Friend Encounters: Jade Hewitt and Tony

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today I feature two softball staples, who happen to be my friends. While AU Sports Director of Photography Jade Hewitt is a professional in the softball world, Tony has been a dedicated fan for more than 20 years.

I met both at a Chicago Bandits game. Jade was a photog for another team, while Tony established himself as one of the most-consistent Bandits fans.

Tony and I both are big fans of Jade's work and her in general. Jade is talented and always looking to grow the game. Her work for AU has been used on Topps sports trading cards, which Jade hands out to young fans at games. It's really heartwarming to see the excitement of the young fans. It's also cool seeing Jade hand out her work. For non-sports or memorabilia fans, having your pictures used for Topps cards is a big deal. Nobody has earned it more than Jade.

I have interviewed Jade a few times. My last is at Talking Travel with Jade Hewitt. She talks about the challenges of photographing AU, the many travels she takes and much more.

Go to jadehewittmedia.com for more info on Jade. Also check auprosports.com for more info on this great sports league.

Jade Hewitt and Tony in Rosemont, IL0August 2024.

Talking Travel with Jade Hewitt

Ace photog and friend Jade Hewitt is my latest Talking Travel interview guest on Global Traveler. As Director of Photography for Athletes Unlimited Sports, Jade discussed softball and travel, two of my favorite subjects.

Many people say Jade has a dream job taking pictures at sports events, but they don't see the hard work Jade puts into her craft. She is also a big promoter of women's sports, whether talking to youngsters, giving advice online, handing out Topps trading cards or any of the other ways Jade grows the sports.

Jade also does a fair share of travel, taking many pictures along the way. In our interview, she happily gave tips to novices about taking vacation pictures. She also discussed her favorite shots, favorite places, bucket-list destinations and more.

I have known Jade for more than a decade. I have never seen her in a bad mood. With a smile on her face, Jade is one of the first people at any AU event. Before games, she chats with fans, takes hundreds of pictures or scouts new picture angle possibilities. After so many years of shooting in the same venues, Jade still looks for new angles and new photos. A true professional, she is never satisfied with the same old shots.

Watch our interview at Talking Travel with Jade Hewitt. Also, please subscribe to the Global Traveler YouTube channel. It's free, easy and you won't be bothered by emails etc. Also, go to jadehewittmedia.com and auprosports.com for more info on Jade and her work.

Jade Hewitt, Athletes Unlimited MVP

I first met Jade Hewitt about a decade ago. Se was a photog for one of the National Pro Fastpitch teams. Since then, she has moved up to photog for Athletes Unlimited, a four sport organization.

Although she does photography for all four AU sports, Jade will always have a special love for softball. For me, Jade s as familiar a sight during softball season as the ball itself. 

About a year ago, I interviewed Jade about her career. That is at On the Beat with Jade Hewitt. It was sort of a precursor for my Talking Travel interview series on Global Traveler. Now with the series launched, I approached Jade about a more travel-focused interview and she accepted. Look for that later this year. There's another reason to subscribe to the GT YouTube channel. (It's also free and full of fun content.)

Jade is talented, hard-working and just an awesome person. She is especially great with kids, sharing her photography knowledge and growing women's sports. Fortunately, she is also great with old guys like me. It's not a softball season for me until I catch up with Jade.

Check out all of Jade's work at JadeHewittMedia.com. Also go to AUProSports.com for info on the leagues.

Jade Hewitt and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2024.

Photog Extraordinaire Jade Hewitt

Photog Jade Hewitt was one of the first folks I remember from many years ago when I started covering the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits. Although the NPF folded, Jade and I found new homes with Athletes Unlimited. Jade is the top photog and I cover the league here and for GlobalTravelerUSA.com and TheEveryDayFan.com.

AU has unique leagues of women's sports, including softball, lacrosse, basketball and volleyball. The leagues are based on a fantasy scoring system, with each resulting in one individual champion, as opposed to a team. It take a little while to understand the concept, but at the heart, it is fantastic sports played by elite athletes. Capturing all the action is Jade.

In addition to the great action on the field, it is fun watching Jade. She is always trying new angles or ideas, always trying to top herself. Jade sets the bar high for all photogs to follow. 

