Civil War

In December of 2012 I got to shoot the reenactment of the Battle of Seccesionville in SC. They let me and my friend Chris dress up as Union soldiers and run around the battlefield with our cameras while all the action was taking place. It was an awesome experience and definitely not something you get to do everyday.

Forming up before the battle.

I always try and keep an eye out for little details that tell you just a little bit more about a scene. Hands and feet are a great way to give you just a little bit more about a person.

 A great portrait is a must. His facial expression lends itself so much to the atmosphere that I imagine would have been going on during this time period.

In the heat of battle. 

Always know what you're getting into before you go on location. Luckily I was prepared and brought ear plugs. These cannons were deafening.

The firing line, going up against the Confederate soldiers.

 This was actually pretty funny, we "died" when the guy you see in the very bottom of the shot went down. He wouldn't stop smiling (probably because I was laughing) so I had to adjust my shot to keep his face out of frame. I think the shot still turned out nicely though. The chaos is still felt.

Refueling

On my refueling missions over Afghanistan one of the crew members sons had Downs syndrome and this toy car was a way that he could identify with what his dad does for a living.

Crew performing pre-flight checks.

Refueling the fight.

Belgian F-16 pilot showing some love. I was laying across the refueling panel like the dashboard in a car to get this shot. I'd say it was worth it!

The Belgians gave us a little show before they left. Performing a little "split break" over Afghanistan!

John

I first met John Mangarelli in 2011. I saw him walking down the street with his cross in hand--so I parked and chased him down the sidewalk (he probably thought I was crazy). I explained my intentions and he agreed that I could follow him around and document his story.

Most people that I had talked to thought that he was homeless and that he was not right in the head but after speaking with him I learned he was just like everyone else except for one small detail. God had spoken to him and sent him on a mission to spread his word in a special way. 

John was an electrician by day, but by night he stood on various overpasses around the city of Charleston, SC with a wooden cross he had made by hand and waved to passing cars. 

It may seem a bit strange but John told me that he had stopped three people from taking their own lives. They came up to the overpass to jump and they would see John and take it as a sign from God that they had more to live for. 

I've never met anyone as dedicated to something based strictly on faith as John, and I'm not sure I ever will again. 

Dubai

Flying over Dubai was incredible! These photos don't do it justice. We were in the back of a KC-10 Extender and they let us open up the refueling window and take in the view.

Palm Island

Burj Al Arab

Burj Dubai

Flaming piano

Preparation and a water bottle full of gasoline is what made this shoot possible. We found this old piano for free on Craigslist. We'd scouted out this abandoned street and decided "magic hour" was the perfect time to shoot. We used a Nikon D3 and six flashes daisy-chained together with Nikon's speed light system and this is what we came up with. All I said was "Robbie, act like your on fire!" He didn't disappoint.

Beast Master

I can't be sure, but I think the falcon is over this gig!

Iraq

In the beginning of 2009 I was sent on my very first deployment. I was going to work with a group of special operations troops doing kill/capture missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. I had no idea what to expect, to say I was nervous at first would be an understatement but you have to find your courage and man up rather quickly in those situations. I loved the experience I gained from the whole situation and wouldn't trade it for anything. I got to work with some of the best trained military members in the world and I'm forever grateful for the opportunity. This is just a small collection of my first few missions.

I wasn't exactly nervous the first time I followed the team into a house, I felt a sense of excitement capturing everything that was happening--you never knew what to expect.

Looking down the hall, I saw the door on the floor and among all these soldiers a fake flower hanging from the ceiling. I just remember it standing out to me and I have no idea why.

Whenever I wasn't documenting I'd help out where I could. Pulling security to help the team out, as they say "if you're not an asset then you're a liability."

Silhouettes or shadows were all we were on our way to "bang" targets.

I remember thinking how devastated the town looked, that and all the stray dogs barking, it was almost unsettling but you get over that feeling rather quickly when you're in the moment.

Pulling security.

We usually travel in small teams as combat photographer/videographers. I looked over and saw this great shot of my partner Jeff behind our First Sergeant and you can't not take the shot.

Whenever possible I'd try and play around and make something creative in the middle of whatever we were doing, just a new way to present the events of the night. This was my first ever attempt at rack focus and I was pretty proud of myself.

This is what was waiting for us behind the gate. You can never be too careful or take too many chances, everyone is a possible threat at first.

More security.

Everything was so fast paced and precise. I was always in awe of how quickly and effectively everything took place. These guys train their asses off and it definitely shows.

Even in the middle of it all you find beautiful moments pulling rooftop security.

Afghan Infant

War is many things to many people, but to me it will forever be this photo. 

   I remember looking over and it being surreal--seeing this Afghan infant looking so peaceful and content. Beauty amidst chaos is the only real way of describing it.