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It all started when…

I attempted to make a diving catch in the outfield my sophomore year. No, I didn't catch the ball; and unfortunately I tore up more than just the grass -- I had to have my second shoulder reconstruction. 

Fast forward 4 months, and I flew from Atlanta, GA to Avon, Connecticut to start my sophomore year 2.0 (yes, I repeated my sophomore year of high school). The entire flight I stressed about how to get involved with the football team without actually playing. I'd seen the movies. I'd been on football teams before. I did not want to be the water boy.

So what was my way in? I recognized my target audience, and adapted accordingly.

What's the only thing high school guys are more into than video games, girls, and sports? Themselves. 

High schoolers love seeing photos of themselves -- especially photos of themselves doing cool shit... like playing football. 

So, I asked for a DSLR for my 17th birthday from my parents. They obliged, and I received a Canon 60D with a 50mm and 80-300mm lens. In the following months, I taught myself everything I could about sports photography and videography. 

Here are a couple of photos from my first ever shoot on October 29, 2011.

I never expected photography to take on the role it did in my life. I took over 500,000 photos in my first year with my Canon. I became known as ryPhoto on campus, and for the first time in my life I developed a name for myself as something other than just a jock. 

and now? 

I still love the power that comes with capturing a well-composed, well-lit photo. I still take photos all the time. I incorporate photography into other hobbies of mine like hiking, hanging out with friends, playing with dogs, and exploring.

...and with that, I invite you to check out the rest of my photography portfolio!