Chicago, Ill.
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Beyond the Football Field

During my Fall 2022 semester at Columbia College Chicago, I took a class titled "Documentary Methods" in which we were charged with finding, photographing and editing a complete photo story within the 15 week semester, a task that I used to document one of my favorite types of assignments, High School Football, in a different method than I'd used at hundreds of games previously. I challenged myself to document my former high school's football team without any on-field action, a task that turned out way harder than I expected, especially on the editing side. However this collection of Friday Night Light features is the result, so please enjoy.

Photographed as part of a Columbia College Chicago course

Hersey High School's Lucas Hessling (63) high-fives children while leaving the locker room prior to facing Deerfield in a high school football game at John Hersey High School in Arlington Height, Ill. on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. Hersey defeated Deerfield, 4
Hersey High School football players run out of Roland Goins Stadium towards the locker room inside of Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Ill. during halftime of a football game between Hersey and Deerfield on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. Hersey defeated D
The Orange Crush, Hersey High School's student section, cheers for Hersey's special teams unit prior to a second quarter kickoff during a game against Highland Park at Wolters Field in Highland Park, Ill. on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022.
Hersey High School's Lucas Hessling (63), Hersey High School defensive end Zach Ott (77) and Hersey High School's Kyle Trajano (59) carry folding chairs back to the bus after defeating Highland Park, 56-17, in an away game at Wolters Field in Highland P
Prospect High School students race to claim the best seats within the student section prior to a football game against crosstown rival Hersey at Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Ill. on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. Hersey defeated Prospect, 41-34 in ove
The home seating section at John Hersey High School’s Roland Goins Stadium is seen in the setting sunlight prior to a high school football game between Hersey and Rolling Meadows in Arlington Heights, Ill. on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Hersey defeated Rollin
The Hersey football team is led into Roland Goins Stadium at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Ill. by the Hersey marching band prior to facing Rolling Meadows in a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Hersey defeated Rolling M
Statisticians, Public Address announcers and broadcasters from Hersey's student television station work in the press box at Roland Goins Stadium at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Ill, during a high school football game against Rolling Meado
Cheerleaders run down the Hersey sideline with banners spelling out "JHHS", following a second quarter touchdown by Hersey during a football game against Rolling Meadows at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Ill. on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Hers
Hersey football players board the bus for the return trip John Hersey High School following a 49-0 win over Wheeling High School in Wheeling, Ill. on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.
Hersey High School football players huddle in the rain during halftime of a high school football game against Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove Village, Ill. on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Hersey defeated Elk Grove, 42-0 and increased their record to 8-0.
Hersey High School football players walk towards their busses following a 42-0 win over Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove Village, Ill. on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. With the victory, Hersey increased their record to 8-0.
Hersey High School quarterback Carter Hansen (3) hoists the Fireman’s Cup trophy inside the makeshift home locker room built within John Hersey High School’s black box theater in Arlington Heights, Ill. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. Hersey defeated Buffalo Gr
Hersey players keep their feet inside the team box on the visitor's sideline at Batavia High School in Batavia, Ill. during a game in the second round of the IHSA Class 7A football playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. Batavia defeated Hersey, 19-13 in doub
Hersey High School quarterback Carter Hansen (3) is hugged by former Hersey head coach Joe Pardun following a double overtime loss to Batavia High School in the second round of the IHSA Class 7A football playoffs at Batavia High School in Batavia, Ill. on
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