Awakenings, a small part of a larger project that I’m working on, published Tuesday in the Post-Dispatch after about a month of working on various “awakenings” related to spring. The idea behind the project is simple: In life, there are awakenings of many kinds, ranging from physical awakenings (human, animal, plants, births (of these forms) to spiritual awakenings (baptisms, confirmations, etc), technologically-driven awakenings, social awakenings, and on and on. This project, slated to become a photo column in the paper, was kicked off in a spring-related piece that coincides with my larger Four Seasons project through the year.

This is a small body of work that I hold dear — not just because personal work is often cleansing to the photographic soul — but equally important, the people involved in my project, both at the Post-Dispatch, and the subjects I photographed, seemed to be genuinely interested in my project and offered themselves selflessly to be involved. Our features editor, Christy Bertselson, is a fantastic editor with a sophisticated eye and a hunger for good visual projects that drive good stories and, in often cases, drive themselves through the photographs. Somehow I could see Christy judging the PDN 30 and working for the New York Times “T” fashion magazine. Under her, I’m constantly amazed of the features department progression. There are excited designers (Tippi Thole designed this awakenings page), good reporters, and one hell of a features photo editor, Lynden Steele. Not only can I wait for my features rotation again in a few months, but I actively try to stay more on the features desk than the news side.

So, please enjoy. And keep an eye out for the awakenings photo column, which is already in the works. I can’t publish the pieces, but they’re coming.

Spring Baptism, Manchester United Methodist Church, Manchester, Missouri.

Refreshing the spirit at a young girl and boy’s baptism…

Drops of water remain on the altar after the spring baptism of Taylor Hoskins, 15, and her brother, Cole Hoskins, 11, both of Ballwin, at the hands of the Rev. Chris Williams at Manchester United Methodist Church in Manchester.

I was lucky to come across the Hoskins – not only are they terrific people — but the fact that their children were being baptized later in life really added some value to the story — they talk about a “renewal in life…a purpose to grow.”

New life into seeds, Ferguson, Missouri.

Fueling life in seeds that blossom into plants…

Organic farmer John Wilkerson of St. Charles prepares to plant a germinated sugar snap pea seed at the Mueller Organic Farm in Ferguson. “I gave it the right environment to grow,” said Ferguson.

John knew what I was up against — trying to visually tell a story about life cycles, growth, the awakening for organic foods and a conscious awareness of the food we put in our bodies. As an organic farmer, John rides the wave of demand for organic food in the St. Louis region. With that demand comes the need for local farmers to supply organic food to a growing population. As with seeds, there has to be a good environment to grow. He talks about the health benefits of eating healthy food, and the way he lovingly nurtures the soil and grounds around him

Zaouli awakens, COCA, St. Louis, Missouri

bringing warmth from the sun that rises…

Performer Chyrese Griffin from Afriky Lolo helps bring to life a West African folktale in a stage adaptation by Diadie Bathily (pronounced Ja-jee) of “The Goddess Zaouli at the Center of Creative Arts in St. Louis.

This is a wonderful example of an image that no only visually speaks of sun, sunrise, warmth, and the need to take flight after the dark shades of winter, but it also neatly summarizes a cultural and artistic awakening. Being exposed to this form of dance and art really awakens the senses, and the drum beats and singing captivates a crowd, mesmerizing them and taking them back through generations and time to another place of distant culture.

Love between Almir and Tessa, St. Louis, Missouri.

like young love, budding into something more…

Tessa Higby, 17, and Almir Muharemovic, 16, share a tender moment at Ronnies 20 Cinema in St. Louis on a Saturday evening.

Tessa and Almir are quite the couple — they perfectly epitomize a growing relationship. They snuggle, sit quietly, laugh and enjoy eachother’s company. This image, in the short time that I’ve known them, really seems to show the best of them together — caring, compassionate, intimacy — these are just a few of several essential building blocks for a successful relationship.

Page design by Tippi Thole at the Post-Dispatch, part of the Four Seasons project.