December 23, 2014

(12-23-14) Favorite Photos From Miami Herald Internship

I post this from the comfort of my room at home in the Chicago suburbs while it's 40 degrees cooler than the daytime temperature in Miami. Oh, and not to mention the potential doom of incoming snow storms.

I finished my internship at the Miami Herald about a week ago and have only been home for three full days. Being home feels really weird, I just don't know what to do with myself! During my internship I got to shoot my first NFL game, first nationally televised college game, first NASCAR Sprint Cup Final, first rooftop soccer match, first Ironman and my first time working on a project that I generated and should be running any day now (police dogs are awesome). Lots of firsts!

Working at my college's newspaper a year ago really helped prepare me for a newspaper internship to get a better understanding of internal logistics. I'm not sure how to summarize my experience during the internship, but I can confidently say it helped me develop in multiple ways.

My favorite experience was working on my Miami Police K-9 story, I was able to spend a lot of time with the unit, trainers and the officer that was the focus of the story. The best part is that I'm probably going to stay in contact with some of the handlers. Once the story runs in the paper, I'll be making another post just on the story, but I included an action shot of the dog in this one.

Juan Mejia of Miami, takes off his swim cap after completing the swimming portion of the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Participants wait for their wave to be let in the water during the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano #22 pits during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Braxton Berrios (#83) is unable to make a catch in front of Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (#8) in the second quarter SunLife Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday, November 15, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jamar Taylor (#22) and outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins (#53, right) react after a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods (#10) was incomplete at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Thursday, November 13, 2014.

Brasa's John Hickey (right) of South Miami battles for a ball against Arsenal FC's Jonathan Quiroz during the Red Bull Fiesta de Futbol, a rooftop soccer tournament in Miami on Saturday, November 22, 2014.
Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick #4 holds up the trophy after winning the Sprint Cup Series and the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Norland's Jahiem Lawrence (#90) reacts after his team's defeat by Carol City in Miami on Thursday, October 30, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF


Andres Hernandez-Ibanez, 8, of Key Biscayne (white shirt) and other children have fun in fake snow during Winterfest in the Village Green in Key Biscayne on Sunday, December 7, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Nancy Rouzier (left) of Miami holds a candle in memory of her son Reggie and Carole Heck of Palmetto Bay holds a candle in memory of her son Jamie Heck during the Compassionate Friends candle lighting vigil at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo Center in Miami on Sunday, December 14, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

A Miami Carnival parade participant before the start of the parade at the Miami-Dade Fairgrounds in Miami on Sunday, October 12,2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF 


Christina Sajous as Carment during a dress rehearsal of a new musical version of "Carmen" at the University of Miami's Jerry Herman Ring Theatre in Miami on Sunday, November 9, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Alyson Ceballo, 23 months old, of Homestead tries to catch bubbles during the Harvest Festival hosted by LNR at the Association of Retarded Citizens' Project Thrive n Miami on Friday, October 24, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

A participant gets a drink at a water station during the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick #4 leads Sprint Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin #11 during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Police K-9 Nas leaps over a fence to get a toy Officer Stephanie Collazo held out for him as a reward during agility training in Miami on Wednesday, December 10, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

University of Miami guard JaQuan Newton (#0) is blocked by Howard Bison forward Tyler Stone (#32) at BankUnited Center in Coral Gables on Friday, November 14, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Florida State Seminoles cornerback Ronald Darby (#3) leaps on the shoulders of defensive back Jalen Ramsey (#8) after he made the game-ending interception against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter at SunLife Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday, November 16, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Columbus' Juan Carlos De Los Santos (#33, center) celebrates with his team after beating Flanagan in Pembroke Pines on Friday, December 5, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF


November 16, 2014

A Sports Crazed Weekend (11-16-14)

I won't say much here since I'm typing this while I'm laying on the couch with my eyes closed, to say I'm tired is an understatement. Last week my editor told me I was going to have an integral part of the schedule for this week and was floored once I realized how serious he was. So here was my schedule for the past four days (pictures are chronological);

Thursday - Dolphins vs Bills
Friday - NASCAR practices/time trials & University of Miami men's basketball
Saturday - FSU vs University of Miami football
Sunday - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Race

400 veterans and current members of the military salute during the national anthem before the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Thursday, November 13, 2014.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline (#82) makes a reception in front of Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (#24) in the first quarter at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Thursday, November 13, 2014.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (#11) fails to make a reception in front of Buffalo Bills free safety Aaron Williams (#23) in the second quarter at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Thursday, November 13, 2014.


Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (#14) reacts after his touchdown play was confirmed by replay against the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Thursday, November 13, 2014.

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jamar Taylor (#22) and outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins (#53, right) react after a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods (#10) was incomplete at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Thursday, November 13, 2014.

University of Miami students cheer during the game between the University of Miami and the Howard Bison at BankUnited Center in Coral Gables on Friday, November 14, 2014.

University of Miami guard JaQuan Newton (#0) is blocked by Howard Bison forward Tyler Stone (#32) at BankUnited Center in Coral Gables on Friday, November 14, 2014.

Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Braxton Berrios (#83) is unable to make a catch in front of Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (#8) in the second quarter SunLife Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday, November 15, 2014.

Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (#8) celebrates with Florida State Seminoles defensive back Nick Waisome (#6) after making the game-ending interception against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter at SunLife Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday, November 15, 2014.

Florida State Seminoles cornerback Ronald Darby (#3) leaps on the shoulders of defensive back Jalen Ramsey (#8) after he made the game-ending interception against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter at SunLife Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

The start of The Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick #4 Denny Hamlin #11 and driver Alex Bowman #23 in turn one during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick #4 leads Sprint Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin #11 during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano #22 pits during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick #4 during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick #4 holds up the trophy after winning the Sprint Cup Series and the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

October 26, 2014

(10-26-14) Ironman

Here are my favorite shots from my first Ironman. I just wish I had an underwater housing or something to more easily take pictures of the athletes jumping off the docks.

Participants wait for their wave to be let in the water during the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Magali Tisseyre of Canada finishes in first place of the women's Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Juan Mejia of Miami, takes off his swim cap after completing the swimming portion of the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Caio Vincius Souza of Brazil, during the bicycle portion of the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

A participant gets a drink at a water station during the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Runners go past a crosswalk during the running portion of the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Participants compete in the swimming course of the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Marisa Hidalgo of Coral Gables, runs past fans during the running portion of the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

October 25, 2014

(10-25-14) Intern Work

Here's my first post with some selects during my first three weeks interning at the Miami Herald. The pictures are in chronological order.

Coconut Creek's Kevon Brown (#20), Coach Rich (center) and Norman Palmer (right) celebrate a touchdown against Cardinal Gibbons in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, October 10,2014.

Coconut Creek's Marcus St. Louis (#13) tackles Cardinal Gibbons' Jonathon Washington (#3) in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, October 10,2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Miami Carnival parade participants dance to the music though out the parade at the Miami-Dade Fairgrounds in Miami on Sunday, October 12,2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Miami Carnival parade participants lead the crowds at the Miami-Dade Fairgrounds in Miami on Sunday, October 12,2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Ferguson's Kourtney Iesperance (#14) leads the team in a cheer following their victory over Southwest )during the final of the GMAC volleyball tournament hosted at Ferguson High School in Miami on Tuesday, October 14,2014.

Coral Gables' Kenmore Gamble (#15) celebrates a touchdown reception against Miami High in Miami on Friday, October 17, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

St. Thomas Aquinas' Emma Dixon (#6) hits against Pompano Beach High's Jasmine Sourverein-Reisert (#5) and Tara Brannen (#3) in Miami on Saturday, October 18, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Lorraine Michaelis displays clothing during fashion show featuring cancer survivors at Bloomingdales in Boca Raton on Wednesday, October 22, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Alyson Ceballo, 23 months old, of Homestead tries to catch bubbles during the Harvest Festival hosted by LNR at the Association of Retarded Citizens' Project Thrive n Miami on Friday, October 24, 2014.

South Dade's P.J Coats (#19) is tackled by Killian's Anthony Olivencia (#15, top center) and Deandre Johnson (#17, back right )in Homestead on Friday, October 24, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF