided that we would be open to adopting more than one child. That’s when Elias and Niyah came into our lives. Just three and four years old at the time, they had spent three years of their young lives in foster care. We also met a woman who would change our adoption path for the better. Kenyata Wells, our Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter, has helped us beyond what words could ever repay, from supporting us through each transition to being present at our adoption finalization.

Elias and Niyah lived with us for a little more than a year before the adoption was final. During that time, we grew together and learned from each other. So many challenges presented themselves as we started to become a family. We had to work hard to heal the behaviors that are expressed when a child has experienced significant trauma and inconsistency. We started a behavior chart and taught them self-control. They have both grown socially, mentally and physically.

If you are considering foster care adoption, follow your heart. I believe our adoption was heaven-sent and the most precious gift I’ve been given. Jamar and I always wanted to be parents, and we are so blessed that God found a way to help us find the children we were always meant to have.

It wasn’t all easy. In fact, most of it was hard. But it’s all been worth it to hear our little boy and girl say, “Mommy and Daddy, we want to stay with y’all forever, because we love y’all.”

At the end of the day, we all want what is best for each other. And as we say almost every day, “Teamwork makes the dream work! Team Broom!”

Considering adoption? Please check out this guide

Also, please prayerfully consider your financial support of this great organization.

May 5, 2018/0 Comments/by James

2017 Clothe-a-Child Gala

Events, News

The 2017 Clothe-a-Child Gala and 110th annual Charity Newsies Newspaper Auction photographed Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the Hollywood Casino Ballroom.

The second newspaper in the 2017 Clothe-a-Child Gala and 110th annual Charity Newsies Newspaper Auction was sold to The Eagles
(l-r) Pat Conley, Robert Boham, Cheryl Diggs, Ron Thompson, Mary Trebacz, Denise Thompson, Dave Ward, Michael Howard and Tony Perez photographed Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the Hollywood Casino Ballroom. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

The first newspaper in the The 2017 Clothe-a-Child Gala and 110th annual Charity Newsies Newspaper Auction was sold to Nationwide Insurance: (l-r) Pat Conley, Stephen Chandler, AuBree Lucas, Jim Simpson, Kirk Smith, Allyson Lash, Jim Guinan, Jody Geiger, and Tony Perez photographed Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the Hollywood Casino Ballroom. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

The third newspaper in the The 2017 Clothe-a-Child Gala and 110th annual Charity Newsies Newspaper Auction was sold to CompManagement: (l-r) Pat Conley, Kathy Redmond, Randy Jones and Tony Perez photographed Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the Hollywood Casino Ballroom. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

The third newspaper in the The 2017 Clothe-a-Child Gala and 110th annual Charity Newsies Newspaper Auction was sold to the Galvin Foundation: (l-r) Pat Conley, Michael Timm, Sarah Craycraft, Michelle Strohe, Dan Barnett, Joyce Waters, Dan Gusty and Tony Perez photographed Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the Hollywood Casino Ballroom. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

The fourth newspaper in the The 2017 Clothe-a-Child Gala and 110th annual Charity Newsies Newspaper Auction was sold to the Galvin Foundation: (l-r) Pat Conley, Michael Timm, Sarah Craycraft, Michelle Strohe, Dan Barnett, Joyce Waters, Dan Gusty and Tony Perez photographed Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the Hollywood Casino Ballroom. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

November 30, 2017/0 Comments/by James

Deputy Shoots New Carlisle News Photographer

Behind The Scenes, Personal, Spot News

A Columbus Police Officer examines the body of a young hispanic male who was found shot and dead in the front seat of a Volkswagen in the middle of Allegheny Avenue shortly after 9 PM Friday night May 14, 2004. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Columbus paramedics. The Columbus PD Homicide squad is investigating the incident. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

I was on the streets of Columbus for more than 20 years photographing spot news for the Columbus Dispatch and other publications and have a fare share of horror stories to tell, but none compares to this:

A Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy shot an Ohio news photographer after confusing his camera and tripod for a weapon, according to the paper. New Carlisle News photographer Andy Grimm was shot in the side as he unloaded a tripod from his vehicle to take pictures of a traffic stop around 10 p.m. Monday September 4, 2017.

Without warning, the deputy opened fire as Grimm was setting up the tripod. The photographer said he and the deputy knew each other.
“I turned around from the Jeep and it seemed like instant, I heard pop-pop,” Grimm said from his hospital bed.

