"Ready or not, here it comes! Another year, another Doo Dah!" can be heard through a megaphone as the start of the 2013 Doo Dah Parade passes by in the Short North of Columbus, Ohio. I have never been to the Doo Dah, yet have always heard such intriguing tid bits about it that I couldn't pass it up this 4th of July! The annual Doo Dah Parade can best be described through the self-proclaimed description from the organization's website, 

"Celebrate Liverty and Lunacy! Off the wall range of mischiefs, grounded super heroes, political debacles, homegrown satirists, and the bohemian frolickers winding thru the Short North. Watch or March in the Craziest Parade in History!"

The month of June was a busy one for us at Outlook Columbus Magazine. Not only is June chock full of events and fun in the sun, it is also Pride month! This month my photography ranged from the Human Campaign Rights Gala and politicians to makeovers and portraits of chefs and restaurant owners. 

Shooting for our July issue of Outlook, we focused on the food scene in Columbus. I was assigned my first complete story in the magazine! I chose to conduct eight question and answer sessions with restaurant owners, chefs, chocolatiers, and bakers around the area. I hoped to give a little personality to each shop, along with a deeper look into the lives of the LGBT individuals we profiled.

Here's some from the Human Rights Campaign 30th Gala event. It was amazing to just be at the event, where each place at the table is $200. The event was black tie and the evening was filled with silent auctions, speakers, and tales of years past. Because it was the thirtieth anniversary, much of the evening focused on how much the HRC has grown in Columbus over the past three decades.

The next photo is from Outlook Media's yearly event, Out With Our Elected Officials hosted at La Fogata on High. Here, Mayor Mike B. Coleman is hugging Ohio State Senator Nina Turner, who recently announced her candidacy for Ohio Secretary of State this June. 

The next few are images I selected from Stonewall Columbus' Pride weekend. One of my favorite weekends of the year, Columbus Pride highlights everything I love about this city. The amount of love and support during that weekend alone is enough to keep you happy for weeks to come.

And finally, on to FOOD! Everyone's favorite topic. I've never taken food pictures before, so I hope they look as appetizing as they smelled. I also included a few little details from the restaurants that I just loved.

This summer I am working for Outlook Media, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio! Outlook is home to Ohio's largest progressive, urban voice in the form of Outlook Columbus Magazine and Live! Local Columbus.

Here is just a sample of images I have taken throughout the month of May!

Outside the Network Columbus event at the Scioto Downs Racino.

Sunday Funday at the Pint House, a service industry event hosted by Outlook Media.

In Silent Movies performs at the Columbus Music Showdown at the Bluestone hosted by Live Local! Columbus.

A portrait of Rick Carter I took for the June issue of Outlook Magazine.

Intern Asher gets a makeover for the June issue. Brian Hawkins wrote his own article about his work at Salon Lofts.

She Bears performs at the Columbus Music Showdown at the Bluestone in Columbus, Ohio.

Check out our July issue of Outlook Columbus Magazine for all your Pride month information!