2022 season story

To photograph someone is to witness them.
And real witnessing requires vulnerability—both from the person being seen, and the one doing the seeing.
That’s what makes a camera powerful. It’s not just about capturing moments—it’s about honoring them.

What I love about having a camera in my hand is that, for me, it’s simply a vehicle for seeing much bigger things—
things like culture, leadership, joy, love… and transformation.

It gives me the opportunity to bear witness to values and growth in others that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise— and maybe not by anyone, otherwise.

This season I covered Major League Baseball and the home team I was placed with was the San Diego Padres. 30 teams, one World Series Champ, and many stories that I could tell. But this story is about them.

In order to share the truth and heart of it though, I have to continue the vulnerability and share something very honest:
It was hard for me to tell San Diego’s stories the first half of the season. 

Not because I didn’t want to. And not because they did anything wrong or weren’t winning. They were good. 
It was just hard for me simply because… I couldn’t see them. 
I didn’t know who they were, yet.
What were their values?
Who did they play for?
What was their purpose?

(Have you ever been in this spot? Of finding your identity? I know I have.)

On that note: this year, the San Diego Padres had the best season they’ve had in 38 years. 
People called their Wild Card win an upset. 
Numerically, sure. Talent wise, it wasn’t.
No one expected them to beat the record-breaking season Dodgers in the NLDS.
They did.
And they took their franchise to its first NLCS in 24 years.
I lived it— and let me tell you… they changed the energy of this entire city.

Here’s why:

Somewhere within the last month of the regular season, this team chose to do something different.

There was a clear switch.
Not a superficial postseason switch.
But ‘a purpose was born’ kind of switch.
Something deep within the clubhouse, which banded them together, gave them a rally cry to hold on to, and meaning to lean on. 
Their behavior changed— it synched.
Their play changed — it was unified.
Their purpose changed — there was pride. And direction.

Now, I wasn’t in the locker room but I can tell you that somewhere within the last month before postseason, the light went on— and I could see them. 
And not just a few of the players: but the whole team. 

It was obvious that they had surrendered to a change.
That collectively, they had gotten on board with a bigger purpose.
And that something they chose to do in the dark, was finally shining in the light.

In my eyes, there was a clear before and after for the 2022 San Diego Padres.
When it was and what it was, only they know (and that’s the beauty and heart of the game)…

But a seed was planted this year.
The first layer of a foundation was laid.
And something new sprouted.

In direct opposition to what most looking at numbers and end results will agree with: 

The Padres won this year.

And they won big.