1. 2015 Atlanta Braves Real-Time Correspondent
ORTFOLIOP
Around the Ted
Freddie!
MLB Food &
@YourBoySwish
Holding the Past
52 of my best photos
The Visitors
The sights
and sounds of
Turner Field
Plus
Capturing an
All-Star
An old-timer’s
memories, today
2. Around the Ted
The sights and sounds of
Turner Field. A closer look
at the
variety
of cont-
ent
around
the ball-
park.
Freddie!
Capturing
Braves’ All-
Star first
baseman,
@YourBoySwish
4th of Julypg. 3
pg. 10
Table of Contents
pg. 14
pg. 16MLB Food
Freddie Freeman. The Visitors pg. 18
Holding the Past pg. 22
Portfolio Cover
I tried to be very
inconspicuous in
grabbing the perfect angle
of this photo. Then the
fan started to walk away
and I got his attention.
After explaining my role
he was happy to pose.
pg. 12
1
3. EEach season every
major league club has one or
two Real-Time Correspondents.
For the 2015 season, I worked as
the RTC for the Atlanta Braves.
I worked all eighty-one home
games and gathered a variety of
real-time content. I have
organized and cataloged my
top photos in this portfolio with
small descriptions telling the
stories behind a few of the
photos.
In the season, the photos
were shared on the social media
accounts for the Braves, the
MLB, and other visiting clubs.
This experience was one of a
kind, and I could not have
accomplished it without the
2015 Digital Team, Braves’ staff,
and the amazing game day
employees at Turner Field.
Top: Simmons taking a selfie with fan at batting practice. Bottom: Glove and baseballs also during BP.
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5. TedAround the
TTurner Field was
completed for the 1996 Olympic
games and opened for the Braves
in the 1997 season. The Braves
moved to Atlanta in 1966 and,
spent 30 years in Fulton County
stadium, before making the jump
next door. Although my parents
say we went to Fulton County, I
only remember my time at the Ted.
Luckily for me in receiving
this position, I already was familiar
with the territory. However, as a
fan, I was always, taking in the
moment for myself, but, as an RTC,
it was for all the fans who couldn’t
make it to the game. For a fun-
filled four hours plus nine innings
with a chance of extras, I was
snapping photos and breaking
FitBit step goals all for the benefit
of fans back home. For eighty-one
home games, that was enough
motivation for this life-long Braves
fan.
Nearly every day at the
ballpark was different and always
that much more exciting than the
previous. Eventually, a routine fell
into place. But, until then, I had to
be on the lookout for any
tomahawk chopping K-9s,
flooded fields, guys named
Chipper, Hammers named
Hank, world famous rap artists,
and movie stars. Even a few
zombies.
The photos in this section do
not focus on one perspective, but
rather on the diverse sights any fan
might see at Turner Field during
the 2015 season. Each of my days
would start with my organizing
and reviewing the upcoming game
in the press box. Once I had a good
hold on the match-up, I was off to
batting practice to capture the
Braves and visiting clubs. The fans
made batting practice unique
everyday by displaying originality
and creativity in their pursuit to
get autographs from the players.
Previous: Stray ball during batting practice.
4
6. TedAround the
Having total access to the batting
cage and players allowed me to
gather real-time content and
provided me with a very
enjoyable experience. If a fan
happened to be wearing a
costume, holding a sign, or doing
anything to get the Braves’
attention, I would do my best to
capture both their photo and their
story. The majority of these stories
would come during batting
practice and before first pitch.
There was often a window
of about an hour where I could
take interviews before the teams
took the field, and I regularly
found myself circling the park
looking for unique fans, unique
ballpark shots, and any story
seemed worth telling.
So, flip through and see the
wide variety of sights and sounds
of a season at the ballpark as I
walked around the Ted.
Both: Shots of Turner Field from different angles in the stadium
5
7. TedAround the
Top: Cool K-9 during Bark in the Park, Bottom: Chris Johnson taking BP
Top: Grounds crew handling heavy rain
Bottom: Extra gear during BP
6
8. TedAround the
Top: Chipper Jones warming up for softball game
Bottom: Soldier & son watching BP
Top: Extra gear during BP
Bottom: Julio Teheran in bullpen
7
9. TedAround the
Bottom: Young kids holding big heads in Center Field
Top: Hammerin’ Hank in Sky Field, Right: Phil the Bucket winning Home Depot Tool race
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10. TedAround the
Top: Fan’s gear at BP Bottom: Braves gear at BP
Top: Kelly Johnson with fans
Top: Ludacris signing Bottom: Stan the Zombie
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12. Freddie
the Braves’ star player. This two-time
All-star is always the center of Braves
fans’ attention throughout every
home game. On the field, Freeman
stands out as a true offensive and
defensive talent. Off the field and in
the dugout, he is most notably known
for his fun-loving and gregarious
attitude towards his teammates. Yes,
that’s right, number five is known for
his bat, glove, and his hugs.
