Laura Rutledge Leaving SEC Nation - Charlotte Portrait Session

It's been interesting watching ESPN's Laura Rutledge's career over the last 10+ years. She joined the SEC Network in 2014 and began hosting SEC Nation in 2017. The network recently announced she is leaving SEC Nation to expand her NFL coverage, continue to host NFL Live and serve as a sideline reporter or Monday Night Football. 

This image is from a portrait session in Charlotte I did for ESPN when it was announced she was joining SEC Nation as the host. She was an absolute joy to work with and we laughed so much it hurt. This image is one of those fun moments. 

(Photo by Travis Bell/ESPN Images) ©Copyright Protected Image

 

Coverage From The ACC Championship Game in Charlotte - Duke vs Virginia Overtime Game

Thanks to ESPN for asking me to cover the ACC Championship game in Charlotte. It was cold! But the overtime definitely brought the crowd to life! 

With this assignment, there was a big emphasis on capturing logos and sponsors instead of traditional tight action. 

(Photos by Travis Bell/©ESPN Images)

Podcast Interview

Many thanks to Jeff Blake with the new Underexposed Podcast for having me on his show today!

I talk about behind-the-scenes moments with sports figures like Coach K, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Dawn Staley. I also take you behind the scenes of ESPN broadcasts. 

If you're a sports fan, a photographer or both, you'll enjoy it. 

He also asked me to share some of my favorite images over the years. For photographers, I share multiple techniques about how photographs were created for college and pro sports. 

Video below. 

If you'd like to watch on your TV, launch the YouTube app on your streaming device and search for @UnderexposedPhotographyPodcast

"You Are Looking Live" - SEC Network Turns 10

10 years ago today, sports broadcaster Brent Musburger walked onto the ESPN set in Charlotte to help launch the all new SEC Network. (Photo by Travis Bell/ESPN Images)

Visit my website for more of my Production Stills work.

SEC Network Broadcast in Charlotte

A few promo and behind-the-scenes images from photographing Saturday's SEC Network broadcast in Charlotte. (Photos by Travis Bell/ESPN Images) ©Copyright. All Rights Reserved. 

For more images from my production stills work, visit my website. 

Low Angle

Tuesday took me to Raleigh to photograph No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 5 NC State at Reynolds Coliseum.

Came away with a nice one of both teams locked on to a loose ball under the basket.

From left, NC State's Madison Hayes (21), South Carolina's Aliyah Boston (4), and NC State's Jakia Brown-Turner (11) chase down a loose ball at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh Tuesday night. 

(Travis Bell/ESPN Images) ©COPYRIGHT.

For more of my sports images, visit https://www.travisbellphotography.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrating 20 Years of Images - Part 1 of 2

 

20 years ago, I took a leap of faith and launched my photography business, which was exciting and terrifying at the same time. This is Part 1 of 2 of my favorite images from from those 20 years, including Clemson and UofSC athletics, NASCAR, NBA, NFL, ESPN broadcasts, portraits and weddings. 

 

Celebrating 20 Years of Images - Part 2 of 2

Below is Part 2.

Kobe Blocks Lebron - NBA All-Star Game - Houston

A favorite from photographing the NBA All-Star game in Houston, when Kobe blocked Lebron.  The two laughed about it after the game. (Travis Bell/ESPN Images)

The Earth Quaked on This One

Saturday's assignment took me to Durham to photograph the Duke-Louisville game for ESPN. 

Below, Louisville's Malik Williams dunks over Duke's Jack White at Cameron Indoor Stadium. 

Louisville won 79-73.

(Photo by Travis Bell / ESPN Images)

For more of my sports images, visit 
http://www.travisbellphotography.com/

Photographing a Few Legends

Coaches Williams, Krzyzewski, Boeheim and Bennett, photographed for ESPN in Charlotte. (Images by Travis Bell)

I've been photographing these guys away from the basketball court for more than five years and it's been fun to learn about their personalities when they are not coaching.

Coach Williams is personable. He remembers you if he's been around you and he will thank you for what you're doing in a way that reminds me of how people thank each other in the town I grew up in.

Coack K is brilliant. He loves to find out what drives people and he lights up like a ten-year-old when he starts talking about basketball. He once took a call from Kobe Bryant while I was standing beside him and after he hung up began to tell me all about this play that Bryant thought he should run during the Olympics. (Coach K has led several Team USA Basketball squads)

Coach Bennett is sharp as a tack and it's clear he enjoys having a positive influence on his players. He loves to talk about how his players are growing as men and athletes.

I have not been around Boeheim as much as the others but he is for sure...a fierce dude. He's a legend so I had to include him.

Splash Down

ESPN"s Tim Tebow cools off near the end of the SEC Nation broadcast in Columbia on Saturday outside Williams-Brice Stadium. (Photo by Travis Bell/ESPN Images)

For more of my television production still images, visit https://www.travisbellphotography.com/

SEC Nation Broadcast from Columbia

My portraits of Tim Tebow, Paul Finebaum, Laura Rutledge and Marcus Spears, created in Charlotte for ESPN and being used to promote SEC Nation in Columbia this week.

Tebow

A favorite from a recent session with Tim Tebow shot for ESPN in Charlotte. ©Travis Bell Photography

ESPN Talent

A favorite promo image from portraits I created for ESPN at their Charlotte studio, including Paul Finebaum, Maria Taylor, Tim Tebow, Laura Rutledge and Marcus Spears. (Photo by Travis Bell/ESPN Images)

Where's the Helicopter?

The last few weeks has been a fun ride of assignments around The Carolinas.

During one stretch of 24 hours, I was in Charleston, Columbia and Charlotte. I love the diversity with my job and all the people I get to meet.

Below is a collage from those 24 hours, including photographing an MUSC event on the USS Yorktown in Charleston, Gamecock men's tennis in Columbia and behind-the-scenes of an ESPN, SEC Now broadcast in Charlotte.

On the Set

A recent assignment took me to ESPN's studio in Charlotte to photograph an SEC Network broadcast. (Photo by Travis Bell/ESPN Images)

For more production stills, visit http://www.travisbellphotography.com/

Image ©ESPN. All Rights Reserved.

Charlotte-SEC Network Launch Party

Getting a chance to catch up on recent work.

Below is a gallery from photographing the SEC Network Launch Party at ESPN at Ballantyne Country Club in Charlotte.

You may recognize some faces, including Tim Tebow, Brent Musburger and Jesse Palmer. 

All images ©2014