Pictures of Freedom
The red and the blue rallied this weekend to get out the vote at one of Sarasota County’s early voting locations, Gulf Gate Library. Both major parties and several candidates were represented, as were students who, while too young to participate in this election, urged voters to consider the needs of their schools.
According to the Sarasota County Elections Office, nearly 64,000 of the county’s 328,751 registered voters had cast their ballot as of Sunday, August 16, 2026, almost 46,000 by mail and nearly 18,000 in person during the early voting period.
Market Day
Tourists and locals, beggars and police. Corn, fresh flowers, empanadas and a welcome smile greet those who frequent the Sarasota Farmers Market on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Thanks to photojournalist and teacher extraordinaire Janet Combs for arranging a lesson in street photography.
An Artistic Port of Call
Thirty-five members of the Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club were invited by Plymouth Harbor to display their work in the retirement community’s gallery near St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, Fl. My photo, Morning Fog, shares wall space with some fabulous images—57 in all.
Home to 280 residents, Plymouth Harbor runs art displays throughout the year—unfortunately, they’re only open to residents. The community did invite photographers to an impressive reception on May 12. A warm thanks to the folks at Plymouth Harbor and the amazing club coordinators, Pam Truitt and Bill Mills, for bringing the exhibition to life.
The Enduring Patience of Mothers
A warm day, two active children, and a mother trying to direct them for the photographer. Davanie Sadlo had her hands full. Brilliant children, William and Harrison, but children get distracted, and tired. Davanie kept everyone on task, and managed to pose for the cameras herself, no mean feat for a busy mother on warm spring day.
Sounding the Alert
Bob Bunting believes what’s good for the environment is good for the economy. Especially so on Florida’s Suncoast, where the quality of life attracts the tourists and transplants that drive that economy. A former forecaster and researcher at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Bob founded the Sarasota-based Climate Adaptation and Mitigations Center to educate the public on the risks posed by issues like climate change and empower them to act.
From Russia with Love
When model Marianna Igorevna fronts the camera, the camera takes note. (Thanks to the amazing Janet Combs and the Sarasota School District’s ACE adult enrichment program.)
Taking it to the streets
The Sarasota, Fl. chapter of the ALS Association’s 2026 Walk to Defeat ALS drew hundreds of walkers, sponsors, and volunteers to Payne Park on April 11 in an effort to raise awareness and funds. Five photographers under the guidance of Janet Combs covered the event. Here’s my contribution to the cause.
Fair winds and fun
Food, rides, and agriculture greet visitors to the 90th edition of the Sarasota County Fair in March 2026.
Downtown, where everything’s waiting for you
Top left: Star gives a traditional farewell she learned in Thailand. Top center: Ancient meets modern near the Sarasota Garden Club. Top right: riders enjoy a trolley tour through the downtown. Middle left: planters stand guard outside the Art Ovation hotel. Middle right: Tambria Lynn models for the group in front of the Church of the Redeemer. Bottom: the spires of a sculpture reach skyward at the Art Ovation hotel. Except for the garden club photo, all images were captured on a field trip along Palm Avenue in Sarasota, Florida.