My foray into digital photography began shooting high school track and field. My son was an accomplished sprinter and I enjoyed capturing images of him competing.

After he graduated, I kept on shooting local meets.

I love track and field. I’ve tried to represent each of the standard events in the images here.

You will see photos from little league, high school, college and professional levels of the sport.

I am an amateur when in comes to shooting this sport. There are easy shots to get but many of the most memorable plays require lighting fast reflexes or pointing your lens at a player prior to the play.

Anyway, hope you like these.

This is a fast moving sport. There is clearly a learning curve at the beginning of a season trying to keep up.

It is also a sport with close access for a photographer with a lot of intensity to capture.

I haven’t shot many football games, especially lately. There were others covering the game. That has changed and I anticipate shooting more of the sport in the fall.

I like the images I’ve shared here featuring some talented athletes.

I really enjoy taking team photos and individual sport portraits. I get to interact with the athletes directly. During competition not ok to have a conversation!

If you like what you see here and need a photographer to take a team photo and provide individual, buddy, small group shots, please reach out.

I started my sports photography shooting track and field and soccer. Both my sons played soccer. I was a referee for 14 years. I love soccer.

The teams I’ve photographed have provided many memorable plays. You will see many Healdsburg kids here. Thanks to these athletes.

The ladies of softball provide many opportunities to make great images. Softball presents many of the same challenges as baseball but, the dimensions are smaller so I find it easier to manage.

Thank you ladies for your amazing feats.

I find shooting swimming challenging and easy at the same time. You can shoot a lot of frames. The athletes are right in front of you and you know where they are going.

On the other hand, they are mostly under water and their actions are repetitive.

So, I try to be creative. Hope you like these images.

I enjoy shooting tennis. The athletes are right there. They are easy to follow. And, they make some amazing athletic moves. Plenty of opportunities to be creative.

Check out these amazing athletes.

I can’t put into words how much I’ve enjoyed shooting these ultra mileage events. The racers have been so kind and supportive. In the midst of running 12, 30, 50, 100 miles these athletes smile at me, jump in the air, give me thumbs up. These are amazing people.

And, Scena Performance - Adam Ray - does a great job organizing it all.

Last year, Adam hired others to shoot these events. I was going to go on my own for fun but I was dealing with my Dad’s death and all the arrangements for his service.

If Adam doesn’t hire me again, if I can, I’ll be on the trail having some fun.

Covering the Sonoma Women’s Triathlon began with a request from the Healdsburg Tribune Sports Editor, Greg Clementi.

Adam Ray noticed the photos I took and the next year he asked me to shoot the event.

Unfortunately, the drought made it impractical to have a swim leg at the Healdsburg site. The event was moved to Napa County and Adam didn’t ask me to shoot the event.

I miss covering these awesome ladies challenging themselves.

Volleyball is a fast action sport that requires a photographer to move and follow the action.

You may have noted that I cover Healdsburg High sports teams a lot. I live in Healdsburg and have a connection to the school.

There has been a lot of construction at the school including a new gym. It is awesome for volleyball (very high ceilings … great lighting) but, there is very limited space around the court. I’ve got to figure out additional places from which to shoot.

Wrestling is another sport that provides the opportunity to take too many photos. I’ve tried to learn the sport so I can capture those “moments of truth.”

I think I am getting better at that.

See what you think.

I found barrel racing during the first months of the covid pandemic. I was desperate to shoot some action! Well I found it!

I’ve only shot one barrel racing event sponsored by Sebastopol Wranglers. I hope you can see how dynamic this sport is and the connection between the athletes (humans and horses).

I haven’t been back to a barrel race as other sports have taken my attention. I need to get back.

The atmosphere at cross country meets is unparalleled in sports. You will see high level athletes (like state high school champions) running in the same race with kids who are just trying to finish.

All are supported. All are encouraged. You have room for the elite kids and those who are running for fun.

And, they run in some beautiful places.

Wish our world worked like XC!