PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography is something I am still getting familiar with, but the feeling I get when capturing a good photo has become a new thrill of mine. Here are photos I have taken for stories and photo galleries.
Billy Ward Sr. and his wife, Mary, had their blood pressure checked and walked multiple laps in the Muncie Mall Feb. 23, 2023. “It’s healthy to have these events. On Fridays, they bring doughnuts and coffee,” Ward Sr. said. “It’s safe out here. I’m glad they let us walk inside when the weather is bad.” Photo by Sumayyah Muhammad.
Jack Sharpe gets his blood pressure checked by Erica Boggs, an IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital employee Feb. 23, 2023. Sharpe and his wife, Phyllis, walk in the Muncie Mall every day for their daily exercise. Photo by Sumayyah Muhammad.
The Healthy Lifestyle Center partnered with IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital for the community to get free blood pressure tests and to learn other information on health from Open Door Health Services and IU Health Ball Memorial Bariatric Center. “Sharing our own experiences with preventative exams can help someone else feel comfortable scheduling their own,” said Suzanne Clem, vice president of community engagement at Open Door Health Services. Photo by Sumayyah Muhammad.
Billy Ward Sr. and his wife, Mary, had their blood pressure checked and walked multiple laps in the Muncie Mall Feb. 23, 2023. “It’s healthy to have these events. On Fridays, they bring doughnuts and coffee,” Ward Sr. said. “It’s safe out here. I’m glad they let us walk inside when the weather is bad.” Photo by Sumayyah Muhammad.
Free blood pressure checks at the Muncie Mall
Feb. 2023
Indiana University Ball Memorial Hospital hosted free blood pressure checks at the Muncie Mall. I was also able to speak with locals who take daily walks inside the Muncie Mall.
Serena Thompson has a tattoo of three hearts on her left shoulder. These three hearts represent her ability to always find three things she likes about herself. According to Serena, those three things are always changing.
Audrey Turley shares a tattoo of three fireflies with her roommate and friend Elly Cleland. The tattoo is inspired by Turley’s favorite book, ‘Where The Crawdads Sing.’ “The fireflies in the book represent taking your power back and that’s what it means to me too,” Turley says.
Meghan Sommers, 23, has a scenery tattoo of a camping spot on her left forearm for her love of camping. “I like to look down and be reminded of my love for nature when I’m having a bad day,” Sommers says.
Serena Thompson has a tattoo of three hearts on her left shoulder. These three hearts represent her ability to always find three things she likes about herself. According to Serena, those three things are always changing.
Tattoos Can Tell A Story
Jan. 2023
I've always believed tattoos can be a form of art and as a tatted person myself, some tattoos have a deep meaning behind them. I had the chance to talk with five tatted students at Ball State so they could share the stories behind their most meaningful tattoos.
Casey’s Cakes is located at 7300 N. Walnut Street, Nov. 17, 2021. Customers can order treats online at Toomey’s website https://caseyscakesllc.square.site/ and can pick up their orders at the door. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Casey Toomey and Carrie Johnson bake sugar cookies Nov. 17, 2021. Johnson and Toomey plan to have a grand opening of their bakery in the spring. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Casey Toomey takes out a cookie sheet with sugar cookies from the oven Nov. 17, 2021. Toomey said she started hosting cookie decorating classes to bring something to Muncie for people to do. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Casey’s Cakes is located at 7300 N. Walnut Street, Nov. 17, 2021. Customers can order treats online at Toomey’s website https://caseyscakesllc.square.site/ and can pick up their orders at the door. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Casey's Cakes
November 2021
While Casey Toomey was preparing to open her bakery to the public, I was able to get a few pictures of Toomey and her co-owner, Carrie Johnson baking cookies at Casey's Cakes.
The second section of the “Memories & Inspiration'' exhibition titled, “Experiences & Remembrances,” Oct. 28. Director of the David Owsley Museum of Art, Robert LaFrance said the works of art in this section represent personal memories of the Davises and of the experience of many African Americans from their generation. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Robert LaFrance, director of the David Owsley Museum of Art, said the fourth section, “Non-objective and Abstraction,” features work from Sam Gilliam, Alma Thomas and Romare Bearden. LaFrance said these artists relied on the “universal language” of art like form, color, line and shape in order to communicate universal messages. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Amalia Amaki’s button-based piece, “JL: The Ring,” shares the story of African American boxer Joe Louis Oct. 28. To those who visit the exhibition, Amaki said she wants viewers to rethink how celebrities are portrayed in the media. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
The second section of the “Memories & Inspiration'' exhibition titled, “Experiences & Remembrances,” Oct. 28. Director of the David Owsley Museum of Art, Robert LaFrance said the works of art in this section represent personal memories of the Davises and of the experience of many African Americans from their generation. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
"Memories & Inspiration" Exhibition
October 2021
Kerry and Betty Davis' African American collection is the newest featured exhibition at the David Owsley Museum of Art at Ball State. I took photos of the exhibition for my story on the Davises.
Korrine Miller (left) and Missy Barrett (right) serve participants drinks at the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie for the Just Desserts fundraiser Sept. 25. Barrett said the SMART Girls program is important so young girls can learn to be comfortable with themselves.
Jason Newman, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Muncie, welcomes those who attended the Just Desserts fundraiser Sept. 25. Proceeds will go to SMART Girls, a program that will teach young women about health, fitness, prevention and decision-making.
