(5-30-15) Recent Work

MAY 16, 2015: Crowds cross the track near the finish line during heavy rain before the start of the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes on Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Jon Durr/ESW/Cal Sport Media

MAY 16, 2015: American Pharoah, ridden by Victor Espinoza, wins the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Jon Durr/ESW/Cal Sport Media

MAY 16, 2015: Victor Espinoza, aboard American Pharoah, wins the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes on Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Jon Durr/ESW/Cal Sport Media 

MAY 16, 2015: Exercise rider Jorge Alvarez celebrates the win of American Pharoah, trained by Bob Baffert, in the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes on Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Jon Durr/ESW/Cal Sport Media

MAY 16, 2015: Trevor McCarthy, aboard Bodhisattva, after the 140th running of the Preakness on Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Jon Durr/ESW/Cal Sport Media

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 24: Trevor Plouffe #24 of the Minnesota Twins hits a double against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning on May 24, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - May 14: Curtis Granderson #3 of the New York Mets fields the ball during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs on May 14, 2015 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 6-5. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 21: Manager Robin Ventura #23 of the Chicago White Sox before the game against the Cleveland Indians on May 21, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) 

CHICAGO, IL - May 14: A fan reacts after Lucas Duda #21 of the New York Mets struck out against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning on May 14, 2015 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) 

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 21: Mike Aviles #4 of the Cleveland Indians slides safely into first base as John Danks #50 of the Chicago White Sox attempts the tag after being caught in a run down during the sixth inning on May 21, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 24: Melky Cabrera #53 of the Chicago White Sox makes a catch for an out against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning on May 24, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 24: A fan tries to catch the home run ball of Jose Abreu #79 (not pictured) as Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins looks on during the fourth inning on May 24, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - May 14: Chris Coghlan #8 of the Chicago Cubs steals second base as Dilson Herrera #2 of the New York Mets takes the throw during the eighth inning on May 14, 2015 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 6-5. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

(5-11-15) Sox Sox Sox

Last weekend was supposed to be a nice relaxing one game a day.. and then it turned into 3 games in 24 hours. It was a lot of fun until I sat down for two minutes after I got home after the last game, I practically passed out right away. Here's a bunch of selects sorted in chronological order.

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Manager Robin Ventura #23 of the Chicago White Sox before the game against the Cincinnati Reds in the first game of a double header on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) 

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Fans cheer after a member of Chicago White Sox was ejected during the second inning in the first game of a doubleheader between the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Marlon Byrd #9 of the Cincinnati Reds bobbles and makes a catch for an out against the Chicago White Sox as Zack Cozart #2 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on during the fourth inning in the first game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Micah Johnson #7 of the Chicago White Sox leaps in the air to throw to first base as Jay Bruce #32 of the Cincinnati Reds slides into second base during the sixth inning in the first game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)  

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox reacts after flying out against the Cincinnati Reds during the sixth inning in the first game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Marlon Byrd #9 of the Cincinnati Reds after sliding into second base in front of Micah Johnson #7 of the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning in the first game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) 

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Brayan Pena #29 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts after being hit by a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning in the first game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) 

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Zack Cozart #2 of the Cincinnati Reds at bat against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning in the first game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Johnny Cueto #47 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts after being relieved in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox in the first game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Gordon Beckham #15 of the Chicago White Sox is unable to catch a hit by Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds during the third inning in the second game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Todd Frazier #21 of the Cincinnati Reds is unable to field a ball hit by Melky Cabrera #53 of the Chicago White Sox (not pictured) during the third inning in the second game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds talks with fans while on deck during the third inning against the Chicago White Sox in the second game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox at bat against the Cincinnati Reds during the third inning in the second game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) 

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Cincinnati Reds fields a ball against the Chicago White Sox during the fifth inning in the second game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Emilio Bonifacio #64 of the Chicago White Sox congratulates Gordon Beckham #15 after he hit a one run home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds in the second game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago White Sox won 8-2. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Carlos Rodon #55 of the Chicago White Sox in the dugout during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds in the second game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Alexei Ramirez #10 of the Chicago White Sox in the dugout during the eighth inning during the game against the Cincinnati Reds in the second game of a doubleheader on May 9, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: First base coach Daryl Boston #32 of the Chicago White Sox on the field during the second inning during the game against the Cincinnati Reds on May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Gordon Beckham #15 of the Chicago White Sox at bat against the Cincinnati Reds with a pink bat for breast cancer awareness during the third inning on May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) 

