MetroSports Basketball Players/Coaches of the Year 2008

We had the fortune of photographing the 2008 baseketball "players & coaches of the year" as selected by MetroSports. This was a 2-part shoot because of schedules & logistics: we shot an old-school basketball gym in Kansas City a month ago, and then shot the players & coaches in the studio. With a little photoshop magic, they appear to be shot on location. Furthermore, in keeping with the same look & feel as the Football POY shoot, we pushed the final image with lots of grit, grime, contrast & other elements to give this an old-school & BA look. No players or coaches were harmed during this shoot.

Hello Molly!

Here's a great headshot/portrait session that we did recently. Molly updated her looks by changing her hair recently, and we wanted to unlock her real personality. She already had a girl-next-door session & so it was time to expand on the look & feel of her portraits. We accomplished this through our initial consultation to establish expectations through mutual brainstorm (hey - simply put - we did a little dreaming together & agreed to push things a little bit, OK?). We're all proud of the results: they captured her great vibe, and also incorporated some things that are very personal to her & her friends. There are some tender moments, and there are some real spirited fun things here. Cool.

Here are some comments from Molly (we're now blushing!!! Thanks Molly!!!): "I had an amazing time when Gregg did my senior pics! I felt comfortable and you can see that in my pictures. I had such a fun time with the shoot that I had no doubt that they were going to come out great, and they did. He really cares about the person and the pictures not just with getting it done quickly. My pictures were unique and unlike anyone else's I’ve ever seen and that’s what was so great about it, his creativity collaborated with my own. I would recommend him to anyone looking for amazing photos! FIVE STARS for sure!"

Get Your Kicks

Soccer star. Football star. Future triathlete? Can this guy do it all? Here's a recent portrait session that featured the area's top soccer goaltender as well as football kicker. We combined style in the studio with action between the lines. Here are a few of our favs.

Football Players of the Year for Metro Sports

We did this shoot on March 11, 2008 featuring the Metro Sports football "players of the year." It's going to be used as a poster for Metro Sports as well as Time Warner Cable...sponsored by ARC (Athletic & Rehabilitation Center).

Nathan Scheelhaase is the offensive POY from Rockhurst. Josh Copp is defensive POY from BV West.

I wanted them to give me a real BA / tuff guy look. Josh is able to pull that off, but Nathan seems to take a little bit more coercing when I'm wanting him to look mean! Cool guys...I was smart to not keep them too long because they probably would have taped me to the goal post with duct tape.

Welcome to Africa: Beasley at Allen Fieldhouse

LAWRENCE, March 1st, 2008: Our vote for player of the year, Michael Beasley, entered the University of Kansas' historical "Phog" Allen Fieldhouse for the second game of the 2008-version of the Sunflower Showdown between these two in-state rivals. The Wildcats upset the Jayhawks earlier on January 30th in K-State's Bramlage Coliseum (I was there!), and now the prediction that Beasley made ("We're gonna beat KU at home. We're gonna beat 'em at their house. We're gonna beat 'em in Africa.") was front of mind for many fans.

To add to the hype, ESPN's Game Day circus was planted all day in Lawrence and many of the features & comments were praising Beasley while admitting that the Jayhawks would most likely prevail with their balanced attack. More excitement was added when a mid-day game in the Big-12 posted a loss for the streaking Texas Longhorns: a result that would allow Kansas to join them at the top of the Big-12 league standings with a win against the boys from Manhattan, KS.

Could KU have their revenge & beat the Wildcats here in their friendly confines of Allen Fieldhouse? Would the crowd rise to the occasion as well? The answer to those questions seem to come immediately as the decibel meter was fully pinged to the max as these Jayhawks pulled into an early lead & never looked back. However, the game looked to be in the hands of the referees in the first few minutes as Beasley gained 2 early fouls along with KU's Darnell Jackson picking an early penalty as well.

K-State's Bill Walker was not a factor in this game...adding to his recent slump. The play of Sasha Kaun with aggressive moves on the boards & on the floor definitely set the pace for the Hawks. The second half saw a mending Sherron Collins kick it into hyper drive with a dazzling display including a run-the-full-court-and-score-against-Beasley play that will be in his personal highlight reel for a long time.

The result: Jayhawks 88, Wildcats 74.

