someday in the spring of 2016, my cell phone rang.
It turned into Ed Chan.
"we will buy Volleyball journal in case you desire," Ed stated.
"certain," I spoke back.
"adequate," he observed.
"Thanks. keep me posted."
And that changed into it.
It became a call that changed each our lives, and, we'd want to feel, the volleyball world for the enhanced.
We had been greater than business companions. We came from different worlds, could not have been less alike, and grew to be extraordinary chums, occasionally speaking on the phone 10 times a day, he from his home in San Diego and me from mine in Baton Rouge. I drove him nuts, and he put up with me, and along the style we made VolleyballMag.com the optimal it can be day in and day trip.
Now he's long gone, and in lots of approaches I suppose like I lost a brother.
***
Ed Chan had many loves and likes. however I'm betting the good three were his spouse, Julie, volleyball, and meals.
Julie is a gorgeous person doing the choicest she can in the aftermath of Ed's unexpected and mind-blowing dying two weeks ago.
The volleyball world, especially seashore volleyball, misplaced a cherished icon.
Ed became greater than the ultimate volleyball photographer. He became the nicest man you've got ever met. And later in this piece, you'll hear from some of his photog acquaintances and others who knew him via VolleyballMag.com and the volleyball world.
As you could possibly imagine, here is difficult to write down. I don't even comprehend where to begin, so I'll beginning initially.
because of two of its former editors, first Aubrey Everett and then Megan Kaplon, Volleyball journal would host a dinner for its freelancers on the NCAA girls's and guys's final fours.
Ed, Julie, Aubrey, Megan after a information conference on the 2012 NCAA Championship in Louisville And that's how I got to understand Ed and Julie, who at all times called him Eddie.
Ed and that i had vastly different personalities. He took photos, I wrote reviews, and, other than volleyball, we seemed to have little in average. but I loved attending to understand him. Julie, who came to all those hobbies and helped Ed lug around all that rattling image gadget, even jumped in and shot the suits.
As things progressed into 2015, i used to be disenchanted with Volleyball journal and, while nevertheless contributing, began a website called DestinationVolleyball.com. As we bought into 2016, I determined it turned into time to make that greater and stronger and put Volleyball journal out of company.
one of the first americans I talked to about it became Ed. He and a couple of others have been on board. issues all started to stream in that direction except that fateful day, whereas i was using from Baton Rouge to Houston.
Ed turned into calling.
Ed in no way called.
inside 30 seconds, we were on our strategy to fitting what I've jokingly referred to as "publishing magnates."
Ed purchased the journal, and it wasn't until greater than three years later that I even understand how much he paid. He procured it, we each and every threw in a bunch of operating money, I took care of the company conclusion, and we obtained to launching the new website. presently before the 2016 Olympics, we folded the print version of the magazine and launched the new-and-superior edition of VolleyballMag.com.
We under no circumstances appeared again and have grown VolleyballMag.com exponentially.
Which, in case you think about it, is comfortably wonderful for those who trust what an odd couple we have been. The self-professed "quiet chinese language man" in San Diego and an obnoxious New Yorker dwelling in Louisiana.
however we favored each other and worked so neatly collectively and adored what we were doing. We in no way took a penny, either, putting all of the money again into the web site, using it for go back and forth, and to pay freelancers.
striking out in San Diego in June 2018 On days when we labored mainly complicated and were proud of what we'd executed, Ed would joke that he changed into going to double my pay.
***
Ed died in his sleep September 3 in his lodge, after covering the two days of qualifying at AVP Chicago. He changed into 60.
It's no longer correct, it's now not fair, and it's so freakin' unhappy.
He became the nicest man you have got ever regularly occurring, and he easily loved volleyball, certainly seaside volleyball. He loved the game, and he cherished the americans, from the avid gamers to assist personnel to the fanatics to the officials and particularly his fellow shooters.
