The Boys of Fall.

“When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass

I'm back in my helmet, cleats, and shoulder pads

Standin' in the huddle, listenin' to the call

Fans goin' crazy for the boys of fall.”

Up until a few years ago I had no idea how football impacted the world of Glen Ellyn, Illinois and its surrounding suburbs. The walk to the field, stepping into the stands, and the noise that takes away any conversation you even considered having for the next couple of hours is history.

This is football season, and I have found out there is nothing else like it.

Okay a bit dramatic, but when you walk through our downtown when a game is taking place a few blocks away, you have the lay of the land. There is music playing in the distance, clapping, and one of my favorite moments---when the band leads the players to the field from the locker room a roar that is deafening. It’s really very cool and I have been able to photograph it.

But it all starts well before high school. When boys turn 6 or 7 years old, they step on to the field with flags at their sides; it’s the best way to learn the game and also not be weighed down with the pads that are reserved for later years. But those years are not far away and when they do put on the “official” uniform, it’s hard to tell their ages, playing weights, or their talents. I learned that the 103 pound players can weigh up to 117 pounds but they are called “stripers;” that means they can only play on “the line” because when they hit a player that is a lot smaller than them you can imagine---especially when they are not prepared for the hit.

This year, I am going to be capturing the “boys of fall.” If you know anything about me, I enjoy shooting action sports. This winter, while I was looking for the next form of employment, I was fortunate and was introduced to 2 of the local teams in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. They were open to looking for a photography company to shoot portraits on picture day. As luck would have it, they picked our company…and we suggested, with a lot of enthusiasm behind it, they consider letting us shoot games during the season. The cost to the team? That would be nothing, nada, zip. We will let the parents decide if they want to purchase photos.

It all started this past weekend. Six action shooters representing our company spent the entire weekend (except when it rained on Saturday afternoon) shooting photos of young football players from 14 different communities. Combined I believe we took more than 12,000 photographs. For me it was a defining moment.

The photo above is one of my favorites; no I did not take it, my wife Susan did. What I love about it is the placement of the player, the look in his eyes, and his visible love of the game. Bring it all together and you have magic---or, the Boys of Fall.

Thanks for stopping by.