Here are some images of the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

The Derby is an awesome place for a photographer to do visual storytelling. It’s a cornucopia of culture, from the decadence of the Infield to the elegance of the Grand Stands. All walks of life can be found at Churchill on the first Saturday in May. Derby is like Prom for adults. Let’s get all dressed up and not remember it tomorrow.

My assignments this year were Hats, the First Turn, and the guy from Flushing, New York, who got to place the $100K Dream Bet. The Dream Bet is horse racing’s version of the people who try to kick a field goal during halftime of the Super Bowl. I decided to go to the Infield for my most of my hat shots, mainly because I hadn’t got to spend much time there the past few years. I’m not EVEN going to post a picture of the Jerk from Flushing. Why? Because he was a jerk! He didn’t win, and he didn’t deserve to win. As a New Yorker, he might have had a chance to win big money at the Kentucky Derby, but he totally missed the concept of what Kentucky is all about. And that is, we are nice people, so please be nice to us in return. Thank you. I was given the task of getting as many horses in my photo of the First Turn as possible, which takes away from the composition, but it’s still a great place be sitting during the race.

The Derby is an all-day-event for me. But my favorite bucket-list moment is when I’m standing on the track at the First Turn, with dirt on my knees, with my hat off, watching 165,000 people sing My Old Kentucky Home.  It doesn’t get any more Kentucky than that!

I don’t really have an explanation for this photo, other than this is one of my all-time favorite from the Infield. I call it “Fabio & Crack of Ass.” Like I said. Culture. Lots of Culture at the Kentucky Derby!