Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Gloves, Sticks Optional

"The Pittsburgh Penguins mob goalie Matt Murray #30 as they celebrate their, 2-0, win over the Nashville Predators to win the 2017 Stanley Cup in Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee."

As a photographer documenting the final game of the season, it's easy to think about the entire season leading up to this moment.

While caught up in thoughts of pictures of the final celebration before it happens, after 'The Cup' is hoisted, one must remember that preseason, regular season, the entire playoffs, and everything in-between are just as important as the final jubilation of the year.

Every game, every practice is an opportunity to fine tune skills and techniques. Studying the game and players to help anticipate what could happen in a moment like this. Without all the ups and downs of the regular season, there is no tension and no thrill.

The games prior to the finals build the narrative - and this is what photography is all about - telling the story.

And this year, the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrated by hoisting the Stanley Cup for the second straight year. An incredible moment and opportunity that I won't forget.

Thursday, June 08, 2017

Blocks Away

"Classic Empire walks on the track past row homes located on West Belvedere Ave., during a training session for the upcoming Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland."

I love sports action images, but if I can communicate something more in my photographs, I lean toward features.

Each year, the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course is an important race, and often called the middle jewel, of the Triple Crown.

So every morning we photographers find ourselves looking to tell the story of the year - which is typically the Kentucky Derby winning horse training.

But this year there was a lot of talk if Pimlico Race Course was in its final year, or years, of hosting the Preakness.

According to Baltimore Police, a fatal shooting occurred just a block away from the track, days before the race, so I wanted to help anyone writing that story, a visual.