It is hard to believe we have closed out another year.  2013 is in the history books, and we beginning anew with 2014.  As most of you know I photograph a lot of sports.  I love a good game, match, meet, race, etc.  I am so fortunate to be down on the field, sideline, track close to the action.   I photograph mostly for Frisco High School, and Staley Middle School, schools which my children attend, so it goes without saying that I am emotionally tied to these school.  I love photographing sports, capturing the action, a micro clip of the game and a moment of success.  I love getting to know the students.  For me, by far the thing I love the most about photographing sports, is the emotions of the game.  I am emotionally invest in every sporting event I photograph, but especially the ones my kids are in.  Looking back on 2013, I have been privileged to see many exciting moments, and photograph a lot of emotional moments.  These emotional moments are the the ones I love, the ones that leave a mark on my heart and bring tears to my eyes, and the reason I LOVE what I do!!

My top 13 of 2013.

13.  Wakeland Boys 2013 Regional Cross Country Win.  These boys were awesome!!  They went on to finish third in the state.  Congratulations, boys!!

12. Staley Middle School 8th Grade White Team vs. Pioneer.  Staley victory 25-16.  The Staley boys had to come back to win this game, something they had to only do once in the two years they played together.  It was an exciting game with a great outcome.   Way to go boys!!

11.  The beginning of the 2013 school year saw Frisco High School open a new competition gym.  Frisco High School Volleyball christened the beautiful new gym with a win.  The gym was greatly needed, and Raccoons have a  great home that will hopefully see many more victories.

10.  Lady Raccoons first round playoff win against Prosper.  I enjoyed photographing these young ladies all season.  They played a great game against Prosper, taking the victory 3-1.  The Lady Raccoons played a focused and determined game, to get a well deserved victory.  Photos of the excitement and happiness in the celebration of a goal, are always a favorite of mine.  Way to go Lady Raccoons!!

9. This young lady, Bianca, is a fantastic athlete.  I tried to always make sure I photographed her during her specialty race, the 100 hurdles.  Her form and grace are a thing of beauty, and I loved capturing it.  She had a fantastic season and I look forward to following her track career at OU.  

8.  Middle School 7th Grade Boys Soccer Playoff Game vs. Wester.  The Staley boys made it to the playoffs, scored a first round victory against Fowler to move on to the second round to play against Wester.  The Staley Mustangs fell behind 2-0, but took the second half by storm.  The offense played more aggressively and the defense really stepped it up, especially after an injury to one of their top players.  The Mustangs played with heart and determination, and in the last half played the best they had all season, scoring two goals, one with two minutes left, forcing the game to be determined by penalty kicks.  The final scoreboard read 7-5 in favor of Wester, the Mustangs did not lose the game, they were just outscored by the eventual District Champs.  This game was incredibly emotional.  The Staley boys overcame adversity, came back to tie the game and played a fantastic game of soccer.  Here is the emotional celebration of the game tying goal.  What a great game, Mustangs!!

7.  Another Staley Boys 7th Grade Soccer game, Staley vs. Hunt 4-3.  The Staley Mustangs played a great game against the Hunt Huskies,  it was a thriller.  Staley had the 2-1 lead at halftime, but the Huskies came out aggressively at the second half and took the lead 3-2 midway through the second half.  The Mustangs fought back and tied it 3-3 with ten minutes left in the game.  The Huskies and Mustangs battled it out, each offense being aggressive and both defenses making some stellar saves.  The game came down to the wire, with 21 seconds left, Travis took the ball down the sideline and passed to the middle,  Trent was right there, and played the ball perfectly, kicking it right passed the goalie for the Mustang score.  The Mustangs held on for a 4-3 victory.  It was an exciting game with a fantastic finish.  It was awesome to see the Mustangs fight back and see the overjoyed players storm the field after the victory.

6.  This one definitely has the "mom" in me coming out.  This photograph may seem typical, and to most, even unexciting.  However, this was the first time my daughter Katie led a race.  She ran in front most of the JV Girls two mile race. She ran a fantastic race, finishing second overall.  She ran a personal best that day.  Definitely a highlight of the season, for me, seeing her lead the pack.  Katie and her teammates took home second, third and fourth.  A strong race for the Lady Raccoons! Way to go Katie, so proud of you!