And he must have adored the sand.
when I went to Chicago that weekend in September to deal with his possessions (did I point out all that rattling camera machine?) there changed into a full cup of sand that I scooped out of 1 of his suitcases.
We coated a few beach activities together, but after getting sunburn and blisters on my ft at the FIVB seashore Volleyball World Championships in Vienna in 2017, I advised him I'd kill him if he ever made me go to a pro beach event once more. I laughed about that two weeks in the past when i used to be protecting the last two days of AVP Chicago.
And in all seriousness, Ed got here to AVPNext in New Orleans this previous June as a result of i wanted us to cowl it collectively.
I took place to be searching on the entry list and became stunned by way of the number of big-time gamers scheduled to be there. I referred to as him and informed him to book a flight.
I'm so glad I did, as a result of that became the closing time we had been collectively, and that i will always treasure these few days.
but that changed into in person. despite the place we have been, we talked on the cellphone so time and again a day, always working around being two time zones apart. We laughed and argued like an historic married couple and somehow always received things posted on the website and social media and observed goodbye. Then we all started all over tomorrow.
i might provide anything else to do it once again.
***
there were so many americans in our company who loved Ed. here are techniques from some of them.
FORMER VOLLEYBALL magazine EDITOR MEGAN KAPLON: Ed become certainly an incredible photographer. within the years that I served as editor of Volleyball magazine, I at all times knew the ideal cover shot would be nestled among the info he sent me from the experience he had been shooting that month. He had stamina and dedication for his craft and for the sport that I haven't considered many others rival. At movements, when i would head again to the resort and go to sleep, he would live up for hours sorting via pictures and settling on the highest quality pictures so he would be ready to go in the morning for a further day of volleyball.
however greater importantly, Ed possessed a kind, welcoming personality. He and his spouse, Julie, all the time had plans for exploring and adventuring in anything city we found ourselves in and that they had been satisfied to convey me along. lengthy after I've forgotten the particulars of who received which championship, I'll remember devouring chocolate-cake milkshakes and sizzling canines with the Chans at Portillo's in Chicago, walking the grounds of the Oklahoma metropolis bombing memorial, and taking in the view from the appropriate of the space Needle.
three hundred and sixty five days, with the guys's finals in San Francisco, Ed even provided for me to dwell with him and Julie at his sister's condominium. right through that same trip, I bought to peer Ed's childhood domestic, simply a number of blocks from San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. i will be able to't count the number of invitations I got from Ed and Julie to fly into San Diego and power over the border with them to play in the Rosarito event. I deeply be apologetic about under no circumstances accepting.
simply a number of months ago, Ed known as to congratulate me and my fiancé, Ryan, on our engagement. The facebook announcement can't have been are living but for more than a couple of hours, and Ed changed into one of the first americans to attain out. now not that I'm surprised. That's just who he become.
PHOTOGRAPHER MARK RIGNEY: When it comes to volleyball, it just appears that Ed changed into always there. He became at all times there, satisfied and smiling, vivid and early — something that he appreciated to snicker at me about as I rolled in precisely in time for the first in shape. large adventure, small event, indoor, out of doors — it didn't count — Ed cherished all of it. I at all times envied his nonstop energy.
He would tell me how he essential to be on campus to shoot an indoor fit later within the day however he should have time to make it to the seashore and squeeze in a number of suits first or that he become shooting at USC in the morning however he should have time to be aa UCLA for the late fits. right through the 2019 World Championships in Hamburg, daily changed into a grind with long days of capturing that were adopted by using long nights of enhancing and early wake-up calls to do it all again. And Ed turned into at all times the primary one up, ready to go… Smiling via it all. His love of the recreation turned into as big as his urge for food.
He all started the seashore volleyball photographers' fb neighborhood. He changed into a sounding board, mentor and most importantly a friend. they say some americans will provide the shirt off their returned. Ed would personal loan you the digital camera out of his bag. all the time able to assist when anybody had an issue with equipment, all the time ready to battle via it with a smile and upbeat attitude when he had an issue.
