Always go at a shoot as if it’s for my favorites folder, which is the best of best that I have done over the years. We all have to have our little collections no matter what they are.

Shooting for the favorites does two things, It could possibly give you a better shot than you have ever shot, or make you look for something different than you might not have seen if your just going through the motions, I mean your best is just that, the best that you can do, and no perfectionist likes to be limited.

Either way the paper benefits, cause even if you fall short of your goals, which should be the highest to begin with, more than likely you will still come out with something superior for the paper, even if it falls short of your standards.

Such was the case with Mike Picca, newly graduated SWAT officer for the city of Decatur, Texas police department. Since I work with a lot of these guys in all types of situations, and admire all very much, wanted to do something special for Mike, but at the same time always looking for something for me.

Top photo was what paper chose, and not to unhappy given the time constraints, ( in news thats usually ten minutes ago) But this was my choice, living in the abstract. Not that is has not been done before but just not by me. Obviously I would like to have had the muzzle blast for realism but I’m a little more found of my head than that, Did think about sacrificing a camera and lens though!