'Going Back to High School' for ESPN The Magazine's Kids in Sports Issue

Great news! ESPN The Magazine is running a gallery of some of my high school sports images online and in print for their 'Kids in Sports' issue. Check out the link HERE and pick up the magazine if you are so inclined!

The Great Go-Kart Confusion

A couple of weeks ago, I thought I had a brilliant plan. I saw this flyer and thought to myself, "Self, this would be pretty cool to shoot. You should try to get in there and shoot that." So I reached out, quite blindly I might add, to try to get access to shoot this event. And I was successful. Yes! I'm thinking there is going to be a motocross event, outside, with lots of dirt, colorful uniforms and loud bikes. I'm thinking I'm going to light it and shoot some documentary stuff and possibly some portraits. A field day, right? Wrong.

This flyer, was actually for fans to have a meet and greet and the opportunity to race against the motocross riders...but at a go-kart track. So I get to this indoor racetrack and I'm thinking to myself, "Self, where is all the dirt? There must be another track, outside, behind the building." And that's when I got the news. Instead of motocross, I'd be shooting indoor go-kart racing. I could have packed up all my toys and gone home, but I didn't. I just shot some go-karts. Shout out to the good folks at K1 Speed. Also, I'm still looking for the words "go" and/or "kart" on that flyer.

Long Live The Kings

Some of you may have heard, or not, but the city of Sacramento is keeping their NBA franchise in town. After a lot of back and forth with the Maloofs looking to move the Kings to Anaheim, Virginia Beach and Seattle, Mayor Kevin Johnson with the help of an ownership group led by Vivek Ranadive has successfully kept the team in the city. To celebrate this King continuity, there was rally at Cesar Chavez Park smack dab in the middle of Sacramento.

In my two years here, one thing I've learned is that this place looooooooooves the Kings. They love Jimmer and Webber and Vlade and Mitch and Tyreke and Bobby (Hurley and Jackson) and Peja and IT and Bibby. All those cats. They love them. And they came out in full force to celebrate at least 35 more years of the purple and black royalty.

Shout out to KJ, David Garibaldi, Carmichael Dave's RV, Chris Webber jerseys and that big ass banner that everyone signed. Long Live the Kings.

3 On 3 For All The Marbles: Part II

Since last years tournament for 'all the marbles', I've kept in touch with the car club that organizes the day of festivities. Usually at the beginning of the summer, they host the tournament, with no entry fee, and dole out a $600 cash prize to the last team standing. This day was no different.

A grueling afternoon of intense 3-on-3 action was both the fuel and the fatigue of each team. Competition was fierce and the players were clawing for not only respect, but also $600 for winning basketball games. It's ALMOST like being in the NBA, right?

Just like last year, the champion hailed from "The Heights" and they were very vocal about it (you probably even recognize some familiar faces). The defenders of the crown made it to the final game but lost to a younger version of themselves from the same neighborhood. Shout out to everyone who kept it civil in a game where at times it can be hard. Especially when you throw some greenbacks into the mix.

Tale of Two Diamonds

This spring, I put in practice time a couple of days a week shooting sports that I can't say I've spent a whole lot of hours shooting. The diamond sports. I'm not particularly inclined to enjoying either (watching, or playing) but always look forward to the opportunity to get a good shot. The only thing is, you've really got to pay attention. If you blink, you might miss one of the few chances for action. Shout out to the Houston Astros, the 2013 AL West Champs. Count on it.

DSTAR in Houston

I was so very fortunate to spend a good chunk of time in the greatest state of Texas last month. Initially for my brother-in-law's wedding in Austin (congrats Nate and Martha!) and then down to Houston to spend some time with the family. During that time, I photographed a kid who I've known for about 25+ years. An enterprising young hip hop artist by the name of DSTAR who also happens to be my cousin. We roamed the streets of Downtown Houston, mainly around the theater district, to make some promo images.

And if you're so inclined...have a listen to some of his heat. I am biased, but it is HEAT!

Shout out to H-Town.

Baseball Practice

Hung out with the Mustangs at baseball practice earlier in the week and took a few pictures. It's definitely a different experience than photographing games because the games are totally unpredictable. And if you're not careful, you just might miss the few spurts of action that occur. But at practice, you can count on a few good frames. Shout out to repetition.