FOTOBALL: 25 sportraits

During the football season the ABH photo staff shoots 4-5 prep sportraits a week. On Monday there is Player of the Week, then usually 2-3 features spread through the rest of the week, and a weekly Q & A called "Hangin' With." Occasionally we use file art from games, but more often than not we go out to get portraits. It is no secret that I love shooting sportraits. The biggest challenge is coming up with fresh ideas for such a high volume of shoots.
There are a couple different paths I take to arrive at my end result. Sometimes I just don't think about it until I'm on my way to the athlete's school. I come up with some rough ideas, but once I'm there looking around my surroundings I often completely change course. Then there are times when I have done meticulous planning including sketches and know the exact concept I want to execute.With my more risky ideas (as in it might suck) I shoot a safe shot as well. I never know when I'm going to have 20 minutes or 2 minutes so an idea for a quick shot is also important because I might not have time to carry out something complicated. Some definitely turn out better than others, but its all in a day's work.


Oconee County High School football player Chaz Ripley


Cedar Shoals High School
Trent McGuire


Athens Academy defensive back William Harris




Cedar Shoals seniors from left Trent McGuire, Taylor Pass, and Hykeem Hall


Clarke Central's John Wilson ran an interception in for a touchdown in the Gladiators' game against Madison County Friday night.


Athens Academy running back Will Callaway


Athens Christian QB Tyson Beacham


Athens Academy QB Will Daniel, left, and Prince Avenue QBs Bobo Marshall and Taylor Clark



Clarke Central running back Reggie Battle


Oglethorpe County QB A.J. Perlotte


Clarke Central quarterback John Wilson, left, and Cedar Shoals quarterback Rashad Dalton


Clarke Central's quarterback Beau Evans


Apalachee lineman Chaun Gresham


Clarke Central's leading tackler Devante Derricotte


Former Athens Academy linebacker and current lay coach Nick Stiles will try to help his brother, linebacker Hunter Stiles, achieve what he couldn't - winning a Class A state title.


Apalachee runningback John Lee


Cedar Shoals defensive linemen from left Torrence Callaway, Charmarcus Pittard, and Caleb Miles


Athens Christian
Jacob Griffith


Clarke Central running back Drew Jones


Apalachee's John Ansley, Christian Hord, Jon Lee, and Billy Mannis


Jefferson's Zac Crosby was injured in a car accident, but will ikely start the Dragon's first game.


North Oconee High School kicker Michael Pinkerton


Athens Academy's McKay Matthews and James Colquitt both made interceptions in their state quarterfinals win against the Brookstone Cougars last Friday.


North Oconee's Brandon Whitlock


Jefferson football players from left Virgil Appleby, Zac Crosby, and Tab Martin