Jade loves what she does, but is also eager to help others. When I interviewed her earlier this year, she even invited all to send her questions seeking advice. She realizes her place in women's history and is happy to pay that forward for future generations.

I highly encourage all to check out AU sports. If you go to any game, look for Jade and tell her Johngy sent you.

Watch our interview at On the Beat With Jade Hewitt. Also, check JadeHewittMedia.com to see all of Jade's great work.

Jade Hewitt and me in Rosemont, IL-June 2023.

On the Beat With Jade Hewitt

I first met Jade Hewitt many years ago, when she was a photographer for the Dallas Charge of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). After the NPF, Jade moved on to Athletes Unlimited Pro Sports (AU), building an impressive resume, including the Olympics, Topps cards and more. Earlier this week, Jade discussed all of this in our interview.

While attending Millsaps College in Jackson, Tennessee, Jade was a four-year letter winner on the softball team. While the ever-humble downplays her softball prowess, she was awarded All Conference and All Tournament selections and was a team captain her junior and senior years.

Jade tells the tale of her start in the NPF. It's a story of guts and persistence. The fledgling Charge franchise quickly learned the talent they just acquired when Jade joined the organization.

After NPF, AU came calling. As the Lead Photographer, Jade was in charge of capturing the moments and players in softball, volleyball, lacrosse and basketball. Each sport required a unique photographic eye and Jade was more than up for that challenge. The thousands of pictures over the four years of AU prove Jade was the right choice.

At AU, Jade's photos appeared on the first ever women's softball cards produced by the Topps Company. That alone would be the career highlight for most folks, but Jade has done much more.

In addition to AU, Jade also did photography and videography for Team USA, including at the Olympics. Only the players get official medals, but Jade certainly earned a gold medal for her work.

Jade discussed all of this in our interview. She talked about the challenges of finding unique shots during four years of softball, the pros and cons of staying in the same stadium, adjusting to other sports and more, including her favorite frozen yogurt and the occasional return to recreational play on the field.

Those who follow Jade on social media (and everyone should), already know this, but Jade often gives photography tips. Not only that, but in the interview, Jade excitedly states she loves helping others. Jade realizes what women before her did and her place in history. She is proud to help future generations. Her enthusiasm is one of the best parts. As much as she enjoys her work, she also takes great pride and thrills in passing down advice.

The AUX season starts with the first team drafts on June 9 in Rosemont. Of course, Jade will be there photographing the draft. Actually, I am sure she will be there earlier as the players settle in and start practicing. I know she will be there for all the AUX games, then she will return in late July for the regular AU softball season.

I thank Jade for her time, but also for all of the great photos she has shared with the world. I have great appreciation for Jade's work and even more for Jade herself. She's an asset to the world of women's sports.

For more info on Jade, go to JadeHewittMedia.com. Also, check AUProSports.com to see her work with the league. Check out the interview at On the Beat With Jade Hewitt.

On the Beat With the NPF: Jade Hewitt and Dina Kwit

National Pro Fastpitch isn't just about the players.  It is also about the many unsung heroes who help make it a wonderful experience.

Jade Hewitt is the Media Director for the Scrapyard (Houston) Dawgs and the Texas (Dallas) Charge.  She is also a photographer, videographer and runs JadeHewittMedia.com, which specializes in College Athletic Recruiting Videos.  She started Jade Hewitt Media in 2008, while still in school.  She is one talented and busy young woman.

Dina Kwit is the Team Photographer for the Chicago Bandits.  A talented and tireless fixture around the Bandits, Dina is much beloved by Bandit Nation.

I have had the pleasure of knowing and watching Dina for a few years.  It always fascinates me to be around her and watch her mind work as she finds interesting images to capture.  She has a keen eye.  You can see some of her work at OutsideTheBox.co.

Jade has facilitated a ton of media coverage for her teams.  Dina has taken thousands of pictures.  How often are either of these women on the other side of the camera?  Fortunately, I was able to appear in a rare picture with these two 

I know I speak for fans, colleagues and staffers when I extend my gratitude to both of these ladies for all they do.  The NPF is full of elite athletes on the field and dedicated individuals behind the scenes.  Check out NationalProFastpitch.com for more info on the league.

Jade Hewitt, Dina Kwit and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2017.