Soccer Soccer Soccer

Two weeks ago I shot a whole bunch of soccer, two Chicago Fire games for USA Today Sports Images and two days of U.S. Youth Soccer Eastern Regionals for U.S. Youth Soccer. I don't think I could ever have too much soccer. Maybe one day I'll get to shoot a World Cup Final? 

At the Youth Soccer I had a 1DX with a 35 on a mini tripod with a Pocket Wizard Plus 3, carried it with me to every field I was shooting, and plopped it down behind the net. I checked the aim of it before walking away to where I plopped down on my stool near the corner of the field I was shooting. I sometimes had to try to get the sandbags holding the net down to flatten and get out of my shot. I set my focus earlier in the day and just paced off the distance from the back of the net so I knew where to put the camera. It took work to handle that while shooting so many fields, I think I got at least a few shots from nearly 20 games over the two days.

I've posted almost all of these shots on my Instagram already, with some adjustments to a few, but here are my favorites from all the soccer I recently shot. 

Jul 3, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutierrez (40) celebrates with fans after their win over Atlanta United after the game at Soldier Field. The Chicago Fire won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

A player does a flip in front of his team after they won at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on June 30, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

Jun 26, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Union forward Cory Burke (19) loses his footing and slips while dribbling against the Chicago Fire during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

The goalkeeper reacts after giving up the game winning goal in a penalty shootout at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on July 1, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

Jul 3, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire forward Robert Beric (27) collides with Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) as defender Miles Robinson (12) makes a play for the ball before the play was called back for offside during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Fans and players hoist up their goal keeper after they won in a penalty shootout at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on July 1, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

Jul 3, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta United midfielder Jake Mulraney (23) wraps his hand around the face of Chicago Fire midfielder Przemyslaw Frankowski (11) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 3, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Mike Roberts and his children Charlotte, 8, and Henry, 12, celebrate a goal for England while watching the Euro 2020 soccer championship quarterfinal match between Ukraine and England during the Day of Futbol event before the game between the Chicago Fire and the Atlanta United at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

#6 kicks the shoe of an opponent while making a play for the ball at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on July 1, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

Jul 3, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire midfielder Ignacio Aliseda (7) celebrates after scoring his second goal of the game against Atlanta United during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Players battle for a header at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on July 1, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

Jun 26, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Union forward Sergio Santos (17) reacts after offside was called on a play against the Chicago Fire during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

A player shields the ball near the corner flag at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on June 30, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

The goal keeper reacts after being scored on at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on June 30, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

Jun 26, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth (1) collects the ball as defender Francisco Calvo (5) leaps in the air as he defends Philadelphia Union forward Sergio Santos (17) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Players battle for a header at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on June 30, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

Players battle for the ball at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on June 30, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

#5 leaps to control the ball at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on July 1, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

A spectator reacts to a call by the referee at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on July 1, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

The team huddles up before their championship game at Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey on July 1, 2021. Jon Durr for U.S. Youth Soccer

First Work of 2021

On May 13th I finally got to see a close friend after he became fully vaccinated and after our lunch he had to shoot a high school track meet, so I tagged along to finally shoot something in 2021. I've been delayed in getting back out shooting for a few reasons and I finally was able to get back out there. A few days later I joined the same friend again to go shoot a high school baseball game to get back into the groove of shooting baseball and joined him afterwards when he was finishing up a volleyball game. This was also the first time I was really active in a work environment since over 120lbs ago and wow, it sure was different. Here are some selects from all of that!

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 13: A Stevenson long jumper kicks up sand as he lands during the Stevenson Relays at Stevenson High School on May 13, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 13: A Jacobs high jumper clears the bar during the Stevenson Relays at Stevenson High School on May 13, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 13: A Grayslake runner reacts after a handoff in the 4x200m relay during the Stevenson Relays at Stevenson High School on May 13, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 13: A Huntley long jumper leaps into the air during the Stevenson Relays at Stevenson High School on May 13, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 13: A Huntley pole vaulter clears the bar during the Stevenson Relays at Stevenson High School on May 13, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 13: A Grayslake runner at the start of the 4x800m relay during the Stevenson Relays at Stevenson High School on May 13, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 13: A Barrington high jumper clears the bar during the Stevenson Relays at Stevenson High School on May 13, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 13: A Barrington runner runs in the 1600m during the Stevenson Relays at Stevenson High School on May 13, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 17: Stevenson players block a hit by Fremd in the second match during a game at Stevenson High School on May 17, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Stevenson won the game. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 17: Stevenson smile as they talk before their game against Waukegan during a game at Stevenson High School on May 17, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 17: A Waukegan player is unable to make a catch against Stevenson during a game at Stevenson High School on May 17, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 17: A Stevenson player is tagged out at third base by a Waukegan player during a game at Stevenson High School on May 17, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 17: A Waukegan player pitches against Stevenson during a game at Stevenson High School on May 17, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 17: A Waukegan player is unable to cach a pickoff attempt as a Stevenson player makes it safely back to second base during a game at Stevenson High School on May 17, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 17: A Stevenson player slides into home plate to score as the Waukegan catcher waits for the throw during a game at Stevenson High School on May 17, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 17: A Stevenson player steals second base as the Waukegan player is unable to make the catch during a game at Stevenson High School on May 17, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 17: The Waukegan pitcher reacts after giving up a double to Stevenson during a game at Stevenson High School on May 17, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 17: A Stevenson player avoids a bouncing ground ball on a walk-off RBI single hit by a teammate as Waukegan players watch during a game at Stevenson High School on May 17, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - MAY 17: Stevenson celebrates their win over Waukegan after a game at Stevenson High School on May 17, 2021 in Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr)

"He's Back"

I'm both happy and scared to be sharing the things I'm going to share here today because it's been a tough few years. I'm happy because I've been able to finally overcome some incredible challenges and scared because this is an entirely new chapter of my life and I have no idea what lies ahead. 

The past 13 months I've been able to get back my life from an eating disorder and depression that has run my life in many ways since I was in high school. The past six years have been especially rough. Despite all the professional growth and success I was having, I kept gaining more and more weight and the behaviors that caused that to happen eventually spiraled into a nose dive. As my binge eating disorder and depression started hitting incredibly hard, my life became stagnant and it ultimately led to reaching a dangerously unhealthy weight of 370 pounds, 13 months ago. After years and years of trying all sorts of things to help myself with many different professionals over the past six years, I finally found something that I have been very successful with and I can proudly say that I weigh nearly 120 pounds less than I did 13 months ago. 

I've seen so many stories about people gaining weight during the pandemic but for me this past year has been absolutely amazing for me. The positive changes to my habits in all parts of my life that I've been making are sticking and my mind and body are thanking me for it. The gigantic fog of apathy, detachment, and mindlessness that plagued my every day life, that I'm sure people began to see as a part of me, has now practically vanished. After I stopped posting on social media and distanced myself from many acquaintances and friends, I've been able to become more connected with those I stayed in touch with than ever before. I honestly don't think I've felt anywhere close to this since at least 2013 and possibly even longer than that. I know my family is incredibly happy and thankful to be able to agree with this Harry Potter quote that fits perfectly for me right now, "He's Back."

Since this is a blog for my photography, I have to post something with pictures. This past week I have undertaken a marathon of updating my portfolio and gone through over 9000 pictures I have sent of baseball alone to create not only a sports portfolio but also a baseball one (and re-make a website). After covering baseball so much the past few years, it has become my strongest sport, even though I wish that was soccer. So here's some of what you can find on my new website, www.jondurrphoto.com