Mike Yoder / LJWorld.com

Staff

Mike Yoder (Chief Photographer)

I grew up in Kansas City, MO, where I attended Grandview High School.

I received a bachelor's degree in communication from Goshen College, IN. in 1978. Since I had earned an FCC radio license in school and spun actual records for a late night radio music show I initially considered a radio career. Instead, a photo internship at the Elkhart Truth newspaper in Elkhart, IN. convinced me to pursue a career in photojournalism. I choose Ball State University in Munice, Indiana, David Letterman's alma mater. Prior to completing my master's degree in journalism however, my first wife and I formed a bluegrass band and with 2 other musicians and toured Europe for six weeks with a folk dance troupe. In 1983 I received my degree and with a portfolio of photographs in hand I started looking for a job. Several months later I was offered a staff photography position at the Journal-World.

In my spare time I play guitar and sing with two area acoustic bands, The Alferd Packer Memorial String Band and Three Bean Salad. With the two bands I've recorded six albums of music and traveled extensively throughout the state to perform. I've even been know to write songs for the bands from time to time and managed to win a couple first place songwriting awards at the annual Walnut Valley Music Festival in Winfield, KS. You can sometimes find my on long-distant bicycle rides. I've done the Bike Across Kansas two times, a four-day bike ride through the Black Hills of South Dakota twice and a recent Cottonwood 200 spin through the Flint Hills. In 2008 I married Karen Seibel, a long-time Lawrence resident and local yoga instructor. We live in an 1880's house in Old East Lawrence and have been re-modeling and slowly bringing the house back to shape. We have three cats, two cars, one screened porch and tons of books. We enjoy traveling and then creating books from our trips. Currently we have self-published books on trips to South Dakota, the Sandhill Crane country in Nebraska and the hot springs area of New Mexico. In 2007 I published a book celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Vinland Fair in Douglas County after spending nearly 25 years documenting the community event.

Recent stories

Behind the Lens: Many factors contribute to why photos don’t appear in the paper: By Mike Yoder; November 15, 2009; For two years in the mid-1950s, Swiss photographer Robert Frank traveled across the country taking photographs.
Behind the Lens: ‘Deals’ on cameras may depend on accessories: By Mike Yoder; November 8, 2009; With the holidays approaching, you might be looking to buy a new camera. When possible, I shop at camera stores or retailers that have models I’m interested in on display.
Behind the Lens: Online sites make it simple to self-publish a photo book: By Mike Yoder; November 1, 2009; Two years ago, I wrote about self-publishing your own photo book.
Behind the Lens: Prevent camera shake in photos: By Mike Yoder; October 25, 2009; I spent last week on vacation traveling through parts of the Southeast.
Behind the Lens: Top photography workshops will inspire you: By Mike Yoder; October 11, 2009; There’s nothing like a good workshop to inspire your photography. Not only can workshops teach you new techniques and provide great motivation, but they can help you quickly find out how your work compares with other dedicated photographers.
Behind the Lens: Longtime passion for projects pays off: By Mike Yoder; October 4, 2009; I hope last week’s column provided an impetus for many of you to create a collection of images in the form of a photography project.
Behind the Lens: Book project can capture love of photography: By Mike Yoder; September 27, 2009; We get a lot of nice comments from readers regarding this column.
Behind the Lens: Photography can create optical illusions: By Mike Yoder; September 13, 2009; I had a phone message at work Tuesday from an observant reader who believed the Journal-World’s Image of the Day on Sept. 8, page 3A, titled “Airborne obstacle course,” was doctored. I quickly grabbed an issue to checked it out. The Associated Press photograph showed a paraglider floating by two wind turbines in Germany. It appears that the blade of the turbine in the photo’s background is overlapping the blades of the one in the foreground.
Behind the Lens: High school football games pose challenges to photographers: By Mike Yoder; September 6, 2009; Last week, I provided tips on taking photographs of indoor, non-sports school activities.
Behind the Lens: Photography 101 for school pictures: By Mike Yoder; August 30, 2009; School is back in session, and that means it won’t be long before the start of school plays, concerts and athletic events.

Full story list

Recent photos

Kansas University student Stephanie Crawford studies at Anschutz Library. The Shawnee sophomore expects transition time going home for holidays, particularly because her family is renovating their house.

Workers with Wilcott Construction Inc., Kansas City, MO., lower steel beams into the roof of St. Luke AME church, 9th and New York St, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009. After more than five years of fundraising, work is underway to install a new steel cross-gable arch to stabilize the historic church.

Mike Wilkins with Wilcott Construction Inc., Kansas City, MO., views the interior of St. Luke AME church, 9th and New York St, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009. After more than five years of fundraising, work is underway to install a new steel cross-gable arch to stabilize the historic church. The dropped ceiling will be removed and the original tin ceiling will be restored as part of the restoration project.

Virginia Hamm, a member of St. Luke AME church and a church steward, takes photographs of the building Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, as reconstruction begins on the historic church.

Full photo list