Lola Mauer, a board member of Boys & Girls Club of Muncie, announced that $22,827.98 was the total amount raised at the Just Desserts fundraiser Sept. 25. Maur brought her mother along with her to raise money for the SMART Girls program for young women in the Muncie community.
Korrine Miller (left) and Missy Barrett (right) serve participants drinks at the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie for the Just Desserts fundraiser Sept. 25. Barrett said the SMART Girls program is important so young girls can learn to be comfortable with themselves.
Just Desserts Fundraiser
September 2021
This year's theme of the Just Desserts fundraiser at the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie was "SMART Girls: Empowering Women."
I attended this event to take pictures for a fellow Daily News reporter, Elissa Maudlin.
Arts and crafts and food vendors including Purdylicious and Dippin Dots were among the festivities at the Old Washington Street Festival Sept. 18, 2021. Locals were able to purchase tickets to tour some of Muncie's most historic homes including The Home of Emily Kimbourgh, The Moore-House Museum and The North Church Venue. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN.
Married Folk performs at the Old Washington Street Festival Sept. 18, 2021. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Jaylah, 7, gets cat ears painted on her face Sept. 18, 2021. Jaylah came to the Old Washington Street festival with her little sister, Jaycee. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Arts and crafts and food vendors including Purdylicious and Dippin Dots were among the festivities at the Old Washington Street Festival Sept. 18, 2021. Locals were able to purchase tickets to tour some of Muncie's most historic homes including The Home of Emily Kimbourgh, The Moore-House Museum and The North Church Venue. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN.
Old Washington Street Festival
September 2021
Vendors and visitors filled the streets of The Emily Kimbourgh Historic District in Muncie for the Old Washington Street Festival. The sun was shining through a canopy of trees as temperatures rose to 90 degrees while vendors sold their handmade crafts such as soy wax melts, ceramic pottery and journals.
From left to right, Matilda, Swiss and Imogen, three of the seven Nigerian Dwarf goats Erica Markley raises on her farm, graze Aug. 18, 2021. Nigerian Dwarf goats are a more manageable breed, Markley said, and their stature allow them to produce just enough milk for a small family. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Erica Markley gives a kiss to Barnaby, one of her Nigerian Dwarf goats, on her farm in Gaston, Indiana, Aug. 18, 2021. Aside from being a farmer, Markley paints landscapes on miniature canvases that she sells on her Etsy page, MarkleyFarms. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Erica Markley poses in front of her farmhouse Aug. 18, 2021.
From left to right, Matilda, Swiss and Imogen, three of the seven Nigerian Dwarf goats Erica Markley raises on her farm, graze Aug. 18, 2021. Nigerian Dwarf goats are a more manageable breed, Markley said, and their stature allow them to produce just enough milk for a small family. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Erica Markley's Farm
August 2021
I had the pleasure of visiting Erica Markley's farm in Gaston, Indiana, when I was writing a story about her goat milk soap business. I got to meet Imogen, the goat who produces the most milk for Markley.
Alexis Smith colors Brittany Mayer's hair at Hot Heads Hair Design on McGalliard Road March 30, 2021. Tena Rees, owner of Hot Heads Hair Design, also opened Hot Heads on Campus after Ball State's barber, Benny Benefield, retired in 2016. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Amber Wesley curls Amanda Daily’s hair at Hot Heads On Campus March 30, 2021. Wesley said she’s worked on campus for six years and loves getting to meet new people every day. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN.
First time customer at Meraki Style Studio, Ravyn Brown, gets her hair washed by Teanna Lorrison before her loc retwist March 12, 2021. Because clients share a lot of things dear to them, Hopkins said he gets attached to his clients and that he thinks of them as family. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN.
Alexis Smith colors Brittany Mayer's hair at Hot Heads Hair Design on McGalliard Road March 30, 2021. Tena Rees, owner of Hot Heads Hair Design, also opened Hot Heads on Campus after Ball State's barber, Benny Benefield, retired in 2016. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Meraki Style Studio and Hot Heads on Campus
March 2021
For my story on local hair stylist working with COVID-19 restrictions, I took photos at two hair salons in Muncie: Meraki Style Studio and Hot Heads on Campus.
Using the cell culture hood, Siara Sandwith supplies the cells with nutrients by maintaining an optimal density so the cells can keep growing Sept. 21, 2020, at the Cooper Physical Science Building. Before sitting down to work, Sandwith uses an ethanol spray to disinfect her lab coat. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Siara Sandwith uses the microscope to evaluate if the cells are growing healthy Sept. 21, 2020, at the Cooper Physical Science Building. Sandwith also uses the microscope to check if the dish of cells is becoming too dense. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Using the cell culture hood, Siara Sandwith supplies the cells with nutrients by maintaining an optimal density so the cells can keep growing Sept. 21, 2020, at the Cooper Physical Science Building. Before sitting down to work, Sandwith uses an ethanol spray to disinfect her lab coat. Sumayyah Muhammad, DN
Siara Sandwith - Cooper Science Building
September 2020
The first photos I ever took with a real camera was these photos for my story on Ball State graduate, Siara Sandwith. Sandwith, who was a senior at the time, worked in the lab at the Cooper Science Building, researching genetic mutations linked with Lou Gehrig's disease.