Incoming freshman participate in a glow zone party on Wednesday, Aug. 21st, 2019 during WKU Master Plan, an orientation program for incoming freshman to adjust to college life.
My sibling, Johnica “Johni” Hubbard, 16, of Knoxville, Tenn. poses for a portrait in their bedroom in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Hubbard has created art since they began elementary school and plan to pursue art as a career after graduating high school. When asked about their creative process, Hubbard said they just “kind of boogy around” and express whatever they are feeling on paper or canvas. “I feel like my sexuality can definitely play a role in my art. I like drawing female bodies and showing all different types of women, rather than men,” Hubbard said.
Shonda Judy, 60, of Cynthiana, Ky., relaxes with a bubble bath after volunteering at the Cynthiana Animal Shelter. She uses passion for photography to help local animals get adopted. Shonda volunteers at the shelter by taking portraits of the animals and posting them on social media with a brief story about the animals' personality. "Dogs that I take pictures of and post don't get adopted because they look at it and think 'Oh I need a husky!'" she says. "They adopt the animal because they see a post and a picture of a dog named Jimmy who has a red pickup truck and they think 'Oh my grandpa's name was Jimmy and he drove a red pickup truck too! That dog needs me and I need that dog!' They can feel that connection with the animals and put a personality to the name."
Tarriona Ball, lead vocalist of Tank and the Bangas, performs a secret show at Barley's Taproom during the Rhythm and Blooms Festival in downtown Knoxville, Tn.
Geoff “Razor” West, 35, of Athens, Ohio cuts and styles the hair of Trevor Collins, 20, of Streetsborough, Ohio on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021. West typically keeps the door open and music up in order to attract customers, but the cold weather has begun to limit this. “It’s basically just free marketing. I’m not a business type of person but I just have common sense and know what customers like,” West said. West takes his first client at 7 a.m. each morning and continues with appointments until 2 p.m. when walk-in appointments begin. Bam & Bros barbershop recently opened in September 2021 after West decided to move to a new location and start a business by himself.
Miss Lady Dior, 26, of Huntington, West Virginia applies fake eyelashes before performing in a drag show fundraiser hosted by the Southeastern Ohio Rainbow Alliance and Alzheimer’s Association at Eclipse Company Store in the Plains, Ohio on Sept. 26, 2021. While Dior is getting ready, Kazma Knights (left), 28, of The Plains, Ohio is being assisted by Mystique Monroe (right), 25, of Huntington, West Virginia to put their dress on before the show. “I love being surrounded by these fierce girls and just getting to be myself. I could honestly do this every day,” Dior said.
Eric Vasquez in the studio. Feb. 2020
April Sanders, 53, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Paco Rodriguez, 28, of Pittsburgh, Pa., work to set up the ferris wheel at the Noble County Fair in Caldwell, Ohio on Tuesday, Aug. 30th, 2021. “It really is hard work and it’s hard not getting to see our families year-round, but we make it work… At the end of the day, it’s the people that really make it all worth it,” Sanders said.
When Missy Johnson first began bingeing and purging regularly in high school, she felt ashamed and isolated from society. Johnson was soon diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa and started her journey towards recovery. Although she is still continuing to recover from her eating disorder, Johnson focuses on loving her body, and uses tattoos as a form of self-expression. "I just felt so ashamed, I just didn't want to admit I was broken to anyone else. Having any type of mental illness can make you feel like you're just unlovable or like no one will want to be around you because you're going through some serious shit, but I think my tattoos just help me feel more at home in my body. It's just a way for me to always remember I've been through hell and back, so what's gonna stop me now," Johnson said.
Katie Green (left) and Lucy McCormick (right) practice their cheer routine with the Roar Cheerleading Squad at The Buddy House in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Feb. 6, 2018. The Buddy House is a nonprofit organization that organizes activities to encourage equality for locals with Down syndrome."I really like to cheer now," Katie said, "My favorite part about it is getting to see all of my friends every week."
Garrett Strickler, a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity at Western Kentucky University, participates in his first Fight Night on Saturday, April 7th, 2019 in Bowling Green, Ky. Fight Night is a boxing event hosted by the Sigma Chi fraternity chapter at Western Kentucky University in order to raise money for cancer research.
Peyton Church, a 5-year-old Bowling Green native, celebrates at the Bowling Green Pride Festival. Church attended the festival with her mother and sister in order to show support for her sister, Sydney, who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. “I got to get my nails and face painted today and celebrate with my mom and sister, so I think it’s been a fun day. I love getting to have fun and just celebrate my sister and see her so happy,” Church said.