Griz Cat game 2008

This photo was taken during the 2008 Griz-Cat game in Missoula Mont. It was one of the greatest feelings being back on the sidelines of a Griz game and seeing all the other photographers there. The game was intense, like always. Being on the sideline of any sports game is intoxicating for me - the ultimate high. The best way to explain it would be to say it is my extreme job that you can never get enough of.

In the photo Griz wide receiver Marc Mariani, left, makes the catch for a touchdown. This is a great example of what I am talking about. You watch the play unfold in front of you and hope you have the right position and angle. You shoot and pray you got the shot and then review the photo. After you see the photo you either are excited or wait for the next play. In this case, I noticed Mariani line up and I knew where the play was going. I followed him down the sideline and shot. This is the photo from that play.

I find it very annoying that it seems that most photographers think that sports photographers just go out and shoot hundreds of shots and hope. While there is hope there is also knowledge of the game, the team, the players, and the coaches. You learn about the team and their habits and you end up with more impact in a photo. You DO NOT go out and Rambo shoot.

In the end it was great being back in Missoula and shooting a Griz game. I hope I am able to do this ever year. I guess since this is where I got my first true assignment, Griz stadium will always have a place in my heart. Only thing to say now is “GO GRIZ” and I hope to be there next season!

Ogata have baseball

During my first season with the Spokane Indians I found that Jason Ogata, in photo, was one of those players I could always rely on for a great shoot. He always seemed to be one of the more intense players and I believe that it shows in this photo. Ogata is a hard working player. This showed on and off the field. The only problem was that he got hurt, broken hand, right before the championship was to begin. I missed having him on the field not just for photo opportunities, but also being able to watch a good player.

This summer, 2008, had to be one of the funnest summers ever. I was working as a photographer and photographing baseball. I had some of my most favorite and greatest parts of my life together, baseball and photography. These follow church and family at the top of the list of favorites.

The summer was made even better by the fact that the Spokane Indians had one of their best seasons ever. They went on to win the Northwest League Championship, single A short season. I can not wait until next season and hopefully the guys can repeat.

Flirtation

This photo has become one of my favorite photos from my time at the University of Montana. It was taken while on assignment for the Rural News Network, a class offered at the J-School. This class is offered mostly to seniors.

I like the expressions on the two girls faces. You can see that they like the boy they are talking to. You can see by body posture and facial expression the flirtation that is happening at this moment. It is amazing how much emotion can be portrayed in a single photo.

The other thing I like about the photo is the fact that I did not plan on it. There was a time-out during the football game and I happened to turn and see them talking and laughing. I was only able to take a couple of shots before the moment was gone. Never-the-less, this photo has truly become one of my favorites. I guess you never know what you may run into on assignment.

Clinton rally

The photo above of Bill Clinton was taken on assignment for the AP. This was the first time I had a hard time getting a clean photo or something different than the other photographers. The problem was the fact that they had the media all corralled in a pen, like one used for cattle. There was one lady from the local Clinton campaign that was to see that we stayed in this “pen.” They would allow us to go up along the side, but we had to go with an escort. This made it extremely difficult to get a great shot.

After the rally, Clinton began to shake hands and kiss babies and he did kiss a lot of babies. Once again they tried to keep the media secluded in this corner of ours. A few of us decided to work together to break away. One photographer would go one way getting the attention of those in charge. He would stall while a few us went the other way to get our shots. After a few minutes of this another lady, I presume directly from the Clinton campaign, came out and let us loose.

It was a weird feeling being that close to a former president. My memories of Clinton's time were of him playing the saxophone on a talk show and of course his scandal. This night, he seemed so genuine. I guess that is why he served two terms.