Texas gubernatorial candidates

Bill White, former mayor of Houston

Governor Rick Perry

Debra Medina, business woman

Farouk Shami, hair-care magnate

U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

Photos by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

I recently finished a series of portraits of the five major candidates for Texas Governor. All of these photos were made in our studio at the Austin American-Statesman between January 15 and February 5. It was interesting getting a little one-on-one time, however brief, with all five of them. The most difficult part of this project was scheduling the photo shoots. They candidates, which include a governor and a U.S. senator, are very busy people but we finally managed to convince each of them to pose for my camera. The photos are appearing with in-depth profiles the candidates on the front page of the Statesman.

Armadillo Day: A Texas-style Groundhog Day

The armadillo Bee Cave Bob emerges from his burrow at the first annual Armadillo Day on Tuesday Feb. 2, 2010, in Bee Cave, Texas. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Famed armadillo artist Jim Franklin, left, and Texas singer-songwriter Gary P. Nunn get an up-close look at the armadillo Bee Cave Bob at the first annual Armadillo Day on Tuesday Feb. 2, 2010, in Bee Cave, Texas. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The Benevolent Knights of the Raccoon held the first annual Texas-style Groundhog Day “… in defiance of relying on the predictions of a groundhog in Pennsylvania, a foreign land have no relevance to Texas or Texans.” The armadillo named Bee Cave Bob emerged from his burrow at 12:30 pm, and his movements were interpreted by “weatherologist” Al Manack to suggest that the planting of crops should begin in three or four weeks.

Anvil’s second chance at stardom

Steve "Lips" Kudlow, guitarist and singer for the Canadian heavy metal band Anvil, jumps into the audience during a show at Emo's on Monday Jan. 25, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner, founding members of the Canadian heavy metal band Anvil, made a pact when they were 14 to rock together forever. They nearly made it big in the early 80s when they invented a new sound called speed metal. But due to bad luck they missed their chance at fame. They kept rocking in obscurity for 30 years, but never gave up hope. Now in their 50s, Lips and Robb are getting a second chance at fame thanks to the documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil.

Check out the video and the photo gallery.

Shooting at the Capitol

State Trooper Jason Melson guards the south entrance to the Capitol after a shooting on Thursday Jan. 21, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

State Troopers investigate a shooting at the Capitol on Thursday Jan. 21, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Shots rang out on the south steps of the Capitol on Thursday. No one was injured, and a suspect is in custody. The incident was quickly under control.It was all over by the time I got there. However, Vida Burtis, a photographer with a studio across the street from the Capitol, got an amazing series of photos of the suspect being arrested. Check them out here.

Longtime photographer plans to keep on clicking

Longtime Associated Press photojournalist Harry Cabluck gets ready to photograph the UT vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi basketball game at the Erwin Center on Saturday Jan. 2, 2010. Photo by Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Harry Cabluck, a longtime Associated Press photojournalist and friend of the Statesman photo department, was laid off from the AP in December after four decades on the job.  He’s not going to let that stop him from doing what he loves.  Cabluck, 71, is starting his freelance photography career.

Read the Statesman’s profile of Harry Cabluck.

See a photo gallery of some of Harry’s favorite photos.

Alabama beats Texas in the National Championship Game

Alabama running back Mark Ingram celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown over Texas at the National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Thursday Jan. 7, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Alabama's Eryk Anders sacks Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert fourth quarter at the National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Thursday Jan. 7, 2010. Alabama recovered the fumble to seal the win. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Alabama running back Mark Ingram gets past UT defenders Aaron Williams, left, and Emmanuel Acho for a fourth quarter touchdown at the National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Thursday Jan. 7, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy is injured on this play in the first quarter against Alabama at the National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Thursday Jan. 7, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy stands on the sidelines in the third quarter against Alabama at the National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Thursday Jan. 7, 2010. McCoy was knocked out of the game early in the first quarter. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin Amrican-Statesman

UT wide receiver Jordan Shipley catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Garrett Gilbert in the fourth quarter against Alabama at the National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Thursday Jan. 7, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

UT safety Earl Thomas knocks out of bounds Alabama running back Mark Ingram in the first quarter at the National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Thursday Jan. 7, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy walks off the field after losing to Alabama at the National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Thursday Jan. 7, 2010. It was McCoy's last game as a Longhorn. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

UT’s Tray Allen walks off the field after losing to Alabama at the National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Thursday Jan. 7, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Alabama student Robbie Meintzer, left, and UT student, Robert Dupriest, get in a shouting match about whose team is better at the National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Thursday Jan. 7, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Having some fun before the National Championship Game

Beverly Brewer of Luling, and her son J.R. Nelson, 19, keep their horns up while riding a roller coaster at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California, on Wednesday Jan. 6, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The University of Texas Marching Band marches through Universal Studios Hollywood on Wednesday Jan. 6, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Bevo’s long journey to the National Championship Game

After a four-day 1400-mile road trip, Bevo and four of his Silver Spurs handlers arrived in the Los Angeles area for the Texas vs. Alabama National Championship Game Tuesday night. Photos by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Media Day at the National Championship Game

Texas offensive lineman Charlie Tanner joins other reporters in interviewing quarterback Colt McCoy during Media Day at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Beach, California, on Tuesday Jan. 5, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas wide receiver Malcolm Williams eyes the National Championship Coaches' Trophy during Media Day at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Beach, California, on Tuesday Jan. 5, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas coach Mack Brown talks to reporters during Media Day at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Beach, California, on Tuesday Jan. 5, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Preparations under way at the Rose Bowl

Preparations are under way at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, for the National Championship game between Texas and Alabama. Photos by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman