There are times in everyone’s daily grind when they receive a life-altering phone call. Perhaps it pertains to you personally, family members, friends or your profession. Regardless, at some point in time for better or worse, we all receive at least one of those calls.
I have received more than my fair share of the aforementioned calls, both good and bad.
Fortunately, it’s been a period of time since I personally received such a call. The call that changed my world for the better came in July of 2020, while COVID-19 was wreaking havoc all over the globe.
Jim Brennan — a family friend, Army veteran and owner of the digital publication, The Daily Veteran, delivered such a call.
After exchanging pleasantries, Jim asked, “I know you’re a great sports photographer stopping the action on a dime, capturing those particular defining moments in the world of sports. Do you think you can handle photographing subjects that aren’t moving at warp speed?”
“I’m going to make you and your camera stars in political venues.”
— Jim Brennan
The only response I could utter was, “Excuse me, what are you talking about, sir?” After several moments of uncontrollable laughter, Jim proclaimed, “I’m going to make you and your camera stars in political venues.”
Desperately trying to digest his comments, I wondered what that entailed for me. From a photography standpoint I became increasingly intrigued. Yes, I ran for office one time, that being Pennsylvania State Constable, proclaiming victory. One shot, one six-year term, one victory is as close to the political waters as I am willing to venture. Ever careful not to dive in head first, cautiously treading water and staying out of the deep end seemed a marvelous way to approach politics. Doing the elected job with honor, pride, integrity, safety and returning home in one piece at the end of tour were words to live by.
One would surmise after 38 years of working in the same profession a person should have received a few accolades. I can relate and attest to the fact that I have, winning numerous prestigious photo contests. Having your work displayed in the Baseball and Football Halls of Fame photo winners section for a year is like possessing a winning lottery ticket. Honored, humbled, grateful would best describe those experiences.
Closing in on nearly four decades of being behind the body and lens of a camera, I consider myself one of the luckiest professional sports photographers alive. In my lengthy career I have photographed so many marquee events. Often in conversation with individuals they let me know how jealous they are of my profession and travels. While most are home in front of their big screen televisions, I’m fortunate enough to be there in person to capture those special moments, big plays, celebration and dejection images.
The rigors of travel, along with hustling over to the venues at least four hours prior to the start time, can be taxing for the most part. However, when all is said and done, all seems right in the world. When you view your images in major news publications, national magazines, websites and TV station still shots, a euphoric feeling is achieved.
Countless states and countries, tens of thousands of regular season and playoff games at all levels can seem a bit overwhelming at times. Olympics, NCAA, NBA, soccer, Stanley Cup Finals, World Series games, Super Bowls, Hall Of Fame induction ceremonies, along with All-Star games in every major sport can be found on my resume. I wouldn’t trade any of it as I have zero regrets about choosing this profession. If push came to shove, so to speak, I would do it all over again.
Apologies for slightly deviating from the life-changing phone call portion of this column. I just wanted to offer some brief background information pertaining to my career. To return to Mr. Brennan’s call, the CliffsNotes version of our discussion was a job offer as his lead photographer covering political events in and around Pennsylvania, mainly the President of the United States. Flabbergasted was my instant reaction, and I had to take a seat very quickly.
Prior to his offer I had been in the presence of a sitting or former president at major sporting events and all the insanity surrounding it, as photographers jockeyed for position yearning for that one clean image to transmit.
Viewing it as an opportunity to venture off in a different photographic direction, I accepted the position as offered. It seemed as if I would get a little closer to the aforementioned political arena than anticipated. Unbeknownst to me how quickly things would change.
Listen, the basis of this column is not to ruffle any political feathers, attempt to change your party affiliation or change your views on the federal, state or local governmental levels.
Everyone has opinions of how politics engage and therefore work, for better or worse. I get it; I’m not here to sway your vote or change your mind. Opinions, so it’s been said, are likened to a part of our body’s anatomy. You can fill in the blank — we all have one.
There will be no serenading of campaign promises here. You have your thoughts, beliefs and opinions the same as I do and every other American does. That’s what makes a democracy a democracy. Far be it for me or anyone else attempting to change it.
Alluding to life-changing phone calls, in this case the call from Mr. Brennan — after accepting his position, which I currently still hold, my photographic life changed. That’s something I wouldn’t have dreamed of outside of my normal scope in the sports world.
When covering an event for Jim’s publication, I would enjoy the benefit of having a predetermined designated shooting position. No jousting for position in the hopes of capturing the images needed. One spot, one name: mine.
For the most part it was going to be business as usual for me just as any other photo assignment would be. WRONG! Everything was about to change.
Security checkpoints 10 times longer than that of any major sporting event I’ve ever covered, with the exception of the Olympic games. Bag search after bag search, sniffing dog after sniffing dog, numerous breeds, ages, both male and female K-9s, not to mention metal detector after metal detector all set with the sensitivity as if they were searching for gold.
Other abnormalities included the required arrival time that was even earlier than that of a sports venue, amplified security with escorts taking you through checkpoints time and time again en route to the working Media Room. Thinking the worst is over, you’re ready to set up your equipment in your designated area. But first, another security sweep, complete with K-9s and handheld wands. Clear all that and through the door you go, with only one more hurdle to clear from a security standpoint before you’re allowed to enter the venue seeking your predetermined shooting position.
Not in my wildest dreams could I have ever envisioned what was about to take place, a distinct honor to join a select group of male and female photographers. It was my most humbling honor to be called a member of the White House Press Pool, complete with credentials stating as such. Flattering to say the least.
Banish the thought – I was not granted access to ride on Air Force One, palling around with one of the world’s most powerful men. That’s a totally different select group of major news outlets based in Washington. Hence the reason they are known as the “Traveling White House Press Corps.”
Being part of the Press Pool, based in Pennsylvania, afforded me the opportunity to request credentials for events at the White House whenever the need would arise for me to be on assignment.
My first assignment was with President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on Sept. 11, 2020, in Shanksville and their arrival at the John Murtha Johnstown/Cambria County Airport in Johnstown.
I understand what you may be thinking: eww Trump — why would you take an assignment of that nature? Look, again the person named in this column is just that, a name. Doesn’t matter if the name is Trump, Biden, Clinton, Obama, Bush or anyone else. I’m not going to start the great political divide among Gazette readers; there seems to be enough of that nonsense going on in the world. I don’t care what your party affiliation is, Democrat or Republican, or what your views entail. I’m not here to change them or judge you. Every American voter or nonvoter formulates their own opinions and outlook pertaining to the political world. Again, that’s not the basis of this column.
When I’m on a photography assignment, it’s my job. Sure, I have my opinions on a vast array of topics; I’m allowed, as it’s human nature. I’m honored to be a part of the White House Press Pool and I hold it in the highest regard.
No matter who I am on assignment for, whether it’s the West Hills Gazette or a host of other clients, rest assured I always represent all equally and act as the epitome of a professional in dress, speech and attitude.
Hopefully this column, after being digested by our loyal readers, is not viewed as political. The intent as mentioned numerous times was how life changes with a single phone call.
I personally am glad I answered that call in July of 2020 accepting those political assignments. It didn’t matter to me then, now or in the future who is seated in the Oval Office. I have a job to do when called upon and it will be done.
Remember, life can change with a single phone call. Mine did.
Be First to Comment