Derby girls take over the State House

Columbia Quad Squad team photo, Jan. 17, 2009

When the Columbia Quad Squad began in early 2007, they were introduced to the community here in a local free paper with a photo of them huddled on the steps of the South Carolina State House. Back then, the group was so small, they could all fit on the bottom of one of the giant granite "rails" that line the steps.

Today, the group has swelled to more than 30 athletes, and they even have a B-Team.

I became addicted to the sport a year ago and knew that I wanted to get involved in some way. I volunteered to take photos for the team for free. The alliance has been fruitful, and "derby portraits" as I like to call them, have become signature items in my portfolio. 

Just a few months ago, I met the team at the Fox Theatre in downtown Columbia, currently under renovations to become the new home for the Nickelodeon Theatre. We did a series of group shots and individual shots in the gritty locale, some of which can be found in my portfolio. Possibly fueled by the movie Whip It, and the fact that CQS bouts are entertaining as hell, interest in the team skyrocketed. Hence, they needed a new group photo.

Three of the team members were unable to attend and I added them to the scene from previous photos I have taken of them. 

Here's another look:

Columbia Quad Squad team photo, Jan. 17, 2009