2013 Year in Pictures

After getting married in November and getting through the holidays, I'm finally getting some time to publish my best images of 2013.

The gallery includes work from photographing weddings, South Carolina and Clemson sports, the NFL, ESPN production stills and NBA. I really enjoy the diversity with my job. Each event is different but many techniques used from one event can be used to photograph another.

Many thanks for visiting my blog and I hope you enjoy the images.

All images by Travis Bell, ©2013

Samie Garcia is introduced during Gamecock softball. 

Gamecock basketball vs LSU

Queen Latifah served as a coach during the NBA Celebrity Game in Houston. 

Tajh Boyd celebrates a TD against Boston College. 

The Gamecock dance team performs. 

The NBA All-Star Game gets underway in Houston. 

Kobe blocks Lebron during the NBA All-Star Game. 

Kate Haley perform's on the beam. 

Amanda and Matt's engagement session

Sarah is greeted by her father after he saw her for the first time in her dress. 

Kelley Dillon rips a double. 

Chelsea Hawkins hauls in a big catch. 

Gamecock Tennis

Megan's bridal portrait

Duke Chapel is quite impressive. 

Megan and Sabino in Duke Chapel. 

Clemson opens the season against Georgia. 

Amanda's bridal portrait in the statehouse.

Otto, the Syracuse mascot and the deacon from Wake Forest have some fun during ACC Media Day at ESPN in Charlotte. 

Jim Boeheim, Coach K and Coach Williams share a light moment during a broadcast at ESPN in Charlotte. 

Mascots pose outside ESPN's studio during ACC Media Day. 

Amanda and Matt's wedding on Lake Murray. 

Cam Newton helped turn the Panthers' season around. 

Newton gives the ball to a fan after scoring a TD against the Jets. 

Gamecock softball. 

Steve Spurrier Jr Family at Williams-Brice

Whitehurst makes a TD catch against UNC. 

Ric Flair and his girlfriend Wendy tape an episode of ABC's Celebrity Housewife Swap at his home in Charlotte. 

Gamecock Band

The Gamecock student section during Sandstorm against Kentucky. 

Eric celebrates as he kisses Kristen after being pronounced husband and wife at 701 Whaley. 

180 degree view of Williams-Brice during the Kentucky game. 

Actor/Comedian Kevin Hart has some fun with the NBA Celebrity game trophy in Houston. 

Gamecock Soccer. 

Gamecock Mike Davis. 

"Sandstorm" at Williams-Brice

Jadeveon Clowney sacks Florida. 

Gamecock Rory Anderson makes  a spectacular catch against Florida. 

Bruce Ellington leaves Coastal Carolina behind. 

Damiere Byrd dives towards the endzone against Coastal. 

Clemson's Robert Smith breaks up a pass intended for Boston College. 

A fan reaches out for Clowney during the Gamecock Walk before the Clemson game. 

Darius Rucker performs before the Clemson game. 

Ellington hangs on to a big catch. 

Beyonce' watches the NBA All-Star Game in Houston. 

Spurrier gets splashed after Clemson victory. 

Shaking off the Gatorade. 

Ben Barnette returns a serve for the Gamecocks. 

Aleishsa Welch flies over Winthrop at Colonial Life Arena. 

ESPN's Stephen A Smith and the rapper 'Common' broadcast live from The House of Blues in Houston. 

NBA All-Star fashion

Gamecock Volleyball

Connor Shaw looks for a receiver against Miss. St. 

Gamecock Basketball

Gamecock Softball

Cocky greets fans before the Gamecock walk. 

The Tiger Walk gets underway in Clemson before the Georgia game. 

The Gamecock Walk is seen outside Williams-Brice before the Vanderbilt game. 

Clowney is greeted by fans during the walk. 

Gurley says hi to a fan as he exits. 

Amanda and Matt leave for their honeymoon. 

Columbia SC Photographer Travis Bell-Thankful He Wore His Jacket

Last week's assignment took me to Orlando to photograph the Gamecocks' appearance in The Capital One Bowl. I've been photographing Gamecock football since I was in college and currently provide images to the university from games.

The game went really well. Some rain in the beginning but it faded off. There were a ton of great plays in this one. Near the end, the Gamecock staff asked me to come inside the players box to photograph coach Spurrier if he got doused with Gatorade.

Pulling that type of shot off isn't easy. You have to keep an eye on the Gatorade cooler, an eye on Spurrier, the game clock and be aware if there's still a live play going on (The shot requires stepping out on to the field to get in front of Spurrier and I certainly don't want to be on the field if there's live play going on).

As the seconds ticked down, Victor Hampton and Jadeveon Clowney walked over towards the cooler. I began making my way through the crowd of players while keeping my eye on the clock, Spurrier and the game.

Spurrier started walking on the field and looked right at me and said "You're about to get wet!"

"I know", I told him. (I got splashed while photographing the same thing at the Clemson game when the players aimed the cooler at his head)

Fortunately, Spurrier told his players before the game that if they were going to splash him, to do it on his back. They did that and as a result, I didn't get wet this time. He was smart to put that jacket on just seconds before he gout doused.

I'm glad they aimed for his back too.

Photo ©2014 Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA

Columbia SC Photographer Travis Bell - Images from Florida game.

If you're a Carolina fan, the Gamecocks-The Big Picture blog just got updated with my images. Follow the link below. Brides, if you're looking for wedding images, just scroll down a few entries on this blog.

http://gamecocksthebigpicture.blogspot.com/2013/11/going-past-gators.html

Columbia SC Wedding Photographer - Amanda and Matt

Congratulations to Amanda and Matt, who were married Saturday on Lake Murray. (Photo by Travis Bell, ©2013)

Legends

Wednesday's assignment took me to Charlotte to photograph ACC Media Day at ESPN's studio. I've been providing still photography coverage for the all-sports network for about ten years now.

The media day event includes players and coaches doing interviews live on television and radio. It's a packed day but definitely a fun one. There was a lot of excitement about the new teams (Syracuse, Pitt and Notre Dame) joining the league. 

Below, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and North Carolina coach Roy Williams share a light moment while in studio for a roundtable broadcast. I have to admit I enjoyed listening to these three talk basketball on camera and behind-the-scenes. All three coaches are definitely ready for the challenge of playing each other. 

Photo by Travis Bell, ©ESPN

Gamecock Portrait Session

This morning's assignment took me over to campus to photograph South Carolina running back Mike Davis. The image is one of several that will be used during live, ESPN broadcasts to spotlight standout players. (Photo by Travis Bell, for ESPN Images, ©2013)