NASCAR photographers | Coca-Cola 600

"Kyle Busch drives the #18 M&M's Toyota during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29, 2011 in Concord, North Carolina. Bush was in the news recently after being cited by police for speeding at 128mph in a 45mph zone."

"Juan Pablo Montoya drives the #42 Target Chevrolet during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28, 2011 in Concord, North Carolina."

"Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard/Amp Energy Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, 2011 in Concord, North Carolina."

"Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, and A.J. Allmendinger, driver of the #43 U.S. Air Force Ford, lead the field during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28, 2011 in Concord, North Carolina."

"Matt Kenseth, driver of the #17 Jeremiah Weed Southern Style Ford, leads Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 Caterpillar Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29, 2011 in Concord, North Carolina."

"Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 Budweiser Armed Forces Tribute Chevrolet, crosses the finish line ahead of David Ragan, driver of the #6 UPS Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #20 The Home Depot Toyota, to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29, 2011 in Concord, North Carolina. Harvick only led the final lap en route to the victory after Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Denny Hamlin ran out of gas in the final corners of the race."

I'm humbled.

This was by far the hardest sport that I've ever shot, period.

I don't care what folks say about NASCAR, it's considerably different in person than it is on TV. Trust me, I'm still fishing pieces of tire rubber out of my hair to prove it. When you're standing a mere three feet from 43 dudes doing 180mph+ it literally blows you back. It's safe to say that I didn't make much of a picture that first time that they passed me.

I've been looking forward to making the trip out to hot and humid North Carolina to work with the Getty crew since I got the initial email two months ago. Everything about the weekend was a challenge but I can't be more appreciative of the other eight Getty guys who looked out for me, told me how to stay safe and did all they could to help the rookie.

Thursday was practice and qualifying so I mostly shot stock and tried to make a picture in the garage. The drivers do their best to elude the photographers so that proved difficult.

Saturday I was assigned to shoot outside the track at turns 3 and 4 for the Nationwide Series race (read: minor leagues). Crouched down, shooting through small designated holes, in the sweltering heat was something that I hadn't dealt with before but I made a few images here and there.

By the time Sunday rolled around I finally found my bearings and felt much better about my performance. I was assigned to start inside turns 3 and 4 and worked every angle I could find to make a few fames I was happy with. At lap 275 I was taken out to the outside of turn 1. I worked that until lap 388 (of 400) when I moved down to shoot the crazy finish head on. As soon as Harvick crossed the finish line I sprinted the nearly 200 yards to the finish line to shoot his burnout celebration.

It's hard to cram 5 days in Charlotte into a few paragraphs but I can definitely say that I throughly enjoyed myself.

Things that made it a successful trip (in no particular order): tangy BBQ, sweet tea, Nike dri-fit, arcade basketball, cold beer, earplugs, a golf cart, and good pictures.

A big thanks to the talented, helpful and good people who got me through what hopefully won't be my last race: Chris, Justin, Streeter, John, Geoff, Jared, Jerry, Jason and Nikki.

More images from the weekend here.

-JCE

Denver sports photographers

Engagement photos in Denver | Tamara & Sterling

Watching Sterling's cool, smooth charm bring out Tamara's bubbly personality was a treat to see. I don't know what he was telling her but clearly, it was working.

They came to me with the one word of inspiration, modern. The architecture of the ultra modern Denver Art Museum was the first thing that came to mind. The sharp lines and white walls made it fantastic to shoot in.

I wanted to shoot in another location with a contrasting style and the timeless Oxford hotel definitely fit the bill. Something out of the roaring twenties, the Cruise Room Martini Bar offered up a fantastic overabundance of color that was definitely much different than the DAM.

I think Tamara and Sterling had the most fun, though, dodging the rain and walking in crisp spring air. Not only did they seem to enjoy each other's company but the soft, overcast light was really hard to beat.

I know that September can't come fast enough for these two when they tie the knot.

-JCE

Denver engagement photographers

Denver sports photographers | Toronto FC v Colorado Rapids

"Anthony Wallace #6 of the Colorado Rapids grabs the jersey of Nick Soolsma #18 of Toronto FC as the two battle for the ball during the second half at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on May 22, 2011 in Commerce City, Colorado. The game ended in a 0-0 tie."

I usually enjoy shooting soccer, with the only exception when the game ends in a 0-0 tie.

What a bore.

At one point Rapids team photographer Garret Ellwood walked by me near the end of the first half and said, "come wake me up when this game finally starts." It was literally that bad and we still had the entire second half to go.

I made a few images with decent action and a failed bicycle kick attempt but other than that it was a snoozer.

More images from the game here.

-JCE

Denver sports photographers

Colorado sports photographers | CHSAA 5A baseball

"Cherry Creek starting pitcher Griffin Jax works the third inning against Pine Creek during a CHSAA 5A State baseball playoff game at All-City Field in Denver, Friday, May 20, 2011. Jax finished with five strikeouts en route to the 10-4 victory."

"Pine Creek left-fielder Christian Hinson comes up short on a double off the bat of Cherry Creek's Grant McCabe allowing a run to score in the top of the third inning of a CHSAA 5A State baseball playoff game at All-City Field in Denver, Friday, May 20, 2011. Cherry Creek defeated Pine Creek 10-4."

"Pine Creek relief pitcher Josh Prater is framed by Cherry Creek on deck batter Ian Wilson (4) while delivering a pitch during the seventh inning of a CHSAA 5A State baseball playoff game at All-City Field in Denver, Friday, May 20, 2011. Cherry Creek defeated Pine Creek 10-4."

