Little People

Finally getting around to organizing photos from the weekend, and most are of children. I covered the Monarch Release Celebration at the Ziibiwing Center in Mount Pleasant for CMLife on Saturday. There was a neat dance demonstration, but lighting was low. Tried to use blur motion to my advantage, but it didn't pan out as I'd hoped. I couldn't get faces to focus.

Jakob Lunhan, 9, of Mount Pleasant, observes a monarch butterfly about to enter the wild Saturday afternoon at the Monarch Release Celebration at the Ziibiwing Center, 6650 E. Broadway Rd.

Sunday morning came and I was assigned to shoot the Buddy Walk, which is an annual event to raise awareness of Down syndrome. I was so blessed to cover this...those little kids are full of light. At one point, I was photographing a tiny girl with Down syndrome held by someone and about three frames in, she held out her arms and the lady handed her to me. Ethically, I had to get back to work, but I almost burst into tears. In the thirty seconds I was holding her, that little girl fueled my spirit for the week. Her name was Amanda.

Amanda Jones, 2, left, of Farwell, shares a smile with Lily "Chow Chow" Hyman, 2, of Beal City, at the the 2nd annual Buddy Walk at Chipp-a-Waters Park Sunday afternoon. The Buddy Walk raises awareness of Down Syndrome.

Sarah Wilson, 5, of Mount Pleasant, has a bite of cake with her sister, Katie, 3, and father, Jeff, during the 2nd annual Mount Pleasant Buddy Walk at Chipp-a-Waters Park Sunday afternoon.

Maddie Mondrella, 4, is carried partway through the Buddy Walk at Chip A Waters Park Sunday afternoon. Maddie is one of many children supported by "teams" of friends and family who attended the Buddy Walk to raise awareness for Down Syndrome.