Kentucky Derby Festival Sunday Funday Drag Brunch 2023 Photos, special to the Courier Journal.

Lauren Michela-Rose Stevens, 18, a senior at Spencer County High School, photographed at the Taylorsville Lake Historic Interpretive Area, plays the ukulele and expects to attend Campbellsville University in the fall. Mar. 23, 2015

High school athletes shine on the Courier Journal Sports Awards red carpet Scenes from the 2019 Courier Journal Sports Awards red carpet on June 2, 2019 The Green Bay Packers wide receiver and former Kentucky Wildcat Randall Cobb is the guest speaker for the June 2 awards ceremony at the Louisville Palace. The Courier Journal will recognize the best in Kentucky and Southern Indiana high school sports.

The Fairdale High School Prom at the Muhammad Ali Center Saturday, May 18, 2019, in Louisville, Ky., for the Courier Journal.

The Snow Ball Gala: A gorgeous night for a great cause, a photo gallery for the Courier-Journal, online Saturday, Nov. 18, 2018. https://www.courier-journal.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/events/2018/11/18/snow-ball-gala-norton-childrens-hospital-photos/2044065002/

The Courier Journal sent me to shoot exteriors of the new Barry's Cheesesteaks & More in Old Louisville and some portraits, but not the food. Marty Pearl had already shot food at the Barry's location on Preston. What I didn't realize until I arrived is that it wasn't open yet! The exterior was still branded like the old place, named Slice, and was mostly empty. I found it because I saw the reporter, Maggie Menderski, outside meeting the owner. They were going in the door and an alarm sounded! Barry tried to shut it off, but it continued to screech, so Maggie had to record their interview on the sidewalk along Oak Street, and can be seen in some of the exterior photos. I began by putting him inside, me outside. I sat him at the countertop that lines the windows along Oak because there was a nice reflection of the street. I had a flash on a radio slave behind him, but it wasn't doing anything for his face to pop and the glass was too dirty anyway. Rather than show the emptiness of the place, I put him at the counter with the big corner-facing wall of windows behind him to show the potential view of the space and asked for a smile. He'd already told me he wanted a print to send his mom. Here's my portrait shoot with Barty Washington at his new location, pre-renovation, for the Courier Journal. See the story: "Looking for a cheesesteak fix? Barry's is expanding to Old Louisville," by Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal. Published 10:48 a.m. ET June 19, 2018, Updated 10:54 a.m. ET June 19, 2018. https://www.courier-journal.com/story/money/2018/06/19/barrys-cheesesteaks-and-more-open-old-louisville/706089002/

Here's a home I shot recently for the Courier Journal, what's been called the, "Funky Grandma" house. See the story: "This home puts a 'funky grandma' spin on 8 acres of country living," by Taylor M. Riley, Louisville Courier Journal. Published 1:06 p.m. ET March 1, 2018, Updated 12:53 p.m. ET March 2, 2018 https://www.courier-journal.com/story/life/home-garden/home-of-the-week/2018/03/01/tour-henry-county-home-week-lespirit/311616002/ https://www.courier-journal.com/videos/life/home-garden/2018/03/01/henry-county-home-sits-8-picturesque-acres-and-takes-country-funky/110958736/

VIP guests pose on the red carpet with Teddy Bridgewater, New York Jets and former University of Louisville quarterback and guest speaker at the Courier Journal Sports Awards at the Louisville Palace.

Photos from the 2018 Kentucky Reggae Festival, sponsored by Four Roses Bourbon at Louisville Water Tower Park on River Road.

Rachelle Starr, Founder of Scarlet’s Bakery, 741 E. Oak, at the corner of Oak and Shelby Streets in the Smoketown neighborhood.

Rabbit Hole Distillery, at 711 E. Jefferson Street in NuLu, hosts a ribbon-cutting, grand opening party and a peek inside before opening to the public sometime in June.

Photos made at Irish Rover for a March 14, 2018 Cook’s Corner feature in the Courier Journal.

Photos shot for a Dine review of Uptown Cafe for the March 15, 2018 Courier Journal.