One bullet struck him in the chest and Grimm said another may have grazed his shoulder.
The officer that wounded the cameraman rushed over to help, repeatedly saying, “I thought it was a gun,” Grimm said.
“Now that I’m OK, I’m not so much mad, but when I was on the ground and in the back of the ambulance, I was kind of angry at him,” Grimm said.
New Carlisle News Publisher Dale Grimm said the photographer — his son — left work minutes before the shooting to chase a lightning storm passing over the small town, which boasts a population of about 5,700 people 20 miles north of Dayton. He encountered the traffic stop and turned his camera toward that instead.

He learned of the shooting when Grimm called from the ambulance.
“He said there was no warning, no ‘show me hands’ or ‘drop what you have,'” the paper owner said, while changing Tuesday’s front page to reflect his son’s shooting around 3 a.m.

From the hospital, Grimm retraced his steps leading up to the shooting, wondering what caused the deputy to reach for his gun.
“Until I hear his side, I guess I won’t know what I did wrong,” Grimm said.
The state’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation is probing the incident, but Grimm’s father said his son isn’t looking for swift punishment.
“Andy does not want him to get fired,” Grimm said, calling the shooting a misunderstanding.

Update 5/4/2019:

NEW CARLISLE, Ohio (AP) — A photojournalist shot by a sheriff’s deputy while preparing to photograph a late-night traffic stop has settled a federal civil rights lawsuit against the deputy and a central Ohio county.

The Springfield News-Sun reports Andrew Grimm says he’s glad about this week’s settlement and plans to move from Clark County, where he’s lived much of his life. Grimm wouldn’t provide the settlement amount.

Grimm had gone into New Carlisle in September 2017 to photograph a lightning storm and was about to photograph a traffic stop when Clark County Deputy Jacob Shaw shot him. Shaw’s body camera recorded him telling Grimm, whom he knew, that he thought Grimm had a gun.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office says the settlement is satisfactory to both parties.

A grand jury cleared Shaw of wrongdoing.

September 5, 2017/0 Comments/by James

Solar Eclipse

Events, Images, News, Scenics

We didn’t travel anywhere to photograph the eclipse – it seemed like would be a mad house where ever we decided to go, and mother nature always has a way of putting a damper on things, so we didn’t chance it. Besides, we had back to back assignments here in Columbus, which would have only added to the hectic pace if we went out of town. Sadly the clouds moved in right at totality .
The top image was about 45 minutes before totality and it was much clearer – you can even make out a couple of sunspots on the left limb of the sun with the wispiness due to cirrus high altitude clouds.
Photographed with a Canon 5D MkII, 300mm and B&W ND110 3.0 ND filter.

The 2017 Solar Eclipse photographed Monday, August 21, 2017 in Columbus Ohio. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

August 21, 2017/0 Comments/by James

DTFA – The Brydges Family

Features, Images, News, People

This is the eighth of an ongoing series of assignments that I had for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. This was a very meaningful project for me, as I too was adopted, but I had found a forever family when I was only months old. Many of the children I documented in this series were not so fortunate, spending years in a system that passed them from one home to another until DTFA stepped in and helped them find a stable home life and loving forever family.

On a cold, clear November evening in 2015, Robbin and Steven Brydges climbed into a big white bus in the middle of a Walmart parking lot. It was here, in this unassuming locale, that they met their sons for the first time.

“I knew Dawson loved super heroes,” Robbin shares, “so I’d gotten a manicure with super hero icons on each finger, like Superman’s S and the Bat signal.” They hit it off right away. Over the next few months, Robbin and Steven made several more trips to Ohio to visit Dawson and his brother Dalton, and in May of 2016 brought the boys to their Jacksonville, Florida home for good.

Robbin and Steven hadn’t considered adopting two children. But when Rachel, a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiter, told them about Dawson and Dalton, they knew they had to keep the boys together. “Dalton has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, so we were nervous,” Steven says. “We didn’t know if we could give him the care he needed.” But the Brydges made the commitment, and it’s made all the difrerence in their lives — and those of Dalton and Dawson. “I kept praying for years and years that they wouldn’t take me away from Dalton,” says Dawson. “I was very afraid.”

Today, the boys are thriving in their home. Dawson is doing well in school, Dalton’s health has markedly improved and the boys’ laughter fills the house. “Life has been much more fulfilling,” Steven says. “It’s a lot more fun to share it with these kids.”

“We all love each other and we’re all kind and we’re all good at having fun together!” – Dawson Brydges, age eight, on his favorite thing about his family