One in 1,000

We began brainstorming this month’s cover six months ago. We were hoping to get John Miller, CGCS, and Lorena Ochoa, two-time LPGA player of the year, pictured together. We just needed to figure out how.

I was disappointed when Alejandro Ochoa, Lorena’s brother and manager, respectfully declined our request for a photo shoot. It would be a major week, and Lorena needed to focus on winning her second career major (which she did accomplish that week). Even though we had Miller and Ochoa at the same place at the same time, Alejandro was doing his job by keeping his little sister focused.

But Alejandro did tell us we could take a few photos of the two together, something quick, like a “fan shot.”

This wasn’t good news for our concept. We went from choosing a free-lance photographer to thinking of alternative ideas.

Before we killed our original idea, I asked for a chance to shoot the cover myself. I’d be at the Kraft Nabisco shadowing Miller anyway, and I’d already interviewed Ochoa once while in Guadalajara, so hopefully we had some rapport. If I could just get the two together and then try to convince her to afford us some time, maybe the original cover concept had a chance.

Admittedly, the odds were slim that we’d be able to pull something off. The consensus was it was a “one in 1,000 shot” because capturing a shot like that usually takes thousands of photos. We wouldn’t have the time to take 1,000 photos, or even 100.

In hindsight, I’m glad no one said it would be a “one in a million” shot. That may have discouraged me.

I coached Miller on what I’d need him to do once we saw Lorena: Stay close to her at all times. Make sure you’re always in the view of my camera lens. Keep away from shadows.

When we caught up with Ochoa during a practice round, she was all business, but still gracious. I told her about our desire to get a shot of her and Miller together. Miller wanted to talk to her about the LPGA tournament she’s hosting at Guadalajara CC.

We got a yes and a yes — Miller even got an appointment for the next day. We were in business.

With Ochoa and Miller chatting, I started snapping photos. I’d photograph her swing, then sprint ahead of the two, stop, turn around and start firing off more shots. Click, click, click.

What I got was 58 photos of Ochoa and Miller together. Somehow, within those 58 shots, we got something that was cover-worthy. (To see the 57 unworthy shots, visit http://gcm.typepad.com.) Granted, it’s probably not an award winner… but it’s a pretty good shot, one that I’m proud to have taken. Hey, it’s my first magazine cover photo ever.

Turns out we didn’t need one in 1,000 — we got it in 58.

But our cover subjects, Miller and Ochoa? Now, those two are definitely one in a million.