Remember this one?

This afternoon I was backing up some photos on my fancy little blue lego-looking hardrive when I started searching through the archives to look at some of my really early stuff. I came across one of my very first portrait shoots ever and felt like sharing it.

I took this photo of former Oregon State outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury while working at the Oregon State Daily Barometer in 2005. For those of you who don't know, he went on to be the 23rd overall pick by the Boston Red Sox in the 2005 draft and has since made a name for himself by making great diving catches in the outfield and stealing home.


I remember being so incredibly nervous because I had never had the opportunity to take a photo of an athlete and I didn't know what to expect. Looking back I can't think of a single athlete I've shot since who was nicer than Jacoby. He could tell I was nervous and was patient enough to let me try a few different things and although it didn't result in the most compelling photograph, I have to say that it is one of my favorites.

This was a fun time in my life and I'm thankful I was smart enough to hold onto an image that helps me remember it.