Working as a photo runner is NOT GOOD for my career-related wanderlust.
Carter’s overly-complimentary post about me made me realize (as if I didn’t already) that I am beginning to vastly overcommit myself. And each time I commit to something new, it’s my real job, the job that pays, that gets a little squeezed. I know that’s probably not a good thing, but beyond that I have not thought much about what to do or decided in which direction I want to go. (Well, it may be more accurate to say that I know what I’d do if money weren’t as much of an issue. But of course it is.) It’s just an observation at the moment.
But back to last night and my job as a photo runner at the World Series: If I have ever done anything this cool, I don’t know what. And if I ever do anything this cool again, I think my head might just explode.
A quick list of highlights before I give more details:
- My credentials get me everywhere except the clubhouses. That means I wandered through the press box, interview room, tunnels, all concourses, and — yes — the field itself.
- After meeting the other runners, I am dumbstruck at how lucky I am to have gotten selected to do this. Most of the other runners either know the photographers or know the woman coordinating the photographers. They had connections. I had none.
- I think my “professional” website played a part in getting selected. One of the Reuters photographers is married to the woman coordinating the runners, and when I introduced myself he said he’d seen my website. I need to fix it up a little.
- I had dinner in the media dining room. It was a boxed sandwich from Jason’s Deli.
- I was running photos from the 1st base concourse for USA Today and US Presswire. Also occasionally for Reuters, Getty Images, and the Associated Press.
- I met the guy who drives the train. He said he lucked into the job after interning for the team. Last week he had to change the outgoing message on his cell phone to say “Hi, this is Bobby. No, I can’t get you tickets.”
- Laundry list of people I walked right past or who walked right past me: Nolan Ryan, Eric Benet (singer), the entire Fox broadcasting team, Tracy McGrady, John Smoltz, Phil Garner, Ozzie Guillen, and most of the Astros.
- A couple of the other runners are photographers as well and are going to hook me up with a few contacts for possible freelance work at the Chronicle. Who knows what will happen, but we’ll see.
- I am tired. Didn’t get to bed until almost 3:00 a.m.
The entire experience was so incredibly surreal. I saw most of the game by looking between photographers’ rear ends. I thought Roy would be golden with a 4-run lead. I thought the Astros would capitalize on one of their zillion chances to score. And yet somehow, working as a runner made me less attached to the game. As I drove home last night, I was less disappointed that the Astros lost, and more upset about the fact that if they can’t win tonight, I don’t get to go back to work Game 5.
I don’t know how I feel about that — by “that,” I mean, the way that I became detatched from the game. I somehow feel slightly guilty, and yet at the same time, I think it’s probably good for my overall well-being to not be quite so emotionally tied to the team.
The worst part of the series? It could so easily be the Astros up 3-0. Talk about frustrating.
More later.
becca says
That is **SO*** Cool.
I was just looking at some of your professional photos. Man, you really do like taking pictures from airplanes! You should come flying with me, and then you can actually stick your camera OUT the window and not take it through the glass…
Jessica, a Houston Runner says
Way to go, Sarah. sounds like you had a great time. i just watched the game at a shady bar and tried to get a little buzz, lol.
-jessica
Holden says
Cool.
abel says
great work sarah…im so glad someone from the forum got picked!
Jen says
Wow – thanks for an excellent, behind-the-scenes (aka, photographer’s butts) report from the game! Hopefully they’ll get a win tonight – a win at home is all I’m wishing for now. *sigh*
James Wiseman says
Sarah,
I enjoyed reading about your experience. I’ve shot a few weddings for friends, and I can understand how it just feels “different.” You’re more of an observer and tend to think “I have to get the shots now, I’ll enjoy the event later when I review the photos.” 🙂
Cheers
James
Keith says
Thanks for sharing your experiences, it’s such a cool opportunity to hang out at the games.
And isn’t this just the most rediculous World Series ever. The games are so close, there’s no way it should be 0-3.
Keith.