My First Outing with the American Red Cross

Last week marked my start as an intern with the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus as a photographer. This past weekend I got the opportunity to document the Red Cross' effort in the small Marion county Ohio town of La Rue. In mid December just before Christmas the town, which lies next to the Scioto River, flooded. La Rue, which is already on a flood plain, experienced severe flooding, forcing most of the residents of the small town from their homes. Many homeowners in the village reported over two feet of water in their homes. The Red Cross acted fast to the emergency offering whatever assistance they could to those who were displaced from their homes. Several weeks later, as the residents returned to their homes, the Red Cross again made a visit. This time volunteers acting as Case Workers assessed the damages to the homes and provided food, clothing, and shelter to those who were in need. The residents welcomed the Volunteers with open arms, offering coffee and their stories of the flood.
"It's going to take quite a while to put this flood behind us, to accept our lost homes and belongings, but to see [the Red Cross] out here helps bring us comfort that we're not alone." One resident commented.
Though the risk of flooding is ever present as the ice and snow continues to melt and the unpredictable Ohio weather threatens more rain, the Red Cross' quick response and assistance in the wake of the flood gives the residents of La Rue some feeling of comfort.

When the water rose Brigette Boyd and her boyfriend lost the flooring in their home. "I've seen floods here before, it's kinda a given thats gonna happen when you live here, but I'd never seen the water so high," The water level rose above the 2 1/2 foot concrete base the house rests on and soaked into the wooden floor and carpet.

Volunteers form various Red Cross Chapters including The Red Cross of Greater Columbus and The Red Cross of Marion County gathered at the La Rue United Methodist Church for briefing early in the morning.

Red Cross volunteers take notes and listen to one resident's story about having to leave her home in a boat during the flood.

A Red Cross volunteer explains materials given to residents.

Though the major flooding occured around Christmas, large amounts of water remained in La Rue.

A resident of La Rue shows a Red Cross volunteer the pictures of the flood he took on his Ipad.

Red Cross volunteers talk to a woman whose home was affected by the flood and offer information and any assistance she may need.

Deer Season 2013

The air is cold. The deep blue of the predawn sky is beginning to bleed the first red rays of sunrise by the time we close the doors of the truck and make our way into the woods. The deer are still sleeping warm and bedded down in the undergrowth but good hunters are out and ready before the first light.
"I should have worn two socks." My friend whispers to me.
I chuckle silently. This is his first time deer hunting, and he made the same mistake I did my first time.
This year was the first year I hunted deer with a camera, rather than a gun.
By mid morning, as the sun began to warm and melt the remaining snow, we decided to call it quits. The woods were full of gunfire as more hunters flocked to the woods. Plus my friend had work. But hunting for us isn't about whether or not we get an animal, it's about being in the woods, far from the stresses of work and school and other distractions. We rode the hour back to civilization only speaking a few times, not needing to.
Deer season is special to me in many ways, my grandfather was an avid deer hunter, as are my uncle and cousin. Being in the woods this time of year brings back memories of those in my family who can't be there, or who no longer are. It was for this reason I decided to explore it as a subject for photography.
Some of the photos are graphic, I'm sure some who view this will disagree with hunting and be appalled at the images from the cleaning station. But I want to share what I captured in a week in the woods and at a deer cleaning station.
For some it's a past time,
For others it's work,
But for everyone it is deer season.

-Matt

Lake Esnagami, Canadia

For one week I woke up each morning at the crack of dawn and went fishing with my uncle, cousin, and father at Lake Esnagami in Canada. It was a nice break from the hot humid summer days in Ohio, and a nice break from the busy daily routine. These are some images taken this summer on my trip.