Before any big photo shoot, you kind of go into a panic. Since I’ve been shooting for so long it’s not really a panic anymore, but that doesn’t mean I don’t freak out a little. Getting into the court for my shift in the photo pool, first thing I shot a gray card for white balance. Doesn’t really help with flourescent + skylight on partly cloudy day with green wall behind subject.

Anyway, as I waited for Warren Jeffs to enter the courtroom and testimony to begin last week, I must have checked my exposure, white balance, and other camera settings about a million times. Put the motor on single shot so I don’t completely disrupt the courtroom with a long burst going off.

Once Warren Jeffs entered the courtroom, it got a lot easier. Kind of like jumping into a swimming pool, I got used to the temperature of the room quick. The only problem was that I had a really bad position schedule-wise. The victim of the alleged rape was on the stand testifying, and photos of her were off-limits. So I was left with Utah Assistant Attorney General Craig Barlow questioning her:

Other than that I went for close-ups of Warren Jeffs with a 300mm lens.

I like the mood of the above photo. Jeffs’ attorney Richard Wright is standing with his hands folded. Jeffs is actually reading a transcript of one of his sermons that was to be played for the court. But there’s a feeling to it.