I walked into All-City Field around 3:30 for what was supposed to be a 4 p.m. start between Pine Creek and Cherry Creek but to my surprise the 2 p.m. game hadn't even started yet. I panicked for a brief moment, thinking I was at the wrong field, before seeing Pine Creek sitting in the stands...waiting.

The delayed start turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I was treated to some of the best late afternoon light that you're ever going to get. Good light and decent action and you'll rarely hear me complain.

The near 9:15 finish had me scrambling to make a 9:30 deadline but I made it with two minutes to spare.

-JCE

Colorado sports photographers

Colorado sports photographers | CHSAA 4A quarterfinals

"Green Mountain's Hannah Miles (3) celebrates her game tying goal with two seconds remaining in regulation with Lindsay Forrest (9) and Katie Marcheso (13) as Air Academy's Saras Schweiss (3) argues to the referee during a quarterfinal matchup at Lakewood Memorial Field in Lakewood, Tuesday, May 17, 2011. After two golden goal overtime periods the score remained tied but Green Mountain advanced on penalty kicks."

"Air Academy's Whitney Morin (2) gets roughed up on a slide tackle by Green Mountain's Claire Miles during a quarterfinal matchup at Lakewood Memorial Field in Lakewood, Tuesday, May 17, 2011."

"Green Mountain's Katie Marcheso (13) celebrates after scoring during penalty kicks against Air Academy during a quarterfinal matchup at Lakewood Memorial Field in Lakewood, Tuesday, May 17, 2011. Green Mountain later went on to advance in the 6th round of penalty kicks."

"Cheyenne Mountain goalkeeper Sarah Schneider makes a save on Wheat Ridge's Annie Kunz (8) during the second half of a quarterfinal matchup at Lakewood Memorial Field in Lakewood, Tuesday, May 17, 2011."

"Wheat Ridge goalkeeper Hannah Van Wetter makes a fingertip save over the bar against Cheyenne Mountain during double overtime of a quarterfinal matchup at Lakewood Memorial Field in Lakewood, Tuesday, May 17, 2011. Wheat Ridge advanced to the semi-finals on penalty kicks."

"Wheat Ridge sophomore Elise Boisenard races back towards her her teammates as she celebrates her game winning penalty kick towards the crowd following double overtime against Cheyenne Mountain during a quarterfinal matchup at Lakewood Memorial Field in Lakewood, Tuesday, May 17, 2011. Wheat Ridge advances to the semi-finals."

Simply put, it was a rough day for the Colorado Springs crowd.

Not one, but both girls soccer teams in the 4A quarterfinals lost Tuesday night. Both gave up game tying goals with under 6 minutes to play in regulation and after playing double overtime, both teams also lost on penalty kicks. Working for my former stomping grounds, I saw it all.

Could it get any worse?

Air Academy even gave up the game-tying goal with two, yes :02, seconds remaining in regulation.

Hoping for the best, I had a wide angle on a second camera body ready to race out onto the field to capture the jubilation. Preparing for the worst, sitting on the opposite end of the Cadets' goal, I had my 400 with 1.4 extender locked in on the action. Naturally what can go wrong, will go wrong and for Air Academy it couldn't have happened at a worse time.

The first picture above says it all.

Things weren't much better for Cheyenne Mountain. Naturally they held a 2-1 lead at halftime and I raced to McDonalds down the street to get wireless and transmit both goals/jubilation. So much for those pictures getting used...

-JCE

Colorado sports photographers

Denver sports photographers | MLL National v Outlaws

"Brian Christopher #12 of Hamilton Nationals winds up for a shot as Casey Cittadino #5 and Steve Holmes #8 of Denver Outlaws defend in the second quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on May 14, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Outlaws defeated the Hamilton Nationals 18-10."

"Jesse Schwartzman #19 of Denver Outlaws makes a save against the Hamilton Nationals during the third quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on May 14, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Outlaws defeated the Hamilton Nationals 18-10."

"Brian Langtry #6 of Denver Outlaws looks to make a pass while spilling on the wet turf after blowing by Kyle Rubisch #8 of Hamilton Nationals during the dirst quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on May 14, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Peet Poillon #57 of Denver Outlaws shoots and scores as Steven Waldeck #16 of Hamilton Nationals is unable to defend the shot during the third quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on May 14, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Outlaws defeated the Hamilton Nationals 18-10. "

"Geoff Snider #4 of Hamilton Nationals wins the face off against Will Dalton #31 of Denver Outlaws during the fourth quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on May 14, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Outlaws defeated the Hamilton Nationals 18-10."

Battling the elements is just something that I occasionally have to deal with but the added benefit of making images that highlight the weather always makes it worth it.

Saturday night I braved the cold and constant rain for the Denver Outlaws season opener against the Hamilton Nationals at Invesco. A big thanks has to go out to Nike Golf and Think Tank Photo for keeping me and my gear dry.

Lacrosse is ever growing here in Denver and its making a name for itself among the East coast brethren. As I type this post I'm watching my alma mater, DU, take on Villanova in the first ever NCAA tournament game west of the Mississippi. For that very reason I don't shoot much lacrosse so it was a good change of pace.

The obnoxious overabundance of orange and blue led me to convert these images to black and white but you can take a peek at the whole take in color over on Getty's website.

-JCE

Denver sports photographer