The ESPN Images team covered a variety of events in 2018, from the college football bowl games in the beginning of the year to the Men’s and Women’s Jimmy V Classic in December. The team includes coordinators, photographers and production associates (for photo and video). With the New Year approaching, Front Row will showcase several Images’ team choices for most memorable photos of 2018 and their personal reflections.
BARBARA BLAKE, SENIOR DIRECTOR MULTIMEDIA OPERATIONS: NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Coach Muffet McGraw of the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2018 NCAA Women’s Final Four championship game. (Allen Kee/ESPN Images)Blake writes: This photo is from the 2018 NCAA Women’s Final Four Championship, it was a hard fought game, but Notre Dame came out on top by three points. Coach Muffet McGraw achieved her 800th career victory with a win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the Championship.
PHIL ELLSWORTH, SENIOR EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER: SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Texas’ Joshua Altman competed in the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. (Scott Clarke/ESPN Images)Ellsworth writes: My colleague [fellow ESPN Images senior event photographer] Scott Clarke captured this cool pose of athlete Joshua Altman at Special Olympics USA (Seattle). You can see Joshua takes the games seriously by his tattoo. I tried to get a picture of Joshua with no luck but Scott arrived and within 30 seconds he beamed at Scott’s presence and gave him my photo of the year.
SCOTT CLARKE, SENIOR EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER: MLB SPRING TRAINING
Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles welcomes Spring Training. (Scott Clarke/ESPN Images)Clarke writes: Adam Jones was the first MLB player I photographed this season. It was so simple. The backdrop was a tool shed and he was so relaxed, happy and casually dressed. To me, it was everything baseball photos are not anymore. Just a guy with a bat by a tool shed. Things don’t have to be fancy, staged or stiff.
JON MCLEOD, ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Richard LeCounte III (2) of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates during the 2018 Rose Bowl game. (Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)McLeod writes: This picture resonates with me because with the many ups, downs and upside down moments throughout the year we always landed on our feet. We will continue to flip the script on the opposition and despairing circumstances because it’s what we do, who we are and who we will always be as ESPN employees.
College GameDay at the Army-Navy game. (Scott Clarke/ESPN Images)Arnold writes: Not much can beat the excitement and pageantry of an Army-Navy football game. It’s a December tradition in my family (Go Army! Beat Navy!) and I was so excited College GameDay was there. These images stand out and remind me of all the wonderful things ESPN does to honor our military. It was an epic game and the Arnold family was just as excited to watch Army versus Houston in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl last Saturday on ESPN.
JOE FARAONI, PHOTOGRAPHER: NCAA WRESTLING
Penn State’s Mark Hall celebrates during the 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. (Joe Faraoni/ ESPN Images)Faraoni writes: The photo I put in is from wrestling. Penn State’s defending champ Mark Hall punches his ticket to the finals again. The NCAA Wrestling Championship is my favorite event to shoot every year. For Hall to be this excited to make it to the finals, again, is awesome.
KIMBERLY JARVIS, SENIOR PHOTO COORDINATOR: COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Jay Walker and Tiffany Greene anticipate the college football season. (Melissa Rawlins/ESPN Images)Jarvis writes: Candid and posed commentator portraits were taken during the college football seminar this summer. Historically Black College and University (HBCU) graduates Tiffany Greene (Florida A&M) and Jay Walker (Howard) were paired for this fun picture. As an HBCU alum (Johnson C. Smith), I was proud to see their collaboration and teamwork. #HBCUPride
MELISSA RAWLINS, ASSOCIATE PHOTOGRAPHER: THIS IS SPORTSCENTER
Aaron Judge (99) oversees a production meeting “This Is SportsCenter” style. (Melissa Rawlins/ESPN Images)
Rawlins writes: After a brief hiatus, the “This Is SportsCenter” commercials came back to ESPN. I was lucky enough to be able to shoot behind-the-scenes for one of the first new spots — “All Rise” — with Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. This was a great moment where he sat at the table, with mascots and anchors, to plan SportsCenter.
SHELBY LACY, PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE: AROUND THE HORN
Tony Reali (R) banters competitively with his Around The Horn panelists.Lacy writes: My first time at the Seaport Studios (New York City) was for an Around the Horn rehearsal, a month before the show’s relaunch. It was so much fun capturing [host] Tony Reali’s interactions with the “augmented” panelists and his new lectern. Congrats to the ATH team and their 16 years — only more to come!
ALLEN KEE: SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL
Mookie Betts (50) of the Boston Red Sox makes a play during a Sunday Night Baseball game on ESPN. (Allen Kee/ESPN Images)
Kee writes: I chose this image of Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts, at Fenway Park, because of his amazing season through the World Series and his selfless acts of kindness. For me, Betts feeding people in need after winning a World Series game in Boston was the best story of the year in sports.
CHRISTIAN BRANDAN, PHOTO PRODUCTION, SENIOR ASSOCIATE: MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: The National Anthem is performed prior to a regular season Monday Night Football game. (Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images)
Brandan writes: With a last-minute venue change, from Mexico City to Los Angeles, the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams and the NFL were able to pull this Nov. 19 game off without a hitch. A reminder that sometimes we need to roll with the punches and put our best foot forward.
SAMANTHA SAUCIER, PRODUCER: X GAMES
Zedd performs at X Games Minneapolis 2018. (Ashley Osborn/ESPN Images)
Saucier writes: One of the amazing things about the X Games is that it’s more than just sports! It’s a full-on experience including art, music, culture and much more. The venue in Minneapolis, The Armory, is truly a sight to behold. It’s rich with history, convenient to the games and the perfect setup for any musical act that participates in the overall event.
BOB FLANAGAN, SENIOR PHOTO COORDINATOR: SPECIAL OLYMPICS SEATTLE
Pierce Pennaz (R) of Minnesota competes in basketball during the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. (Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images)
Flanagan writes: You can’t really go wrong picking any photo from a Special Olympics event, but this particular moment from Seattle was one of my favorites. Pierce Pennaz hit back-to-back shots and ran into the stands to hug his mom with the game still going on. You can see everyone pointing for him to get back on defense. The genuine excitement you witness at Special Olympics is unmatched and puts everything in perspective.
