I was recently welcomed into Sonja Ortman’s home for a shoot where the story focused on between being a mom caring for a normal, energetic kid and having to take care of yourself when you are living with HIV. Due to advancements in HIV drugs she was able to successfully birth an uninfected son in 2004. It’s a pretty amazing thing and she was a very warm and gracious woman to photograph. This was one of those assignments where you walk away feeling like you can at least understand the world a little bit more, if nothing else. I’m gracious for that type of work and wish her the best. I hope readers can appreciate the guts it takes for someone to talk so openly about this subject. Hopefully by her discussing it, she can be motivation and inspiration for those in similar situations. The story is online here.

Was lucky enough to have back to back assignments within the general Milwaukee vicinity the past few days. Took the chance to see a good friend from my brief stint at Marquette University and get a nice couch near big windows to pass the night time before rising with the sun. I was once again reminded of how cool a city that place can be, and how most people don’t know it, and I can’t quite shake the notion that maybe I should live there again for a time.