They cling to helicopters, perch in cherry pickers and spy from tall buildings.
Now, America’s premier panoramic sports photographers are again going to whatever heights necessary to visually embrace the stadiums of the National Football League – America’s No. 1 professional league – in real-life masterpieces.
Blakeway Worldwide Panoramas of Minneapolis is using its sole marketing rights to photograph 31 of the NFL’s 32 stadiums in this breath-taking style, and give fans the opportunity to adorn their walls with these stylish, one-of-a-kind images.
“Blakeway stadium panorama photos are getting rave reviews from fans,” said Chris Schlemmer, in charge of retail and online sales for several NFL teams. “Our customers love them because the photos are an extension of a fan’s game-day experience. They’ve been able to capture a memory that can last a lifetime.”
Several shots – Minnesota, Kansas City and Indianapolis among them – are now available at stadiums and online through the teams’ official websites, with the others soon to follow.
What makes these images truly works of art? Photographers Jim Blakeway and business partner Chris Gjevre painstakingly select the precise moment – taking into account weather, the gravity of the game at hand and ambiance – when America’s leading sports battlefields are at their most spectacular.
“This is truly a labor of love for me and Chris,” said Blakeway, who has spent 22 years building a panoramic photo portfolio that includes Churchill Downs, Daytona International Speedway, University of Michigan Stadium and Pebble Beach.
“We are so excited to include the NFL, with its great history and passionate following, to our body of work,” Blakeway added. “We hope that these photos – whether they be of Lambeau, Arrowhead or Soldier Field – can define in visual terms that connection between fan and team.”
Along with their remarkable views, these NFL panoramic photos are attracting high volume sales thanks to incredibly affordable pricing. Spanning more than 3 feet wide and more than a foot high, these wall-dominating images are priced as low as $30 (plus tax and shipping). Standard and deluxe framing, which completes the imagery with team-color-matching matting, are also available.
“We want to make sure that our photos go beyond corporate board rooms and gated communities,” Blakeway said. “By keeping our prices low, we and the NFL are making sure that these images find a place in every home and workplace that wants one.”
Schlemmer, who oversees hundreds of NFL souvenirs, said the “price points are fan-friendly. That’s why this product is, and will continue to be, a robust seller. It appeals to all fans.”