Chicago Pride Parade 2015 | Christian K. Lee

Today I documented the 2015 Chicago Pride Parade. Illinois same-sex marriage has been legal since June 1, 2014 due to a bill that was signed by former Gov. Pat Quinn. On Friday, June 26, 2015 The Supreme Court declared that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States.

Paraders celebrates at the 46th annual Chicago Pride Parade Sunday, June 28, 2015 in the boystown neighborhood of Chicago.

Paraders celebrates in a pit of water at the Chicago Pride Parade Sunday, June 28, 2015 in the boystown neighborhood of Chicago.

Paraders celebrates around a pit of water at the Chicago Pride Parade Sunday, June 28, 2015 in the boystown neighborhood of Chicago.

A parader celebrates at the Chicago Pride Parade Sunday, June 28, 2015 in the boystown neighborhood of Chicago.

A Parader watches the 46th annual Chicago Pride Parade Sunday, June 28, 2015 in the boystown neighborhood of Chicago.

A roller derby team slaps paraders hands at the 46th annual Chicago Pride Parade Sunday, June 28, 2015 in the boystown neighborhood of Chicago.

Paraders celebrates at the Chicago Pride Parade Sunday, June 28, 2015 in the boystown neighborhood of Chicago.

Confetti remains on the ground after it is sprayed from a parade float Sunday, June 28, 2015, in Chicago. 

Paraders celebrates at the Chicago Pride Parade Sunday, June 28, 2015 in the boystown neighborhood of Chicago.

Paraders carry a Human Rights Campaign flag while celebrating at the Chicago Pride Parade Sunday, June 28, 2015 in the boystown neighborhood of Chicago.

Blackhawk Stanley Cup Final Celebration - Photo Blog

Alot has changed from the last time Ive posted a blog post.

1. I traveled to New York City for The New York Times Portfolio Review (It was amazing)

2. I submitted my application for The Eddie Adams Workshop ( I really hope I get in, but if I dont I will just regroup and apply next year)

3. At the end of this week, I will be completing my 3rd week as an intern at the Associated Press. (I am blessed that I have the opportunity to learn and contribute to AP.  Staffers such as Charles Rex Arbogast have taught me things that I am excited to put to use in my professional career.) 

4. Started on a personal project, so look forward to it.

SO NOW FOR THE BLACKHAWK STANLEY CUP FINAL COVERAGE ... .. .

Last night I documented hows fans cheered on their favorite team in Chicago. I photographed images on the CTA Red Line train, in bars and in the streets of the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago. Last night reminded me why I love photojournalism. Its not because of the joy of capturing a pretty image (although that is nice), it is more about telling the stories of people. While shooting last night it dawned on me several times that I was documenting history. Capturing moments that will never happen again. That is why photojournalism matters because we are the true visual historians. Images are posted below.

Chicago Blackhawks fan Broderick Myers, react to a scored goal by the team, Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee)

Chicago Blackhawks fans celebrate in the Wrigleyville neighborhood after the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning Monday, June 15, 2015 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee)

Chicago Blackhawks fan Maikal Yamauchi, age 18, is carried by other fans while they celebrate in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago after the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the NHL hockey Stanley Cup, Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee)

A Chicago Blackhawks fan climbs a street pole while celebrating in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago after the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the NHL hockey Stanley Cup, Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee)

Chicago Blackhawks fans commute on the CTA Red Line train to watch the team compete in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals, Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee)

Chicago Blackhawks fans celebrate while exiting the Addison exit of the CTA Red Line train. The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the NHL hockey Stanley Cup, Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee)

Chicago Blackhawks fans celebrate a goal during the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals, Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee)

Chicago Blackhawks fans celebrate a goal during the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals, Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee)

Two Chicago Blackhawks fans are detained while celebrating in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago after the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the NHL hockey Stanley Cup, Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee)

Chicago Blackhawks fans light a flare while celebrating in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago after the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the NHL hockey Stanley Cup, Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee)

A Chicago Police vehicle’s window is broken by a thrown brick as Chicago Blackhawks fans celebrate on Addison Street in the Wrigleyville neighborhood after the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning Monday, June 15, 2015 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee)

Restore The Glory Blog post

After convincing enough of the right people I finally had the go to document this project. This biggest issue I faced was access. Access to the practices, tournament and bus ride to the tournament. I had to speak with coaches, athletic administration and tournament staff then finally I had the go. I was persistent, I called many of these people everyday for a two-week span and some people I called more.

