New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013

2014 took me by complete surprise. Outta the warm Florida night air the new year exploded on a corner of Church St. in downtown Orlando. I was hanging out with a paint bucket drum section and a motley crew of street dancers when we lost last year. People hugged, kissed, cheered and then got back to the music and dancing. It was splendid.

New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013

When in Rome? Maybe not this time.

New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013   New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013

I talked to Larry Butler, a.k.a. Diamond more than anybody else on New Year's Eve in Orlando. As he put it while conveying a sense of excitement like a young boy on Christmas, "I'm just bringing the music to the people." I kinda felt the same way out there on NYE in a new town amongst all the excitement and controlled chaos. I think we shared a common enjoyment with the street that evening. The proverbial fly on the wall. Larry just recorded his first CD in Winter Park, FL and it's called "All Acoustic."

New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013        New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013

I was in Orlando working on my book of photography about University of South Carolina football fans, "Great to be a Gamecock." Check that link out because we're on a January 12 Kickstarter deadline. I could use ya'll's help here.

New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013 New Year's Eve on Church St. in Orlando by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford - Dec 2013