Rich Cruse Photography…

 Rich Cruse has been shooting XTERRA since my 1st intro to dirty triathlon in 2001. Since then we have become great friends, and we have done a lot of “work” together.

Our working relationship:

a) I try to win races. A tough enough job as it is.

Furthermore, I also try to win races while looking good. A really tall order!

Apart from the obvious physical challenge of looking good, (distance is a great beautician!) I always try to zip up my top when a photographer is near. (even though its hotter and more restrictive for breathing) If you see a pic where my top is unzipped, you’ll know its a close race! (Maui 2007) Remember Macca’s infamous IM 2007 finish pics? Actually, click HERE on maccas new site for “before” and “after” IM 2007 pics.

Another important ingredient in a good action pic is not to have snot on your lip, or too much mud/dust/crusties on your face. (Mud/dust anywhere else is ok. So is dry blood. Or wet blood. But other crusties not so much. )

b) The photographers job is actually really physical. They are almost as athletic as the racers. Getting around the course to catch the leaders, (mens & womens) and of course the eventual winners could come from faaaar behind, so they have to shoot quite deep into the field.

Rich has been shooting triathlon for  almost 2 decades now. To me his memorable pic is the one of the Mark Allen and Dave Scott dual during the 1989 Ironman.

Once you have good shots, enticing the press and sponsors to use them for print and advertising is the next step. Rich and I have have done more work together than what I would have dreamt.The one hand washes the other. Really cool.

Thanks Rich!

Click here to visit his galleries.

Gotta love the Malibu Triathlon pics where J Lo (on a Specialized!) races in a huge T shirt, sideways swim cap and almost toppled the bike a couple of times at T1. Matthew McConaughey couldnt have trained with Lance Armstrong THAT much, but Andy Baldwin and Felicity Huffman actually look like athletes.