Guest Blog: Sports Photographer Donald Page

Photo by Robby Klein

It’s and honor to be back on Scott’s blog, and if you’re here reading this, I hope you are as big of a fan of Scott as I am. “Thanks” is never enough for someone I have learned so much from. 

NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 10, 2019 – Cameron Wake #91 of Tennessee Titans portrait during Media Day at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

As we are all hopefully sitting safely and healthy in our homes, it is my hope that we all are taking time to reflect on the people and work that helped us get to where we are today. Scott is certainly on that short list for me. If you take nothing else away from reading this, be kind to people, regardless of who they are.

Here is a throwback to 2009 when I first met Scott and was literally a nobody just trying to take pictures of some sports. The story of how this photo even came to be is great, but that is for some other time.

Photo by Matt Lange

I have been a sports photographer for almost 15 years (what?!), and I just finished up my first season as a staff photographer for the Tennessee Titans. No job is without its bumps and issues, but this is truly a dream job. I dreamt of working for an NFL franchise since the day I picked up a camera and its crazy to sit here thinking about how wild the journey has been to get here.

BALTIMORE, MD – JANUARY 11, 2020 – Linebacker Wesley Woodyard #59 of the Tennessee Titans before the AFC Divisional Playoff Game between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN – AUGUST 25, 2019 – Offensive lineman Austin Pasztor #68 of the Tennessee Titans during team introductions in the smoke before the preseason home game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 29, 2019 – Guard Aaron Stinnie #61 of the Tennessee Titans in the locker room during the preseason game between the Chicago Bears and the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 08, 2019 – Outside linebacker Cameron Wake #91 of the Tennessee Titans 100th career sack for a safety during the Tennessee Titans game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 – Linebacker Jayon Brown #55 of the Tennessee Titans tapping his hands before the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

This first year took me with our team to the AFC Championship game and was one of the most challenging and most fun seasons I’ve had. And this offseason will certainly go down as one of the most memorable of my life, but that is probably the same for all of us.

DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 13, 2019 – Stiff arm from Wide receiver Corey Davis #84 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Denver Broncos on Empower Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 20, 2019 – Tennessee Titans group huddle before the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 24, 2019 – Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans stiff arm during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 27, 2019 – Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans stiff arm during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 10, 2019 – Defensive back Joshua Kalu #46 of the Tennessee Titans with the game ball celebrates the win in the locker room after the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Kansas City Chiefs at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

I would love to impart some wisdom or share something that will be helpful to everyone who reads this, but my truth is probably not much different from many of you with everything going on in the world right now… I’m afraid of the future, I’m afraid for my job, I have been told to work from home but I’m not sure if I am doing it right, or that I am being as helpful to my coworkers as I would like to be.

I’m a photographer after all, I should be making pictures right? I have made some pictures and have plans for some other things to help, but it’s a strange feeling not being able to leave your house and go create.

NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 24, 2019 – Linebacker Daren Bates #53 of the Tennessee Titans recovers a fumble during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 24, 2019 – Linebacker Wesley Woodyard #59 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 15, 2019 – Safety Kenny Vaccaro #24 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 04, 2020 – Captains Quarterback Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans, Linebacker Wesley Woodyard #59 of the Tennessee Titans, Center Ben Jones #60 of the Tennessee Titans, Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey #99 of the Tennessee Titans and Safety Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans during the coin toss before the wildcard playoff game between the Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
BALTIMORE, MD – JANUARY 11, 2020 – Wide receiver Kalif Raymond #14 of the Tennessee Titans during the National Anthem before the AFC Divisional Playoff Game between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

The joy I have felt in this strange time is the community of photographers around me. As a whole, sports photographers have a reputation as being a curmudgeon-y group of grumps who are somehow always mad about something.

But the truth I have discovered is that while those people exist, they don’t speak for all of us. There are so many great people who help each other in times of need and want to see each other succeed. No other time have I seen it more than now when most should be grumpier than ever, but they are not. So I salute our industry as a whole, especially in these times of uncertainty.

BALTIMORE, MD – JANUARY 11, 2020 – Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 19, 2020 – Wide receiver A.J. Brown #11 of the Tennessee Titans during the AFC Championship game between the Tennessee Titans and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

I don’t have much else to say or add to this week, but if you have some time and have some questions, shoot me a message over on Instagram or email me and I would be happy to catch up with any of you!

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 01, 2019 – Head coach Mike Vrabel and the Tennessee Titans celebrate after the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

All the Best and stay safe and healthy!

You can see more of Donald’s work at DonaldPage.com, and keep up with him on Instagram and Twitter.

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