January 7, 2015

Sports Photos of 2014

This past year has been pretty crazy and a whole lot of fun. Throughout the year I have started working with Getty Sport and USA Today Sports Images and anxiously await to be worked to death by either of them. Back in November, the Miami Herald had me running all over the place to cover 4 consecutive days of sports, sports and more sports and it was the most fun I've had in a long time (maybe since the Kentucky Derby, that was a lot of fun too). But my point is that the more I'm working around sports, the more fun I have.

So I'm pretty happy about the past year, especially since I got first place in the Sports Action category of CPOY (College Photographer of the Year) with the first picture below. My new year is starting with a trip to Denver this weekend for the Broncos v Colts game to edit for USA Today Sports Images, I guess it's a good start! (Now I get to visit my buddy Brent Lewis at his recent new job at the Denver Post!) 



Madison Park, ridden by Kyle Carter of Canada, competes in the Cross County Test at the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. on April 26, 2014.

Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano #22 pits during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Spectators take photos during the start of heat 3 of the 200-yard freestyle relay during the boys' swimming state finals preliminaries hosted at Evanston Township High School in Evanston, Ill. on February 28, 2014.

Trainer Steve Asmussen braves a torrential downpour to watch over his Kentucky Derby hopeful Tapiture as he exercises in preparation for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on April 28, 2014.

Juan Mejia of Miami, takes off his swim cap after completing the swimming portion of the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014.

May 3, 2014: The start of the 140th Kentucky Derby on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY.
Participants wait for their wave to be let in the water during the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014.

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jamar Taylor (#22) and outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins (#53, right) react after a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods (#10) was incomplete at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Thursday, November 13, 2014.

May 17, 2014: California Chrome, ridden by Victor Espinoza, wins the Preakness to keep Triple Crown hopes alive on Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD.

Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Braxton Berrios (#83) is unable to make a catch in front of Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (#8) in the second quarter SunLife Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday, November 15, 2014.

A participant gets a drink at a water station during the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014.

Brasa's John Hickey (right) of South Miami battles for a ball against Arsenal FC's Jonathan Quiroz during the Red Bull Fiesta de Futbol, a rooftop soccer tournament in Miami on Saturday, November 22, 2014.
Williamsville's Rachel Rhodes (left) finishes before Illini West's Mariah Brodie (right) as they fall to the ground after crossing the finish line in the Class 1A 4x400-Meter Relay during the IHSA state track and field finals at O'Brien Stadium in Charleston, Ill. on May 24, 2014.

Florida State Seminoles cornerback Ronald Darby (#3) leaps on the shoulders of defensive back Jalen Ramsey (#8) after he made the game-ending interception against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter at SunLife Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

University of Miami guard JaQuan Newton (#0) is blocked by Howard Bison forward Tyler Stone (#32) at BankUnited Center in Coral Gables on Friday, November 14, 2014.

Norland's Jahiem Lawrence (#90) reacts after his team's defeat by Carol City in Miami on Thursday, October 30, 2014.

Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick #4 holds up the trophy after winning the Sprint Cup Series and the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

December 23, 2014

(12-23-14) Favorite Photos From Miami Herald Internship

I post this from the comfort of my room at home in the Chicago suburbs while it's 40 degrees cooler than the daytime temperature in Miami. Oh, and not to mention the potential doom of incoming snow storms.

I finished my internship at the Miami Herald about a week ago and have only been home for three full days. Being home feels really weird, I just don't know what to do with myself! During my internship I got to shoot my first NFL game, first nationally televised college game, first NASCAR Sprint Cup Final, first rooftop soccer match, first Ironman and my first time working on a project that I generated and should be running any day now (police dogs are awesome). Lots of firsts!

Working at my college's newspaper a year ago really helped prepare me for a newspaper internship to get a better understanding of internal logistics. I'm not sure how to summarize my experience during the internship, but I can confidently say it helped me develop in multiple ways.

My favorite experience was working on my Miami Police K-9 story, I was able to spend a lot of time with the unit, trainers and the officer that was the focus of the story. The best part is that I'm probably going to stay in contact with some of the handlers. Once the story runs in the paper, I'll be making another post just on the story, but I included an action shot of the dog in this one.

Juan Mejia of Miami, takes off his swim cap after completing the swimming portion of the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Participants wait for their wave to be let in the water during the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano #22 pits during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Braxton Berrios (#83) is unable to make a catch in front of Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (#8) in the second quarter SunLife Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday, November 15, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jamar Taylor (#22) and outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins (#53, right) react after a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods (#10) was incomplete at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Thursday, November 13, 2014.

