Getting Onto The Field Ten Years Ago Today

It is hard to believe that I have been making photos in Ross Ade Stadium for ten years now. If you haven’t been able to tell by the blog this month September of 2013 was a busy and amazing month for me. About mid month I made a photo that went viral and got me my first pass to be on the field of a stadium that I had been making photos from the stands in for a long time. About a week later my daughter was born which was an absolutely amazing thing in my life. Then about a week after that I had my first game on the field at Ross Ade. I don’t know that I had time to be nervous about being on the field as I was too busy figuring out this parenting stuff. I actually had some debate if I should go to the game. I didn’t want to leave my little one to do so. I ended up going, and that started many years now of photographing the Boilers from the field. Before getting that pass I had to wait for a big win to get onto the field with the other fans. It never escapes me how lucky I am to be able to do what I do. I made a similar post five years ago just before I started working with the Purdue photo team. It is kind of fun to look back at what I was thinking back then. You can see that post here.

Some Of My Favorite Images From The Past Ten Years

It would be impossible to really show my favorite photos from the last ten years being on the field. I thought that I would go through the years though and find a couple from each one that showed just how much fun I have down there. I went from just having some fun on the field to eventually working on the Purdue photo crew for a couple of years. The football has not always been the best, but I have had a blast making images of a team that I have come to love. Here are some favorites from the last ten years.

If you have gotten this far I am amazed. I fell asleep putting all of those photos into this post. As I did find the photos and place them in I was amazed at how far I have come over the years. A lot of that is due to the people that are around me at these games. I have learned so much and grown so much as a photographer during this time frame. I have been very lucky to photograph some big moments and some great players over the course of this ten years. Hopefully there is a moment or two waiting for me this year as well. I will say it again. I am extremely lucky to get to do what I do. For years I made photos from my seat as a fan. I never dreamt that I would be able to do this from the field. Those first games were amazing as I was standing next to photographers whose work I had seen for years. A lot of faces on the sidelines have changed, but I still have fun and love what I do. I can guarantee a cannon photo this week.