The rest of the day in Madrid I learned about Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote who was born, lived, and is buried there in the capital city of Spain:

One short chartered plane ride later, we arrived in Fez, the second largest city in Morocco.  A UNESCO world heritage site, the old city (medina) dates back to the 700’s and is considered to be the world’s largest car free zones.  It’s made of narrow winding corridors and is an amazing sight to see!

It’s like stepping back into time knowing the walls have been around for thousands of years… but I’m still a people photographer at heart so they are still my favorite images!

Hand-made arts and crafts are a true highlight of the region.  One of my favorite stops was to a ceramic workshop where the clay is shaped, baked, hand-crafted, painted…and ultimately crafted into beautiful goods:

Another highlight is the leather tanneries.  Chouara Tannery is reportedly oldest dating as far back as the 11th century. The hides are soaked, scraped, softened, dried in the sun and then finished.  Quite a sight (and smell) to experience!

A neat day trip to Bhalil (outside of Sefrou) was really enjoyable.  Known for houses built into the hillside (caves), colorful buildings and for hand-made buttons (Jelleba Buttons):

And one last look at more images from the medina in Fes:

The next stop on the journey was Marrakech.  The hotel itself was a true highlight.  Called La Mamounia, it was a 17 acre palace!

In the heart of Marrakesh is the Jemaa el-Fnaa, the world famous medina square that dates back to 1070.

Incredible, overwhelming, exciting, ancient…but definitely touristy.  And definitely not PETA approved…

Last on the stop on the way to the airport was Casablanca.  Of course made famous from the movie with the same title, but also home to the Hassan II Mosque (or Grande Mosquée Hassan II or Casablanca Hajj).  The city is urban with polluted beaches, but on the horizon and incredibly gorgeous is the Mosque overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  Largest in Morocco and 13th largest in the world, it’s the world’s tallest minaret at 60 stories high and can hold over 100,000 worshippers at once.

Started in 1978, this event has raised over $100 million through the years and continues to be chaired by Barbara Davis!

There were an incredible number of recognizable faces that walked the red carpet to show their support… here are just a few of the diverse celebs (from music mogul Clive Davis, to Alan Thicke, Samuel L. Jackson and Carmen Electra) :

But the best part of the evening occurred on stage.  Jay Leno served as the Master of Ceremonies, and the gorgeous Sharon Stone served as the auctioneer for the live auction:

Three Brass Ring Awards were awarded…Quincy Jones presented to Jane Fonda. Carole Bayer Sager presented to David Foster, and Sherry Lansing presented the final one to Anjelica Huston.

Denzel Washington presented Sir Sidney Poitier with the Inspirational Lifetime Achievement Award and was a wonderful moment to witness:

A fun surprise was the incredibly talented voice of Quinton Aaron…actor from ‘The Blind Side”, he has an incredible voice! As does Idina Menzel and Jaime Foxx.

The fundraiser takes place every year but alternates locations between Denver and Los Angeles… Can’t wait for Denver next year! What an incredible event for a wonderful cause!

The auction itself was a giant success.  Gooding generated over $129 million in sales over the 2 day auction with an average of $1,128,606 per car!!

Some of the very best car, and people watching (outside of the Kentucky Derby) takes place on the 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance!  Here are a few pictures, and a couple of images of the ‘concept lawn’ in the front of the iconic entrance to the Pebble Beach clubhouse:

The weather was a mixture of overcast, and hazy.  In large part due to a huge fire (Soberanes) which brought the smell of smoke and piles of ash.  Hopefully the rain clouds helped the firefighters out, but for me, it means I prefer the black and white images the most!

Built in the 1750’s and nearly 500 acres to see along the Potomac River, it really is a trip worth making:

The next event took place at the Newseum, the interactive news and journalism museum just a couple of blocks from the United States Capital. There are many displays that are interesting, but just as many that are emotional.  From the 9/11 display with melted metal to the display of Pulitzer prize-winning photographs throughout the years, there are sure to be tears…

Perhaps the location what wouldn’t have been on my list of tourist attractions I would have visited was the Library of Congress. However, it sure is on my list now!  One of the most stunning buildings I’ve ever seen (especially the ceilings).  Some interesting facts include:  the nation’s first established cultural institution and the largest library in the world, the place to register a copyright and it’s open to the public and any citizen 16 and older can get a Library card and use the collections!

The corporate event concluded with a reception and private concert by the incredibly talented (and gorgeous) Leann Rimes:

Here are the two candidates, first the Republican Nominee for President, Donald Trump.  He was speaking at the Western Conservative Summit for the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University.  Sarah Palin also spoke:

In any political event (DNC, RNC, campaign stops…)  I find some of the most fascinating moments to be images of the protestors… Between the signs, and the passion, they are fun to watch, and some were pro-Trump and others anti-Trump, separated by a street and yelling at each other as the police watched carefully:

On the other side of the aisle, I also photographed the Democratic Presidential Candidate for President, Hillary Clinton on her campaign stop in Denver.  Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper accompanied her on stage:

I find these last two black and white images especially powerful.  Anti-Clinton protestors on the left, and a few faces in the crowd on the right…

The first day of the convention was contentious when emails were released showing the DNC (who is supposed to be neutral) was actively promoting Hilary Clinton while dismissing Bernie Sanders.  There were many protestors out to support Sanders, who was on the schedule to speak at the main podium later in the evening:

Night 1 began with First Lady Michelle Obama and Sen. Bernie Sanders speaking on the theme “United Together.” Here are a few images from the Wells Fargo Center at the beginning of the night:

The next night I attended featured President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden at the main podium.  I enjoyed seeing ‘Uncle Joe’ but then decided on finishing the night (and President Obama’s speech from an Irish pub):

On the final night, Hillary Clinton officially accepted the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.  I was surrounded by many foreign dignitaries who made it very clear that America’s first female nomination was a very significant moment around the world.  One of the most powerful speeches of the evening came from the father of a fallen soldier named Khizr Khan (that later became a media headline when Donald Trump was disrespectful of the speech).

It’s easier to describe the energy and emotion than it is to capture in a still photo.  From foreign dignitaries to U.S. Government officials to passionate Americans, the energy and enthusiasm was so exciting to experience and I feel lucky to have experienced my third DNC.

It was incredible to see the same smiling faces and many who remembered me!  The joy and laughter is infectious!

It’s very easy to document the work that Believe in Haiti is doing because they are impacting an entire community.  The area is called St. Roch and some the impact includes hosting a feeding program, building a community center, providing school clothing and sponsorships for education, hosting humanitarian trips and offering opportunities for service projects.  Here are a few of my favorite images showing the beauty and landscape in the area:

And this might be the most beautiful soccer field (or ‘futbol pitch’) I’ve ever seen:

The easiest way to see the impact of the non-profit is the feeding program.  Providing nutrition and sustenance to hundreds of kids several times a week, its nice to know that help is provided.  From the community event in Parker, Colorado to the mouths of these children:

Can’t wait to go back again!

One interesting concept he talked about was that it is impossible to define (or appreciate or live in..) the present, because as soon as you comprehend that it’s the present, it’s already the past…

The messages of kindness, peace, educating yourself, becoming a better version of yourself…are universal concepts.  They transcend religion and politics and seem to just make sense!  I enjoyed this opportunity immensely!

The weekend begins with a spectacular red carpet entrance into the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse in Ponte Vedra, Florida for a gala dinner and program:

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the weekend is the very diverse list of athletes, musicians, actors, and recognizable faces that attend to support Tim Tebow and the foundation!  The 2016 guests included: Marcus Allen (NFL), Paul Azinger (PGA), Bryan Callen (comedian), Jerry Cantrell (musician), Javier Colon (musician), Kristy Lee Cook (musician), Chris DiMarco (PGA), Fred Durst (musician), Hugh Freeze (College Football Coach), John Godwin (Duck Dynasty), Archie Griffin (NFL), Scott Hanson (NFL Redzone), Billy Horschel (PGA), Zach Johnson (PGA), Chipper Jones (MLB), Justin Martin (Duck Dynasty), Urban Meyer (College Football Coach), Whitney Miller (chef), The Band Perry (country music), Jase & Missy Robertson (Duck Dynasty), Al & Lisa Robertson (Duck Dynasty), Brendan Schaub (UFC), Gary Sheffield (MLB), Chris Tomlin (musician), Danny Wuerffel (NFL), Ashley Greene (actress), Ashley Benson (actress), and Anthony Mackie (actor):

There are definitely fans that attend the golf tournament, but also tons of children.  Many of them, kids that have been touched by the work of the foundation.  It’s incredible to see the smiles on their faces:

Above all, it’s amazing to see people helping others.  Tim Tebow and the Foundation are not in it for the fame or money, they are helping others, plain and simple.

What it’s all about, and the reason I enjoy photographing for such a great cause:

For more information, or how to get involved, please visit the Tim Tebow Foundation website!

My wife and I accompanied a wonderful non-profit called Believe in Haiti.  Their mission is “keeping Haitian families together through love, education, and service, while empowering individuals to rise above their current poverty level.”  On this trip, co-founders Whitney and Justin Henwood brought medical supplies for a hospital, sports jerseys for children (from the Town of Parker), maintained a feeding program for a small village (around 1,500 meals per WEEK in St. Roch), distributed cupcakes (Nomelie), site toured land for a future community center, distributed socks for the uniform of school girls, checked in on an orphanage and visited with kids they sponsor to go to school!

One of the neatest stops we made (and the location with the signs for sale in the above image) is called Papillon Enterprise.  They use fairtrade, natural and recycled materials to create jewelry and housewares from Haiti and have the mission of orphan prevention through job creation.

The colorful houses lining the hillside overlooking Port-au-Prince are so incredible!

For only $240 a YEAR, Believe in Haiti offers the opportunity to sponsor a child.  The investment (in a PERSON) covers schooling  Here are some images of from the school in St. Roch:

It was so much fun to play soccer, laugh and enjoy time with these incredible people!!

Helping is truly so very simple.  Believe in Haiti even offers many options…including fundraising, taking a humanitarian trip, orchestrating a service project, or committing to give a few dollars (sponsoring education for $240, buy 40 meals for just $24, 100 meals for $60 or a year of meals for $216)…  It is so easy to make a tremendous difference in the life of another!

For more information about Believe in Haiti, please click here.

To see the blog posts from my previous two trips to Haiti:  I’m Me – 1  and I’m Me – 2