Denver editorial photographers | Jose Guerrero for DU Magazine

Late on a Sunday afternoon my phone rang, "Hey, it's Jose. I'm taking my son over to my mom's house and then I'll probably head to the Mercury Cafè later. Is that cool?"

Not having much background information on Jose or even a rough draft of the story yet, I had no idea that he even had a son. "Is it cool if I hang out with you guys for a little while?," I respond.

"Sure," he says.

I grab my gear as fast as I could and raced out the door four hours early from when I was supposed to meet the young slam poet at the "Merc" as they like to call it and I'm really glad that I did. Jose, his son, JT, and Jose's parents welcomed me into their west Denver home without hesitation. They went on about their business making a snack, playing some basketball and brushing JT's teeth before Jose had to leave him behind to head out to the weekly poetry slam.

I had heard plenty about the cafè but never been. Although terrifyingly dark from a photo perspective, it was great to work in. The colors and atmosphere were something that I hadn't experienced before.

I followed Jose through his pre-stage routine that mirrored that of an athlete getting ready for a game, save for a few cigarettes in the back alley. Clearly this wasn't his first time; the nerves never showed.

Greg Glasgow's article eloquently describes the evening, in addition to Jose's rise from several struggling times. You don't have to take my word for it though, read it yourself.

This was one of my favorite stories that I've worked on. It probably doesn't hurt that it turned out to be my first magazine cover story. The next one won't be as big of a deal but the first anything in your career is always exciting.

The magazine used a few photos in the spread here, here and here.

-JCE

Denver editorial photographers

Denver sports photographers | Astros v Rockies

"Starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin #45 of the Colorado Rockies warms up in the bullpen before the start of a game against the Houston Astros at Coors Field on August 22, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Catcher Humberto Quintero #55 of the Houston Astros receives a ball from starting pitcher Brett Myers #39 in the bullpen before a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 22, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Brian Bogusevic #19 of the Houston Astros breaks his bat during the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 22, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"A fan sits alone in the purple row of seats that are exactly one mile (5,280 feet) above sea level during a game between the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 23, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies goes airborne as he slides safely into second base for a stolen base during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Coors Field on August 23, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

A staple concept among those knowledgable about baseball is that more often than not, good pitching trumps good hitting. It's a healthy contributing factor as to why the Phillies are so good. Their starting pitching rotation has four the of the best in the game.

So what about when you have bad pitching? Lots, and I mean lots, of action.

The Astros are one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball and the Rockies aren't having much of a season either but the games between them the past three days have created more photo worthy action than probably all of the games I've shot this season.

In the three game series, the two teams combined for 43 runs on 73 hits.

Oddly enough some of my favorite images from the series are of the feature variety. When I saw Patrick, who is a great Maryland sports photographer, filing some features from his game on the other side of the country on Monday I grabbed my cameras and dashed out of the press box in search of a little friendly competition. At this point in the season there aren't many photographers at the games so I have to find other means to motivate myself.

Naturally his bullpen photo kicked my bullpen photos in the rear.

I'm looking forward to having two weeks off (as of now) before September gets crazy again but the competition isn't over. We're both doing NASCAR in Richmond next month. Hopefully he wins again because if not he may make me hitchhike my way back to Baltimore to catch a plane.

-JCE

Denver sports photographers

Colorado sports photographers | Bills v Broncos

"Safety Brian Dawkins #20 of the Denver Broncos storms out of the tunnel admits smoke before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 20, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Cornerback Cassius Vaughn #41 of the Denver Broncos breaks up a pass attempt for wide receiver Donald Jones #19 of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 20, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Running back Willis McGahee #23 of the Denver Broncos beats linebacker Reggie Torbor #53 of the Buffalo Bills to the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 20, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Running back Anthony Elzy #39 of the Buffalo Bills looks stiff-arms cornerback Perrish Cox #32 of the Denver Broncos as linebacker Mike Mohamed #53 and Jason Hunter #52 give chase during the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 20, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bills 24-10."

