First Video

Nora Nedelcheva waits in the transplant clinic waiting room with her son Konstantin Marinov, 4 months, and her husband Marin Marinov on February 28, 2012. Nedelcheva had a liver transplant three years ago at Rush University Medical Center.

So I'm not posting my first video for Rush, yet. I got to shoot a video about Nora Nedelcheva, 37, who recently had a baby just three years after her liver transplant. It was such an amazing story and I was lucky to get the assignment. Here's a photo of her with her family in the waiting room at the transplant clinic.

I'll have more info when the video is complete.

New Adventures

The Rush Gospel Choir performs in the cafeteria during lunch on February 23, 2012. The Choir is made up of volunteers and practices every Monday in the hospital chapel.

Ema Colborn, President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association Greater Illinois Chapter stands next to a $50,000 check for Mehul A. Trivedi, PH.D. during his presentation to the Alzheimer's Association at Rush University Medical Center on February 22, 2012. According to the Alzheimer's Association website Trivedi and his colleagues have been studying risk factors in middle-age people. Here is a link to more information about the Dr's research.

Rush University Medical Center doctors perform cardiac surgery on a patient on February 22, 2012 in Operating Room 21.

CEO of Rush University Medical Center Larry Goodman, M.D. gives a tour of the new hospital to Senator Toi Hutchinson, of the 40th District, on February 15, 2012.

A sim-lab "dummy"

I love my job! I feel so blessed and am thankful everyday. My day is not all that different than working at a newspaper except that I don't have the ridiculous deadlines. Here are a few frames from my assignments.

LA in LA

Palm trees

Can't beat this overlook!

The view every morning.

Under Santa Monica Pier!

VACATION! Finally Tom and I get a real vacation. We learned our lesson from this summer when we attempted to vacation in Holland Michigan. This time we did it right. We spent 5 glorious days under the sun, spending time with our friends. Mucho gracias to Josh, Annah and Tang for housing us!

Last Edition

Jacob's Ryne Quilan (from left) Woodstock North's Phil Krueger and Matthew Haage wait for the junior varsity to finish their race on Thursday before they compete in the 100-yd freestyle.

Chicago Bulls Joakim Noah throws up a shot against Milwaukee Bucks Drew Gooden in the fourth quarter on Friday at the United Center in Chicago.

In college, while studying to be a photojournalist, I couldn't imagine doing anything but work for a newspaper. That was my dream and I was lucky to work for four newspapers including the Northwest Heard where I spent most of my time. I am so thankful for that job because it brought me to Chicago, introduced such wonderful photographers who have since become my friends, and allowed me to meet the love of my life.

In February, I took a position as a photographer at Rush University Medical Center. With a little sadness but mostly excitement I've started on this new endeavor, bringing with me my experiences as a journalist.

Here are a few photos from my last week at the paper.

Flying high

A view out my window as I fly from Cleveland to Chicago on Dec. 28, 2011.

Underwater

Prairie Ridge's Marisa Barton who swims for the Crystal Lake Central co op has been named the 2011 Northwest Herald Swimmer of the Year. Barton took third in the 50-yard freestyle at the Girls Swimming and Diving State Meet this year.

I got the assignment to shoot our swimmer of the year portrait and got to thinking. I would love to shoot something underwater. With not much time to plan I was able to obtain my boyfriend Tom Clayton's (www.tomclaytonfilm.com) GoPro for the shoot. On the day of the shoot I took several photos out of the water just in case but I really wanted to get something in the water. Here's the final product. And here's the photo out of the water as well.

Gametime at Halftime

Chicago Bulls mascot Benny lifts McHenry Township Junior Warriors Keaton Asbach above his head after a scrimmage against local and pro mascots on Sunday during halftime of the Bears game at Soldier Field. The scrimmage was part of the NFL's Play 60 campaign for an active generation.

McHenry Township Junior Warriors Hunter O'Brien (right) lifts teammate Louden Borchart up to the fans for high fives after the Warriors scored a touchdown against local and pro mascots on Sunday during a scrimmage at halftime of the Bears game. The scrimmage was part of the NFL's Play 60 campaign for an active generation.

Instead of rushing into the photo cave at Soldier Stadium last Sunday to begin editing my take from the first half of the Bears and Chiefs game I stayed out to shoot a scrimmage between kids and pro mascots. It was hilarious, a fire extinguisher was involved not to mention a lot of tomfoolery on the part of the mascots.