A pedestrian makes his way across a snow-covered Pike Street January 18, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle and Western Washington State have been hit with a snow storm that has dropped several inches of snow.

It seems that once a winter the Puget Sound gets a storm that dumps several inches of snow and shuts everything down. In previous years the the snowstorms have snarled traffic and wreaked havoc across the region. Four-mile commutes turned into six-hour (often more) debacles. Seattle in particular has a rough time because of the hills. The combination of snow and steep hills can make the city almost unnavigable for many, if not most, drivers. In previous years the snowstorms hit during the day. This year the storm hit in the middle of the night. Most people stayed home and traffic was almost nothing. Getting downtown was a breeze and finding parking was even easier. Here are some pictures from a Seattle snow day.

A pedestrian walks pas a sculpture January 18, 2012 at the Seattle Center near the Experience Music project in Seattle, Washington. Seattle and Western Washington State have been hit with a snow storm that has dropped several inches of snow.

A SUV drives past a sign near a tire shop on a snow-covered road January 18, 2012 in the West Seattle neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. Seattle and Western Washington State have been hit with a snow storm that has dropped several inches of snow.

Members of the 737 management team applaud fellow Boeing employees while the company celebrated the increased production rate of 737 line to 35 planes per month at the Renton factory in Renton, Wash., Tuesday Jan. 10, 2012. The increased production secured the new generation 737 Max production line in Renton.

Boeing employees in Washington State celebrated the company’s announcement to locate the 737 Max line Renton, Washington. The decision was contingent upon the line producing 35 planes a month. The announcement included a celebration and a mini-tour of the line. Here are a few pictures from the day.

A Boeing employee works on an engine at the company's 737 plane production line Tuesday Jan. 10, 2012 in Renton, Wash. Boeing celebrated the increased production rate of 737 line to 35 planes per month. The increased production secured the next generation 737 Max production line in Renton.

A Boeing employee works on a 737 plane in Renton, Wash., Tuesday Jan. 10, 2012. Boeing celebrated ramping up the 737 production rate to 35 planes a month. In addition to other version of the 737, the next generation 737 Max will be built in Renton.

Steve Wozniak and Leonard Nimoy share the state at DEMO Enterprise Disruption.

I headed down to San Francisco for a few days to photograph DEMO Enterprise Disruption. To celebrate a billion IOPS, DEMO and Fusion-io had a 1970s-themed party. Also on hand was Steve Wozniak, Fusion-io’s Chief Scientist. Leonard Nimoy also spoke. My favorite picture form the night was the above moment between Steve Wozniak and Leonard Nimoy. Wozniak is a huge Nimoy fan and it is great to see someone of Steve’s stature turn into a complete fan boy. Not only that, he stuck around for almost and hour for picture on a backdrop with party attendees. The night featured djs, go-go dancers, an HD monitor wall and a cascading fog machine. Here are some pictures.

Groovy colors projected on to cascading fog.

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Seattle Archbishop Peter Sartain, center, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, left, and Alexander J Brunett prepare for the recessional during Simbang Gabi Commissioning Mass at St. James Cathedral in Seattle Saturday Dec. 10, 2011.

I photographed the Simbang Gabi Commissioning Mass at St. James Cathedral. Simbang Gabi is a series of masses leading up to Christmas Eve celebrated by Roman Catholic Filipinos. Parols suspended from the ceiling of St. James Cathedral. Participants also bring parols as part the commissioning mass. Another colorful event. I also captured a nice imag, below, behind the scenes in the sacrisity as the Archbishop and other prepared for Mass. More pictures can be found after the break.

Seattle Archbishop Peter Sartain, second from left, Bishop Alexander J Brunett, center, and Bishop Eusebio Elizondo before Simbang Gabi Commissioning Mass at St. James Cathedral in Seattle Saturday Dec. 10, 2011.

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Three-year-old Emma Cox helps her father Specialist Scott Cox of the 47th Combat Support Hospital, 62nd Medical Brigade after a redeployment ceremony December 6, 2011 upon returning to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington from Iraq. The return marks one of last large groups of soldiers and last charter flight to return to the base from Iraq.

