BEHIND THE STORIES

John Taylor

John Taylor is a photographer based in Salt Lake City. As a young boy, armed with his grandfather’s vintage camera, he started to see the world through the lens. Even today, he enjoys connecting with people on assignment or location, or just out for a walk with his wife, son, and rescued greyhound. He never leaves home without a camera and is always on a quest for the best shot. To see more of his work, visit his website at www. visionfoto.com.

David E. Jensen

Dave started writing in high school where he gained a love of language, communication and photography. As a published freelance writer and photographer for the past 35 years, his work has appeared in several local and regional publications on a variety of subjects.

As the owner of Wasatch Snake Removal, Dave writes extensively about snakes in an attempt to educate the public about the vital role snakes play in healthy ecosystems, and the important relationship between snakes and humans.

In 2014, he sent a manuscript to Utah Stories (The Joy of Snakes: The Truth About Snakes in Utah), which they published. Shortly thereafter, he joined the editorial staff and eventually became a copy editor and a regular contributing writer. He appreciates the diversity of the stories and the talented people who write them, and he credits Utah Stories with sharpening his skills as an editor.

Brooke Williams

Brooke Williams is a freelance journalist, focusing on hidden stories within everyday life. Her passion for storytelling came when she was in highschool and wanted to create humorous content for her school’s TV station. It felt like a natural skill, and though she went to college for mathematics and education, she graduated from the University of Utah in communications and Journalism.

Throughout college, she auditioned and was contracted to the Seattle Cascades and the Sacramento Mandarins world class drum and bugle corps, and discovered the importance of storytelling.

“I lived for drum corps, I worked so hard to be in the pro league and no one even knew what it was. I had to tell my story, and now I want to tell other people’s stories. We all live for something that no one knows about.”

She wrote for several years for the Daily Utah Chronicle, and currently writes for KSL-TV. She dedicates her freelance time to writing about music, culture, research, and hyper-local stories. On

Comments from The Utah Stories Podcast:

Why Is It Taking So Long For A Sanctioned Campground In Salt Lake City?

Tuesday Allred [Mayor] Mendenhall has repeatedly stated she will not allow a campground in Salt Lake. I am very dismayed with the hatred for our unsheltered brothers and sisters—our fellow human beings.

I am one emergency away from becoming unsheltered. If I had to miss work for a month due to an accident or illness, I would become unsheltered. If you’re in a better position than I am, good for you. If not, maybe you should think twice before you judge so harshly.

Comments from The Utah Stories Podcast:

Why Are Utah’s Homeless Policy Leaders Copying California’s Failed Policies?

Robert Jorgensen

Hey Rich, good job. I lived out there from 2010 to 2018, so I feel ya. We need to go back to around 2010. That is when this started. I remember vividly watching the SLCPD stop enforcing the rules and they just stood down and let the place run wild.

I have a lot of love for the SLCPD. They’ve been good to the people on the street, and don’t let anybody say anything different, but what I am saying is that things changed, like the order that came down from high up to stand down.

Knowing this will help you better understand what we are up against.

I love what you’re doing. Hey, check this out: you need to track down Officer Shane. He was a cop working the Rio Grande beat back then. I am dying to hear his take on this. It would be really cool. And George with CCS, the big guy. And Brandon with the Road Home. He started working the counter at the old men’s shelter around 2010. I saw him working at Gail Miller about 2 years ago.

These people have been in the trenches for a long time, and there are others, but this is my short list for understanding the evolution of the situation.

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