Three football games in three days will definitely get you in a groove. It was nice to see some old friends from Pittsburgh and was happy with a few frames at the end of the weekend. Enjoy!
Friday Night: Pittsburgh vs Connecticut
EAST HARTFORD, CT – NOVEMBER 09: Volunteers hold up a giant American flag on the field prior to the game between the University of Connecticut Huskies and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers on November 9, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- EAST HARTFORD, CT – NOVEMBER 09: Ryan Griffin #94 of the University of Connecticut Huskies leaps over Lafayette Pitts #23 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers during the game on November 9, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- EAST HARTFORD, CT – NOVEMBER 09: Chandler Whitmer #10 of the University of Connecticut Huskies has the football knocked out of his hands on a hit by Andrew Taglianetti #41 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers in the second quarter during the game on November 9, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- EAST HARTFORD, CT – NOVEMBER 09: Ray Graham #1 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers stiff arms Dwayne Gratz #7 of the University of Connecticut Huskies while running with the ball during the game on November 9, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- EAST HARTFORD, CT – NOVEMBER 09: Shamar Stephen #59 of the University of Connecticut Huskies celebrates a defensive stop in front of Tino Sunseri #12 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers during the game on November 9, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Saturday Night: Notre Dame vs Boston College
CHESTNUT HILL, MA – NOVEMBER 10: Troy Niklas #85 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates with his teammates after catching a touchdown pass against the Boston College Eagles defense at the end of the second quarter during the game on November 10, 2012 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Sunday Afternoon: Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 11: C.J. Spiller #28 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball against the New England Patriots defense during the game on November 11, 2012 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 11: Scott Chandler #84 of the Buffalo Bills catches a pass against the New England Patriots during the game on November 11, 2012 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 11: Fred Jackson #22 of the Buffalo Bills fumbles the football near the goal line before members of the New England Patriots recovered the ball in the second half during the game on November 11, 2012 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 11: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots catches a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the game on November 11, 2012 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 11: Brandon Spikes #55 of the New England Patriots hits Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills before being flagged for a personal foul in the second half during the game on November 11, 2012 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 11: Stevie Jonhson #13 of the Buffalo Bills stretches out to catch a pass against the New England Patriots during the game on November 11, 2012 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 11: George Wilson #37 of the New England Patriots lands on his head after defending on a pass in the endzone against the Buffalo Bills during the game on November 11, 2012 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 11: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 and David Snow #61 of the Buffalo Bills walk to the locker room after throwing an interception to Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots to end the game in the fourth quarter during the game on November 11, 2012 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Sydney Leroux #11 of the United States takes a picture with a fan following their 2-2 draw against Germany during the game on October 23, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut.
Well, I had been lucky ALL of baseball season to avoid any bad rainy games. Even football season so far has been dry and warm. After covering the introduction and press conference of the new Red Sox manager, last night’s United States women’s soccer match in Connecticut against Germany made up for it when it started sprinkling during introductions and by the end of the first half was raining so hard you could barely see the pitch. However, I came prepared for a hurricane and stayed mostly dry. I can’t say the same for everyone though – especially the video guy in a suit with no rain jacket whatsoever. In the end, the US women ended the match in a 2-2 draw, with both of their games against Germany ending in a tie.
Here are the images of the other people who had no choice but to get soaked:
Abby Wambach #14 of the United States goes up for a header against Saskia Burtusiak #3 of Germany during the game on October 23, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut.
German women’s national team head coach Silvia Neid watches her team warm up prior to the game against the United States on October 23, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut.
