The Art of Football

Spring football is in full swing, and so are our twice weekly treks over to the field to photograph.

Some of my old friends are gone and I miss seeing them out there.  It's not the same without them.

They helped me learn how to see beyond the hype and the hoopla of pro ball, and look into the eye of the passion that all players feel for this game.

If not for them, I would not know the power of putting on that gear and the pride in being part of the team.  One of the soldiers.

 Those old friends have moved on, and there's a new group of young men out there now.

 
I'm ready to be dazzled by their speed and strength. 

Their politeness in talking with my children.

Their shyness at looking at the camera.

  
By the end of the season, I'll know all of their names and numbers by heart.

I'll know which positions they play and who will be moving on this time.

And next year, when another new group of young men comes in to take over,

I will love them all too.

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The Art of Baseball

One of the dangerous things about photographing sports is that the game never really changes.  A hand-off is a hand-off.  A hit's a hit.  A run's a run.  Once you get a great capture of that kid standing at the bat, you've pretty much got the shot.  They're not going to change that much.

It can become kind of a boring trap if you're not careful.

Having the kind of itchy, artistic trigger finger that I do, I have often found myself wanting to make more out of what's happening on the field.

It's a technique that has not always been well received.

 
I've been lambasted for photographing too many feet and not enough touchdowns.

Shot down for shooting the the goalpost silhouetted in the sunset instead of the kick going through said goalpost.

Passed over for getting the number and not the face.

See, parents don't want artistic images of sports.  They want pictures of their kid playing ball.

The end.

Right up until the moment that the photographer becomes the parent.  And then.....she can pretty much do it however she wants.

I {heart} art.

I {heart} baseball.

I {heart} these two teams for letting me play around during their game, and Prince Charming for spending the game alone while I played around.

I just {heart} everything, including you!

~Lisa

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Cut Ups Desguised As Ball Players

Okay....so, I love photographing kids having fun together.  These guys all stepped in front of my camera last night.  What a bunch of cut ups....

At first, they were all a little unsure about who I was and why I was taking their picture, but now, it's all

Hey!  Can you take my picture?

Hey!  Look over here!

Hey, Camera Lady!  We're talking to you!! (only when I don't realize they're talking to me...because why would a 9-year-old willingly talk to a mom in public when all of their friends can see?....You understand.)

There were some more serious moments, too.

Oh...and there was a ball game going on, as well.

But mostly, it was just about the cut-ups and how happy it made them to score a home run...

Love Affair on 3rd Base

Their love affair began several years ago.  About five to be exact.

He was a chiseled Prince Charming.  She had red, curly hair.

He was quiet.  She made noise constantly.

He liked to sit and catch up on the game.  She wanted him to read all the Berenstain Bears books.

He was always making jokes.  She understood some of them.

He said things like, "Here, let me show you."  She said things like, "Gimme a kiss, Baby!"

He called her Red and Fireball and Stompy.  She called him Daddy.

And when she played ball, no one was more proud.

Rainiers v. Knights

Our little Rainiers played their first official game last weekend against their cross town rivals, the Knights.

I'm just kidding.  They'd never even met the Knights and didn't know any of the kids on that team.

They played their little petuties off, though.

Two things I love about this one. 

1.  The tongue sticking out.  So cute.
2.  What is she looking at?  We might have to work on following the ball.

Sometimes it helps to talk it over with the coach.  She always knows.

COACH:  Who's getting that ball?
HIM:  I am!
HER:  I am!
THE OTHER HER:  I am!
THE OTHER HIM:  Wait for me.  I'm on my way.  I can get it!

I'm telling you....it can get seriously rough out there.

Unless no balls are coming even remotely your way.  Then it can get kind of boring.

Playing 3rd base can also get a little.....tedious.

Sadly, the Little Miss won't get to play in this week's game.  Doctor's orders.

Don't know what we'll do instead.....Oh!  Wait.  I know!

BEACH!!!!!

Check ya' later.  Bye!

This Week In Baseball

Gearing for the big start of the season this weekend.  Everyone's in the full "swing" of practice.

 Such cuteness on the T-Ball field, I almost can't even stand it. 

They haven't quite learned yet how to stay in position.  Any time the ball gets hit, it's really just up for grabs...

Those older boys, though.  Jeez oh man!  They mean business.

There's nothing cute about it.

Except, of course, when it's my kid.  Then it's really cute.  I mean, isn't it sweet how he's running it out?

This kid, however cute, did, in fact, have some serious business with that T-Ball stand, though.  Serious business.

I really do love taking their pictures while they're working, but sometimes I just like to sit back and watch.  They do amaze me....

But, this was just too...well, you know....I mean a High-5 from someone's dad while you're rounding 3rd base?  Come on!  If they did that in the majors, I'll bet every team would have a lot more fun....

Happy Baseball, everyone!

Love, Love.

L.