The Peripheral: 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.