The Story Behind The Photo...
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to capture a moment that echoes with the spirit of an entire community?
On a hot summer evening at the Canyon County Fair—affectionately called “Where Memories Are Made”—I found myself chasing that feeling. The fairgrounds in Nampa, Idaho, buzzed with laughter, the beats of country music, and the irresistible aroma of kettle corn and sizzling burgers. Dust from worn boots swirled beneath neon lights as families roamed past barns displaying the legacy of Idaho’s “Treasure Valley”.
As sunset painted the sky in orange and gold, a crane hoisted the American Flag high above the crowd. Its fabric danced wildly, challenging me with every gust. My fingers fumbled with camera settings, sweat beading as I squinted through the lens, fighting the shifting light and the unpredictable breeze.
Nearby, the song of Craig Morgan rang through the air, his familiar voice pausing in reverence as he marveled at the masterpiece God had brushed across the sky. In that instant, I looked over and saw in Craig a man who had weathered storms and celebrated triumphs—a soul shaped by both pain and hope—stand silent before the beauty of our Great Creator. I felt a profound sense of admiration, not just for the music, but for his humility and for the simple act of acknowledging something far bigger than us all.
Determined to freeze this slice of Americana in that moment, as the flag rippled against the fiery sky, I held my breath, pushed the shutter and whispered a silent “Thank You”. Everything came together in an instant—the pride of a place once called New Jerusalem, the laughter, the legacy, and the struggle to create art out of chaos. I knew I had captured not just a photo that evening, but the beating heart of America.