Because his affectionate
demeanor has captured the hearts of
Braves Country, Freeman is a fan
favorite and a potential Braves Hall
Above: Freddie taking batting practice
of
Famer.
During
batting
practice
and
before the first pitch, fans call Freddie
not always for an autograph, but
sometimes for his signature hugs.
Both Freeman’s passion and his
competitive spirit for winning are
obvious. But, how this Atlanta hero
shows it is a little more apparent than
other MLB stars. While baseball fans
love to cheer for their favorite player
because of his talent, they love him
more so for his compassion for his
teammates and teams achievements.
With any walk-off, homer, top play, or
great pitching, other players are
guaranteed a warm embrace from
their 6, 5’ first baseman. If you get the
chance to be close to Freeman, make
sure to capture the moment and see
Cover: Freddie holding a lucky toddler on his shoulders.
Freddie Freeman is one of
the best all-around first
basemen in the major
leagues, which makes him
Above: Freddie waiting to take batting practice.
just
how
Freddie
is more
than an
All-
Star.
F
11
13. Swisher taking a
selfie with fans
in Atlanta right
before first pitch.
Covering one of the happi est dudes in baseball
@YourBoySwish
Top: Nick Swisher taking a selfie with Braves fans
14. Never have I
ever been around a more
exciting player or fun-loving
human than Nick Swisher.
Swisher entered the Majors in
2004 with Oakland and has
since played for five other clubs.
He is most notably known for
his time with the Yankees, where
he won a World Series in 2009.
@YourBoySwish joined
the Braves in 2015 as a utility
player. In his first game he got a
standup double that made the
home crowd electric. After the
new Brave held at 2nd, he
immediately went into the
Tomahawk Chop. Say hello to a
great .gif and welcome Mr.
Swisher to Atlanta.
While covering Swisher, I
had to always be on my toes.
He was great with fans and
always more than happy to take
a “selfie,” sign an autograph, or
deliver a fist bump. Although he
was only a Brave for a year, he
was among the happiest to call
Turner Field home and baseball
his passion.
N
Top: Swisher pre-game, Bottom Left: Swisher with fans,
B. Right- Customized gloves
15. 4th of July
There’s always been
and always will be
something special about
going to the ballpark on
the 4th of July. What
better way to celebrate
America's birthday than
by watching it's pastime?
It's hard to put a finger on
what exactly brings out
the nostalgia and the
“feels" on that special day
in July. It seems as if
people at the game, just
feel more American with
a footlong and nine
T
Above: Family continues 20 year tradition of bringing American flag to Braves game.
there’s definitely something special there. It's also probably the easiest day for
an RTC, because everyone is dressed for the occasion and supporting the red,
white, and blue in some way, shape or fashion. For the family pictured above,
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innings in front of them. Like I said, it's hard to put a finger on it, but there’s
16. they celebrated by continuing their tradition of bringing "Old Glory" to the Ted!
They have apparently brought their large American flag for over twenty years and
will most likely continue the tradition into SunTrust Park.
Above: In 2015, America celebrated it’s 239th anniversary. So, section 239 leant itself to being captured on the 4th.
4th of July
15
18. MLB Food
Photographing food is at
an all-time high with much of the
credit given to @FoodInTheAir. Thus,
enjoying ballpark food has become a
key part in celebrating America’s
pastime. With the constant growth of
the trending phenomenon that is food
photography, the MLB capitalized
and created the MLB Food social
accounts.
Among fans tagging photos of
food, it was part of the RTC’s role to
find these photogenic tasty treats.
From waffles to steaks and H&F
burgers to nachos, Turner Field had
quite the smorgasbord of ballpark
favorites to eat. I must note that I
never bought and photographed my
own meal. Yes, all the shots you see
are of the gracious fans’ food.
Nonetheless, if the meal made
the cut, I would share the photo so
that the owner could see just how
famous their food (and their hand)
had become. Though not all fans
showed interest in seeing their recent
dishes, they did smile with approval
and full stomachs.
Top:& Bottom: Fans holding their mouth watering H&F burgers
Cover: Fan holding a delicious looking plate of nachos
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P
19. The Visitors
2015 Opposing Teams & Fans
Above: Alex Rodriguez signing autographs while on tractor in Atlanta.
