Weiser has worked events such as the Lucas Oil Motocross Championships and the Senior PGA Tour at Harbor Shores .
Joseph Weiser : A Colorful Story About Breaking Into Sports Photography
Story by Rick Bouch
It ’ s funny how things turn out . A choice here ; a connection there . For professional sports photographer Joseph Weiser , it was a well-timed networking encounter that led him to become one of the nation ’ s best in his field . The Niles , Michigan , native has been working professionally now for 10 years , but if not for a local television news personality , he may have never got hooked on shooting sports .
Weiser first got into photography when he entered an eighth-grade Art & Science Expo . His black and white photo garnered him first place , of course , and his passion for photography began to grow . While in high school , a young Weiser was asked if he would like to shoot the Niles HS sports teams for the school ’ s yearbook . It was the beginning of what would become an interesting turn of events .
Joe takes a moment for a selfy on the upper deck .
While just a junior in high school , Weiser happened to meet Allison Hayes , a former Niles graduate who worked for the now-defunct Fox 28 News . Hayes was a television reporter who had a connection . Niles , Indiana , is just 10 miles north of South Bend , home of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish . Hayes made a phone call and secured Weiser a press pass to photograph Notre Dame football games .
When the football season ended , Weiser submitted a portfolio of his work to the university and , because of its quality , was asked to become a full-fledged Notre Dame sports photographer . It was the beginning of what will eventually be a widely successful career . Most recently ,
Weiser was asked to shoot for USA Today . In between Notre Dame and USA Today , he has worked numerous sporting events around the country .
In 2013 , Weiser worked at the Hockey City Classic held at Soldier Field in Chicago . The event , held annually , is a doubleheader of college hockey featuring teams from the Midwest . Weiser ’ s own Notre Dame played in the 2013 event .
Weiser has worked events such as the Lucas Oil Motocross Championships and the Senior PGA Tour at Harbor Shores .
In addition to hockey , Weiser has also worked events such as the Lucas Oil Motocross Championships and the Senior PGA Tour at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor , Michigan , not far from Weiser ’ s hometown . He was also on hand for the final CCHA ( Central Collegiate Hockey Association ) event at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit . The CCHA became Hockey East .
Weiser ’ s favorite venue thus far though has been the confines of CenturyLink Field , the home of the NFL ’ s Seattle Seahawks . Seattle also happens to be where Weiser now resides . Arguably the toughest place to play in the league , CenturyLink Field , the aura of the NFL , and the hospitality offered to professionals like Weiser were the things that made an impression . The
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