Picture Kentucky 2011: Jackson, Ky.

Two dozen students and award-winning photojournalists spend five days telling the story of the people of Jackson, Ky. -- a Breathitt County community 90 miles southeast of Lexington. The workshop is held each fall by the Kentucky Kernel, the independent student newspaper of the University of Kentucky.

The workshops staffers and I spent the week following the students and having a little fun in the process. I always look forward to Picture Kentucky because it allows me to surround myself with inspiring photographers and help students discover a path in documentary photography.

Related: Get that FI-YAAAA! | jonathanpalmer.net

How would you define your story?

Four months on the job and I've been lucky to be a part of emotional storytelling. We just launched our new demo reel, finished rebranding for 2011 and designed a new website at www.kertiscreative.com. If you get a chance, check out what we are up to and spread the word!

We are a team of individuals – just like your clients. We are storytellers, brand developers, and overall curious people. We believe in stories. Stories that help you become more visible to your audiences. Stories that let you connect with the communities and consumers you seek. And stories that entertain, inform and move. We’ve done it on TV and for Fortune 500 companies, on the web and for the folks next door. Now let us do it for you. KertisCreative.com

Your stories. Your words. Your story is your brand. Your brand is what you mean to your community. Your community is your audience – and your biggest critics. We help you define, plan and tell your story.

Back To Maine

I'm happy to be back on the schedule for the 2011 Maine Media Workshops. I will teach multimedia distribution June 26-July 2 in Rockport. 

Visual storytelling is no longer confined to one screen, TV networks or even websites. The work we create and the stories we tell can be seen on smartphones, iPads, flat screen touch panels at trades shows -- the possibilities are growing every month.

Journalists have never before had the number of outlets to publish media available to us today. We'll cover exporting workflows, including Quicktime compression, Flash formats and streaming video. The class will look at the incorporation of content into websites and basic DVD authoring.

We'll also take a stab at Design, typography and branding and they apply to publishing and self-promotion. Additionally, students will learn how social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn can bolster the visibility of documentary work.

Check out the Maine Media site to register.

Say Hello

After joining the fine artists at Hands Up Visuals last month, where I'm now booking all my documentary wedding work, I thought to myself: why stop there?

I'm leaving my position as a reporter at The Courier-Journal effective Jan. 7 to become a producer at Kertis Creative, a media strategy and development company with operations in Louisville and Nashville.

The company was founded by Emmy Award-winning videographer Stephen Kertis who has produced work for PBS, MTV and General Electric.

Stephen is committed to storytelling in all its forms, which greatly appealed to me as a journalist. He has a lot of big plans for 2011 and I'm thrilled to be a part of them.

Fun times are being chronicled on the company's Facebook page. And the company is launching a new website soon. Say hello!

The Kertis Creative team edit reel from last year is below. The team worked on a ton of innovative projects in 2010 and shot a lot of cool video, so look for the new one soon.

Mountain Workshops 2010: Glendale Geppetto

For 15 years, Hardin "Sonny" Hatfield has made toys by hand. His favorite subjects are characters from Mickey Mouse and Popeye cartoons. - By Derek PooreOf the two picture stories I produced this year at Mountain Workshops, my favorite was about a gentle toymaker in Glendale, Ky. Hardin "Sonny" Hatfield talked my ear off -- and I loved it.

He told me about the Army during World War II. He told me about his extensive vintage toy collection -- he had a story for each piece. He told me about the restaurant he used to run, and the toy museum he used to operate and the antique store he still owns.

And he let me into his life, only for a few days, but I was grateful.

For 15 years, he has made toys by hand. His favorite subjects are characters from Mickey Mouse and Popeye cartoons.

View the full picture story