The project itself was difficult to began and difficult to continue and here’s why?  After the convincing stage was over and once I began to document I grew relationships with most of the athletes. This made it difficult to photograph them in their most vulnerable moments. It’s easy to stick a camera into the face of a complete stranger but once you know someone its much harder. I solved that issue by quickly grabbing the images I needed and allowing the athletes to have their personal space when needed. I know that they understood that I had a job to do but after I completed that job I tried my best to give them space. This way I don’t ruin a relationship with the team or the athletes themselves. This approach proved successful.

We departed from Edwardsville, Il at 10:30am on Thursday March 5 2015 and planned to arrive in North Carolina at 11:30pm. That plan was quickly brought to a halt while passing through Kentucky. Kentucky underwent a state of emergency due to inclement weather conditions and the bus company we traveled with was forced to stop driving for the night so we checked into a hotel and traveled the following morning.

After a few more hours on the road, we finally arrived to North Carolina. At this point its not too much I can say without ruining the overall story. So take a look and let me know what you think. If you took the time out to read this blog post, let me know what you think by contacting me on social media.

Follow me on twitter & Instagram @chrisklee_jpeg

Snow-day & the photohunt

Southern Illinois University students had their first snow-day of the school year on February 16 2015. I initially set out to grab at least one image that was news worthy however I ended up snapping a bit more that I thought was worth being published. I spent the day watching students scrape ice off of their vehicle as I worked a better angle from inside their car.

As i stated, initially I didnt plan to get many pictures because their was no one outside due to inclement weather. However the more I walked around the more the images revealed themselves to me. I guess today I learned their is always a good image waiting to be taken, I just have to find them.

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After wrestling in the snow, Freshman mechanical engineering major Roger Williams of St Louis, Mo is covered in snow on February 16 2015 in Edwardsville, IL.

(left to right) Freshman mechanical engineering major Roger Williams of St Louis, Mo and Freshman forensic chemistry major Josephine Rosenboom of Herscher, IL set  out to build a snowman during the first snow-day of the semester on February 16 2015 in Edwardsville, IL.

Freshman mechanical engineering major Roger Williams of St Louis, Mo wears shorts outside during the university's first snow-day on February 16 2015 in Edwardsville, IL.

Students remove snow from their car on February 16 2015 in Edwardsville, IL.

Prospective students and parents take a campus tour while the campus is shutdown for a snow-day on February 16 2015. While the tour was initially cancelled due to inclement weather, the department of admissions accommodate guests that traveled a great distance to visit the campus. Assistant director of admissions, Ryan Downey states "while we support the campus' decision to cancel classes due to inclement weather we wanted to accommodate prospective students and parents who traveled a great distance to visit our university".

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students have their first snow day of the school year on February 16 2015.

Junior engineering major Dan Shinevar of Maryville, IL remove snow and ice from his car during Southern Illinois University Edwardsville first snow day of the year on February 16 2015.

The Bloom family sleds during Southern Illinois University Edwardsville first snow day of the year on February 16 2015.

Daniel Myers sleds down a hill with her daughter in arm on February 16 2015 in Edwardsville, IL.

St Louis, Mo Mardi Gras 2015 celebration

Many people are unaware that St Louis, Mo is home to the second largest Mardi Gras celebration next to New Orleans. In fact many people are unaware that it is even celebrated outside of New Orleans. This year St Louis did not disappoint drawing large crowds. Although the weather was cold paraders still enjoyed themselves.

One of my biggest challenges was documenting the celebration in a way that was tasteful. Mardi Gras can get wild with all the drinking and nudity so I knew it would be challenging to document the celebration in a tasteful way. My solution was to figure out angles that would show the celebration but without the nudity.

Follow me on Instagram @chrisklee_jpeg & Twitter @chrisklee_jpeg

Mass Die In

SIUE Students conduct a Mass Die-In on Tue January 21 2015. The silent vigil was largely organized by two student organizations, Black Student Union and Black Girls Rock. The March which eventually led to a die-in started at the university's library and lead to a four minute silent die-in.

Cougar Wrestling 01.17.2015

SIUE Cougars suffers a 26-9 lost against Central Michigan this past Saturday. One of my goals for this year is to shoot more wrestling matches. One thing I love about shooting wresting is that the fans, athletes and coaches are intense. Intensity always makes for a great photograph.

SIUE over Tennessee State University (Men's and Women's Bball)

The SIUE Cougars started off the Spring semester with a conference win for both the Male and Women basketball teams. The Men won their 6th straight home game this Saturday with a 45-38 victory. The Lady Cougars won their game 91-83.

Landslide Win for Tigers

Thursday, December 18th I covered a wrestling Dual match. The Edwardsville Tigers faced off against the Granite City Warriors. Edwardsville High School won the 1st ten matches of the night, leading to a victory for the Tigers.