One of the joys of the job was being in constant proximity to the game I grew up idolizing. In the early days I was the sole photographer on staff, and it fell on my shoulders to capture the stories of these athletes we hoped to turn into idols in the eyes of New Mexicans. As the team grew I brought on a roster of full time and part time photographers that would be recognized the best performing photo staff in the league. That said, stepping away from my role on the sideline wasn't an option, the pairing of football and photography not only brought me immense joy, but as the shepherd of the brand I was closer than almost anyone to the most eye-catching element in our arsenal as a company. When a big moment happened, I knew exactly what that moment meant to the greater story because I was there as primary witness. I saw the immediate highs and lows in tandem with a deep perspective of where the club had come, and like the itch of my index finger as a Devon or Santi or Kevaughn or Brucey or Amando would bear down on goal, I could see where the story would go next. It meant I was equipped for every element of the role, and found such immediacy invaluable in communicating not just to the fanbase, but as a voice that spoke like one of their own. These are my favorite photographs I made in and around the beautiful game in those four years.