Stephen Brashear | Photojournalist

POTUS Visits Boeing

sbrashear — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:11:02 +0000

U.S. President Barack Obama gives a speech February 17, 2012 on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner assembly line in Everett, Washington. Obama's visit included a tour of the plant and fundraisers elsewhere in the Puget Sound.

President Barack Obama visited the Boeing 787 assembly line in Everett. The line made for a nice back backdrop and had some opportunities to move around and make some nice photos. The picture of the President walking down the stairs of a Boeing 787 was feature on TIME Lightbox (http://lightbox.time.com/2012/02/24/pictures-of-the-week-february-17-february-24/?iid=lb-gal-moreon#52).

U.S. President Barack Obama greets members of the crowd after giving a speech February 17, 2012 on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner assembly line in Everett, Washington. Obama's visit included a tour of the plant and fundraisers elsewhere in the Puget Sound.

U.S. President Barack Obama walks down the stairs of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner before giving a speech February 17, 2012 on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner assembly line in Everett, Washington. Obama's visit included a tour of the plant and fundraisers elsewhere in the Puget Sound.

A Momentous Day

sbrashear — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:05:43 +0000

Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire, center, celebrates, with State Rep. Jaime Petersen, far left, State Senator, far right, after signing marriage equality legislation into law February 13, 2012 at the state capitol in Olympia, Washington. Washington state is the seventh state to legalize same sex marriage, however, before the law will go into effect it will most likely need to survive voter initiatives that would overturn it.

On Monday Washington State became the seventh state to enact marriage equality legislation, which will be subject to a public referendum. Gov. Chris Gregoire flanked by state lawmakers signed the bill into law. The room was pack with press public and the press, though I’m not sure the public could see around the press. It was quite a privilege to witness history of this magnitude. As a photojournalist, I sometimes take that for granted. It will be interesting to see how this plays across the country.

: Supporters Mark Rupp, center, and Chuck Butler watch as Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire sign marriage equality legislation February 13, 2012 at the state capitol in Olympia, Washington. Washington state is the seventh state to legalize same sex marriage, however, before the law will go into effect it will most likely need to survive voter initiatives that would overturn it.

Rick Santorum Visits Tacoma

sbrashear — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:44:45 +0000

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Rick Santorum greets a crowd of supporters during a rally February 13, 2012 at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma, Washington. Washington state's caucuses will be held March 3, 2012.

Sen. Rick Santorum visited Tacoma for a rally on the same the Gov. Chris Gregoire signed marriage equality legislation. After visiting Olympia, he spoke to a crowd at the Washington State History Museum. It was the earliest a primary candidate visited the state. The rally included some visitors from the Occupy movement who were camped out next door. The lighting was less than ideal, but I liked the dramatic quality of it. Here are some pictures.

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Rick Santorum speaks to the media February 13, 2012 at the state capitol in Olympia, Washington. Santorum, in the Washington campaigning, answered questions about marriage equality legislation signed by Governor Chris Gregoire earlier in the day.

A support of Republican presidential candidate Sen. Rick Santorum holds a sign during a rally February 13, 2012 in Tacoma, Washington. Washington state's caucuses will be held March 3, 2012.

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Sen. Rick Santorum cheer during a rally February 13, 2012 in Tacoma, Washington. Washington state's caucuses will be held March 3, 2012.

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Rick Santorum waves to a crowd of supporter after speaking at a rally February 13, 2012 in Tacoma, Washington. Washington state's caucuses will be held March 3, 2012.

Covering the Powell Funeral

sbrashear — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:20:45 +0000

Chuck Cox hugs family and friends follow the the funeral service for the two sons of Jocsh Powell, who died in a fire last weekend, is held February 11, 2012 at Life Center Church in Tacoma, Washington. Police believe Josh Powell, who was also a person of interest in his wife's 2009 disappearance, deliberately started the fire which killed the boys, seven-year-old Charlie and five-year-old Braden.