5.  Staley Middle School 8th Grade Blue Team vs. Pioneer.  Staley 20-Pioneer 14.  This game was certainly the most exciting game of the season for the Staley 8th Grade Blue Team. The season saw the Mustangs 8th Grade Blue team struggle, but never give up.  This game exemplified that. The Staley Mustangs went down 14-0 in the first quarter.  They fought back to a 14-14 tie at half time and held the Panthers at the end of the half as they tried to score.   The Staley boys held Pioneer, the defense really stepping it up to keep them scoreless for three quarters.  With 2:17 left in the game the Mustangs scored, only to have it called back due to a penalty.  The Mustangs stayed strong, got the first down and scored with 26 second left to go up 20-14. The Staley defense buckled down to hold the Panthers and seal the victory!!   The Mustangs played with such heart and grit for a hard earned victory!! The sideline celebration as time ran out!

4.  Frisco vs. Wakeland.  It does not matter what sport it is, it seems like these two teams always play each other tough.  JV Girls soccer, it seems that Wakeland has dominated this series for many years.  This was a special game, as my daughter Katie played for Frisco, and several of her friends played for Wakeland.  Friends who played together at Staley Middle School on the field together again, but this time for different teams.  The Wakeland team dominated the game as the Lady Raccoons fell behind early.  The Lady Raccoons played a great second half, and the highlight of the game came from Frisco's only goal.  Katie Deutsch scored her first career goal as a Lady Raccoon!!!  One of the only goals Frisco JV Girls Soccer had scored against Wakeland in recent memory.  Here is the moment of Katie being congratulated by some of her teammates.  Proud moment, way to go Katie!!

3. Frisco High JV Volleyball vs. Wakeland.  This game was the most exciting, thrilling match.  The Lady Raccoons started off slow and Wakeland took the first game.  The Lady Raccoons came back strong to take the second game, forcing a third game.  The Raccoons were up 12-10, but Wakeland would not go down without a fight, they had the game tied at 17 and then went up 23-20 and the fans were cheering them on, but Frisco came storming back tying it up at 23.  The Lady Raccoons took a 24-23 lead, but Wakeland proved tough going ahead, 25-24.  Frisco had a game saving hit to give them new life, and then both teams traded points to have it tied at 27.  Frisco had a kill over the net to take the lead 28-27, and the crowd was on the edge of their seat, with their hearts racing at top speed.  Frisco served, and a fantastic Frisco block on Wakeland's return had the ball land in Wakeland's court for the final point.  Frisco 29-Wakeland 27.  The Frisco crowd and players went wild.  It was a thrilling game, that could have gone either way.  The Lady Raccoons had to fight hard for a victory.  Way to go!!!  The photo of the on court celebration after the final point.

1&2.  This was a tie.  I know for some it may not seem that these two photos would rival each other for the top spot.  The first photo is of the Frisco High School Raccoons quarterback, Jake Battaglia hurdling a Dallas Lincoln player during the Frisco Raccoons second round playoff game at AT&T Stadium.  This, by far was the play of the game, it set up Frisco's game tying touchdown and really shifted the momentum to the Raccoons.  For me, I was excited to get such a fantastic shot of a pivotal moment in such a big game on a prestigious field.  Especially since I do not normally photograph Frisco High School Football.  I know that this got quite a few likes and shares on Facebook, and I am so happy it was such a hit. However, as I have said, for me the love of photographing sports has so much to do with emotion. And, as any mom will tell you, when your child makes a great play, or has a fantastic moment, nothing beats it.  As a parent you are emotional whenever your child is involved.  The second photo represents that for me, it is a photograph of my oldest son Alex making his first and only interception for Staley Middle School.  In two years of playing football for Staley, it was the first time Alex had his hands on the ball.  For me to literally stay focused, as the play played out, and capture this thrilling moment, when all I wanted to do was jump with joy, was truly a moment of a lifetime.  As I look at it, it brings back all those emotions I feel for Alex, joy and pride.  Something every parent feels and why it is #1 in my book.  

As I photograph each event, I try to capture the action and the emotions, because that is what makes it real, it is what we feel and what we remember.  I know that as I photograph these events, I share all the emotions that players, coaches and parents are feeling: the excitement, the intensity, the heartbreak, and joy!  I have been know to shed a few tears on the sideline in both victory and defeat.   I love watching not only my kids, but all the kids play.  Each one of them have had special moments, be it their first game, their last game or having  a moment of success within the event.  These are all special moments.  I hope that through my photography I have been able to give other parents a special memory of their child.  A photo that they can look back on and feel all the emotions tied to that moment.   I have loved every minute of every event, and can't wait for all the events that 2014 brings.  Thanks for the memories.