Sports, Documentary & Portrait Photographer in Sacramento and San Francisco | Starghill

Ty Lawson for Dime Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

While in DC for Capital Punishment, I photographed Ty Lawson in his Maryland "crash pad". The lockout was still going strong and Lawson was soon on his way to Lithuania, but not before he participated in the most anticipated lockout game of the summer. Shouts to Dime Magazine and shouts to Ty Lawson...good dude.

Go get #67 with Kyrie Irving on the cover. I've had photos in back-to-back issues of Dime so far...hopefully we can keep the streak going.

Full Contact, No Pads

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:31:00 +0000

Who does this? A few guys I played basketball with earlier this summer apparently do.

The weather here in Sacramento has taken a turn for the worse. With highs of 55 (I know, frigid) and the sun still setting pretty early, the outdoor basketball season has been over for a while now. But the fellas have moved on to another outdoor activity. Full contact, tackle football with no padding to speak of. Of course a few of the guys came prepared with mouth guards because heaven forbid you get a busted lip or bite your tongue.

Although people were wearing running shoes, pajama pants and 3XL t-shirts, these guys were playing like they were in full uniform. They were live blocking, lowering shoulders and hitting receivers who dared to go over the middle. No thanks.

I like to indulge in sporting competition, but this is something I'll gladly remain on the sideline for. Luckily, there weren't any major injuries on the playing field at Stanford Park. I do hope that they all have insurance...

On Tour with Michelle Rhee and Kevin Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Michelle Rhee, former Chancellor of DC public schools and her husband Kevin Johnson, current mayor of Sacramento have become the ultimate power couple of California's capital city. The two, under the banner of her education reform non-profit Students First, have embarked on a tour of California to have a 'conversation about education'. And I had the privilege of documenting the first stop in San Diego.

Michelle got a lot of love. People clamored to talk, touch, take a photo and share their individual education stories and ideas. KJ didn't get as much. I, however, was plotting on how to get revenge on the well documented Hakeem Conqueror. Go Rockets.

Monterey Trail Mustangs - 2011 Season

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

After 5 games and many more practices, my 2011 stint with Monterey Trail Mustang football is complete.

I settled into my home away from home in Elk Grove, CA August 2nd, exactly one month after I relocated from DC to Sac. I reached out to a number of high school football programs in and around Sacramento looking to continue my interest in documenting the sport at this level. Soon after my initial feelers, I got a call from head coach, T.J. Ewing. He thought my work was pretty cool and said he'd love to have me come out. So I did.

The coaching staff was awesome and the kids were an excellent bunch of hard working, determined and accountable young human beings. Although the team finished 4-6 and missed the playoffs, it was great to document their journey. Enjoy and see you next season!

Check out a larger gallery here.

Goon Squad Classic

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Last night I went down to the campus of UC Davis, not to cover some kids getting pepper sprayed, but to shoot the Goon Squad Classic charity game hosted by Donte Greene and featuring an assortment of Sacramento Kings. The funny thing about charity games is it's all dunks and 3's until the end of the game when it's close and someone wants to win. This particular contest went into overtime and ended with a 167-164 score in Greene's team's favor.

Some NBAers in attendance: Donte Greene, Tyreke Evans, Jimmer Fredette, Isiah Thomas (this one, not that one), Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, Demarcus Cousins, Matt Barnes and Hassan Whiteside. Add this game to a long list of exhibitions that have transpired in lieu of the lockout. At the very least, proceeds from the game went to charity. Hopefully we can get down to some real NBA action come Dec. 15th. Shout out to free t-shirts. Everyone loves a free t-shirt.

View Gallery Here

Brett Dennen

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Barefoot Wine sponsors beach rescue projects throughout the country where they entice volunteers to pick up trash during the day with a promise of a free wine party/concert later in the evening. Great idea if you ask me, especially if you're a fan of the person playing the live show. In this case, yet again, I didn't know who this person was.

