On the Campaign Trail

During the month of July I visited eleven different states with President Barack Obama. As the President began to kick his campaign into high gear my fellow photojournalists from the AP, Reuters, and AFP and I packed our bags and hit the road. The rallies, airports, and motorcade rides really begin to blend together when you spend a month on the campaign trail, but I'll never forget the laughter and memories made with my friends in the White House Press Pool. My editors, mentors, and colleagues deserve my gratitude every day for giving me this amazing opportunity and allowing me to stand on the shoulders of giants.

Posted by Luke S at 9:32 PM 1 comments

Summer in the City

What a blessing it's been to have work this Summer.

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Memorial Day

I spent Memorial Day 2012 in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. It was the somberest of days.

Sondra May of Mclean, Va. hugs the grave of her father, Air Force Col. William Lawrence Walters, at Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2012. Luke Sharrett/The New York Times.

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Total Eradication

One afternoon in June I got a call from my editor asking if I wanted to drive 3 hours to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and slog around a swamp photographing wildlife trackers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. My answer: "Absolutely!" So I set out to meet up with Wildlife Specialists from the USDA who are tracking and hunting an invasive species from South America called Nutria. The species lives and feeds on thick marsh grass that is essential for the preservation of wetlands. As Nutria have reproduced and spread through Maryland their feeding habits have irreversibly changed dozens of marshlands into open water, displacing many species who call the wetlands home. The USDA's goal is the eventual total eradication of Nutria from the Mid-Atlantic. Happy hunting:

Posted by Luke S at 11:19 PM 0 comments

Senate Race of Similarities

This November the balance of power in the White House will be decided at the polls. Perhaps more importantly, so will the balance of power in the United States Senate. The 2012 Virginia Senate race pits two former Virginia Governors against one another: Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican George Allen. With recent polls showing the candidates neck and neck, the race is a toss up. 

Posted by Luke S at 1:41 AM 0 comments

On the Road with the Butler Bulldogs

Earlier this year I got a nice break from political coverage and flew out to Indianapolis, Ind. to meet up with the Butler University men's basketball team for four days on the road in Ohio. The team was battling to make the NCAA tournament in the midst of a rocky season. Butler, as you may remember, made unprecedented back-to-back appearances in the NCAA National Championship Game in 2010 and 2011. Not bad for a school with an approximate enrollment of only 4700 students.  I really enjoyed working with NYT Sports reporter Pete Thamel and after four days felt like a part of the team. Thanks to Head Coach Brad Stevens and all the players for giving us an inside look at life on the road for a college basketball team.

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Playing Catch Up: April + May

I've fallen behind in posting work here. My apologies for that. So here are photos from May and April, mostly in Washington, D.C.

Posted by Luke S at 4:19 PM 1 comments

Bourbon's All-American Roar

Sometimes it takes me six months to begin to appreciate photos I've taken. Ironically enough, I feel that this essay on Kentucky Bourbon that I shot for the New York Times Biz Section in 2011 has finally aged to perfection in a dark, unexplored corner of my MacBook Pro's hard drive. Please enjoy responsibly:

Posted by Luke S at 1:43 PM 1 comments

The Lone Survivor

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March Madness: Washington Politics

Here are some photos from the month of March. Shot for the New York Times in Washington, D.C.

Posted by Luke S at 3:11 PM 3 comments