St. Francis High School students participate in the Wednesday, March 14, 2018, National School Walkout to protest recent school shootings and call for congress to act on gun control.

Photos from the 2015 Hot Rod Harvest Homecoming Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in New Albany, Ind.

Stylemaker and Promoter Michael Martin, photographed in formal wear courtesy Sam Meyers Formal Wear for Big Mike’s Comedy Blast, at his home in Hollow Creek.

Volunteers wearing “Ask Me” buttons greeted incoming freshmen as they arrived at the University of Louisville Belknap Campus on Wednesday for Welcome Week. The volunteers  - members of various campus organizations -  were on hand with carts and dollies to help move belongings from car to dorm rooms.  Dr. Neville Pinto, the University of Louisville acting president, spoke with Presentation High School graduate Bailey Thompson, 18, and her mother, Jennifer Burden, while volunteers put the student’s belongings into a cart on the sidewalk outside of Threlkeld Hall.  “We continue to attract academically accomplished and very talented students from all parts of the globe,” Pinto stated in a press release Tuesday. “Our freshman class is extraordinary in many ways; nearly half already have some college credits, the class is highly diverse and their ACT and GPA scores are impressive.”  Donna Wolf, of Chicago, Ill., said that with the volunteers on hand this year, it was so much easier than moving her older son into the dorm at Eastern Kentucky University last year.  “Maybe because it’s my second kid, but it’s been no issue,” she said. “You pull up and there’s people with carts. We were expecting the worst, and got the best.” The university expects nearly 2,800 new students this year – a 3.2 percent increase over last year.

A food shoot for The Courier-Journal at Somewhere restaurant at 1135 Bardstown Road, next to Nowhere bar. See the story by restaurant critic Nancy Miller, special to The Courier-Journal, 'Somewhere chef has bettered perfect’ online Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/dining/restaurant/2016/08/03/somewhere-chef-has-bettered-perfect-review/87430842/

Photos from the Sept. 17, 2015 discovery of vandalism at the Islamic Center of Louisville. See the story from The Courier-Journal here: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2015/09/17/islamic-center-vandalism-called-punch-gut/32546507/

Cards Give Back - American Football Without Barriers Camp, Special to The Courier-Journal for Sunday, June 27, 2016.

Erin Herbert, 17, a junior at Sacred Heart Academy, plays center midfield for the school's soccer team. Erin appeared in the C-J's weekly Q-Up feature on Feb. 12, 2016. See the story here: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/life/2016/02/12/sacred-heart-junior-always-gives-110-percent/79064986/

Told to go out and photograph people out working in the cold, I found seven situations and sent them in ... Next morning I saw them on the cover of the Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016 Courier-Journal with a story by Staff Writer Sheldon Shafer: "More Snow Tuesday Then Back To The 50s." Here's my take.

See my photos and text at The Courier-Journal.com, "Foodies enjoy fundraiser for independent eateries" http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2015/07/12/foodies-enjoy-fundraiser-independent-eateries/30060255/

Jefferson County Public School teachers gathered in the library at Bloom Elementary School for training in a “compassionate schools" pilot program between JCPS and the University of Virginia. See the story in The Courier-Journal at: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/education/2015/06/12/jcps-launch-compassion-classes-schools/71090472/

Jeffersontown High School students photographed for The Courier-Journal in the last moments of the last day in seesion for Jefferson County Public Schools. June 5, 2015

See The Courier-Journal story on Louisville's National Code for America hackathon: Louisville hackers code for public good http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2015/06/07/louisville-hackers-code-public-good/28666213/

