My love for my two present pastimes has come together in my life pretty recently. Professional wrestling was an early love. I grew up during the 70's and 80's watching Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Florida, and Georgia Championship Wrestling, and after the wonder of cable TV; World Class Championship Wrestling. Also, in perhaps what was the pinnacle of all moments in professional wrestling, I watched Jimmy Snuka "Superfly" Don Muraco off the top of the steel cage in Madison Square Garden, by the grace of USA and MSG networks.

The few things I knew about photography when I got out of the US Army after 8 years of service and began working with a traveling security company were:

1. Point the camera
2. Press the button
3. Take out the picture and wave it around until it develops

I went through training to become an evidence photographer with that same company, and purchased a Minolta XTSI 35MM SLR, that I used until May of 2002. After learning about the technical aspects of photography, I began shooting the places I went to, and it fast became an addiction. I became a photography addict, officially, when I dropped 700 bones on a Minolta Maxxum 7 and $200.00 on a vertical control handle for it.

An avid visitor to the GLORY website, I learned that a job I was doing was in the area of South Coast Championship Wrestling, home of Ariel, in Rhode Island. I approached the promoter, and asked him if I could shoot ringside, and he agreed. I had a blast. Since then I've shot ringside film for South Coast Championship Wrestling (RI/MA), Yankee Pro Wrestling (RI/MA), National Wrestling Alliance Southwest (TX), World Wrestling Alliance (IN) Interstate Championship Wrestling (IN) and Fighting Spirit Pro Wrestling (Canada), among others. My job carries me everywhere, and I hope to document as many of the independent promotions as I come across. I'm based out of Texas, but I really get around.

Equipment For Shooting Matches:

• Minolta Maxxum 7 with a 28-80mm Lens
• Quantray PZ-1 Flash Unit
• Minolta Vertical Control Handle
• Kodak Royal Gold 200 ISO or Fuji Superia 200. (Basic matches)
• Kodak Portra 160 ISO VC (Important Matches and portraits)

Technical Advice To Guys Starting Out:

1. Be courteous: Don't expect to show up the night of the show and ask to shoot ringside. Email or call the promoter before hand if you want to get "inside the rail". Now, you may be able to work something out "day of", but just know the promoter's gonna be busy as heck before the show.
2. Stay the F' out of the way: There's an art to being close without getting TOO close. No worker wants their bumps screwed up because you are in the way. Also: Believe me, they will come THROUGH you. Remember: You are a guest. There are video guys, sound guys, and ring crew that have a hard enough time putting on a show without you stomping all over them. Also, there are fans who want to see the action, and if you place yourself wrong, it's a pain in their butts. You also need to stay low. Don't be the photog that just stands there watching the action. Fans paid to see the matches. Get your shot, then get DOWN.
3. Don't skimp on your flash: Get a good flash unit that will sync to your camera.
4. Don't skimp on film: Kodak Royal Gold, in my opinion, is the best film out there, bar none as far as amateur level films go. Very fine grain. Great for enlarging. The only better film is professional level Kodak VC Portra. Expect to drop 35+bones on a 5 pack of this stuff. (Portra)
5. Look like a pro: Don't go to your first event for a promotion dressed like a schlub. Wear something fairly professional looking, but functional. You can do the flamboyant iconoclast photographer gimmick after you've established yourself.
6. Don't ask for something for nothing: So far, promoters have been much more positive when they see me removing bills to pay for a ringside ticket. I always pay the first time. To me, it's like paying my dues. When you get to be known, it's a different story.
7. Bring a sample of your work: They'll want to see what you can do.
8. If you do your job well, a worker may kind of "adopt" you, and give the promoter their recommendation. That's a big help.
9. If your flash isn't synced to your camera, use a higher speed film. Fuji Superia 800 ISO is my recommendation.
10. Enjoy yourself.