Another month in the books for 2017. Shot lots of portraits this month as well as some NFL Draft watch parties, where I got to see homegrown East Texans realize their dream of being picked to play in the NFL. All in all, it was a good month, and I'm looking forward to what the summer brings for some colorful, fun-filled assignments. - CP Joe Simalonda poses for a portrait after performing during Praise Fest at T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza in Tyler, Texas, on Saturday, April 15, 2017. Simalonda is a Christian singer from Zambia who has been writing and performing music for a decade and is currently a student at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary. He hopes his music inspires positive change: “By the time someone is done listening to my song, I want them to think, ‘God, what do you want me to do? What place do you want me to go?’ I want people to have that hunger for God and to be who God has called them to be.” Robert E. Lee drill team member Angie Ochoa, second from right, smiles during a Tyler Proud rally at First Christian Church in Tyler, Texas, on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. The rally was held to support renovations at Robert E. Lee as part of the May 6 bond election. A man prepares to rope a young steer during the fifth annual 1836 Chuckwagon Race presented by Diamond Ranch in Neches, Texas, on Friday, April 21, 2017. Hundreds came to the event to see cattle roping, horse racing, live music and more. People perform during a dress rehearsal of "The Journey: Death and Life" at Rose Heights Church in Tyler, Texas, on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. "The Journey: From Death to Life" features a combination of live performance and film clips, with prominent scenes featuring the Nativity, the thieves in prison with Barabbas as well as with Jesus at the crucifixion, and heaven, where the thief who accepted Jesus on the cross will meet Him again. Misty Watson poses for a portrait at UT Health Northeast in Tyler, Texas, on Thursday, April 27, 2017. Watson is a breast cancer survivor who works as the Survivorship Nursing Navigator at UT Health Northeast. Patrick Mahomes II and agent Leigh Steinberg react to Corey Davis being the fifth overall pick for the Tennessee Titans during an NFL Draft watch party at Lago del Pino in Tyler, Texas, on Thursday, April 27, 2017. Mahomes II was the tenth overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft for the Kansas City Chiefs after a trade with the Buffalo Bills. Randi Martin, Patrick Mahomes II and agent Leigh Steinberg react while Mahomes II is on a call with the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL Draft watch party at Lago del Pino in Tyler, Texas, on Thursday, April 27, 2017. Mahomes II was the tenth overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft for the Kansas City Chiefs after a trade with the Buffalo Bills. Patrick Mahomes II smiles as he puts on a Kansas City Chiefs hat for the first time during an NFL Draft watch party at Lago del Pino in Tyler, Texas, on Thursday, April 27, 2017. Mahomes II was the tenth overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft for the Kansas City Chiefs after a trade with the Buffalo Bills. Emily Thompson laughs while posing for a portrait before an Easter service at New Life Community Church in Tyler, Texas, on Sunday, April 16, 2017. Pastor Dr. Vernon M. Robertson jumps as he sings during an Easter service at New Life Community Church in Tyler, Texas, on Sunday, April 16, 2017. Robertson and his wife Denise drive from Dallas twice a week to lead services for the congregation. People react as Tyus Bowser's name is announced during an NFL Draft watch party at his family's home in Tyler, Texas, on Friday, April 28, 2017. Bowser, center in gray shirt, was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens as the 47th pick in the second round of the NFL Draft. A Kilgore cheerleader glances over her shoulder as she walks with other cheerleaders during a parade and pep rally honoring the Kilgore High School boys soccer team's state championship in Kilgore, Texas, on Monday, April 24, 2017. The parade marched through downtown Kilgore and ended at Kilgore High School, where cheerleaders and the high school band performed. Sydney Gerbine poses for a portrait with all of her track and field medals at her grandparents' house in Gladewater, Texas, on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. Last fall, Sydney had pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. A track star with a competitive spirit, Sydney worked on getting better so she could get back on the track. Only months after her health scare, Sydney will be competing in the triple jump at regionals in Whitehouse. Palestine's Javier Leonor reacts as Kilgore's Jesus Gonzalez kicks the ball during a high school soccer playoff game at Brook Hill Herrington Stadium in Bullard, Texas, on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. Ariah Oller, 11, watches as classmate Ellie Adams, 10, pours fertilizer in a hole at the Giving Garden outside of Pollard United Methodist Church in Tyler, Texas, on Thursday, April 13, 2017. Jonathan created the garden for his Eagle Scout project and will grow seasonal fruits and vegetables that will be used by the community. Claudio Sanchez works on his mural on the side of the Innovation Pipeline building in Tyler, Texas, on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. The collaborative space will be open to the public at the end of this month. Tyler Junior College's Kelly Mardones (24) pitches during a softball game at Schwab Field in Bullard, Texas, on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. Tyler Junior College beat Trinity Valley Community College 10-1 in their first of two games in the afternoon. Howard Galletly poses for a portrait at Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Regional Catholic School in Tyler, Texas, on Monday, April 3, 2017. Galletly has been collecting ties since the '90s and now has over 275 ties, 220 of which are music-themed ties. He teaches beginner, middle school and high school band at Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Catholic School and never repeats a tie during the school year. Joe Simalonda poses for a portrait after performing during Praise Fest at T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza in Tyler, Texas, on Saturday, April 15, 2017. Simalonda is a Christian singer from Zambia who has been writing and performing music for a decade and is currently a student at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary. He hopes his music inspires positive change: “By the time someone is done listening to my song, I want them to think, ‘God, what do you want me to do? What place do you want me to go?’ I want people to have that hunger for God and to be who God has called them to be.”