South Texas Shooters (Photography That Is!)

Today was a beautiful day, the skies are blue with wispy clouds here and there, the temperatures in the low 70’s. Crazy weather but I’m in South Texas, tomorrow could be cold and windy or a repeat of today. I hope for a repeat of today!

The fur people spent most of the day basking in the sun and doing what brothers do! I spent the day working on my game plan for the upcoming softball season. Checking camera, lens and auxiliary gear that may be called upon during a game. I have an idea to set up a remote camera near home plate and trigger it when a play happens at the plate. Trying to come up with a way to propose this idea to the university is where I stand at the moment, also a need to check on NCAA rules regarding such an endeavor. I hope to bring my photography to a new level. Keeping fingers crossed that this dream can become a reality!

As each day fades away and brings the season closer I find a new level of excitement within the heart!  I look forward to again meet old friends, possibly make new friends, but mostly preserve a moment in time on the field!

My rant for today has come to a close and I hope to see more words shared as well as images very soon!

For close to ten years (starting in 2007) I have been capturing moments on the field of the Texas State Softball team. What started out as a one time visit to shoot some women’s sports and get back into sport photography has become one of the highlights of “LIFE” for me!

From my first visit to the field which has changed for the better over the years, to the field that stands today where “Dreams become Reality” I have been witness to many awesome moments and some sad moments, but the awesome outnumbers the sad ten fold and then some.

What keeps me coming back is smiles, hustle, heart and the chance to capture them for the athletes, coaches, parents and the University. I have spent countless funds to be ready for them moments and to be able to capture them and share them with all concerned and to have them stand memory for the athletes, parents and coaches for many years to come. I hope that one day they look back on an image and tell their children, “yes that’s me!”

Along this journey (which is still in progress) I have met some wonderful people, the players on the field and the coaches along the lines that bring the game all together for our enjoyment. The sports information staff, the grounds crew and students all bring a smile with them!

My payment for times spent attempting to be in the right place at the right time and to trip the shutter at the right moment is all the smiles, the likes for the images shared, but it’s mainly the smiles and occasionally a t-shirt or cap (my collection still growing). I try not to ask much other than to capture those dreams becoming reality and for the smile and always kind word! There maybe some other driving force for me to come back, but at this time I can not find the words to describe them!

I thank all the athletes for their heart, hustle and smiles. I thank the parents of the athletes for bringing me into the Bobcat family. I thank the staff, Ricci, Peejay, Amber, Denise, Cat, Kelly, Bobby and Jen for allowing me to capture and share those images, but most especially for the smiles and allowing me into the family!

The season starts on Feb 12th and I look so forward to being their and watching them “Dreams become Reality on The Field!” Enjoy some of the moments from the past and be ready to see the moments from the future.

The Old Scoreboard

The current entrance to the field

The New Scoreboard

The old entrance to the field

2007

2015

2007 Leah Boatright

2015 Kendall Wiley

Jan 1, walking the Red Dog on the Riverwalk

Jan 2, a long cold and wet day!

Jan 3, Goodbye 2015 from Crusier

Jan 4, No entry said the old fence

Jan 5, Good morning San Antonio

Jan 6, Leading the way

Jan 7, Clear direction on a foggy day

Jan 8, “I can Fly!”

Looking into my eyes!!

Well the first week of 2016 has made into the books! A week of early days, getting up a 2AM so I can be on the streets at 4AM, there was a good point out of it I was home early. I began a photography project that has been in the back of my mind for many years, “My365Project”! One photo everyday In 2016. Keep your fingers crossed that I always find an image each and every day.

A visit to the eye surgeon and a great report this week made my day, after two solid years, three eye surgeries, pain, fear and being scared that I may not be able to see the beauty and sorrow that life has to offer. I got a good report from the doctor that it is looking good inside and I’ve healed up nicely. He wants to see me in six months because it all looks good! A relief, a moment to smile and a moment to share!! Thank You Dear God for walking me through this time!!!

On the JOB is still the same, but I deal with it in a different way now, and I also hope to continue to make this a way to go in 2016!

I look forward to this year, I want this year to be the year of “The Photograph”! Sharing images with you, capturing moments on the Field Where Dreams Come True, the ladies of Texas State Softball, season starts next month and I am so psyched to see them on the field and capture moments for the players, coaches and parents.

So the first week is in the books and we got 51 more to go. Looking to make this a better year than last and bringing more images for your viewing pleasure!

Thank You God for getting me this far, looking forward to the journey ahead!

A long cold and wet day was completed and in the books! My body is sore and still cold, but I survived again and will survive even more. Many fine folks were met during the day and a few smiles where set during the day. This is a promise I want to complete this year, to share a smile with someone each day, to make a smile in me! Success for the long cold and wet day!!

The bones are drying out and the warmth is coming back into feet’s and hands this morning and that is a blessing! Time to make someone smile and bring a bit more light into the day! Have a good day to those that gaze at these words and image

It’s Cold and Wet Outside! Do I have to GO! Yes you must, It’s The Right Thing to DO!!

Happy New Year!!!

2016 has arrived 2015 is in the history books, some bad times in the last year, but mostly good times in the past year! Can’t change what’s written but sure can write a new and better story for the new year!

2016 is to be my year of the photograph, a passion of mine since my early years  (a long time ago)! So I am looking forward to 2016 for this reason and others. A reconnection with family at the end of 2015 brought a very big smile to my face and heart! Making my heart smile and bringing a smile to someone is also on the books for this new year! Looking forward to a chance to make different journeys, meet new faces, see new places and revisit old places and faces and do all that good, foolish stuff in between!

My wish for all my family, friends and others that read the words on this screen, the best to you in 2016, with many smiles that reach into your heart and soul, that make your days bright!

Come back and see where this journey takes me and you along the road 2016!! Pete

May 2016 be bright always and bring many smiles your way!!