Anja Mittag #11 of Germany reaches for the ball in front of Amy LePeilbet #6 of the United States during the game on October 23, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Abby Wambach #14 of the United States celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half on a header in front of Babett Peter #4 of Germany during the game on October 23, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Saskia Burtusiak #3 of Germany covers her face following a foul against the United States during the game on October 23, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Dzsenifer Marozsan #14 of Germany celebrates following her goal in the second half against the United States during the game on October 23, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Tobin Heath #17, Abby Wambach #14 and members of the United States celebrates following Heath’s goal in the second half against Germany during the game on October 23, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Tobin Heath #17 of the United States celebrates following her goal in the second half against Germany during the game on October 23, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Abby Wambach #14 of the United States covers her face in front of Annike Krahn #5 of Germany after just missing on a shot in the second half during the game on October 23, 2012 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Barking Dogs Studio crew (from left to right: Stephanie Strasburg, Justin Merriman, Jeff Swensen, Jared Wickerham, Mickey Miller)
I wouldn’t be where I am – both in my growth as a person and in my skills as a photographer without a very key group of people.
Obviously, most people have their parents to thank. And of course, my mom played a big role encouraging me to pursue my passion – whatever that was, for however long it existed. But what teenage boy actually listens to their mom? Certainly not this one.
During the Lancaster Festival in Lancaster, Ohio, I nervously walked up to Ken Ritchie, a staff photographer for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette at the time who took me under his wing and introduced me to the other staffer, Bill Cannon. After that meeting, I spent as much time as possible at the newspaper downtown learning about composition, cropping, toning, and probably the most important aspects, ethics and people skills. Eventually, I would freelance for the newspaper covering sports from time to time. Both photographers would move onto greener pastures during my junior year in high school. However, during my band’s (I was the lead singer in a rock band with my best friend’s until they all graduated and I was left behind to finish school) final performance – ironically as the headlining band for the Lancaster Festival – it was also one of Bill’s final assignments before heading to Upstate New York. So, one of my favorite photos is that of myself signing on stage in downtown Lancaster, taken by one of my first mentor’s. I still have a couple laminated and digital versions of the newspaper article to this day.
Photo by William Cannon
Throughout college, I had a few teacher’s who were pretty important pieces to my successes as well – Katyna and Barry Lavery, Scott Spangler, and Jon Lisbon all were really helpful and pushed me through the homework and assignments. Actually, if it weren’t for Katyna, I probably would not be where I am today. She introduced me to the NPPA Northern Short Course workshop that happened to take place in Rochester, New York that year. I had absolutely no money as a student without even a part-time job so she and her husband Barry were willing to have me tag along on the drive to Rochester. I ended up getting a scholarship for the workshop and slept at my aunt and uncle’s place not too far from downtown. It was at the workshop, after waiting over an hour and a half, that I got the chance to speak to Al Bello, a staff sports photographer for Getty Images, following his speech. It was this opportunity that gave me the chance to apply for the Getty Images internship in New York City (I applied, didn’t get accepted, and was asked to reapply a year later, when I finally was accepted. Lesson learned here? Persistence – a lesson taught to me by my first set of mentors, Ken and Bill). Al Bello became an immediate mentor, and although I am lucky enough to say that we are a part of the same Getty Images team, is still and will always be a huge influence on me and my work.
Fast forward following my graduation from college at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, I was a passionate, driven freelance sports photographer living in Pittsburgh. I needed another push, photographically, and still had plenty to learn in life. After becoming frustrated with how slow the winter months can be on a freelance sports photographer with only so many sports teams in one city, I reached out to my friend Justin Merriman, who highly recommend that I swing by the studio he shared with Jeff Swensen, a fellow Getty freelancer (on the news side of things), who might be able to offer some advice. Jeff and I had worked on an assignment for the New York Times together, but had never really talked much since then. Come to find out, Jeff was exactly the fresh opinion and kick in the ass that I needed. Although hard to read at first, Jeff treated me like his own son – I felt like I had known the guy for years.
Soon after, I was invited to a party at the studio – ‘Chrishondrosmas’, a benefit for the late Chris Hondros who was killed in Libya while on assignment for Getty Images and who was a roommate of Jeff’s during graduate school at Ohio University. It was there that I realized how beloved Jeff was among his friends and how much they respected him. That night, although slightly intoxicated, Jeff asked if I would be a part of the studio. From then on, I spent a lot of time at 33 Terminal Way. Some days editing and doing work. Other days, just to kill time and sip coffee with whoever decided to come in that day, as we also shared it with Stephanie Strasburg, a very talented photographer and all-around awesome person, and Mickey Miller, a chill dude who can do amazing things both with a website and a video camera!
