Keri Herman for University of Denver Magazine

Photographers contantly chat with one another about doing personal work to fill the void left by most of the stuff that pays the bills. When I got the call about this assignment I had a feeling I was going to be able to kill two birds with the single preverbial stone. It had everything I'm looking for in a personal assignment, a talented athlete, great location, action and portraits all wrapped up into one.

I often laugh to myself after I get off the phone with Greg or Chelsey from the magazine because they always ask if I'm interested in doing it. Did they really think I was going to turn this one down?

Keri had never ridden a rail or gone off a jump when she came to DU and now she regularly collects X-Games medals. If she keeps it up, she's bound for the 2014 Olympics. Read her story online.

After what seemed like six weeks of logistics, I headed up to Breckenridge where she trains with a trunk full of gear and an assistant in tow. I rarely leave the house at 3am for a shoot but we were chasing a mountian sunrise. Unfortunately, the sunrise part didn't happen.

On to plan B.

If things weren't already complicated, my battery for the dynalights struggled in the cold, my pocket wizards didn't like the huge mounds of ice/snow between me and the lights and the crazy wind that Breckenridge is known for made Keri have to work ten times as hard to pull her tricks off. Thankfully hardwire and a gas generator saved us from having to move to plan C.

Keri was determined to ride all 100+ feet of the quad kink rail and took lap after lap via snowmobile to get it, and the photo right. She didn't want to fake it and as someone who stives to get things right in-camera, I have a lot of respect for her.

After we wrapped up the mountain shoot and created a makeshift studio at Teal Art Gallery, we went to lunch with Keri and her friends. Trust me, that doesn't happen often. I'm around professional athletes all the time and Keri is about as down to earth as they come.

The stories we heard during lunch were definitely worth the price of admission. It must be nice to trot the globe and ski for a living but who am I to complain? I push a button for a living.

The feature was originally slated for the cover but it got bumped, understandably, when DU landed one of three Presidential debates. I'm hoping I get the call to cover that one as well.

Colorado sports photographers | USC v Colorado

"Safety Drew McAllister #19 of the USC Trojans prepares to lead his team out of the locker room before a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on November 4, 2011 in Boulder, Colorado."

"A Colorado Buffaloes student dons body paint in support of his team during a game against the USC Trojans at Folsom Field on November 4, 2011 in Boulder, Colorado."

"Running back Curtis McNeal #22 of the USC Trojans is upended by defensive back Kyle Washington #4 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the first quarter at Folsom Field on November 4, 2011 in Boulder, Colorado."

"Wide receiver Marqise Lee #9 of the USC Trojans makes a diving catch in the end zone in front of defensive back Greg Henderson #20 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second quarter at Folsom Field on November 4, 2011 in Boulder, Colorado. Lee Landed out of bounds on the play. Lee finished with 124 yards receiving on nine catches and two touchdown in the Trojans 42-17 victory over the Buffaloes."

Friday evening I spent my 26th birthday covering USC's romp over CU in Boulder. What can I say, that's life of a freelancer.

Thankfully there was plenty of photos to be made as USC quarterback Matt Barkley set a school record in throwing six touchdown passes and in rare fashion I had a photo of each one.

CU's transition to the PAC 12 has been rough but the up-tempo, west coast offense that several of the teams play has been a blast to shoot compared to mostly ground and pound style of the former Big 12.

More photos from the game at Getty.

Denver sports photographers | Lions v Broncos

"Defensive end Willie Young #79 of the Detroit Lions makes a diving effort to try and tackle quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 30, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lions defeated the Broncos 45-10."

This one pretty much sums up Tim's afternoon against the Lions.

I'll admit that I seemed to suffer similar struggles on the other side of the lens. I feel like I'm in a slump photographically.

I'm not sure if things just aren't going my way or I'm doing something different but compared to last season, I have some catching up to do.

The good news is that half of the NFL season remains for me to redeem myself.