Penn State Rugby

Today, I went to my first Penn State men's rugby game. Needless to say, there were a plethora of guys in short shorts and bitterly cold temperatures. I give them props. It seems to be a very European sport, though. I'm still not sure if I quite understand the rules, but it was very entertaining to watch.

Bald Eagle Alpaca Ranch

Thus begins my alpaca photo essay! Jim and Ann Taylor, owners of the Bald Eagle Valley Alpaca Ranch, were gracious enough to allow me to follow them around the next few weeks and document their lives on the ranch. Having run the ranch for seven years, Jim and Ann own 43 alpacas, 2 very large, white dogs and enduring drive to continue the alpaca raising in the years to come.

THON 2013

The largest student run philanthropic organization in the world, THON is a yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. 

Defining Beauty

Brian Taft struggles to lift 60 pounds to his chin as he takes part in an intense crossfit exercise at Crossfit Lionheart in State College, Pa on Monday, February, 11. Photo by Erin Clark. 

Brea looks questioningly at her reflection in a mirror as she gets her hair highlighted at Looks Hair Salon in State College, Pa on Monday, February, 11 2013. Photo by Erin Clark. 

People who help People

This week, I had the awesome opportunity to photograph Alpha Fire Company, a volunteer fire department that has over 150 firefighters and three stations in Centre County. Although they didn't get any calls while I was there, I was able to ride along when they filled up one of their fire engines, which takes up to 60 gallons. Very cool.

Ali Warren, a volunteer firefighter for the Alpha Fire Company, watches out the window of the fire engine as they arrive back to station on South Atherton St. in State College, Pa. Warren, a State College local and self-published writer, has been volunteering for the company since she was 16. 

Chris, a permanent live-in volunteer for the Alpha Fire Company in State College, Pa, checks to make sure the ladders are properly situated inside the fire engine on Monday, February 4.

Levi Matyus performs a regular check of the oxygen masks in a fire engine at the Alpha Fire Company in State College, Pa on Monday, February 4. Matyus has been a live-in fireman for the company since June while also studying Crime, Law & Justice at Penn State University. 

Weather Portrait & Featured Color

Two women keep warm inside Saint's Cafe while others brave the frigid, winter rain in State College, Pa. 

A women braces herself against the damp weather on a January afternoon in State College, Pa.

Alphabet Portrait

Over the past couple of days, I was able to photograph both a winery as well as a local floral shop in State College. Mt. Nittany Winery happened to be bottling wine when I showed up. They bottled about 200 gallons in the mere hour that I was there. Woodrings Floral Gardens also stayed busy. Apparently people buy flowers even in a snowstorm!