Blocked

"Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat has his shot blocked by Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Verizon Center on January 3, 2016 in Washington, DC."

The first assignment of a new year is always a mind game.

With a new year comes a new beginning. Photographs from the previous year live on, but in terms of building a yearly portfolio, they're gone.

After twelve months of shooting and compiling favorites that tell a story - one must start over.

All photographers essentially start from scratch every year. While sports seasons occur over two calendar years, the year in sports globally starts on January 1 - and rarely are there major stories in sports or unbelievable plays that already occurring on said date.

For photographers, some years start out fast and for others slow. It all comes down to what you're photographing, where you're positioned and the homework you've done as a team.

It's no different than sports itself - some games you'll handle the ball a lot and other games you may never get possession. Some games you score multiple goals and others you don't even get a shot off. Some games you bunt with the bases loaded, and others you swing for the fences.

As the year progresses, things change, some days are great and others are a struggle. Yet that's why athletes and photographers alike return to the playing field each and every year. For a chance to be apart of the greatest moment in sports and better themselves and their teams.

While this above image certainly isn't anywhere near the greatest moment in sports for 2016, it was a reminder to always stay focused - whether the first or last game of the year.