Stanford Soccer Standout Jordan Morris

(Tri Nguyen - Commercial + Lifestyle Photographer) — Thu, 28 May 2015 20:49:00 GMT

Jordan Morris has been the talk of the soccer world since April, when he got his first start for the USMNT and scored a goal in their victory over Mexico at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Rarely does a college player get the call to join the national team. The perception is that the best players turn pro immediately and forgo college to develop their skills against superior competition. The college ranks do develop good players, many turn pro and some even make the national team. But in 2014, USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann held their World Cup camp at Stanford's campus and Morris caught the coach's eye during their scrimmages. He later called up the Sophomore and to say Morris made the most of his opportunities is an understatement.

For the shoot, I agreed to meet him at their home stadium on campus. I got their early at 3pm and saw that the field was set up for Lacrosse; no soccer goals anywhere to be found! Ok, we'll just do portrait shots with his uniform and maybe some balls as props. I set up a black background in a shady area against the concession stand with two rim lights and a key light, all Speedlight 580ex II. The two rim lights had just a Stofen diffuser and for the key light I used a white shoot-through umbrella.

If you've seen Jordan play, you'll know he has a strong motor and a passion for the game that rivals anyone. Relative to other soccer players I've met, he's physically strong with an excellent burst to the ball. I found him to be humble and low-key and very accommodating on this shoot. My favorite image is him wrapped in the American flag. It was this image that graced the front page of the Stanford Daily GoStanford.

Equipment for this shoot:

Canon 5D MIII

16-35mm f2.8L

Sigma 85mm f1.4

Canon Speedlite 580ex II

Stanford Swimming Champ David Nolan

(Tri Nguyen - Commercial + Lifestyle Photographer) — Thu, 21 May 2015 20:49:00 GMT

I did this shoot with NCAA swimming champ David Nolan for the Stanford Daily on a Wednesday afternoon at their outdoor training facility. I arrived early and set up a black background against a wall in a shaded area. David and an assistant from the athletics department came on time and we took standard portrait photos using a main light and a rim light. I like to change things up when I have the time and a willing model so I asked David to get into the pool and do a few laps doing all four strokes of the IM. Risking life, limb, and about $3k in equipment, I got the shot standing on a high dive springboard. I developed the swimming images against a black background for a different look to really isolate the subject. The story ran the following week to very positive acclaim, mainly from David Nolan himself. I always involve the subject when selecting the photos to go live with and he rejected several but settled with the same ones I favored.