"Linebacker Wesley Woodyard #59 of the Denver Broncos tackles running back Bruce Hall #36 of the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 20, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bills 24-10."

"Defensive end Elvis Dumervil #92 of the Denver Broncos pauses to pray after a game against the Buffalo Bills at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 20, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bills 24-10."

It's good to have football back.

For a while there I was worried that the rich NFL players and the richer NFL owners weren't going to play nice with each other but they solved their differences and here we are.

There is no question that football has become one of my favorite sports to shoot. The speed of the game at the NFL level makes it a challenge to shoot but that's what I love about it. The harder something is the more fun I tend to have. That's just the competitive side of me, I guess.

Considering that it was my first game of the year and I was shooting it solo, I'll take the results. I managed to capture my 10th picture of the week honor in 10 games for Getty so I'm sure I did alright. I made what would have been a killer photo of Brandon Lloyd if it weren't for the god awful background. Planning and a little luck are the key factors to making an image with a moment and clean background. Sometimes you only get half of that equation correct.

My NFL coverage will be limited this season for a few unknown reasons but hopefully I'll be back out there again soon.

More photos from the Broncos game.

-JCE

Colorado sports photographers

Estes Park wedding photographers | Season & Jacob

Saturday afternoon I walked into Taharaa Mountain Lodge and heard a voice say, "Justin, you're here!"

I stared at the gal on the other end of that line and although I didn't know who she was I figured that she must be part of the wedding party. My best guess led me to believe it was one of the bridesmaids.

Ten or so seconds later I realized it was Season. Combine the fact that I hadn't seen her since last fall and she didn't have her glasses on threw me through a loop. Her transformation to gorgeous bride reminded me of a recent Acura television commercial.

While I was with the ladies, Stephanie was down the road with Jake and the boys. Clearly her lens was drawn to the little ones as she managed to capture two of my favorite moments of the day.

My favorite thing about photographing a wedding in the mountains is the great light and distinctive look that says Colorado. After the ceremony they ventured down the road to Mary's Lake to take everything in. Stephanie and I worked from a distance to give them a moment to themselves. Crawling down by the lake's edge and climbing up the mountain provided me with a few great perspectives of both them and the surroundings.

It goes without saying that my shoes didn't return home as clean and shiny as when I started the day.

-JCE

Estes Park wedding photographers

Denver sports photographers | Miracles on Ice Day 4/5

The last image above says it all. On Monday many of the kids have never put on a pair of skates in their life and by Friday afternoon they've learned that a little hard work goes a long way towards accomplishing anything.

A victory in the big game just makes it that much sweeter.

I love working with kids in similar situations because I once could have been one of them. I, like them, was faced with challenging situations at their age but an amazing set of parents and a few adults with a positive impact kept me on the right track. Sure, this camp teaches kids how to skate but it's the big picture that is what it's all about.

If just one of these kids goes on to college we've done our job, and seeing one of them walk across the stage to receive their diploma at DU would be the cherry on top.

After five years that is what keeps me coming back year after year.

-JCE

Denver sports photographers

Denver sports photographers | Miracles on Ice Day 4/5

The last image above says it all. On Monday many of the kids have never put on a pair of skates in their life and by Friday afternoon they've learned that a little hard work goes a long way towards accomplishing anything.

A victory in the big game just makes it that much sweeter.

I love working with kids in similar situations because I once could have been one of them. I, like them, was faced with challenging situations at their age but an amazing set of parents and a few adults with a positive impact kept me on the right track. Sure, this camp teaches kids how to skate but it's the big picture that is what it's all about.

If just one of these kids goes on to college we've done our job, and seeing one of them walk across the stage to receive their diploma at DU would be the cherry on top.

After five years that is what keeps me coming back year after year.

-JCE

Denver sports photographers