All Star Weekend

ADIDAS ALL STAR WEEKEND TORONTO

Two weeks ago, I flew out to Toronto, ON for adidas to cover the NBA All Star Weekend 2016.  It was a busy weekend, but it was great shooting along side the adidas photo crew (Kelly Kline, Emily Ramiser, Michel Leroy and Ned Dishman) for a second year.  Last year's all star weekend in NYC saw record low temperatures and this year was no different.  Saturday brought the coldest weather of the year in Canada, with temperatures falling to -11°F.  It was pretty intense (I couldn't feel my legs or my feet when I was outside), but luckily most of our assignments this year were indoors.  

The adidas Vault

Houston Rocket's James Harden surprises a group of local high schoolers at the adidas product vault. 

Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors signs jerseys at the adidas flagship store in downtown Toronto. 

New adidas Xeno Borealis on display at the adidas Vault

Minnesota Timber Wolves Anthony Wiggins at the Dufferin Clarke Community Centre

The biggest adidas event of the weekend, by far, was the Andrew Wiggins appearance at the Dufferin Clark Community Centre in his home town of Thornhill, ON.  Wiggins, '14-'15 Rookie of the Year, treated teens of Thornhill to a newly renovated youth center, new gym equipment, and shared stories about his days getting up endless shots in his home gym. It was a crazy afternoon, and we worked hard to knock out our shot list and cover every angle of the event.  Adidas just released a great video of the day, and I even make a small appearance at the :24 mark :) 

Andrew Wiggins signs his newly unveiled logo at the Dufferin Clark Community Centre gym

Andrew Wiggins taking media questions at the Dufferin Clark Community Centre gym

It's always great shooting for adidas and I'm already looking forward to 2017 All Star (with hopefully warmer weather) in Charlotte next year.  More to come!

Adidas All Star Weekend NYC

Last month, the city was buzzing as athletes, celebs, and "influencers" of all kinds, arrived for the NBA's All Star Weekend and NYC Fashion Week.  I found myself on the All Star side of things, shooting for adidas along side fellow shooters and friends, Kelly Kline and Emily Ramsier. Kelly and Emily just opened up a new studio in my old stomping grounds of Atlanta, GA. It was great to see them again and work together.  I was also working with NYC photographer, Michel Leroy who was taking some awesome portraits throughout the weekend. It was a solid All Star crew! 

I spent most of the weekend in the adidas VIP media suite in Soho, photographing musicians, artists, and even some ESPN anchors as they got a first glimpse at adidas' new apparel and footwear.  Some were even lucky enough to walk away with their own exclusive adidas gear: 

DJ Neil Armstrong

DMC checks out the new adidas footwear

Kitty Cash in the VIP media suite

ESPN's Chris Broussard

Stalley shows off his custom All Star jersey

A$AP Ferg and his custom All Star jersey

A$AP Ferg in the VIP media suite

When I wasn't in the suite, I was shooting around the city at player appearances like this one with the Portland Trail Blazer's Damian Lillard: 

It was a crazy weekend, but so fun to work with such a great team of photographers.  Here was our group photo taken on Michel's set at the end of the last day.   Hopefully I see this crew next year in Toronto :)