About Me

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Long Beach, California, United States
Welcome to my blog. Looking through my posts you will find that I love and have a passion for photography and although my expertise so to speak is in Sports Action, I have been getting into wildlife and senior portraits. No matter what I'm shooting I want to bring my client the best possible shot I can and give them / you a photograph that you will cherish for a lifetime. If your looking for someone to capture your child in action, to show the intensity and emotion in which your child plays, look no further. Just drop me a line (e-mail) at homerkenpo@aol.com. I cover most areas in Southern Califoria.

Monday, June 13, 2011

2011 Southern California Special Olympic Summer Games

For the last four years in June I've had the opportunity to cover the Special Olympics of Southern California Summer Games, which has been my honor to do. I look forward to this each and every year.

The first year I represented Torrance Police Department and roamed around capturing various images from all of the sporting events, along with opening and closing ceremonies. The following year, which was my first representing the Special Olympics, I was asked to cover golf and then last year I was asked to cover boche ball and basketball.

Now for this year I requested to cover track, which I was given, but I was also asked if I could get a few shots of gymnastics as well.

So lets start this adventure. Opening ceremonies started on Saturday, June 11th, at approx 10am on the track field. This begins with the walk of champions as all of the athletes walk along police officers from all over Southern California.
















Let the games begin. I spent the morning and afternoon roaming the track getting various shots of the athletes as they competed. These first two are from the tennis ball / softball throw.


Shot put

Wheelchair Slaloms



And now some shots from track







This next group of track shots were from the second day of activities




Gymnastics, well what can I say. This is something I don't have much if any experience in shooting, but I knew they wanted some shots so I spent Sunday morning and early afternoon covering the events of the day. I will say that I am very happy with what I ended up with, so take a look and let me know what you think.








In closing I want to add one final thing. During both days I was contacted by my Special Olymics contact and asked to take some candid shots of Johnny Knoxville. Now I thought this was pretty cool and have to say I was very impressed with his interaction with the athletes and fans. I did take a bunch of shots and these are my favorites.




I had a wonderful and full weekend covering the summer games and look forward to doing it again next year.

12 comments:

Kime Pine said...

Jim - You outdo yourself every year! I love every photo and you can count on us using these to promote Special Olympics to anyone and everyone. It is such a pleasure to work with a professional photographer who so willingly gives of his time to our cause and our athletes. Thank you for always being so gracious and easy to work with. Next year you can shoot whatever you want!!!! Kim

Anonymous said...

Great job Jim! It is hard to capture the joy, determination and action all at the same time -- and you have done that so well!

Russell Evans said...

Jim,
Another great photo of Michael and some of the athletes from Pomona Valley. Appreciate all your photographs as they truly capture the determination and spirit with which the athletes compete at the Summer Games.
Thank you your support.
Russell Evans
Area Director
Pomona Valley Special Olympics.

Mike Matenkosky said...

Those are great Jim, even the Gymnastic stuff!

Dave said...

Great photos Jim!

Jamie said...

Jim,
Since I was unable to attend Summer Games this year, I have had to "experience" it through photos. Yours are certainly the best by far! Thank you for capturing such amazing photos...we are always so proud of our athletes!

Thanks,
Jamie Brown
Regional Director
San Diego County

Sara said...

Thank you for sharing your amazing talent with us and for capturing two amazing photos of m daughter competing at her first Summer Games!

kymberli q. said...

Awesome images, Jim! I love seeing these pictures from you every year! What a wonderful event and you capture things beautifully! Loved seeing a 'different' side of Johnny too!

Jim, "Homer" said...

Thanks so much for all of these comments everyone. Its an honor to come out and capture these athletes. Again, thank you.

Phil said...

Great pics! You captured my daughter, Debi, during her hoop routine! Very nice!

Marlenne said...

Jim
Thank you so much for your commitment in doing these photos each year you were able to capture our son on track n field .for us not being so close we were unable to see his determination as he ran.
but your photo was able to capture this it is priceless! Thank you

Albert Quackenbush said...

Each year I love seeing what images you capture from the Special Olympics. I have been bummed for the past two years to have events scheduled each of the dates. Hopefully, next year will open up and I'll be able to lend a hand. Great stuff, Jim! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful side of things.