Growing up in Cleveland, I quickly discovered that being a fan meant following every move your teams made.

Sports were my passion from the start. In Germany, I played competitive soccer. When we moved to the States, baseball, basketball, and football quickly became my new favorites, both to play and to watch.

Here’s a fun fact: my first autograph came from Kenny Lofton. After a game, I waited outside the players’ parking lot with other fans. When Kenny approached, he quieted the crowd and signed for everyone. Nine-year-old Ivor couldn’t believe it!

My first attempt at sports photography was at 10 years old with my dad’s camera, capturing a shot of Omar Vizquel warming up during batting practice. Years later, when Omar returned to Cleveland as a member of the San Francisco Giants, I was credentialed to cover his return to Cleveland.

“I was 10 when I took this photo of you warming up,” I said. “And now we’re here, talking about your impact in Cleveland.”

A leg injury sidelined my playing career, but it led me to pick up a camera. Photography became my favorite form of expression.

In high school, I photographed games at every level: high school, NCAA, MLB, and the NBA.

In my twenties, I transitioned to full-time live music photography, though sports photography will always hold a special place in my heart.

Here’s a collection of images from those years.