I had the unenviable task of cover the funeral of Braden and Charlie Powell, who were killed by their father almost a week earlier. A thank you to pool photographers Lou Kit Wong and Ted Warren. Here are a few photographs from outside the funeral. Fortunately, outside was quiet. Initially, a certain church was set to protest the boys funeral. A few counter protestors showed up with signs and stayed throughout the funeral. Their message was simple.

From left, Heather McCully, Mark Steuart and and Stacy Chan hold up signs as a hearse carrying the casket of Braden and Charlie Powell following the funeral service for the two sons of Josh Powell, who died in a fire last weekend, is held February 11, 2012 at Life Center Church in Tacoma, Washington. Police believe Josh Powell, who was also a person of interest in his wife's 2009 disappearance, deliberately started the fire which killed the boys, seven-year-old Charlie and five-year-old Braden.

Family escort the casket of Braden and Charlie Powell following a funeral service for the two sons of Josh Powell, who died in a fire last weekend, is held February 11, 2012 at Life Center Church in Tacoma, Washington. Police believe Josh Powell, who was also a person of interest in his wife's 2009 disappearance, deliberately started the fire which killed the boys, seven-year-old Charlie and five-year-old Braden.

A Personal Favorite: Walking in the Rain

sbrashear — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:28:46 +0000

A sign advertises the Jimi Hendrix Signature Series Edition launch event at the Hard Rock Cafe Seattle in Seattle Thursday Feb. 9, 2012.

I was shooting an assignment at the Hard Rock Cafe. One of shot on my list was to get images of the signage. Shooting through a window, I got this picture. For some reason I really like the picture and that is because of the walker on sidewalk. I don’t know if it works, but I like it. The neon sign probably added to it as well.

Covering A Tragedy

sbrashear — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:23:07 +0000

Janet Price, center, and daughters Savanna, 4, and Cheyanne, 5, survey the burnt out remains of Josh Powell's home February 7, 2012 near Graham, Washington, where Josh Powell allegedly killed himself and his two sons Charlie and Braden in a fire during a court-ordered visit. Josh Powell had lost custody of his sons and was a person of interest in his wife's 2009 disappearance. The price were former neighbors of the Powell boys.

It is hard to describe the tragedy of a father murdering the sons he professed, on many occasions to love, but on Sunday Josh Powell killed himself and his two sons, Braden and Charlie, in a fiery inferno that destroyed his rental home. Powell was also the only person of interest in his wife’s 2009 disappearance. I photographed the scene two days after tragedy. Even two days removed the scene was haunting and incomprehensible.

A memorial to Braden and Charlie Powell sits out side of the burnt out home of Josh Powell February 7, 2012 near Graham, Washington, where Braden and Charlie were allegedly killed by their father Josh Powell during a court-ordered visit. Josh Powell had lost custody of his sons and was a person of interest in the 2009 disappearance of his wife, Susan Cox-Powell.

Fire Investigator Don Easton surveys the burnt out remains of the home of Josh Powell February 7, 2012 near Graham, Washington, where Braden and Charlie Powell were allegedly killed by their father Josh during a court-ordered visit. Josh Powell had lost custody of his sons and was a person of interest in the 2009 disappearance of his wife, Susan Cox-Powell.

Basketball: UW vs. USC

sbrashear — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:59:37 +0000

Greg Allen, right, of USC collides with Washington's Darnell Gant during play in a Pac-12 game at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle Saturday Feb. 4, 2012.

It was an ugly game, but the University of Washington beat USC in a PAC 12 game. This was only the second basketball game I’ve shot in several years. The good thing about basketball is that there are a lot of opportunities to make decent action pictures. Here are two more pictures.

Washington's Terrence Ross, center, has ball stripped from him by USC's Maurice Jones as Alexis Moore also defends during play in an NCAA college basketball game at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle Saturday Feb. 4, 2012. Washington won the game 69-41.

USC's Garrett Jackson, right drives to the hoop against Washington's Austin Seferian-Jenkins during play in an NCAA college basketball game at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle Saturday Feb. 4, 2012. Washington won the game 69-41.