Brasa's John Hickey (right) of South Miami battles for a ball against Arsenal FC's Jonathan Quiroz during the Red Bull Fiesta de Futbol, a rooftop soccer tournament in Miami on Saturday, November 22, 2014.
Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick #4 holds up the trophy after winning the Sprint Cup Series and the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Norland's Jahiem Lawrence (#90) reacts after his team's defeat by Carol City in Miami on Thursday, October 30, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF


Andres Hernandez-Ibanez, 8, of Key Biscayne (white shirt) and other children have fun in fake snow during Winterfest in the Village Green in Key Biscayne on Sunday, December 7, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Nancy Rouzier (left) of Miami holds a candle in memory of her son Reggie and Carole Heck of Palmetto Bay holds a candle in memory of her son Jamie Heck during the Compassionate Friends candle lighting vigil at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo Center in Miami on Sunday, December 14, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

A Miami Carnival parade participant before the start of the parade at the Miami-Dade Fairgrounds in Miami on Sunday, October 12,2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF 


Christina Sajous as Carment during a dress rehearsal of a new musical version of "Carmen" at the University of Miami's Jerry Herman Ring Theatre in Miami on Sunday, November 9, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Alyson Ceballo, 23 months old, of Homestead tries to catch bubbles during the Harvest Festival hosted by LNR at the Association of Retarded Citizens' Project Thrive n Miami on Friday, October 24, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

A participant gets a drink at a water station during the Ironman in Miami on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Jon Durr/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick #4 leads Sprint Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin #11 during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Police K-9 Nas leaps over a fence to get a toy Officer Stephanie Collazo held out for him as a reward during agility training in Miami on Wednesday, December 10, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

University of Miami guard JaQuan Newton (#0) is blocked by Howard Bison forward Tyler Stone (#32) at BankUnited Center in Coral Gables on Friday, November 14, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Florida State Seminoles cornerback Ronald Darby (#3) leaps on the shoulders of defensive back Jalen Ramsey (#8) after he made the game-ending interception against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter at SunLife Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday, November 16, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Columbus' Juan Carlos De Los Santos (#33, center) celebrates with his team after beating Flanagan in Pembroke Pines on Friday, December 5, 2014. JON DURR/MIAMI HERALD STAFF


November 16, 2014

A Sports Crazed Weekend (11-16-14)

I won't say much here since I'm typing this while I'm laying on the couch with my eyes closed, to say I'm tired is an understatement. Last week my editor told me I was going to have an integral part of the schedule for this week and was floored once I realized how serious he was. So here was my schedule for the past four days (pictures are chronological);

Thursday - Dolphins vs Bills
Friday - NASCAR practices/time trials & University of Miami men's basketball
Saturday - FSU vs University of Miami football
Sunday - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Race

400 veterans and current members of the military salute during the national anthem before the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Thursday, November 13, 2014.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline (#82) makes a reception in front of Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (#24) in the first quarter at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Thursday, November 13, 2014.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (#11) fails to make a reception in front of Buffalo Bills free safety Aaron Williams (#23) in the second quarter at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Thursday, November 13, 2014.


Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (#14) reacts after his touchdown play was confirmed by replay against the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Thursday, November 13, 2014.

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jamar Taylor (#22) and outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins (#53, right) react after a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods (#10) was incomplete at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Thursday, November 13, 2014.

University of Miami students cheer during the game between the University of Miami and the Howard Bison at BankUnited Center in Coral Gables on Friday, November 14, 2014.

University of Miami guard JaQuan Newton (#0) is blocked by Howard Bison forward Tyler Stone (#32) at BankUnited Center in Coral Gables on Friday, November 14, 2014.

Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Braxton Berrios (#83) is unable to make a catch in front of Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (#8) in the second quarter SunLife Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday, November 15, 2014.

Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (#8) celebrates with Florida State Seminoles defensive back Nick Waisome (#6) after making the game-ending interception against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter at SunLife Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday, November 15, 2014.

Florida State Seminoles cornerback Ronald Darby (#3) leaps on the shoulders of defensive back Jalen Ramsey (#8) after he made the game-ending interception against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter at SunLife Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

The start of The Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick #4 Denny Hamlin #11 and driver Alex Bowman #23 in turn one during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick #4 leads Sprint Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin #11 during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano #22 pits during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick #4 during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick #4 holds up the trophy after winning the Sprint Cup Series and the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead on Sunday, November 16, 2014.