Bridgeport Schools

Over the last couple of weeks, I've been assigned to photograph in two Bridgeport CT public schools. There, I could see the impact an educator can have on students, and how much of the real work of building society happens within schoolhouse walls.

Those who know Bridgeport, Connecticut's largest city, know Bridgeport's challenges. Those who know Bridgeport public schools know those challenges are met on a very tight budget.

The first school I visited was Hall school. That day, they were being presented with a prestigious award for academic achievement. The principal sets the tone in this building -- one of respect, love of learning, and neighborliness. While she'll be the first to tell you the school's success is a team effort -- and it is -- it's also a testament to the impact of an individual.

Here are the Hall school students and their principal:

A week or so later, the newspaper was invited to Bassick High School, where a science teacher from India was just finishing a three-year teaching assignment. He said it was quite an adjustment -- when he teaches in India, the schools are better equipped and staff lab assistants handle duties he's been asked to do in Bridgeport. But he said he enjoyed his stay immensely, and, judging by the rapport he has with his class, his students will miss him dearly.

The day I visited, he was guiding his class -- mostly juniors and seniors -- in a physics lab involving sound waves. Here he is with his students:

From grade school to high school, these Bridgeport students are reaping the benefits of learning with professionals who love their jobs.

Another wacky video -- product video

Every once in a while, I take on a wacky project just for the heck of it. OK, in this case it was to build my animation skills. Here ya go, a video to advertise Mexican Avocados:

Kiva Video - Loans that Change Lives

A couple of weeks ago, a friend told me about Kiva, an online service that lets people loan money to budding entrepreneurs around the globe. The small loans they request help them earn their way out of poverty -- for example, someone might ask for money for a sewing machine for a tailoring business, or for a few dollars to purchase some goats for a dairy business.

Kiva was looking for people to make videos to describe the service, so I volunteered. Turns out it was a contest. Turns out I won fourth place. Woo hoo!

Here's the video. If you share it -- facebook, blogs, whatever -- more people will know about this wonderful service. The "share" button on the upper righthand side makes it easy:

Paulina Rubio - ORO perfume gift set

I recently photographed a new gift set for Oracle Beauty Brands, producers of Paulina Rubio's ORO perfume. Just in time for holiday gift-giving!

Thanksgiving Football -- Greenwich at Staples High School

An annual tradition -- wake up early, make side dishes, then shoot a football game. Come home, put the turkey in the oven, and send the pictures to a newspaper client. Works for me.

This year's matchup was Greenwich High School vs. Staples High School in Westport, CT.

Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller

Baseball? In November?

I'm not sure why I'm thinking baseball today. Maybe because it's gray and cold, and I'm sending my thoughts to a warm summer day....

Anyway, when I think of baseball I sometimes remember the afternoon I spent taking photos Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller. He was giving a baseball clinic to middle-school-age kids in Westport, CT. I was on a freelance assignment for a local newspaper.

Feller came dressed in his full Cleveland Indians baseball uniform. Feller showed the kids his secret (or not-so-secret, I guess) grip, shared some tips about the mental aspects of being a successful pitcher, and stayed as long as he needed to, to sign autographs.

Here are some images from that day, available for editorial license if you click through to the gallery:


Bob Feller Hall of Fame Pitcher - Images by Shelley Cryan

Happy Halloween 2009

Ghouls and goblins roamed the earth, or at least Norwalk, CT, on Saturday night. I was lucky enough to be working for the Norwalk Hour that day -- truly a fun day to be a photojournalist.


10 09 Halloween - Images by Shelley Cryan