Brett Dennen, a musician hailing from Northern California (hey!), brought quite the crowd to this clean up party. He's a super, laid back, guitar wielding musician who actually walked barefoot along the banks of the Anacostia River (def not recommended). After I shot the concert, I was able to get a free copy of his newest album , Lover Boy, and played it loudly in my car through the streets of Georgetown. It's a good album.

Later that night, I went to a bar with a few of my friends to watch the Heat v. Bulls playoff series. Guess who's music was blasting from the jukebox? Surprise, surprise. Shout out to Pep.

Sally Wilson of CBRE for Eco-Structure Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Sally Wilson is the Global Director of Environmental Strategy/Senior Vice President at CBRE whom I photographed for Eco-Structure Magazine. Check out the article here.

Portraits of David Kahn

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:00:00 +0000

You guys ever heard of David Kahn? Assuming you're saying "Nope, sure haven't Mike." I'm saying, "me either." After photographing NCAA basketball tournament participant and American University arch nemesis Bucknell men's basketball, I had the good fortune to photograph a Bucknell alum.

David Kahn wrote a book on cryptography called The Codebreakers. And with him being one of the leading experts in cryptography, we met at the National Cryptologic Museum near Ft. Meade, Maryland. I didn't know this place existed and no wonder because although cool and in the cut, it is a far cry from the Smithsonian powerhouses located in the District. In this particular place, he is somewhat of a celebrity. I actually photographed him in a room called The David Kahn Library in which he donated over 2,800 books.

Shout out to Dr. Khan who is an interesting man with funny stories and extreme amounts of patience for the idiot with the camera.

Running through Napa and Sonoma

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:36:00 +0000

Oh no, I definitely wasn't. I still can't get with the idea of running long distances for extended periods of time and smiling while doing it! Even if it's for a good cause.

Early in my tenure as a Sacramentan, I photographed Team Challenge as they raced and raised money for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America through the wine countries of Napa and Sonoma. While the participants ran 13.1 miles from start to finish, I drove and short-cut my way through most of the course. Boy was I exhausted. There was also a running guitarist by the name of Mike McCready. Shout out to ~~Mookie Blaylock~~ Pearl Jam.

Dime Magazine #66

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:11:00 +0000

Whew, where do I start?

Earlier in the summer of 2011 I started a project taking pictures at the Goodman League at Barry Farms in Washington DC. Some of that work can be seen here, here and here. I was even able to shoot some pretty cool portraits of some of the players. It was so much fun to be out there because you could watch some great basketball (no defense allowed) and you never knew just who might show up. Could be Kevin Durant, could be Michael Beasley, could be John Wall, you just never knew.

With the NBA lockout looming, the Goodman League along with a few other leagues around the country started to gain momentum in the mainstream basketball world. A little Facebook trash talk and the natural East Coast / West Coast rivalry bred a game between Washington DC's Goodman League and LA's Drew League that was to take place at Trinity University in Northeast Washington DC.

August 20, 2011 was crazy. Trinity's small gym was packed, standing room only. The buzz was enormous and folks with legit tickets were being turned away from the oversold event. The media credential person tried to force all of the photographers to shoot from a balcony, but I was able to traverse the adversity with my ninja like skills and rappel down the side of the basketball hoop to the baseline (just kidding). I was disappointed with the access that I wasn't able to get per my relationship with the Goodman League but I am very proud to have this spread in the current issue of Dime Magazine! Shout out to editor Aron Phillips and writer Rachel Marcus.

Game Day vs. Rodriguez

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Remember all of that spread offense preparation and blocking and tackling that I talked about in the last post? Well it worked because Monterey Trail came away with another lopsided victory defeating the Rodriguez Mustangs (yes, Mustang on Mustang crime) 51-13. The Monterey Trail Mustangs were forced to warm up on an actual grass field because the JV game started about 30 minutes late, hence the change of scenery.

I don't know about you, but while watching football on TV, I wince every time I see a play rapidly approaching a sideline full of photographers and camera operators. Last Friday, that was me. I was christened into the "got my ass run over by fast moving football players" club and it wasn't a great feeling. I still think I'm quick enough to get away from absolutely anything but I don't know what happened that Friday night. I must be getting old.