Patty Murray and Planned Parenthood

sbrashear — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:51:01 +0000

Washington State Sen. Patty Murray speaks a press conference February 3, 2012 at a Planned Parenthood Clinic in Seattle, Washington. Murray commended the Susan G. Komen Foundation's reversal of a decision to not fund breast exams at Planned Parenthood.

I photographed a press conference feature Washington Sen. Patty Murray. Initially the press conference was to address the Susan G. Komen Foundation decision to not fund breast exams at Planned Parenthood. But in the time the press conference was called and the actual press conference the Komen Foundation had reversed course. The outcry was swift and Sen. Murray and other women’s health advocates claimed victory. Here are a few pics from the conference.

CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying

sbrashear — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:44:23 +0000

Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach and Megan Rapinoe celebrate as they defeated Canada 4-0 Sunday January 29, 2012.

I had the opportunity to cover the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament at BC Place in Vancouver BC. Vancouver is a great city. As expected the heavily favored U.S. team won tournament, not allowing a goal and scoring a whole bunch. It was a lot of soccer, but fun to photograph. Here are a bunch of my favorite pictures from the tournament.

Canada defeats Costa Rica 5-1 in a 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying match Monday Jan. 23, 2012 at BC Place in Vancouver, BC.

A dejected Desiree Scott walks toward the goal as Abby Wambach of the United States and teammate Alex Morgan celebrated a goal. The U.S. went on to beat Canada 4-0 in the championship game of the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying.

Canada players Brittany Timko, left, Christine Sinclair, center and Kelly Parker celebrate Sinclair's goal against Mexico in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying semifinal match at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C., Canada Friday Jan. 27, 2012.

Costa Rica goalkeeper Erika Miranda watches for a corner kick among a crowd of United States and Costa Rica players during play in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying semifinal match at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C., Canada Friday Jan. 27, 2012. The United States won the match 3-0 to earn a berth in 2012 London Olympics.

Sydney Leroux, left, of the United States battles Lauren Sesselmann of Canada for the ball Sunday, January 29, 2012 during the final of the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament.

Alex Morgan of the United States gets around Erin Kartrina McLeod to score a goal in the championship match of the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Sunday tournament Jan. 29, 2012

Rachel Buehler, right, of the United States and Raquel Rodriguez of Costa Rica go up for the ball in front of the goal during play in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying semifinal match at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C., Canada Friday Jan. 27, 2012. The United States won the match 3-0 to earn a berth in 2012 London Olympics.

Abby Wambach, right, of the United States reacts to a call after a collision with Costa Rica goalkeeper Erika Miranda during play in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying semifinal match at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C., Canada Friday Jan. 27, 2012. The United States won the match 3-0 to earn a berth in 2012 London Olympics.

Canada defeats Costa Rica 5-1 in a 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying match Monday Jan. 23, 2012 at BC Place in Vancouver, BC.

An Ice Storm Follows the Snowstorm

sbrashear — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:37:27 +0000

A United Airliners plan is de-iced at Seattle Tacoma International Airport in Seattle, Washington, USA, January 20, 2012. Western Washington State is recovering from a storm that dumped several inches of snow on the region and was followed by an ice storm, which caused power outages, slick roads and canceled flights.

After getting several inches of snow Seattle and other areas of the Puget Sound had to deal with an ice storm. Some areas saw wind that knocked out power for several days, even though warmer temperatures and rain melt most of the snow and ice on roadways. Here are a few pictures from the recovery.

A pickup slides about as it tries to ascend a hill while a car inches down a snow-covered closed Queen Anne Avenue Seattle, Washington, USA, January 20, 2012. Western Washington State is recovering from a storm that dumped several inches of snow on the region and was followed by an ice storm, which caused power outages, slick roads and canceled flights.

Puget Sound Energy lineman Rick Perry saws limbs from a snow-lade tree leaning against a power line Issaquah, Washington, USA, January 20, 2012. Western Washington State is recovering from a storm that dumped several inches of snow on the region and was followed by an ice storm, which caused power outages, slick roads and canceled flights.