… its really hits people that they don’t have to experience the world in the way they have been told to. - Alan Keightley.
Best Friends.
Like many of the images that will come up on this list I don’t have any over the top nor stoic explanation as to why I love a particular image. Some, well most, just speak to me. Of course, I know all the subjects of these photos which make them that much more special, but I think even a random person can look at this and just feel at ease. That’s mostly what it is for me. When I set out to take photos of a group, individual, wedding I never have some amazing mission statement or pursuit to change the world of photography. I want real. I want images that portray the moment, the feeling. This one does it for me. These two are an inseparable mother and son pair… their happiness in each other was so easy to capture in a photo. I just smile looking at it… hope you do too!
I’m not even sure how to justly describe how Bill Simmons, aka ‘the Sports Guy’ has inspired a lowly blond photographer, let alone adequately praise him… Especially in a short segment. I could talk for days on the ways I adore him but will try, like he does, to wrap up the large idea in a few paragraphs. Keep in mind I will undoubtedly fall short.
The man is a genius on all walks of life hidden in a short (though he claims 6’1’’ & in my eyes that’s still short) journalist’s body. I’m an avid reader & ESPN The Magazine (oh I will miss his column) gets me through many awful treadmill experiences and his writings always take me to another place. He jokes, like only a smart person should (key phrase… ONLY a smart person should), about the wonders of the sports world, the ineffective leaders of teams, the oddities of the famous and the influences of technology, his father and his wife, etc. Though his stories (they’re not just articles) make me laugh, they also breed a humble connection to him and his subject matter, which isn’t always easy in the supposed glamorous and caged world of sports and sports heroes. Beyond just the obvious writing style inspiration, his success of merging his life and work keeps me confident in what I do with my own business and inspires me to keep doing just that.
He takes me to a place where I find myself so often… Work and life all being joined in the same beautiful space. He is a constant reminder, through his words and ‘tweets’ (oh I despise that word) that it is OK for your work and personal story/opinions to come together in this one big perfect assimilation of a life. I struggle as a young business owner to find a way to be taken seriously yet to still live the fun, light-hearted life I lead. Much like the title quote of this section could imply and much like Bill’s success proves, maybe these two pursuits don’t have to be different: just maybe I can be taken more seriously by sticking to me and by not being afraid of my endless pursuit of fun. He gives fans, like me, a feeling that it is ok to be ordinary, have struggles, have odd likes and dislikes and still be amazing at what we do… Maybe even more so because of our ability accept and share these things. I am constantly aiming to better connect to my ‘clients’ and he inspires me to keep doing so by being nothing more, nothing less than myself! Someday, I’ll get to play a game of H-O-R-S-E with him where I’m sure he’ll make fun of my glamorization of his life and my overuse of ellipses… Until then… Thanks for the constant inspiration.
Go here for more on Number 28 or follow the dude on twitter: twitter.com/sportsguy33 Thanks for reading. Seriously, a giveaway is coming this week… stay tuned.
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