Cal Cross Country Head Shots and Team Photo

Headed over to Cal today for Cross Country head shots and team photo.

This year, I'm trying to ID everyone on the site so the publications can have an easier time IDing them for his purposes. Thankfully Tim Miguel was keeping track for me, because Simon and Cody Schmidt look VERY similar, go figure, they're twins!

All photos us on Goldenbearsports.com/2010-2011/crosscountry/team

Raiders vs 49ers - assisting

I had an awesome opportunity to assist Sports Illustrated photographer Peter Read Miller at the Raiders vs 49ers game tonight at the Oakland Coliseum. My credential even read "Sports Illustrated" ... whoa.

Peter Read Miller is a legendary sports photographer who I have looked up to and been inspired by since I first became interested in sports photography. It was awesome to get to know him and discover that's he's not only a great photographer, but also a great person! I hope this was one of many future opportunities to work with him and Sports Illustrated!

Another BIG thanks to Don Feria for making the connection for me!

Roller Derby - Calvello Cup - Bay City Bombers

Headed over to Kezar Pavilion last night in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park to shoot roller derby! It was semi-finals of the American Roller Derby League Calvello Cup named after roller derby legend Ann Calvello. Game 1, Red Devils v Firebirds and game 2, Orlando Thunder vs local Bay City Bombers. I was really looking forward to it since I had never shot or watched roller derby. And boy, I had no idea what I was getting into!

Right when they started warming up, I knew it was going to be awesome.

Check out the fabulous referee... those are bedazzled pants AND shoes!

And the skates were so cool, unique and authentic... one of the wheels even fell off in the middle off the game!

A lot of these ladies aren't necessarily in what might be considered the prime of their lives, but they are having the time of their lives!!

And the coach for the Red Devils, was so hardcore, she was getting in on the action!

Skaters were falling, fighting, and flipping over the side rails

and the fans were really into it!

Bay City Bombers won the game to advance to the finals, in such spectacular fashion!

All in all, was incredible and exciting entertainment!!

I can't cover the final tonight because I'm going to be assisting Sports Illustrated photographer Peter Read Miller at the 49ers vs Raiders game at the Oakland Coliseum, I'm SO excited!! And a huge thanks to Don Feria for passing on my name to him!

My full set of photos will be up soon, haven't finished editing yet, was pretty dark inside Kezar. Will keep ya posted!

Cal Men's Water Polo Team

Headed to Speiker Aquatics Complex today to photograph head shots and team photo for #1 ranked Cal Men's Water Polo.

It's always fun to photograph water polo players out of the pool because a lot of them have great, pool-styled hair.

Though a senior shoot wasn't planned, the two seniors wanted to take some shots, and I still had 30 min before my parking ran out, so it was no problem!

And of course, they had a little fun with head shots. What if all head shots were like this? haha

All photos up and available to purchase at: http://www.goldenbearsports.com/2010-2011/menswaterpolo/team/

Cal Field Hockey Head Shots & Team Photos

Headed over to Maxwell Field today to photograph Cal Field Hockey... only problem was, the Cal Band was using the field, so we had to do a lil improv.

Thankfully, right next to Maxwell is Bowles Hall, which ended up being ideal because there was some nice shade so we didn't have to battle the 5pm sun. The only drawback is, Maxwell is a very green turf field, whereas the lawn in front of Bowles, is well, lawn colored, so the idea of photographing in the true environment of the sport is misleading.

The Field Hockey Coach, Shellie Onstead, also happens to be the assistant coach for the US team, and was a standout on the Cal team in 1980. She's very friendly, awesome to work with and brought me over a ladder so I could photograph the girls on the slanted lawn.

The girls had fun with some piggy back shots.

Looking forward to a great 2010 season for them! =)

All photos up at GoldenBearSports.com/2010-2011/FieldHockey/Team

San Jose Earthquakes beat LA Galaxy 1-0

What a great victory for the Quakes in front of a sell out crowd. With an early 4th minute goal from Chris Wondolowski, Quakes were able to hold on for the win!

It was definitely an intense game with a lot of pressure on both sides of the ball, which made for a very exciting game.

Quakes new designated player, Geovanni also made his MLS debut.

He didn't come on until the 72nd minute, but was still exciting to get him on the field. Looking forward to seeing big things from him!

Great game and the fans were really excited to get the win!

I was very appreciative to have my buddy and fellow photographer Don Feria give me a quick rundown of setting up his remote camera and hopefully next game I'll be out too with a remote camera, very exciting!!

Also appreciative for some tasty fruit snacks from Center Line Soccer photographer and friend Joe Nuxoll =)

Interesting, this season, unlike previous, I like my photos from night games more than I do day games. The midday sun creates such harsh shadows (not to mention personal sunburns) and sometimes gives me focusing issues. Whereas, night games, are a little more evenly lit, and with my new (to me this season) Mark III bodies, I can bump up the ISO and get away with it. But at least with today's day game, I had a a rare free Saturday night, and was able to go to my friend Nicole's taco dinner party, yum!

All photos up on ISIphotos.com