Practice at 1.4

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Practice, practice and more practice. This team does it almost everyday and when I'm out in Elk Grove with them, I'm practicing too. This day, I photographed their entire workout at 50mm f/1.4 for no other reason than, "why the hell not".

It was another hot day on the FieldTurf but the team is most definitely used to it by now. It's the Wednesday before a Friday game and the Mustangs are going over the spread offense that their next opponent, Rodriguez High School, employs. The off-season workouts are for the basics, you know, your blocking, tackling, scheme and conditioning. But every week of in season practice builds on those basics as well as infusing the tendencies and formations of the weekend opponent. I've never played football, but I thought I knew a good amount about the game just by watching and being around it. But upon further review, the game is a little more complex than I thought.

Game Day.

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:49:00 +0000

After multiple blog posts of Monterey Trail off-season workouts and practices, finally, the game. The Mustangs took on the Panthers of Florin High School and excelled in a major way, taking a 54-14 win on their home field at Mark Macres Memorial Stadium. This was their third game of the season, but the first win and the first one that I've attended. Which proves that I must be the good luck charm. Shout out to myself.

Vancouver Jellies

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:56:00 +0000

I spent some time in Vancouver earlier this month to attend a cousin's wedding. I also checked out the Vancouver Aquarium aka VanAqua aka The Sharks at Stanley Park (ok, I made that last one up). There were some pretty cool, glowing, neon jellies in the building. Shout out to the Hipstamatic. I keep it with me.

We're Still Talking About Practice!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Monterey Trail has played two actual football games this season but you wouldn't know it if you relied on this blog for Mustang updates. The first game was an ESPN televised opener against Pleasant Grove and the second was an away game at Nevada Union. I was out of town both games (both losses) in San Francisco and Vancouver respectively. This Friday, I will finally be able to attend and shoot my first Trail game this season! But until then, yes, more practice. Shout out to the 50mm lens and California's blue sky.

Sac High (Purple) Dragons

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:06:00 +0000

In the years I've been shooting and watching high school sports, I've never heard of a team called the Dragons, have you? That all changed when I ventured over to Sacramento Charter High School to check out the Dragons against the Woodside Wildcats. Saturday game, scorching heat, shitty 1pm light...just how I like it. The Wildcats travelled all the way from a small town somewhere between San Francisco and San Jose to take the W on the Dragons well manicured and neatly painted football field.

A Wildcat player repeatedly tapped the top of his helmet signaling his need for a substitution. One of his coaches yelled, "Stay in the game! If you're tired, you can rest on the ride home!" How's that for motivation. Shout out to long bus trips back home after wins. Much more enjoyable than after losses.

Purchase Prints Here

Field of Steam

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:00:00 +0000

FieldTurf is the surface that a lot of high schools have installed on their athletic fields. FieldTurf is also a bed of tiny scorching pebbles when it's 95 degrees out. Do you know how I know? It's because I spend a good amount of Monterey Trail's football practice laying on it.

Practice is all about repetition and while the players try to repeat their awesome technique play after play after play, I try to photograph something a little bit different practice after practice after practice. Sometimes I'm successful and pleased with my variety, but sometimes I also end up taking the same photograph that I did two practices ago. The moral of the story is...there is no moral. I just wanted you to know that I roll around on that burning cookie sheet of a field so you won't be bored when you visit blog.michaelstarghill.com.

Shout out to competition among teammates. You could lose your starting job on Tuesday afternoon but earn it right back on Thursday before the game at the end of the week.

Full Pads, Heat and Terrible Light

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Last Wednesday marked the first day of full pads and hard hitting practice just south of Sacramento in Elk Grove, CA. The forest green and gold of Monterey Trail drilled, blocked, hit and ran with one goal in mind...winning games. The Mustang offense and defense is geared around hitting and hard work. The last man standing wins.

But I think I might need to talk to the coach about those 130p practice times. The high sun might be great for conditioning but the light contrast...not so good. Shout out to high school athletes. Six times a week these kids are running, lifting, hitting and practicing. I wonder if I could get through just a week.

We've got helmets.

