Reflections: Year Three in Major League Baseball.
Things have finally settled down here at Fenway Park, so I’m using this opportunity to post some thoughts and reflections about my work this season. I said it last year, and I’ll say it again now: what could be better than a summer filled with two of my favorite things in this world, baseball and photography?
At the beginning of the season, I had to choose between coming to Boston or staying in Baltimore. It turned out to be quite a difficult decision, but after being here for just a few weeks, I knew I had made the right choice.
It was a busy summer. This year, the Boston Red Sox celebrated Fenway Park’s 100th Anniversary Season, which was incredible to be a part of. I documented dozens of anniversary events, player appearances, and community outreach programs, and was in the company of Red Sox legends past and present the whole way through. I was also on hand to photograph some exciting non baseball related events, including two Bruce Springsteen Concerts, two Liverpool FC professional football matches, and an appearance by Darth Vader,to name a few.
I also photographed approximately 40 games at Fenway. Rather than staying in the photo pits for most of the time, this year, I was a nomad. I roamed every corner of this old Park, hunting for good fan features and unique stadium elements. To be completely honest, it was frustrating. Struggling through hoards of fans doesn’t compare to sitting on field level documenting the action. But through it all, I’m absolutely confident that it has made me a much better photographer, and it trained my eye to see things that I wouldn’t have seen before. I’m thankful to have had that experience all year.
I was recently reassured of the importance of these types of photographs in Baltimore, where I was able to shoot the first Major League Baseball playoff games of my career. Although the Baltimore Orioles weren’t able to win the Division Series, being there to witness playoff baseball in my hometown quickly became one of my best baseball memories. A huge thank you to Todd Olszewski and the Orioles for having me back to shoot.
What matters most are the people who have made this year so enjoyable. I owe my most sincere thanks to Mike Ivins, the Manager of Photography, for giving me this opportunity, sharing his expertise with me, and telling me straight when I screwed up my flash (Beckett Bowl, ugh). I also owe thanks to all the other photographers, both of the Red Sox and of the Boston press, for their kindness and wisdom. I’m also lucky to be a part of a talented and hard working group of people in the Red Sox organization.
Here is my final portfolio from the season. Take a look if you’d like.
I’m happy to say that I’m staying on at the Red Sox as the Photography Assistant, and I’m working on my Master’s of Journalism at Boston University. Here’s to three seasons!