Craig Small is the father of lacrosse players Chris (Chapman University/LCC high school) and CJ (Villanova University/LCC high school), both of whom attended and starred at La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, CA.
Chapman Men's Lacrosse attacker Marcus Wooden scoring against San Diego State. Photo by Craig Small http://www.sportshotfotos.com/
What started as a birthday gift to his wife Cathy, has turned into a passionate hobby for Craig. When his sons were in high school, Cathy asked for a better camera to take photos of the boys playing lacrosse. Craig obliged with a very nice Cannon camera. Cathy enjoyed taking photos but was content to use the automatic settings and often found her job as team mom to hinder her ability to get really great shots.
http://www.sportshotfotos.com/
Craig took over the photo taking responsibilities, using the cameras full capabilities and soon purchasing higher speed lenses and upgraded equipment and photo processing software. The early years at LCC were great training for him, as he would shoot a game, go home and examine his work, and try new setting and techniques for the next game. Craig gave the photos away to the teams players and produced year-end videos, constantly trying to improve the quality.
Chapman Men's Lacrosse middie Chris Small drives against UC Santa Barbara. Photo by Craig Small http://www.sportshotfotos.com/
When the boys left to play college lacrosse, Craig began taking his hobby even more seriously, setting up a website and photographing not only his sons’ games, but any lacrosse games he could get to. His work quickly got noticed and he has had several photos published in Inside Lacrosse and MCLA magazine as well as on websites dedicated to lacrosse. Chapman University displays a large poster size photo in its conference center and published in the university viewbook.
Villanova Men's Lacrosse in 2009. Photo by Craig Small http://www.sportshotfotos.com/
Craig takes about 1000 photos during a game and goes home to look for the gems. It’s a lot of work, but something he enjoys and way to give back to the lacrosse community that has been such a rewarding experience for his family.
His work can be viewed at www.sportshotfotos.com.
laxbuzz
