What the "J" stands for

Students of the MU Journalism School can see Jesse Hall and the Columns from Elm Street.

While this image appears on almost every postcard of the University of Missouri-Columbia, I made this photo for my Grandma Joyce, who inspired my middle name and wonders what my campus looks like. I hope to make more photos of my life here (and at various times of day) for her and other family members.

I'm just sitting there and...

...next to me in Christina's Beauty Salon is Gaby Perez, 41. As I have my hair trimmed, we talk about the local restaurant she manages and she shows me photos of her family on her phone. She's lived in Columbia, Mo., with her husband and 9-year-old son for six years. Spanish is her native language, and she's mastering English.

She's never been to Paris (France), but she would like to see the City of Lights... someday. In the meantime, she'll wait for her light brown hair dye to set.

Meeting and chatting with Gaby reminded me of why I love photography -- making connections with other people. I thank her for sharing and allowing me to make her photo.