I wasn't always a football fan. In fact, a few years ago I could have cared less about the gridiron. But I accepted a request to photograph the Murrieta Valley High School football team three years ago and I fell in love.
Now I live for fall and and the 10 glorious weeks I spend next to the hallowed ground of a football field. I am lucky in that I shoot 12-15 games every weekend - which is 120 to 150 amazing hours on the sidelines. As far as I'm concerned, that's not nearly enough football for me.
What is it about football that we love so much? Is is the romantic notion of the epic battle between good (home team) and evil (visiting team)? Is it honor, tradition, cross town rivalries, drama, violence, or bearing witness to moments of greatness? Perhaps it is a sense of community, the collectively felt joy, tears, and pain.
When we watch football, the sum of us is greater than the parts - for 10 breathtaking weeks, every player, fan, coach, staff, band member, cheerleader, and photographer is part of something bigger and more special than we are individually. Together we experience the wonder and magic of football. For a few short hours during a few short weeks, we are of one mind, and everything is good.
~ Jody ~
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