Seasons end and new ones begin. I didn’t realize how many emotional shots made the cut until I was done editing. Try not to cry looking through this one. I think that was the quickest month of my life. Fall quarter is winding down and I am heading back to Arizona at the end of the week for a nice holiday vacation. More than likely, a lot of road trip photos will be next up on the blog. Enjoy! 

Defeat, November 11, 2014, at Carver Gym. 

Tumwater High School students hold hands anticipating the end of a close game against Sedro Woolley High School Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, during the state football semi finals at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. Tumwater lost to Sedro Woolley 28-27. 

Western Washington University's Brianna Jones, left, and Chelsea Jackson, react after falling to Cal State Stanislaus 1-0 in the West Regional semifinal of the NCAA Division II National Women's Soccer Tournament November, 15, 2014, at Harrington Field. The game concluded the Viking women's soccer season. Danny Miller / WWU Athletics 

Lummi's Dean Williams reacts to his team's loss to  Neah Bay 26-20 during the Class 1B State Football Semi-Finals game on Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. 

The WWU Viking cheerleaders prepare their hair and makeup for a photo shoot Nov. 16, 2014, in Carver Gym. Danny Miller / WWU Athletics 

Lummi's Devin Cooper attempts catching a pass while Neah Bay's Reggie Buttram defends, as Lummi is defeated by Neah Bay 26-20 during the Class 1B State Football Semi-Finals game on Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. 

Lummi teammates, Enrique Medina, left, and Jason James, embrace after suffering a tough defeat against Neah Bay 26-20 during the Class 1B State Football Semi-Finals game on Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. 

The WWU Women's basketball team warms up before facing off against Azusa Pacific University Friday, November 11, 2014, at Carver Gymn. Vikings lost 74-79. Danny Miller / WWU Athletics

The WWU Viking cheerleaders pose in a beam of sunlight during a photo shoot Nov. 16, 2014, in Carver Gym. Danny Miller / WWU Athletics 

WWU Women's basketball bench celebrates after a basket while facing off against Azusa Pacific University Friday, November 11, 2014, at Carver Gymnasium. Vikings lost 74-79. Danny Miller / WWU Athletics

Lummi's Dean Williams uproots Neah Bay's Col Svec for a tackle as Lummi is defeated by Neah Bay 26-20 during the Class 1B State Football Semi-Finals game on Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. 

A little more than one month is in the books working for the Athletics Department at Western Washington University. It has already been a challenging learning experience. I am having to balance shooting for lead art (sports action) with finding and executing creative images that make me happy. I am going to try to blog sports photos about once a month this school year. As cool as it is to shoot sports action, I am going to try to avoid posting those photos on here (unless they are particularly bad ass). I am finding the “peak action shot” is not all that challenging to execute anymore. What is difficult is finding relationships, interactions, celebrations, within the team. Anyone can stand 50 feet away with a telephoto lens. But, building a relationship with a team and getting close enough to document their story on the field/court is what takes time, dedication and true photojournalistic skill. So, that is what I am going to be challenging myself to find this year. Enjoy!