Coin Toss

Just another day, hanging out in the middle of the field before the Texans/Raiders game last Sunday.

Friday Night Lights

Just another typical Friday night filled with high school football. This photo was taken at Traylor stadium in Rosenberg, the site of our game of the week between Angleton and Terry. It lived up to the billing with the game going into overtime and eventually won by Angleton.

Long, Hot Days Of Summer

It’s been a long, hot summer here in Houston. Texans camp was a sweat-fest. Thankfully that wrapped up last week and now the regular season is just one week away. Of all the sports I get to shoot, I’d have to say football is the most exciting. I love basketball, but shooting that is easy compared to football.

I usually stay in one spot when shooting a basketball game, but am all over the field during a football game. The high school football season is two weeks old already and has been a blast so far. The Texas drought has meant I haven’t had to shoot any games in the rain, which can be a shooters kryptonite. I’ll see you on the sidelines!

The Golf Boys Music Video

I’m loving this new music video by PGA stars Ben Crane, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Hunter Mahan. It’s great when athletes show some personality. Here’s a look at the making of the video:

Yao Goes To School

I woke up bright and early Thursday morning to get Rockets center Yao Ming arriving at Hunters Creek Elementary School. First grader Jackson Lloyd’s father had bid on the appearance at the Rockets Tux and Tennies charity auction. Yao spent the first part of the morning in Jackson’s classroom answering questions from the first graders. Yao was awesome with the kids answering all the questions the kids had and seemed to enjoy his time there. Yao said afterward that fatherhood makes it easier to deal with children. Yao’s daughter will celebrate her first birthday this Saturday, he told us.

Yao then met Clutch the Bear in the school auditorium and they delighted the packed room with magic tricks and fun that had the kids roaring in laughter. Clutch does this often and knows how to put on a show. It was cool seeing Yao out of his element, the basketball court, and watching how much fun he had entertaining the kids. A great time was had by all, including myself.

First Roller Coaster Ride

I haven’t had anything too exciting to share recently, so I thought I’d put this up on my site for you to enjoy. Recently the family and I went to San Antonio to enjoy the day at Sea World. My 7 year old son Derek was more than anxious to get on his first real roller coaster, practically dragging me across the park to find one. He wasn’t tall enough to ride the first one we got to, The Great White. Off in the distance he spotted another called The Steel Eel. Luckily the height requirement was just low enough for him to ride.

I had my small, compact camera that also shoots video in my pocket. Once the coaster started I securely wrapped the camera cord around my wrist so I wouldn’t lose it during the ride. I don’t want to spoil the video, but my son did say he almosst “upchucked”. Thankfully for me and the riders behind us he did not!

Final Four Week In Houston

Houston was awarded the 2011 Final Four back in 2003. The wait is over as UConn, Kentucky, Virgina Commonwealth and Butler make their way to Reliant Stadium this weekend to compete for a national championship. It will be a busy week in Houston as the Shell Houston Open is also being held in Humble Thursday – Sunday. The Rockets are still trying to to get into the playoffs and they’ll have two home games this weekend. I’m betting both events will get fans from out of state who are here for the Final Four. Luckily the Astros open their season on the road because I don’t know how we’d find the time to cover it all.

KISS Rocks The Rodeo

Legendary rock and roll band KISS came to the Houston Livestock and Rodeo last week and practically blew the roof off of Reliant Stadium with their loud music and pyrotechnics. Winston Dutchin and I had interviewed guitarist and recreational golfer Tommy Thayer (center above) while in Palm Springs for part of our Shell Houston Open special airing this Saturday and made plans to shoot him with his group when they came to town. We got a chance to talk with him backstage before the show about performing in Houston. We also saw Gene Simmons briefly when he walked into the backstage room.

Winston got me hooked with with an All Access credential that enabled me to shoot the concert next to the stage. I can’t put into words how cool it was to be that close to the action. I was able to get some great video of Tommy that will be used in our story about him. I was limited to shooting just a couple of songs, but thanks to the cool people with KISS I was able to stand by the stage and watch the rest of the concert. Over 70,000 people showed up for the concert and KISS did not disappoint filling their allotted hour with hit after hit.

The guys put on a great show and left the fans screaming for more. Tommy told us they are currently working on a new studio album. I’m hoping that’ll lead to another big tour because I’d love the chance to see a full show.

Early Morning At Redstone

I got up early Monday morning to beat the sunrise at Redstone Golf Club in Humble, site of the Shell Houston Open. I needed some beauty shots of the course and the morning hours are the best time to do that. Unfortunately the clouds blocked the sunrise I had hoped to get, but the weather was still good enough to get what I needed. The course was buzzing with workers fertilizing and mowing the course, getting it into perfect shape for the big tournament in three weeks. I grabbed a golf cart and went out to the farthest point away from the clubhouse and worked my way back picking up shots along the way.

Redstone is in beautiful shape. While I’d rather be playing, shooting video on a nice day on a great course ain’t too bad either.

Jhonny Vegas

I’ve said it many times before, one of the best parts about my job is meeting athletes and sports stars, both established and up and coming. Jhonnatan Vegas is one of those guys. I didn’t know anything about him until Winston Dutchin and I followed him for a few holes during our January shoot in Palm Springs. The Venezuelan played golf at the University of Texas and has been living in The Woodlands for awhile now.  I shot him playing a few holes during his second round at the Bob Hope Classic. We had no idea that the rookie would go on to win the tournament in a playoff and take home a nice $900,000 check for his effort! Now “Jhonny Vegas” is becoming more well known in the golf world. He’s continued to play very well and seems to have found his place on the tour.

Local 2 reporter Adam Clanton and I caught up with him a couple of weeks ago when he was in town. We interviewed him at the Redstone golf course, site of the Shell Houston Open, for our golf special in March. Vegas in a really cool guy and couldn’t be any nicer. After the interview I tagged along and shot some video of him playing a round with a couple of his buddies. It’s moments like these that really let the viewers get to know the players. Not every athlete will grant this kind of access, so I’m very appreciative when it happens. He plans to play at the Shell Houston Open in April and I’m hoping he does well.