Senior Portraits: Between The Lines

It's baseball season! We're fortunate to come alongside a lot of great athletes at the high school level during our senior portrait sessions. For the lucky few, we offer the Ultimate Senior SporTrait. After we complete the portrait segments both in our studio and at a nice outdoor location, it's time to make a trip between the lines.

We're inspired by ESPN The Mag as well as the new crop of Reebok & Chunky ads: there's high contrast, extra sharpness, and a little bit of grit. A lot of that is Photoshop magic (and let's face it....it really is magic when you get Photoshop singing)...but without raw athletic talent--you have nothing captured on film. So, grab your gear and let's get on the field.

Here's one of the area's top infielders showing his stuff. The ball was buzzing pass my ear like a bumble bee in heat. Luckily, no photographers or equipment were harmed during this shoot. Dad's arm might have been sore the next day, and Mom probably didn't enjoy chasing balls---but it was great fun.

State Champ Headed To Mizzou

One of our favorite clients, Drew is a key member of the Rockhurst football squad that went undefeated & won the state championship. I've known Drew for over 4 years...I count him as a special friend. We wanted to capture his athleticism & his intensity, but also wanted to catch his lighter moments as well his charm.

Here are of the few images from the studio segment. I can't wait for the outdoor segment: perhaps I should put on spikes & some shoulder pads so I can go 1-on-1 against Drew. Do you think that would be a good idea? I bet the medical staff would have to use a rake to pull me out of the ground after first impact!

Jet-Setting with Cancer Docs

When the Midwest Cancer Alliance decided to announce their founding member hospitals in four different cities (all in the same day), it was for sure going to be a memorable day. That's over 1000 miles in a 12 hour period.

When hiring Gregg Riess Photography LLC, our client said, "there is nobody else I would want to capture this day!"

Thanks to a speedy jet & countless hours of planning, the "barnstorming" trip was a success. An extra spice of excitement was added when we borrowed Gov Kathleen Sebelius a few hours before she was giving the Democrat response to the State of the Union Address.

Awesome Gals: They Play, & They WIN!

Each year we have the awesome opportunity to come alongside the Kansas City Sports Commission and their Women's Intersport Network (WIN-KC) as they celebrate women & sport during the WIN-KC Women’s Sports Awards Celebration. There's a prestigous award ceremony at a large luncheon, but our favorite part is meeting these very special ladies as we collaborate with them on our trademark "SporTraits."

If you're lounging on your couch, or sitting at your desk, or fumbling with your Blackberry---you should be prepared to get your bottom in gear! I'm telling you: we all have little ailments that we think prevent us from getting out & being active. You're a little old. You have a sore foot. You're having a bad hair day. Well, let's face it: those aren't really valid excuses, are they? Not after you meet & get to know each of the women that we've met during the last 4 years. My shoulder hurts, but my gosh Olga only has 1 arm & she's a swimmer, soccer player, softball player. JoAnn sits there in her wheelchair & tells me that God has a plan for her life--and that plan includes her dancing in her wheelchair to hip-hop music & encouraging others to do the same! Maybe you're marathon days are behind you...but what's preventing you from coaching & encouraging young girls to be active?

So, go ahead & feel sorry for yourself...however, now's the time to get up --- step away from this blog --- and get yourself in gear! I wish I could bottle all of this beautiful optimism & leadership...I'd drink it every day of my life. Bye bye---I'm out of here to run.......!

GREGG RIESS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC is again the official portrait photographer of the WIN-KC Women’s Sports Awards Celebration held on Febuary 1st. It's the largest event of it's kind celebrating National Girls and Women In Sports Day. With over 1,400 attendees, this is always an inspiring day...click here to learn more:
http://www.sportkc.org/win_for_kc/WomensSportsAwardsCelebration2006.htm

See you there!

Actress Headshots...See You At The Audition, Baby!

We accept a limited number of actress/actor headshots, and we were honored to work with this young emerging actress as she's set to audition for acting-specific universities, overseas programs and other creative opportunities. Here are a few of our favorites from the headshot session this evening. "The goal was to build a portfolio of images that represent the true character of this actress. We wanted something to showcase her inner strengths & outer personality, charm, and good looks. These resulting headshots can standalone, or they can accompany her to auditions here and in Europe."

Olathe East JV Soccer Ladies

Here's a music video featuring our favorite new soccer team: the Olathe East JV Girls!

