The Heartless Bastards

 

The Heartless Bastards are left to right: Mark Nathan, Erika Wennerstrom, Dave Colvin and Jesse Ebaugh. Photographed at the G&S Lounge in Austin on Friday Jan. 16, 2009. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The Heartless Bastards are a cool band from Austin via Cincinnati.  I was struggling to find a location for the portrait on short notice when I asked the band for ideas.  They said they like the dive bar G&S Lounge.  It has a perfect South Austin vibe,  and luckily I was able to get permission.   You can check them out on Letterman on Feb. 10.

Bikers lobby lawmakers

 

Hundreds of bikers from all over Texas enter the Capitol to lobby their representatives for their causes on Monday Jan. 26, 2009. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

 

Willie Paredez of New Braunfels joined hundreds of other bikers at the Capitol on Monday Jan. 26, 2009. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Hundreds of bikers from all over Texas came to the Capitol to lobby their representatives for their causes.  It was a fun event to cover because of all the interesting characters and the contrast between the free-wheeling bikers and the buttoned down Capitol crowd.

And speaking of that… I bumped into my old friend Ryan from high school who I haven’t seen in more than 20 years.  He is in the Iron Wolves Motorcycle Club in Bryan, Texas.  I have never felt so square in my coat and tie.  

 

That's me on the right with my old friend Ryan of the Iron Wolves Motorcycle Club.

Pro-Life Rally

 

Pro-life activist Rick Ellis, left, of Waco, is yelled at by a group of ARA Antifa activists at Republic Square Park pro-life rally on Saturday Jan. 24, 2009. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

 

Brenda Swinney, of Paige, Texas, and Tara McAdams, of Rosanky, Texas, cheer during Gov. Rick Perry's speech at the pro-life rally at the Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Saturday Jan. 24, 2009. Thousands from around the state attended the demonstration. Photo by Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The annual pro-life rally in Austin draws thousands of activists from all over Texas.  Since Austin is the state capital, we get our fair share of protests around here.  But the annual pro-life rally is bigger and more passionate than most.  You can see more photos in the Statesman’s photo gallery here.

Austin reacts to Obama’s inauguration

Brandi Weber, Jenny Pitts, Cathy Jackson and Patsy Johnson cheer at the Victory Grill on Tuesday Jan. 20, 2009, as Barack Obama takes the oath of office. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

 

Christy and Todd Wilkens rejoice in the inauguration of President Barack Obama at the Victory Grill on Tuesday Jan. 20, 2009. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

We had staff photographers fanned out across the city today to photograph people watching President Barack Obama’s inauguration on TV.  My assignment was at the Victory Grill where there was a rather small but passionate crowd.  You can see our audio slideshow here.  Or if you prefer you can view our photo gallery without sound here.

Barack Obama

Stephanie Slone, 30, touches Barack Obama's face at a rally at the Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Friday Feb. 22, 2008. Tens of thousands attended the rally. "When he came out to the crowd I started crying. He hugged me and I cried some more," she said. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Last February during the Texas primary campaign season I photographed a Barack Obama rally in Austin.  Thousands of people crammed in front of the Capitol to listen to Obama’s message.  After the speech he stepped down from the stage to shake hands with his supporters.  At one point a woman reached out and gently touched  Obama’s face.  I knew I had my Page 1 photo.   Nearly a year later the Austin American-Statesman tracked down the woman to learn her identity and hear her story.  You can watch the video here.  It is a good reminder of the power of our photographs to not only convey a message to a mass audience but also touch an individual in a meaningful way.

A New Texas Speaker of the House

 

Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus, right, talks to former Speaker Tom Craddick in the House Chamber on Thursday Jan. 15, 2009. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

While covering the Legislature on Thursday I caught this moment between former Texas Speaker of the House Tom Craddick and current Speaker Joe Sraus who ousted him last week.

American Gladiator Champion Ally Davidson

 

"American Gladiator" champion Ally Davidson. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Read all about her (here).

Texas beats Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl

 

Texas wide receiver Quan Cosby leaps into the endzone for the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter against Ohio State at the Fiesta Bowl at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ, on Monday Jan. 5, 2009. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

In a wild come-from-behind finish Texas beat Ohio State 24-21 in the Fiesta Bowl.  The Austin American-Statesman’s complete photo gallery (here) features the work of my co-workers Deborah Cannon and Ralph Barrera.  It was my first assignment of 2009 and an exciting way to start the new year. 

UT's Roy Miller pressures Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the fourth quarter at the Fiesta Bowl. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

 

UT's Roy Miller sacks Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the third quarter at the Fiesta Bowl. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

 

UT wide receiver Quan Cosby celebrates a third quarter touchdown against Ohio State at the Fiesta Bowl. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

 

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy celebrates wide receiver Quan Cosby's third quarter touchdown against Ohio State at the Fiesta Bowl. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

 

UT's Roy Miller, left, gets emotional as teammate Greg Smith celebrates after beating Ohio State at the Fiesta Bowl. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

 

The Longhorns celebrate their win over Ohio State at the Fiesta Bowl. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

 

UT's Roy Miller celebrates the win over Ohio State at the Fiesta Bowl. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

My view of the zoo

 

San Antonio Zoo, Jan. 2, 2009. Photo by Jay Janner

 

San Antonio Zoo, Jan. 2, 2009. Photo by Jay Janner

 

San Antonio Zoo, Jan. 2, 2009. Photo by Jay Janner

 

San Antonio Zoo, Jan. 2, 2009. Photo by Jay Janner

San Antonio Zoo, Jan. 2, 2009. Photo by Jay Janner

 

San Antonio Zoo, Jan. 2, 2009. Photo by Jay Janner