ESPN The Magazine, Court McGee

I wanted to tell this story right away, but out of respect for the magazines surprise factor, I had to wait for the issues release. Jim Surber called from ESPN the Magazine looking for a morgue to shoot a mixed martial arts fighter in. A shocking story deserves and equally shocking image. After many phone calls, it come to light that there are only 2 morgue's in the State of Utah, the State Examiner's office (answer NO) and the University of Utah's pathology lab morgue (also, no, not capitalized because at least they tried to accommodate us) Next option was a Mortuary, also hard to find one willing to help us. But Leavitt's Mortuary in Ogden, UT was more than happy to help, they have an 80 year old building in the middle of a cemetery. I run up there Friday afternoon for a Monday shoot, first reaction is the smell, second is the uncovered dead guy alone in a room, wasn't prepared for that. When asked if I could shoot the embalming room and tables, they first had to move a body that just arrived from the hospital autopsy. Upon picking up the bag it breaks open and a perfectly white floor and wall is now covered in blood. Both employees are unaffected by this, me affected. I think the Darren Braun image turned out really well and now you know the back story behind the room he's in.