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Football season arrives in steps but the training is pretty much a year round effort. Monday marked the end of the "dead period" here in California where high school teams aren't allowed to practice with footballs or equipment. Up until this point, it's just been a whole lot of weight lifting and conditioning. Fun, I know.

The players spent the first 1.5-2 hours cycling through lifting stations before they hit the convection oven of a turf field to finish up the last two hours of practice. Good thing my mom wouldn't let me play football!

In with the new...Monterey Trail Mustangs

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:40:00 +0000

The move to Sacramento also brought the inevitable search for a new high school football program to embed myself in. And I'm happy to announce that the search is over. My third team in as many years, which also has me feeling like Randy Moss, is the Monterey Trail Mustangs of Monterey Trail high school in Elk Grove, California.

The program, only established in 2004, is fairly new but is infused with heart and discipline led by Coach TJ Ewing. The kids work hard and I'm looking forward to a great season. It's all about the forest green and gold now.

Shouts to Coach Jason Lane who made it all possible in 2006 when he gave me the green light to shoot the orange team.

Napa Chillin'

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Spent some time at Cuvaison in the early morning before photographing the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon.

Performance Portraits

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:00:00 +0000

I recently finished up some work on the ongoing project called performance portraits. I photographed 10 more artists at the wonderful Union 206 studio in Alexandria, VA and had a great time kicking it with the subjects. Shoutout to Kyle Gustafson, Deuce, Angel B., Waiter, Vito Brown, Rhawty Roe, RA the MC, Gordo Brega, The Bridge, Crazy J and S.K.A.T.E.R. Here are a few of the images, but you can check out the rest HERE!

Faces of the Goodman League

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:29:00 +0000

Well, I had a grand plan to spend all summer in Barry Farms photographing the ins and outs of the Goodman League but that plan was curtailed when I moved to California early in July. I did spend a good amount of time there in June and was even successful in shooting some portraits of the players. Ironically, the day I hopped on a plane, John Wall (DCs biggest basketball star) showed up and dropped 41. Oh well...at least I was able to shoot these portraits.

More Goodman Portraits! and More Goodman Action!

Lawrence Moten and Eddie Basden: Both DMVers who spent some time in the NBA.

The Goodman League: Day 3

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:44:00 +0000

Day 3 of my Goodman League coverage and we take the basketball party inside to the hardwood. During the weekend the Goodman League oversees the Goodman Coalition which showcases 2 high school and 3 pro-am contests at Spingarn High School in Washington DC. Unlike in the outdoor games, the participants are a little more eager to hit the floor for loose balls and take a chance on the lightning quick passes that miss their mark under the darkness inside "da Gates".

So far I'm 3 for 3 in shooting on days where former and current NBA players show up. The first two times it was Kevin Durant. This time it was Ty Lawson and all time Big East leading scorer (who knew?) and Syracuse alum Lawrence Moten, scoring at will at 39 years of age. James Harden got major props for putting in 51 at The Drew League out in LA but Lawson came through with 47...that's gotta be good for something right? AND Old Man Moten poured in 33.

A few observations:

- Ty Lawson is quicker than I am

- Bobby Maze former Tennessee Volunteer (yellow Adidas) looks a lot like Allen Iverson

- Coaches were actually coaching

- Lawrence Moten (cornrows) was born to score

- ink, ink and more ink

Shout out once again to Miles and Mac for keeping the Goodman going.

The Goodman League: Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Starghill Jr.) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:17:00 +0000

June 7, 2011. Day two of the league and my second day in attendance. My goal is to find something new at this place while going back day after day. Something not new? Kevin Durant. He was back again looking to avenge his loss.

The crowd is extremely close to the action which creates an atmosphere in which players and spectators can engage in intimate conversations. Someone watching the game yells to Durant, "KD, KD! Bust his ass!" To which the player guarding KD responds to the heckl

er, "How about Iplay you? Put some money up!"

There's a lot going on at the courts nicknamed the BF Coliseum and I'm just starting to scratch the surface. According to the man with the mic, Miles Rawls, the venue was packed, "35,000 strong". I'm not sure, but I might need a recount on that.