I once thought people used the word inspiration to make what they do sound more interesting. Over the last few years I have learned it is not something lofty but something very practical and essential to surviving times when you don't think you have what it takes. I’m fortunate to have three parents. My father Donny Stevens, my mother Sarah Brigido and another mother Cheryl Stevens all whom have become very important sources of inspiration for me. Their love, loyalty, strength, encouragement and confidence spans unconditionally any distance or time of not seeing me. Every photo on this site is a result of the inspiration, love, loyalty, strength, encouragement and confidence I get from them. This photo of my father and mother is my favorite photo; I hope you enjoy the rest.
John Dray, 87, of Harrod, Ohio and his wife Charlene Dray, 78, have been married 59 years. The couple attended the Harrod Pork Rind Festival in the car John had when he began dating his wife.
Injured Marine Justin Reynolds is surrounded in prayer by (from left) his mother, Anne Reynolds; Assistant Chaplin Terry Ginther, of Leipsic, Ohio; and Justin’s sister, Kim Reynolds at The Ridge at Shawnee in Lima, Ohio. “Prayer is the only thing we’ve got,” Ginther said. Reynolds, who served two tours of duty in the Iraq war was honorably discharged after the Humvee he was riding in hit a roadside bomb, filling his legs with shrapnel in 2006. Doctors believe a virus contracted after his injures infected his brain, leaving Justin disabled but aware. Jake Stevens / The Lima News
Margarito Martinez of Mexico relaxes in a tobacco barn before work on a farm next to Ky. 849 West. In the background are Norberto Torres and Davis Martinez. The crew will leave for Mexico in December and return to Mayfield, Ky. for the planting season.
The Bottom - (from left) Paul Soul, 62, of Bowling Green, Ky. passes a bottle of gin between Pam Dixon of Bowling Green and a man who refused to give his name, to Michel Din at The Bottom. The Bottom is an illegal juke joint were friends gather to drink, gamble, and dance.
Globe of Death - Ignacio Ybarra (left) and Jimmy Earnhart (right) ride dirt bikes around Colleen Iyra during a performance in the Earnhart's Globe of Death. Ybarra said he performs these stunts hundreds of times and has no health insurance.
Tug - Farmhouse fraternity members line up in formation before the championship round of Tug-o-War at Western Kentucky University's farm. Farmhouse took first place in the event.
Bumpers - Patrons of Pacific Park, a family amusement park on the Santa Monica Pier, exit the bumper cars. Jake Stevens / Los Angeles Times
Mardi Gras Parade - A float with racing motorcycles drives by parade goers on Bishop Avenue in Oak Cliff , Texas during the first annual Mardi Gras parade of Oak Cliff on Sunday, February 22, 2009. Jake Stevens / The Dallas Morning News
High Five - Cora Dundas, 7, of Dallas, Tx. was practicing for an upcoming tournament at the Galleria in Dallas. Jake Stevens / The Dallas Morning News
John Click mentally prepares himself before embarking down a tunnel that simulates the amount of stars in the universe. Click of Wapakoneta, Ohio visited with his wife and granddaughter at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta on the 39th anniversary of the lunar moon landing. Jake Stevens / The Lima News
Butcher - Butcher, David B., is groped by fellow butchers after bringing sides of bull meat into a refrigerator truck at Plaza de Toros Monumental, a bullfighting arena in Tijuana, Mexico.
He's hitting the distance - Adam Jackson of Arkansas State hit the distance bar during the pole-vaulting competition. The Vanderbilt Invitational was on Friday in Nashville, Tenn. A standout pole-vaulter in high school, Jackson attends school on an academic scholarship and only recently tried out for the team.
Junior Lifeguards - Norberto Guerra, 16, of San Fernando Valley grabs a marker to win first place in the beach flag event during the fifth annual Battle of the Beach competition between junior lifeguards from programs conducted by the City and County of LA, at Cabrillo Beach in San Perdro on Wednesday, July 22, 2009. Jake Stevens / Los Angeles Times
Plaza de Toros -Fight - Plaza de Toros Monumental holds over 21,000 people. The ring measures 40 meters in diameter, built five meters underground. Spectators shown sit in the sun side of the ring. Spectator's seats vary in price depending on whether they are shaded or not.
Pile On - Cedar Hill teammates pile on senior Clayton Bright (far right) at mid-court after beating Duncanville in the boy's basketball regional championship at Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center in Fort Worth on Saturday, March 7, 2009. Jake Stevens / The Dallas Morning News
RNC - A protester of the National Republican Convention is dragged into police custody at the intersection of Seventh Street West and Saint Peters Street North in St. Paul, Minn.
Trampoline - Wes Hatfield of Colorado Springs gets a feel for the trampoline before his performance in Cirque Berzerk, a goth punk performance at Los Angeles Historic Park on Thursday, July 2, 2009. Jake Stevens / Los Angeles Times
Your photo’s certainly say alot! Nice Job!Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
You know the RNC one is my favorite! Great job Jake! Keep up the fantastic work!
keep up the good work man, you were always a great inspiration to me even when i was a young punk at school. I always look forward to seeing more of your stuff.
You are blessed. Enjoyed your album. When I look at your photos, it is plain to me, that you recognize inspiration on an instinctual level. You obviously see what many take for granted.
Your work is breathtaking. I am so proud to have had you in my life.
Thank you for sharing this photo. Are there more?
I was in awe of the photos of my son Justin and his girlfriend but I am absolutely amazed now that I have seen more of your work and talent. Justin’s grandfather was a combat photographer in Korea and he could not stop looking at your photos. Keep up the good works!!!