Sliding into the Moment at Lakeside


I pulled out of the parking lot at Lakeside High School in Sibley with a grin so wide it probably looked like I had won the state title myself. What began as a simple model call to refresh my baseball portfolio turned into an afternoon that reminded me why I love this craft. Only three young men answered the call instead of the ten I had hoped for, yet Brock Case, Remington Arender, and Stanley Owens filled every corner of the field with heart and hustle.


Brock arrived first in full catcher gear, and his dad, Greg Case, walked the field with us. He was not a bystander in the bleachers but an encouraging presence at my side and lifting spirits whenever the boys needed it. Remington followed with pitcher swagger while his mother, Donna Arender, offered quick smiles and quiet praise between frames. Stanley rounded out the lineup. He let me know right away he needed to leave early for Wednesday night church, so we worked hard to feature him before he slipped away.


The hot Louisiana afternoon wrapped us in a swamp thick haze. sweat beading the instant cleats hit clay, jerseys plastered to backs, the very air feeling like warm syrup.


I laid out the game plan from the dugout. My Canon R6 paired with the RF 24-105mm F4L lens never left my hands. Lighting came from two Godox AD600 strobes and a Godox AD400 Pro that served as my key. A 24-inch beauty dish, two long throw reflectors, and a pair of 7-inch reflectors let me sculpt light. I kept a grid handy for tighter

portraits back in the dugout.

Baseball player in pinstripes leaps against a green outfield wall to make a dramatic catch during a game.
A baseball outfielder makes a spectacular diving catch attempt while leaping horizontally to catch the ball in the outfield.

Once on the grass the boys attacked every cue. Brock fired bullets to second base, his

pop time sharp enough to echo in your chest. Remington dialed in a classic windup, seams flashing as he drove through each pitch. Stanley patrolled center field, ranging toward the outfield wall and even throwing a few candid backflips for the camera. We hoped he might snag a fly ball in the old Savannah Banana's style pose. The timing never lined up, but the backflips alone were worth the attempt. For fun I promised that anyone who lost a ball over the fence had to circle around to fetch it. Remington, eager and grinning, sent the first and only ball sailing out. His red cheeked sprint along the outfield wall in left field

had us all laughing, and the frame of him stretched against that backdrop

made the jog worth every step.

Baseball player swings bat at dusk on dirt field with dramatic cloudy sky and sun rays in background.
Baseball player in navy uniform and cap holds glove over face with dramatic sunset sky in background.



Later in the afternoon the sun dropped behind the third base grandstand. I lowered strobe power, shifted angles, and caught a sunstar flaring around Brock’s shoulder, then repeated the setup for Remington. Stanley had already headed to church, so he missed this light, yet the moments with Brock and Remington carry a glow that feels like a blessing.


Baseball player swinging bat during sunset with dramatic cloudy sky at baseball field.
Baseball player in navy blue uniform holds glove over face as dramatic sunset sky glows behind them.

Then the gift arrived. Remington glanced toward center, pointed, and said, “Hey, check it out, look at the rainbow.” Sure enough a perfect arc painted the sky beyond right field. I did not hesitate. We grabbed every light, raced to the dugout, and had the players perch on the heavy pipe out front. In less than two minutes the strobes were ready, exposure dialed, and the shutter clicked. The rainbow framed them like a promise. It felt as if God placed it there for these young men, a vivid reminder that faith and hard work can share the same diamond. I would have been happy with one solid shot. We walked away with an entire series.

Clay dust explosions at home plate closed the session. Brock’s favorite frame shows him bursting from a crouch, dirt flying, arm cocked to pick off a base stealer. Remington’s pitching series, sweat frozen mid air, is a close second. Once I open these files in

Lightroom I know they will sing.




Baseball players in gray and pinstripe uniforms pose for dramatic portraits against a cloudy sky with rainbow backdrop.
Two baseball players stand together on a field with a beautiful rainbow arcing across the blue sky behind them.
Behind-the-scenes photo shoot setup in a baseball dugout with camera equipment and players in baseball uniforms.

BTS Photos courtesy of Donna Arender

Behind the lens the bigger picture took shape. This shoot was never just about new images. It was about serving families who pour everything into their kids’ dreams and about launching my referral program with genuine gratitude. Each athlete left with professionally edited images, a $100 voucher toward his next session, and one of my black referral cards. That card is a sleek reminder that sharing the experience with a teammate brings rewards for everyone. Greg and Donna already have ideas for who might need senior portraits next spring.



I drove away thanking God for perfect timing, sky born gifts, and three young men who play simply for love of the game. When the edits are polished, I will post the gallery, share a before and after slider of the rainbow setup, and walk through the lighting diagram for anyone curious about the technical side. I cannot wait to hand these photographs to Brock, Remington, Stanley, and their parents, tangible memories of an afternoon that mixed grit, faith, and fun in a single frame.

A baseball catcher in uniform stands in a dramatic pose on a dirt field at dusk with dramatic cloudy sky background.
Baseball player makes dramatic sliding catch in green grass outfield during game action.
Motocross rider kicks up dramatic clouds of orange dirt while racing through a winding dirt track during competition.
Baseball players slide into home plate during an intense night game as dust clouds rise from the dirt infield.
Two baseball players collide in dramatic play at home plate creating cloud of dirt on baseball diamond at sunset.
A vintage-style baseball scene with brown leather baseball glove against a dark red dramatic background.
Player diving and rolling to catch a baseball in grass field against cloudy sky.
Baseball catcher leaps for a catch in dramatic action shot with dust swirling at sunset on dirt field.
Baseball player in navy jersey and cap holds up Marucci glove against dramatic sunset sky background.
Baseball player in dark uniform peeks over their glove in dramatic lighting against red background.
Baseball pitcher in pinstriped uniform performs dramatic high leg pitching motion against dramatic sky with clouds.
Baseball pitcher shown in multiple frames demonstrating proper pitching form and mechanics against blue sky background.
Baseball player in pinstripe uniform swings bat against dramatic sunset sky on baseball diamond with stadium lights.
Baseball player in a red and white uniform sits in the dugout on wooden benches before a game.
Baseball player in white and navy uniform makes dramatic sliding catch in outfield grass.
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