One of the most difficult photography assignments for me is the ribbon-cutting ceremony. It's such an official event that it's often lost its uniqueness.

I'm happy to cover these types of events, because it offers a challenge. Find a candid photo to take.

At the Radermacher's Fresh Market ribbon-cutting ceremony last week, for example, there were a lot of posed photos being taken: Mayor Ron Jabs standing by as the Radermachers used giant-sized scissors to cut the thick, red ribbon that is typical at such events; the standard family photos, plus the ribbon and scissors; and that photo, plus the mayor.

So I shot most of those photos. You always want to make sure you get something -- a clear, focused photo that will suffice.

While several people shot posed shots of the family, I looked for something different: the mayor talking about the brand-new scissors; people congratulating Lee and Roman Radermacher; and the family laughing and having a good time while having their photos taken.

I think some of these photos turned out pretty well, I think. They're better than what they could've been.

And the event turned out to be fun, too, in part because of the candid photos I could shoot.