Photography is my passion, and it has always been that way. I am fortunate to do it for the Albert Lea Tribune and its magazine, Albert Lea, but also as a hobby on the side. To capture nature or people in a photograph and evoke emotion from an audience is rewarding.

Whether it be a story assignment or a high school senior, I enjoy trying to find the unique angle. I’m not scared to crouch, climb or get a little dirty to get just the right shot. I’ve dodged flying baseballs and hockey pucks, been splashed with water and wandered around in a cow pasture. I have lain and kneeled on countless floors for the perfect shot.

Besides finding just the right angle, I’ve discovered getting to know the subject is what makes a photo powerful. That’s the purpose of a photo, right? To tell a story. So the next time you’re shooting, don’t be shy. Find out about your subject before you start and let those details shine through in your work.

The photos I’m sharing with you today were taken for the newspaper and some in my personal business, Bragen Rights Photography. Some are my favorite portraits I’ve shot in the last year, but there are also shots from interesting angles or something I’ve captured along the way. They all aim to tell a story without words.

Enjoy!