Quiet, please

"Cornerback Daryl Worley #26 of the Carolina Panthers takes a moment prior to a game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 19, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. "

Sporting events is all about access.

Unfortunately, professional sports doesn't always lend itself to the best behind the scenes. While there are rare occasions, most of the time finding those moments requires a different type of access.

That means photographers must find moments happening from a far and then document them with long glass.

During the Carolina Panthers taking on the Washington Redskins game over a week ago was no different.

Typically football players will have a moment to themselves minutes before the game in the end zone - whether they're actually praying or just trying to find a moment to focus.

After witnessing it more times than I can remember, I thought that I could try and layer the Redskins band leaving the field with the aforementioned moment.

Just when cornerback Daryl Worley of the Carolina Panthers thought he'd have time to have a second alone, he had to share with a hundred or so band members.

Didn't seem to shake his team's focus, as the Panthers defeated the Redskins.

Cleared for Landing

"Running back Ryan Mathews #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores a two point conversion over top of defensive tackle Michael Pierce #78 and nose tackle Brandon Williams #98 of the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland."

I love risk taking and that's always exciting when teams do the same in sports photography.

With no chance of making the playoffs, the Philadelphia Eagles took lots of calculated risks as they attempted to close the door on the Baltimore Ravens post season hopes.

A cold, windy game the Eagles put lots of pressure on the Ravens as they kept the game close all day on Sunday.

Two of those risks came in the form of going for two point conversions. The first resulted in scoring said two points as running back Ryan Mathews took off from the ground and soared over Ravens defenders before landing into the end zone.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, they came up short on their second attempt which would have won the game for them late in the fourth quarter.

Where is your eyeball?

"Ashley Yoder accidentally gouges the eye of Justine Kish in their women's strawweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at the Times Union Center on December 9, 2016 in Albany, New York."

Each and every assignment is learning lesson in some regard.

Having the opportunity to document some mixed martial arts fighting during the UFC Fight Night in Albany, New York was no different.

It has been quite some time since I've photographed this type of fighting and I was overly excited. Which is where my lesson was learned very early in the night.

Needing to document all the undercard fights before the main events - I was eager to get to work. That excitement laced with a touch of nervousness resulted in way too many images the very first fight.

Once the adrenaline rush vanished I was then able to relax for the remaining eleven fights.

While it's a challenge to stay calm when atheltes are literally punching and kicking one another, it small moments during bouts that gets your heart pumping again. When Ashley Yoder accidentally gouged the eye of Justine Kish in their women's strawweight bout I thought this sport is so tough.

After this fight I was right back to shooting heavy hoping to catch something even crazier. While I tend to stay level headed during assignments, it's sometimes good to be over excited because it keeps you alert for the next big moment.

Hungry For More

"Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after hitting quarterback Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins (not pictured) in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland."

As the year comes to a close, life gets a bit hectic. Yet photographers must stay focused, hungry because the best pictures can still happen as everyone become complacent.

For sports photographs, it's often the reaction to a play that is the most compelling.

As Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens rushed in to tackle Ryan Tannehill of the Miami Dolphin, he lost his helmet. The image of him making an almost tackle on Tannehill was different because players aren't always losing their helmets during play.

However, it was his celebration, licking his chops and walking around like a dog that made the image. Suggs was celebrating in his actions and showing that his confidence is still up as the season winds down.

He was focused, hungry just as we all should be year round.