"There's No Off-Season" with our Multi-Sport SporTrait

Your player doesn't have an off season...neither should the portrait. Feature your star across the sports they love to play. Here's a studio SporTrait using baseball, football & basketball. We utilize the right equipment, lighting, posing and everything else----but the real key is to capture that raw emotion found beyond the handsome exterior. It's this connection between the subject & the photographer that separates ordinary portraits from our custom SporTrait. Here's an example with these individual SporTraits blended together in a multi-sport SporTrait montage. SporTrait is a trademark of Gregg Riess Photography LLC.

OE JV: Girls With No Fear

Here's a music video featuring our photography of Olathe East JV girls set to the music entitled "Girls With No Fear." Frankly, we're not familiar with that song, but the title sounded good & the beat feels great!

"Lean on Me" & Other Great Hits at Rockhurst: The 2007 Simone Award Event

For the 4th year, Gregg Riess Photography LLC teams with the Simone-Fontana Foundation and Monster Sports LLC to serve as the official photographer of the 2007 Thomas A. Simone Award presentation.

Wow - lots of spirit in the Rockhurst gym this morning. When Nathan was handing over the Simone Award to his football team in the front row...the rest of the student body was singing "Stand By Me" with the pep band....I have to tell you that I had goose bumps because it felt like that entire school was one perfect union of body, mind & spirit. Wow. I'll never forget that.

If you'd like to see a few highlights, you can visit our web page:

http://www.greggriess.com/simone_award

do you have the Will To Succeed?

We had the opportunity this evening to attend the annnual celebration of the Will To Succeed Foundation http://www.willtosucceed.org/ We were guests of Will & Senia Shields. Most everyone that knows of Will Shields and his all-pro efforts with the KC Chiefs is also aware, at least to a certain extent, the fact Will & Senia are involved with our city. We all know that major sports figures have ties to a charity or two simply because it's good public relations. I will tell you that the Will To Succeed Foundation is a lot more than just window dressing or a banner at Arrowhead Stadium.

The best story that I can tell you is that in May I was building a temporary photo studio at one of the Foundation's charity locations (St Vincents / Operation Breakthrough http://www.operationbreakthrough.org/ ) for use in my SporTrait of Will. In walks Will & he was carrying his football helmet for the photoshoot. The kids wanted to know why Will was carrying a Chiefs helmet. Do you understand? In the modern "me" era surrounding pro sports--where sharpies are being pulled from socks & entourages are appearing with full press coverage for a simple photo op to help charity--these kids did not know Will Shields the football player: they simply knew him as "Will" the big black guy that comes to the shelter a lot to help the kids, families & teachers. Wow - that blew me away. It was subtle & almost silent: "why does he have a Chiefs helmet" Here's my favorite shot from that session. The image was produced for use in our 4th poster for the KC Sports Commission (Mr. Shields won an award for achievement in professional sports). A few more shots: http://www.greggriess.com/will_shields

Sports + Portrait = SporTrait

What's a SporTrait? It's when you forget the rules & produce a sports portrait with emotion. It's Sports plus Portrait. It's a registered trademark of Gregg Riess Photography LLC. Here's one of our favorite new seniors (headed to Kansas State University) in a sampling of his Senior SporTraits. See more at http://www.kansascityseniorportraits.com/

Show Us Your Business Culture!

A consulting firm is seeking environmental portraits that feature their associates tangling with complex business problems (and an occassional round of eight ball!). We come alongside their team and produce the shots they need for their website, brochures and proposal inserts. Here's a sneak preview.

LifeStyle Portraiture & Fall Colors

I'm in favor of "lifestyle portraits" for my favorite clients. Forget about over posing, and rely on natural light. These lifestyle portraits are less formal than your typical family pictures...they're more real. Take a beautful family & sprinkle some fallen leaves & you have the ingredients for a series of lifestyle images on a pretty fall afternoon.

Put Me In Coach, I'm Ready To Play

A few high school senior ball players that we photographed this week. All 3 are pitchers...I wonder if I could hit their fastball? Hmmm...probably not. I'm looking forward to seeing them "between the lines" as the season begins at Olathe East, Pembroke & Kearney in March. See more at http://www.kansascityseniorportraits.com/

Team Captain

We love coming alongside young athletes with great skill, intelligence, & humor. Justin is certainly one of those guys. No wonder he's the team captain of his high school basketball team. Here are a few shots that we've pulled for the blog. See more at http://www.kansascityseniorportraits.com/