By Josh:
One year ago I wrote an article called Why I Baseball and it popped up on my Facebook memories. I found that interesting because I have really been thinking about why I take so much time to go to games and take photos.
About late January of every year I begin to question if I want to put in all the time to go to games. Part of it is because I don’t like winter and as it drags on I get bummed, but a big part of it is because it takes a lot of time. So here are my reasons why I still go out and photograph as many games as I can.
- Something I Wish I Had
I played sports all my life. I was playing catch, swinging bats and kicking footballs into my mom’s mug collection (great story, my dad’s fault) since I was able to walk. I have lots of great memories but you know what I don’t have, photos of me playing sports. I have the team photos and the posed shots of me with a bat on my shoulder, but no action shots.
Now a big part of that is because the technology for action shots wasn’t something that was nearly as common as it is today. Phones can take actions shots better than any camera I owned growing up. Digital cameras now are so advanced that even my 6 year old with my old backup camera can take great action shots, and she has.
I can’t even describe just how much I wish I had photos of me playing baseball, basketball, running track or even golfing. I don’t want other athletes, in any sport or at any level, to miss out on something that is so easily available today.
- Players and Parents
Like the first topic I don’t want others to miss out on having photographs of themselves or their family member playing. Before this season of baseball and softball I debated more than ever about doing all the photographing at games. Subsequently, this season I’ve received more encouragement and support then ever before.
I’ve had multiple players and parents talk to me and email about photos and telling me how much it means to them. Parents from all across the NW who can’t attend games all the time have told me how much the photos mean to them.
On one day this season I went to both a Lower Columbia College Baseball and Softball game and had players on both teams tell me they enjoy the photos and thanked me. It reminded me that it is appreciated and that helps me to keep doing what I do.
3. Financial
Being a stay at home / work from home dad is great but bringing in some extra income to pay for things is great. I strive to make sure that when people do buy photos from me that I keep them affordable. I still post photos on the site so that if a player or team wants to use a couple for free they can.
Selling photos also helps to pay for expenses with 9 Inning Know It All. Driving to games, paying for the website and other expenses add up but selling photographs and having the Patreon page where people can support the site with a few dollars each month makes a big difference.
I would love to someday make my photography my full time job but even if that day never comes I am having fun doing what I’m doing.
I enjoy going to games, taking photos and in my way encouraging players and teams. I hope I get to do this for a long time, but