The chartered aircraft carrying soldiers returning from Iraq arrived at Joint Base Lewis McChord this week. The remaining troops will return via commercial airliners. We covered the troops as the got off the plane and wen through processing and when the were redeployed and reunited with their families. As always, I cannot imagine being away from my family for as long as these soliders did, and have enormous respect for their commitment. It was also a bit eerie to think there will be no more deployments or homecomings from Iraq after about eight years. Here are some pictures with more after the break.

Soldiers from the 520th Medical Company, 1-94 Field Artillery Regiment and 47th Combat Support Hospital deplane after returning December 6, 2011 to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The return marks one of last large groups of soldiers and last charter flight to return to the base from Iraq.

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Traditional dancers wait to perform durinng a reception following the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass at St. James Cathedral in Seattle Saturday Dec. 3, 2011. (PHOTO by Stephen Brashear)

I have the privilege of photographing the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which included a Rosary at St. Mary’s Church, a procession to St. James Cathedral and a reception. Our Lady of Gaudalupe is the Virgin Mary, who is Patroness of Americas, Empress of Latin America and Protectress of the Unborn Children. My two favorite pictures, above and below, happened behind the scenes while dancers were waiting to perform. The colorful costumes from different cultures throughout the Americas made for a target-rich environment. Not to mention the backdrop of St. James Cathedral. More pictures after the break.

Rosary during Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Mary's Church in Seattle Saturday Dec. 3, 2011. (PHOTO by Stephen Brashear)

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Tyler Russell of Houston Baptist University drives to the basket against the Abdul Gaddy during play at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle Friday Nov. 25, 2011. The University of Washington won the game 88-65.

I photographed Houston Baptist University basketball against the University of Washington. HBU, smaller school, played well against an opponent of much bigger stature. They never quit nor did they back down. It was my first basketball game in several years. I always like shooting basketball. So many opportunities at good action pictures. And now my cameras have less noise at higher ISOs. I’m able to shoot at higher shutter speeds. Here are some pictures. Two after the break.

Anthony Hill of Houston Baptist University dives for the ball in front of Aziz N'Diaye of the University of Washington during play at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle Friday Nov. 25, 2011. The University of Washington won the game 88-65.

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Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is silhouetted by a video presentation during the annual Microsoft shareholders meeting at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Wash., Tuesday Nov. 15, 2011.

Microsoft held its annual shareholders meeting in Bellevue. Here are some pictures of CEO Steve Ballmer and Chairman Bill Gates. Not sure if the silhouette of Ballmer works, but it was worth a shot. Just trying for something interesting at an otherwise visually dull assignment. There was also a nice moment of Gates laughing during the meeting. At assignment like this in addition to the the stand pictures of a person behind a podium, I try to find nice emotion and something that is visually interesting.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates laughs during the annual Microsoft shareholders meeting at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Wash., Tuesday Nov. 15, 2011.

Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes the ball as linebacker Jameel McClain #53 of the Baltimore Ravens pursues. at CenturyLink Field on November 13, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. The run set up a one yard touchdown run for Lynch.

Here are some pictures from Sunday’s gamea between the Seattle Seahawks and the Baltimore Ravens. It was a nice day for football. The Seahawks defense played well. A few photos after the break.

Defensive back Kam Chancellor #31 of the Seattle Seahawks collides with wide receiver Anquan Boldin #81 during a game at CenturyLink Field on November 13, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. Chancellor was flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit on the play. The Seahawks won the game 22-17.

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Seattle Archbishop Peter Sartain leads mass during the on the final day of the Archdiocesan Youth Convention at Bellevue College in Bellevue, Wash., Sunday Nov. 6, 2011.

I was assigned to cover the Seattle Archbishop Peter Sartain’s visits to the Archdiocese’s Youth Convention in Bellevue. I’m always trying to find moments away from what everyone at the event might see. I still get photos of the what is happening up front on stage.  Here are some pictures from the event. There are two more photos after the break.

Archdiocesan Youth Convention at Bellevue College in Bellevue, Wash., Sunday Nov. 6, 2011.

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