On Tuesday afternoon, as the Jump with Jill traveling rock 'n roll nutrition show set up in the gym at St. Gabriel School, principal Pam Huelsman waited for the free show to begin. "We're excited to hear what Jill has to say," Huelsman said as elementary students entered. "It's the time of year for enrichment, teaching respect, positive attitude and lifestyle changes." St. Gabriel, 5503 Bardstown Road, is starting an exercise class for the kids and has begun a weight-watchers class for teachers and adults.. Jump with Jill touring cast member Kristina Psitos began the show shouting, "Are you ready to rock? Say rock!" The high energy sing- and dance-along concert took the students through a variety of nutritional themes designed to get them up and moving to the beat of the body. Their message — that breakfast gives you energy, water is good, sugary drinks are bad and everyone is responsible for their own health — rocked the gym for an hour. After hearing about the super powers of vegetables, students even promised to try a new vegetable in the coming week, and danced the cha-cha with Jill. Sponsored by Meijer's Produce for Kids campaign, the show is one of an army of Jump with Jill casts spreading it's message of nutrition across the country. "It's important for kids to learn that it's about themselves," said Psitos. Fellow cast member Jeffrey "DJ Jeffrey" Berry added, "It's all about empowerment." See the story and photo gallery on The Courier-Journal website: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/south/2015/04/21/jump-jill-rocking-schools-thanks-produce-kids-campaign-hosted-meijer/26147757/

With the street already wet in the predawn light, and rain forecast for the Saturday morning Derby Festival Marathon & miniMarathon, runners, walkers and wheelchair racers wore jackets and improvised with garbage bags while they warmed up at the starting line at Brook and Main streets. After taking a selfie with sister-in-law and running partner Hannah Kamer, Jordan Kamer said she was cold and just wanted to stay dry. "I’m dreading the rain,” she admitted, even though she said the two normally train in the rain. They had their ponchos ready. Right after the cannon sounded to begin the race, some marathoners reached up to feel the rain drops, which remained steady throughout the race. There were about 13,000 participants for the combined race - a 13.1-mile miniMarathon and 26.2-mile Marathon - but the weather didn’t discourage participants or those who came out to cheer them along the way. At Fourth Street and West Ormsby Avenue, onlooker Claire Hart shouted encouragement and reminded the runners to redeem the free beer tickets they received with their numbered bibs. She and friend Leslie Wooten, both of Lexington, said they had dropped off their friend and co-worker, Katie Tibbitts, at the starting line, then went for coffee and breakfast before finding a spot to see her run by. The two were part of a larger group who work in human relations at University of Kentucky, and were prepared for the weather with laminated signs and matching T-shirts that read, “Katie’s Crew.” Between calls of, “Way to go! Looking good! Awesome!” Hart, also a runner but not participating because of an injury, explained what a big difference it makes to receive encouragement when running. “That guy knows what I’m talking about,” she said as a passing runner responded to her shouts. Another group called “The Scream Team” were stationed at Broadway and Barret Avenue to greet runners completing the full marathon. Abigail Camfield, 15, a sophomore at Eastern High School, held a sign that read “Touch here for Power.” Lined up behind her were members of the “Hite Heart Throbs,” a jump-rope team that performs in the Pegasus parade. Their coach, Joy Heines, a physical education teacher at Hite Elementary School, said that being near the end of the marathon route, one-tenth mile from the finish line, makes it fun and memorable for her team and the runners. “If they can run 26.1 miles, we can scream for four hours,” she said. See the story with additional photos from the finish by Frankie Steele on The Courier-Journal website at: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/events/kentucky-derby/festival/2015/04/25/kentucky-derby-festival-marathon-minimarathon/26299423/

Kimberly Jefferson, 16, a Male High School sophomore, is an artist and runs track. Photographed for The Courier-Journal, Jan. 19, 2015. http://www.courier-journal.com/story/life/2015/02/16/male-hs-sophomore-designs-artistic-career/23511299/

At the direction of Lockmaster Mike Seng, paddlers waiting to pass through the McAlpine Locks stay together before the water falls as they make their way to New Albany as part of the Mayor's Hike Bike & Paddle event at Waterfront Park. September 1, 2014

Daniel Kimbell, 14, a freshman at Oldham County High School where he wrestles and plays football, is shown at home in Crestwood with items he made while blowing glass at Flame Run Glass Studio and Gallery in Louisville. Nov. 24, 2014 http://usatodayhss.com/2014/for-oldham-county-wrestler-kimbell-glass-art-is-athletic-event

Katelyn Watts, 15, an eighth-grader at St. Rita Catholic School, plays front row on the volleyball team and hopes to go to either Presentation or Mercy Academy next year. Photographed for The Courier-Journal, October 3, 2014.