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Alexei Ramirez #10 of the Chicago White Sox throws to first base against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning on May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: J.B. Shuck #20 of the Chicago White Sox is unable to make a leaping catch against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning on May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Brayan Pena #29 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts next to Michael Lorenzen #50 after a bunt by Emilio Bonifacio #64 of the Chicago White Sox (not pictured) was called in fair territory during the fourth inning on May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Gordon Beckham #15 of the Chicago White Sox fields the ball against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning on May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago White Sox won 4-3.(Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Gordon Beckham #15 of the Chicago White Sox throws to first base against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning on May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago White Sox won 4-3.(Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Alexei Ramirez #10 of the Chicago White Sox hits a sacrifice fly against the Cincinnati Reds during the eighth inning to bring in Jose Abreu #79 (not pictured) on May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago White Sox won 4-3.(Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) 

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: J.B. Shuck #20 of the Chicago White Sox bunts against the Cincinnati Reds during the eighth inning on May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) 

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Tucker Barnhart #16 of the Cincinnati Reds is unable to catch a wild pitch by Jumbo Diaz #70 of the Cincinnati Reds (not pictured) while Emilio Bonifacio #64 of the Chicago White Sox is at bat during the eighth inning on May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago White Sox won 4-3.(Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Jumbo Diaz #70 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts after throwing a wild pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inningon May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago White Sox won 4-3.(Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) 

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Gordon Beckham #15 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates after hitting the game winning RBI during the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds on May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) 

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Gordon Beckham #15 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates with Adam Eaton #1 and Emilio Bonifacio #64 (R) after hitting the game winning RBI against the Cincinnati Reds during the ninth inning on May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Gordon Beckham #15 of the Chicago White Sox the team celebrate after he hit the game winning RBI against the Cincinnati Reds during the ninth inning on May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

(5-4-15) Kentucky Derby Week

Derby week is incredibly exhausting, waking up by 5am to shoot morning workouts takes its toll on you. I now have two consecutive Kentucky Derby races under my belt, maybe I'm good luck for Victor Espinoza? American Pharoah and Dortmund were heavy favorites entering the week, both trained by Bob Baffert, putting them in the same barn. Most of the week I was assigned to camp out at Baffert's barn.

There was an added excitement for me during the weekend since the judging for the IPPA (Illinois Press Photographer Association) contests were on Friday. Right before the Kentucky Oaks race, I found out that I won student photographer of the year and second place in sports photographer of the year in the professional contest.

This year I had been thinking about getting one specific shot for at least a month before the race. I wanted to use a tilt-shift on the first turn, getting the stands in the background. Even though I used a tilt-shift last year from the roof, it was difficult to get the lens how I wanted it. My friends Alex Evers and Ting Shen helped a lot to get it as perfect as possible, I kept making adjustments to it until a little less than an hour before the start of the race.

After the race I headed straight to American Pharoah's barn, unfortunately it wasn't very exciting back there since only the exercise rider was back there. The Zagat family (owners), Bob Baffert (trainer) or Victor Espinoza (jockey) didn't make their way to the barn for as long as I was there, until about 9pm. I really wish they did, the light was great!

MAY 2, 2015: The field on turn one during the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM 

APRIL 30, 2015: Jockey Christophe Soumillon looks at Mubtaahij after morning workouts in preparation for the 141st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM

APRIL 28, 2015: Scenes from morning workouts as horses exercise for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM

MAY 2, 2015: Victor Espinoza, aboard American Pharoah, celebrates after winning the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby as Gary Stevens, aboard Firing Line, reacts at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM

MAY 2, 2015: Jorge Alvarez, exercise rider for American Pharaoh, is reacts after American Pharoah, ridden by Victor Espinoza (not pictured) won the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM

APRIL 29, 2015: Ahmed Zagat holds the American Pharoah placard after the post position draw at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM

APRIL 26, 2015: American Pharoah, trained by Bob Baffert gets a bath after exercising for the 141st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM

APRIL 29, 2015: Justin Zayat (center) talks with Bob Baffert after morning workouts at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM

APRIL 29, 2015: American Pharoah, trained by Bob Baffert, exercises in preparation for the 141st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM

APRIL 29, 2015: Bob Baffert during the post position draw at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM 

APRIL 29, 2015: Maybellene, trained by Bob Baffert, gets a bath after exercising for the 141st Kentucky Oaks  at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM

MAY 1, 2015: The field at the start of the 12th running of the Alysheba at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM

MAY 1, 2015: Angela Renee, ridden by John Velazquez, during the 141st running of the Kentucky Oaks during the 141st running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM

MAY 1, 2015: Scenes from Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Durr/ESW/Cal Sport Media

APRIL 27, 2015: Scenes from morning workouts as horses exercise for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM