Aloha Hump Day,
For the next weeks I will be sharing hump photos from my humble beginnings in the world of professional sports photography. While most sports photographers start out in the little leagues, I got my feet wet on the finish line of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship.
I had no idea what was in store for me and the journey I was about to take, but I knew I finally had a purpose of my own, photography would lead the way for a new beginning.
Before I knew it and before I had a business card or stationary I had a contract with Bud Light & Ironman. I was going somewhere with this bunch although I had no idea where or how to get there or what to do when I got there. With no training no background and no camera it wouldn’t be easy, it was learn as you go, shoot shoot shoot, burn burn burn that slide film.
Talk about being in the right place at the right time…It was awesome to be able to shoot the greats like Dave Scott,Paula Newby-Fraser, Mark Allan, Scott Tinley, Julie Moss, Greg Welch, Sister Madonnaand more. I will share stories of each in the upcoming issues.
How I got started? Yes it’s all about who you know and in my case who happens to own a forklift. My images where not technically spectacular in anyway other than the unique high angle they were taken from (by design and privilege). This soon became the chosen place to be for the world’s top sports photographers.
To get away from the 20,000 spectators and elbow to elbow PRESS corp, I asked to be hoisted 30 feet up with a forklift over the crowd below. I would hang dangerously off the edge to get the shot I visualized while branding & marketing myself as “The Ironman Photographer ” without knowing what that meant yet; but would later learn.
It was so cool when the Sports Illustratedshooters looked me up and asked to join me on the lift to shoot the swim start, only to hurry away in search for another location when they saw the forklifts wood pallet without handrails or flooring.
I’ll never forget the time I got left up there when my operator Rocky took an unplanned bathroom break ‘accidentally’ taking the keys with him for a long time.
We made some great images over the years up there on that Trojan forklift and here are a few of my favorites; let me know if you see someone you know – more humps to come.
Hope you enjoy these Ironhumps.
Happy Aloha Hump Day.
