Some of my current clients might be a bit surprised to know that much of my time in the past was spent covering major sporting events.
Before transitioning to weddings and corporate and marketing events, I was a staff photographer for The Charlotte Observer.
In my 14 years at the newspaper, I had the good fortune of covering the Carolina Panthers at home and away games. I was there for their first-ever game at the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, their first-ever game in Bank of America Stadium all the way to playoff games and ultimately the Super Bowl in Houston.
I left most of that behind when I left the Observer in 2007, but I remain a huge fan of the team and I was itching for a chance to photograph quarterback Cam Newton. I got the opportunity Sunday as Carolina hosted the New Orleans Saints in the home opener.
I had a wonderful time catching up with many old friends and a big Panther victory made the day even sweeter.
![pantherssaints2012_01 DeAngelo Williams was pumped up for the home opener](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_01.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_02 Cam Newton makes a grand entrance](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_02.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_03 Cam Newton fires a pass](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_03.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_04 Charles Godfrey, left, and John Beason celebrate Godfrey's interception for a touchdown](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_04.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_05 Cam Newton on the move](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_05.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_06 Panther Frank Alexander (90) knocks down a Drew Brees pass](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_06.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_07 Saint Jimmy Graham hauls in a pass with Jon Beason in pursuit](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_07.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_08 Panther Antwan Applewhite (93) lets out a roar after sacking Drew Brees](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_08.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_09 Cam Newton fires a pass](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_09.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_10 Panther receiver Brandon LaFell (11), who had a big game, picks up yardage after a catch](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_10.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_11 Panther cornerback Josh Norman puts a hit on a Saint receiver](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_11.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_12 Panther receiver Steve Smith (89) celebrates after a long reception](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_12.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_13 DeAngelo Williams breaks free for a touchdown](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_13.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_14 Quarterback Cam Newton celebrates a Carolina touchdown](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_14.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_15 DeAngelo Williams (can you guess his number?)](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_15.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_16 Cat Man was enjoying the show](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_16.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_17 Carolina's Charles Godfrey puts a big hit on Saint receiver Jimmy Graham](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_17.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_18 "Superman" emerges as Cam Newton scores a late touchdown](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_18.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_19 Cam Newton celebrates with the fans](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_19.jpg)
![pantherssaints2012_20 The win had Ron Rivera's team pointing in a good direction](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pantherssaints2012_20.jpg)