Yankees
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20. Red Sox
The Visitors
As stated, the role of the RTC
was not only to cover the home
team but also to gather content of
the visiting club. This was nearly as
exciting as capturing the Braves.
The 2015 season brought in historic
and perennial ball clubs and their
players. From rookies to veterans,
All-Stars to struggling pitchers, and
World Series champions to MVPs,
covering the opponent was no easy
task.
Over time I was able to
develop a knack for practicing a
little reconnaissance before
approaching for the photo. Now,
the photos shown in some cases
were just being in the right place at
the right time (note the cover of
Alex Rodriguez signing autographs
on top of grounds crew tractor).
Yet, when practicing my system, I
looked to give the players plenty of
space and tried to grab a shot at the
last second (see Red Sox’ Brock
Holt leaning on his bat).
Top: Red Sox gear, Bottom: Brock Holt at BP.
19
A
21. Nationals
Top Right: Bryce Harper taking a selfie
Bottom Right: Nationals streching
Above: Harper’s #1 fan
The Visitors
It was never an easy task,
especially for the Yankees, but
that’s another story.
In covering the visitors, I
tried to deliver a variety of
content and always gave the
contacts back in their respected
cities something they were not
expecting. Therefore, the
following is a collection of my
best photos of The Visitors.
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22. Brewers
Pirates
Cubs
Above: Leader of Mets’ 7 Line Army
Mets
The Visitors
Above: Happy Brewers fan with BP ballAbove: Anthony Rizzo taking BP
Above: Reflection of Turner Field in Pirates fan’s
sunglasses
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23. Holding the PastAn Old-Timer’s Memories, Today
Above: Photograph of John Smoltz pitching his 3,000th strikeout.
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24. R HTP
Real-Time Correspondents
are given a lot of creative freedom, as
long as their shot sheets are completed. I
do not feel that my job ever became
monotonous, but I would like to begin
focusing on my own projects in order to
further add to the content I supplied the
Braves. The 2015 season was the second
to last season the Braves would spend in
Turner Field. Considering this, I tried to
find a way to capture the final moments
of history at the Ted and Fulton County
Stadium in a unique way. Throughout
the season, social media accounts were
Above: Historic photo of Hank Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s unbreakable home run record.
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25. Above: Bobby Cox being carried by players in 2010.
HTP
Above: Chipper Jones watching a home run.
beginning to focus on the past and
especially vintage photos. With
# T h r o w b a c k T h u r s d a y a n d
#FlashbackFriday at the height of their
hashtag existence, it seemed necessary
to capitalize on these trends and
prepare a project that covered all of
these areas.
Brainstorming began as I looked
to social media for inspiration. When
browsing, I noticed more and more
vintage Polaroid-type photos being
positioned in the same spot years after.
This could work, I thought. I then
made a list of some of the Braves’
biggest historical moments in Atlanta,
wrote a presentation for the project,
and presented it to my supervisors. It
was approved and I was given the
photos I listed.
Afterwards, I organized,
collected, printed, and cut the photos.
Although these are not Polaroid
photos, I had to create the Polaroid
look and feel. I printed them on
similar paper and cut them to have the
vintage, off-center look.
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26. HTP
Once I had every photo together in
two different sizes, I went to those
locations. Luckily, Fulton County
stadium was next door to Turner
Field, and everything could be
collected quickly. However, this
proved to be the hardest part of
the process. I ended up taking
dozens of photos in order to
achieve the perfect angle and
focus. Without the help of ushers
and my co-workers, this would not
have been possible. The ushers
allowed me to maneuver myself
around for perfect angles during
the game. After the game, I
presented the drafts and received
feedback from my co-workers.
In the end, all the planning and
shooting was well worth it. If I had
the chance, I may like to change a few
of the concepts present in this project,
but, regardless, I learned a great deal
from this process and am proud of
my accomplishments in this role.
Above: Sid Bream sliding into home to win the 1992 NLCS
Above: Braves win 1995 World Series
Above: Bobby Cox getting thrown out of a game.
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27. http://m.braves.mlb.com/video/v480853683/toratl-fan-celebrates-91st-birthday-at-turner-field
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Truly, I hope you enjoyed viewing my portfolio. The picture above is of a
Braves fan celebrating her 91st birthday at Turner Field. She has been a Braves
fan her entire life and I was lucky enough to interview her. Please copy the link
below the photo and follow to the her interview, if you wish.
For any analytics I am more than happy to supply you with the
spreadsheet of social impressions on my content. If you should have any
questions, please reach out at jack.tomblin.warren@gmail.com or (706) 358-6617.
