Photography

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Auburn Riverside coach Jason Brown and star player Derek Brown aren't related, but share the same last name and similar family hardships.

When I was assigned to shoot pictures of coach Jason Brown and player Derek Brown at Auburn Riverside High School, I knew I wanted to make a portrait of them interacting to show their relationship, but I didn't have much time before practice started. I set up a small softbox and made some portraits of them standing together, like you see below, then had them dribble the ball a little bit and play keep away. To shoot practice I brought one of our new Canon 1Dx camera bodies to shoot at a very high ISO in a dark gym, and dusted off our 200mm f1.8 lens to give the sports pictures a little more of a distinctive look. The shallow depth of field with the lens and the full-frame camera made for a little bit nicer aesthetic in the gymnasium. It's a shame we could only fit the one picture of them in the newspaper, but space was tight.

Check out Jayson Jenks' excellent sports cover story on their unique relationship.

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Jason's mom was a drug user and kicked him out of the house when he was in high school. Derek's mom died recently from a drug overdose. Now, Jason is trying to pass on the same support his high school coach showed him.

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Derek Brown shoots in practice. This season he is averaging 21.9 points per game, and scored 49 points in a game against Kentridge last December.

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Auburn Riverside High School Coach Jason Brown talks with Derek Brown during practice.

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Derek Brown smiles in practice Wednesday January 2, 2012.