Every day in the studio I think I learned something new. Even if it had absolutely nothing to do with photography, it seemed to be what I always needed to hear. With Chris’ passing still very much on everyone’s minds, I think in a way, he was also a mentor of mine. Many days, Jeff’s advice or evaluation of a situation I was in would start with, “You know, if Chris were here, he’d say…”. It spoke of how important their relationship was to each other and made me see the bigger picture in life. I was certainly a very literal thinker until I met this ‘dude’ Jeff, who made me value relationships and life a lot more.
Mentors just happen to come into your life naturally – at a time in your career when you need it most. Thanks, everyone for all of the sage advice and honesty. I hope to one day have the impact that you all had on me, on someone coming up who is figuring out their life and passion with a camera.
Team Getty – US Open 2009
***A special thanks to everyone else who also made my time in Pittsburgh enjoyable and who were always helpful along the way including: Andy Russell, Jasmine Goldband, Michael Henninger, Rebecca Droke, Brian Henry, Pete Madia, Chris Horner, Chaz Palla, Pete Diana, Phil Pavely, Don Wright, Kevin Lorenzi, Evan Sanders, Ben Filio, Bill Wade, Jack Megaw, Barry Reeger, Lake Fong, Eric Schmadel, Guy Wathen, and Jason Bridge.
3 Comments » | Tags: 2012, Boston, Boston Editorial Photographer, Boston News Photographer, Boston Sports Photographer, Getty Images, images, jared wickerham, Massachusetts, photographer, photography, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh editorial photographer, Pittsburgh news photographer, Pittsburgh sports photographer, sports, wick photography
The Yankees are fighting for first place and the Red Sox are trying to give their fans a show and end the season on a good note. Regardless of their records, it’s always a fun series to photograph. Here are my favorite images from this past three game series:
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 11: Members of the Boston Red Sox take part in batting practice prior to the game against the New York Yankees on September 11, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 11: Members of the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees line up during a pregame ceremony prior to the game on September 11, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 11: Ichiro Suzuki #31 of the New York Yankees signs autographs for young fans during batting practice prior to the game against the Boston Red Sox on September 11, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 11: Joba Chamberlain #62 of the New York Yankees celebrates after getting out of a bases-loaded jam against the Boston Red Sox during the game on September 11, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 11: Pedro Ciriaco #77 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammate Dustin Pedroia #15 following their walk-off win against the New York Yankees in the bottom of the ninth inning during the game on September 11, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 11: Jacoby Ellsbury #2 of the Boston Red Sox is mobbed by his teammates including Pedro Ciriaco #77 following his walk-off RBI in the bottom of the ninth inning against the New York Yankees during the game on September 11, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 12: Jose Iglesias #58 of the Boston Red Sox throws to first base after fielding a ground ball against the New York Yankees during the game on September 12, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 12: Mike Aviles #3 of the Boston Red Sox misplays a throw to first base against the New York Yankees during the game on September 12, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 12: Cody Ross #7 of the Boston Red Sox argues a called three strike with home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez before being thrown out of the game against the New York Yankees during the game on September 12, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 13: Robinson Cano #24 of the New York Yankees blows a bubble during batting practice prior to the game against the Boston Red Sox on September 13, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 13: Robinson Cano #24 of the New York Yankees warms up on the steps of the dugout against the Boston Red Sox during the game on September 13, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 13: Actor Bill Cosby gestures to the crowd after throwing out the first pitch prior to the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees on September 13, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 13: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees hits an RBI single in the 7th inning against the Boston Red Sox during the game on September 13, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. With this hit, Jeter tied Willie Mays for 10th on the all-time hits list. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
- BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 13: Ivan De Jesus #56 of the Boston Red Sox misplays a ground ball that goes between his legs against the New York Yankees during the game on September 13, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
