2008 Woodie Awards
A First-Hand Look Inside the Bengals
Emily Rawdon
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: Sports
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People dream about having that one summer job that will get them somewhere in life. Others choose an internship that will yield them the most experience, best memories or the largest paycheck.
I never really considered those options when I applied to work at my local newspaper, the Georgetown News-Graphic, as its only staff photographer last summer. I did it because it was something I knew how to do well. In the past, I have spent time in the lounges at University of Kentucky basketball games, met and greeted people at the Panasonic Open and met my fair share of celebrities while working as a photographer. But this year pretty much raised the bar. This year, I worked with the Cincinnati Bengals.
I hail from Georgetown, Kentucky, which is a small town one hour south of Cincinnati. In the late summer of 1997, the Bengals made their first appearance at their new home for summer training camp at Georgetown College. Ever since then, the townspeople have sported Bengal black and orange during the season.
Despite the camp entering into its tenth year, I had only come in contact with the team once before. Going into my sophomore year of high school, I was dragged onto the sidelines one night at practice by my father to "meet some people he knew." I didn't really care about it at that point; I was still obsessed with the dancing team back then.
But this year, I was eager to go see everything that I had missed before. Lucky for me, neither of The Georgetown News Graphic's two sports writers enjoy taking pictures. So on July 26, I waited next to the field outside the player's soon-to-be apartments, hoping to be a smooth enough paparazzi to catch a great shot of a big shot.
When the cars started to roll in, I took notice. I could easily spot the rookies; they carpooled and brought way too much stuff. Plus, they arrived early in the afternoon. The vets, like QB Carson Palmer, didn't come unti their 3 p.m. deadline.
I was a little bit overwhelmed at the sight of the men. Not only was I obviously much shorter than the Bengals, but I was literally the only lady around that day; it's hard to say if that gave me any kind of edge. Sure, everyone was extra nice to me. I got to ask questions first, and Lord knows every single player noticed me as the oddball. However, I got the sense that I was making them hold back. It seemed like everyone had to watch his mouth and actions because a lady was present.
I never really considered those options when I applied to work at my local newspaper, the Georgetown News-Graphic, as its only staff photographer last summer. I did it because it was something I knew how to do well. In the past, I have spent time in the lounges at University of Kentucky basketball games, met and greeted people at the Panasonic Open and met my fair share of celebrities while working as a photographer. But this year pretty much raised the bar. This year, I worked with the Cincinnati Bengals.
I hail from Georgetown, Kentucky, which is a small town one hour south of Cincinnati. In the late summer of 1997, the Bengals made their first appearance at their new home for summer training camp at Georgetown College. Ever since then, the townspeople have sported Bengal black and orange during the season.
Despite the camp entering into its tenth year, I had only come in contact with the team once before. Going into my sophomore year of high school, I was dragged onto the sidelines one night at practice by my father to "meet some people he knew." I didn't really care about it at that point; I was still obsessed with the dancing team back then.
But this year, I was eager to go see everything that I had missed before. Lucky for me, neither of The Georgetown News Graphic's two sports writers enjoy taking pictures. So on July 26, I waited next to the field outside the player's soon-to-be apartments, hoping to be a smooth enough paparazzi to catch a great shot of a big shot.
When the cars started to roll in, I took notice. I could easily spot the rookies; they carpooled and brought way too much stuff. Plus, they arrived early in the afternoon. The vets, like QB Carson Palmer, didn't come unti their 3 p.m. deadline.
I was a little bit overwhelmed at the sight of the men. Not only was I obviously much shorter than the Bengals, but I was literally the only lady around that day; it's hard to say if that gave me any kind of edge. Sure, everyone was extra nice to me. I got to ask questions first, and Lord knows every single player noticed me as the oddball. However, I got the sense that I was making them hold back. It seemed like everyone had to watch his mouth and actions because a lady was present.
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