It’s been just over a week since the San Francisco 49ers lost to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship game, but it feels like the game was played about a month ago. The 49ers lost a heartbreaker to the Giants, losing 20-17 and falling one game short of reaching the Super Bowl.

We had a several photographers from the company I work for shooting the game, so we all had different areas of the field we were assigned to cover. Unfortunately for myself, every touchdown went the opposite direction of the end zone I was covering (which is why most of my shots are on the defensive side of the ball). But when the fourth quarter started I was “hoping” my luck would change. I had visions of getting that glorious shot that would secure a Niners victory since I was covering the 49ers end zone. If they could score a touchdown, the Super Bowl might be the next destination for the 49ers.

But we all know what happened for their offense in the fourth quarter. Nothing.

For much of the 4th quarter I was taking pictures from behind the Giants offensive unit. Each time the 49ers punted the ball to the Giants I’d look through my lens and hope that the 49ers would come charging down field to knock the ball loose from the Giants punt returner. I don’t know if it was as obvious on television, but I remember watching the returner catch the ball, try to make a couple of moves afterwards, and then right before a 49ers player would come next to him he’d just fall down on the ground to avoid a turnover. Each time this happened I pulled away from my camera and thought to myself… “Dang!.. that’s a smart player.”

Sadly, the 49ers punt returner would eventually be the one who would fumble the ball away to the Giants.

As we all know by now, the 49ers Kyle Williams ended up having the ball knocked out of his hands on a punt return in overtime, leading to a Giants field goal just a few plays later.

There’s not much more I can say after that. It was a surprisingly great season to shoot, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to shoot some exciting playoff games.

… but it would’ve been nice to see the 49ers make it to the Super Bowl.

Oh well… as the saying goes… there’s always next year.

When the 49ers clinched a spot in the playoffs I instantly began a countdown to photograph this game. Everything is different in the playoffs and emotions are at the highest levels for everyone involved in the game.

This game was no exception.

With four lead changes in the final five minutes drama and emotion was running at an all-time high. When the 49ers regained the lead on an Alex Smith touchdown with just over two minutes in the game I was flying high. I had great pics of Smith crossing the goal-line and I was sure those were the photos all the media outlets were going to be using.

Then I remembered they were playing Drew Brees and the Saints. Sure enough… the Saints would score quickly. Leaving the 49ers the ball, trailing by three points with under 1:40 remaining in the game.

I admit I did not expect the 49ers to get very far. They gained some good yardage on a couple of plays but the clock was ticking. Then that moment when it feels like time slows down occurred. I saw Smith throw the ball deep towards tight end Vernon Davis who was running down the sidelines towards me. As a photographer, it felt like the ball was just floating in the air and I all I was doing was waiting for it to come down from the sky. I had no thoughts going through my head except… “you better get this shot if he catches it!”… and sure enough… he caught it! (… and I got the shot thankfully). I turned towards the photographer next to me and pure disbelief and shock ran across our faces. We couldn’t believe what was happening! The Niners were still in this game!

Fourteen seconds remained. What were the 49ers going to do? A field goal would get them into overtime… and I think just about everyone there was thinking that’s where we were headed. I switched to my shorter lens and when the ball was snapped Smith fired a rocket to Davis. I panned with the play (… Davis’ back was to mine)… and when I realized he caught the ball I continued taking pictures while shouting, “Oh my goodness!” … Simply put… it was pure insanity. The players went crazy and the fans could barely contain themselves. Definitely was one of the greatest sports moments I’ve experienced to this day.

The 49ers had a big game this last Sunday against the New York Giants. While San Francisco has been on a roll this year, many experts still weren’t totally convinced by their success and predicted that the Giants would squash the 49ers on their home field. For much of the game… it was close. Let’s just say it was an “entertaining” battle of field goals between the teams… even though I know that usually doesn’t add up to exciting football. Eventually the battle of field goals ended and the 49ers got a couple of breaks and built a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter. At that point… I thought the game was over. But the Giants battled back… scoring a touchdown and then having a chance to tie the game within the closing minutes. They came extremely close to tying the game with just under two minutes remaining when Giants quarterback Eli Manning threw the ball deep down field to an open receiver, but Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham dropped the pass as it fell right between his hands. I’ve looked at other photographers pictures from the game and I think just about everyone there had a different angle of the play (… the play is the second photo from the bottom of the page). After that… the 49ers hung on and improved their record to 8-1 on the year… and I’m excited to see just how far they can go this year.

The Oakland Raiders didn’t play their greatest game on Sunday as they were shutout by the Kansas City Chiefs 28-0. The main story, and my mission for the day, was to document every move made by their newly acquired quarterback, Carson Palmer. During warmups I thought I might not have too many chances to shoot him in action since he was not expected to start. I got a funny shot of the head coach sticking out his tongue as he walked next to his newly prized possession so I was pretty content with the shots I took during the warmups.

Once the game started Palmer stood on the sideline and watched the action as starter Kyle Boller threw three interceptions in one half of play. Palmer eventually got the call to enter the game but did no better as he threw for three interceptions himself.

Overall I had a pretty good shoot… seemed like guys were fumbling the everywhere and the good news was that I was in the right spot at the right time in most of those situations. As a football fan it wasn’t pretty to watch, but as a photographer it was a beautiful site to see.

A few weeks ago I headed out to shoot an early wedding in French Camp, CA. It was one of the few times where I was actually booked without having met the bride or groom in person. I was booked because of a referral,… and since that time the bride and I had done most of our communicating through email before talking over the phone a week before the wedding. So I was eager to see what kind of couple I was going to run into.

Before heading over to French Camp for the wedding and I had to stop in Stockton to get shots of Danielle getting ready at the Hilton in Stockton. All the girls were very laid back, … and like most weddings, they were behind schedule a little bit. Danielle seemed to be very calm and under great control of her emotions… and I instantly got the vibe that she was a strong girl who wouldn’t be shedding any tears on her wedding day.

… I quickly discovered I couldn’t be more wrong.

Danielle’s eyes started welling up before her helpers could even put the veil on at the hotel. Everyone started trying to tell jokes to shift her train of thought, but it was no use. Danielle realized that she would be walking down the aisle in a couple hours.

After she was all suited up and ready to go I hopped in the limo with all of the girls and we headed over to the River Mill in French Camp. I was amazed once I saw the place because as a photographer one of the first things I look for is variety. I always try to mix up my shots a bit so that couples aren’t going home with photos that look too similar, and this place had it all. Garden… check. Brick walls… check. How about some ivy running down the walls of the building?… check. Needless to say I was in good spirits upon our arrival.

The girls ran upstairs to hide before it was time to walk down the aisle. I got a few shots of them in the waiting room and then scoped out the ceremony area a few minutes before the music started playing. I got a cool sequence of Justin waiting for his bride to walk, and before you knew it… the ceremony finished.

There were tears and smiles during the ceremony as you might have guessed, but the best moment came at the reception during the father-daughter dance. Danielle had a napkin ready as she walked out to the dance floor because she was prepared to cry. But the surprise came midway through the dance when her dad grabbed hold of the napkin to wipe away his tears. It was priceless. The whole place was holding napkins over their faces to try and control their tears.

The wedding went on for a little longer before coming to a close in the afternoon, but that dance definitely proved to be the icing on the cake to a teary,.. yet wonderful wedding day.