"I Have a Whole Family"

There was a media day a while back that ran over an hour late (for what was otherwise a 3 hour block)

This can be somewhat common, given all the moving parts and stations they have to go to, but something was said that CHANGED me.

All players were supposed to come take photos in one jersey, and then a few select players were supposed to come back in alternate jerseys.

When the player came back in the alternate jersey, the creative director asked him to wait so they could get the player who had yet to take any images (seemingly fair). He pushed back saying that he wanted to go first because this was his last station and he was done after this (and we were already behind the scheduled end time) The creative director followed up "do you have somewhere to be?"

"I Have A Whole Family"

For whatever reason, this retort ROCKED me.

It's not that he had class, an appointment, or another timed commitment, but he had a general commitment to his family!

I have a whole family too! - I suddenly felt like my time was being disrespected

It shouldn't matter what your other commitments might be, everyone's time should be respected!

The creative director let him go first. As we wrapped I asked him if he had kids. "An 8-month old daughter". And I was able to share that I have a 3 year old and 4 year old. We connected as parents.

Both my kids were at home waiting for me. Sure, I didn't have to be done at a specific time (say to pick them up from school) but I was going beyond the time we had scheduled and missing out on an extra hour that should have been spent with my family. My whole family. Two kids and a spouse!

As I navigate different asks of my time, I keep repeating to myself "I have a whole family"

Check It

Sometimes players trying to rush through their media day, or go ahead of another teammate is more of a flex. This was said while a non-scholarship player was waiting to go, and the other player was trying to go before. Presumably the walk-on doesn't "have a whole family" in the same sense, but if we are talking about respecting people's time, we should be respecting ALL people.

Check In

Do you have a "whole family"? What phrase do you use to relay to people that your time is valuable - regardless of family

*Note: None of the student-athletes here are the ones I'm referencing in this story. Just adding images for context of the type of content we get for media-day


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Hello! I am a photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I primarily photograph sports (action, events, and portraits) ... and my feet.

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