Ed in 2009 PHOTOGRAPHER KEN DELGADO: just my awe and amazement at what he done. And the words that come to my intellect after I suppose of Ed are passion, humor, dedication, fun. He encompassed all of those in residing his existence and realizing his dreams.
PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN WHITE: I met Ed in 2008 on the World collection of seashore Volleyball in Santa Barbara. It was my first day at the tournament, and as i used to be running across the sand with my pathetic package lens, I saw a man sitting within the sand with a monopod and a big, white lens. Impressed with the aid of his equipment, I walked up from behind and delivered myself.
As anyone who has ever met Ed can guess, he became as gracious as ever. whether he became frantically jumping from suit to in shape or letting me try out the latest gear he obtained, he changed into at all times a friendly face on the seaside.
PHOTOGRAPHER JIM WOLF: while Ed will always be remembered as the foremost photographer to ever cover the terrific game of volleyball, i will be able to always be aware Ed as someone who would guide and motivate others over his personal self-advertising, the real actions of a terrific particular person.
activities REPORTER PHIL COLLIN: The volleyball neighborhood has suffered a big loss. Ed changed into not simplest a pretty good photog and a finished writer, he is one of the crucial most reliable gentlemen I've ever met. quick on the draw with the shutter, sooner on the draw with a smile and sort phrases. everyone adored working with him because he become a passionate knowledgeable. every participant I've ever talked to (a lot) paid nothing but admire for him as he went about his work.
PHOTOGRAPHER JOHN GELDERMANN: leisure In Peace, Ed Chan. You have been my mentor and buddy. Your positivity and first rate humor were absolutely unparalleled.
You had been all the time there to assist, no matter if we crucial to borrow some gear, ask technical questions, or even get a journey up the steep hills of ny seashore after a protracted day of shooting, you might all the time depend on.
I'm so glad that you just have been capable of achieve your aim of capturing the Olympics. You had been a huge deal movie star in our eyes!
PHOTOGRAPHER STEPHEN BURNS: no one has influenced my boom as a volleyball photographer greater than Ed Chan. I first met Ed in 2015, on Alki seashore in Seattle … and automatically i noticed i used to be talking with Ed Chan, whose work i used to be very standard with. i used to be extremely joyful that he had seen a few of my work on-line. I discussed apparatus and method with him. … He inspired me to keep up a correspondence, saying, "There aren't ample of us," referring to photographers who can trap sharp motion pictures of volleyball avid gamers.
youngsters i used to be commonly in contact with Ed, I most effective changed into able to attend a number of seaside tournaments with him. What did I see? The same factor that others were saying. Ed would stop and say hey to everybody. He loaned photo apparatus to other professional photographers who have been in want. He in no way boasted that he received a stronger photo than the rest of us. There changed into no competition. He wanted all and sundry to get pictures that reveal what a pretty good game volleyball is, for gamers and fans. i am so appreciative of the time he spent helping me.
Ed Chan/Michael Gomez picture PHOTOGRAPHER MICHAEL GOMEZ: on the 2019 FIVB World Championships, we spent almost two weeks together, GRINDING via lengthy days of capturing, lengthy nights of modifying and really no sleep. but we didn't care, we were both so excited day after day about the upcoming day's fits, regardless of the lack of good sleep…
The volleyball community lost a person very particular, and those of us who knew Ed misplaced a dear pal, so .
seaside player, PROMOTER SHAWN LEDIG: For those of you who didn't comprehend him, Ed Chan became one of the vital customary and well-respected photographers in aggressive and grassroots volleyball in the world. Ed now not handiest took essentially the most marvelous photos, but he additionally posted many high-quality experiences with VolleyballMag.com. His stories not handiest showed his skills in capturing our game of volleyball (indoors and seashore), but additionally displayed the heart and soul of the video game, its individuals, and their stories.
There could be a void left behind within the volleyball group with him long past. we will all relaxation guaranteed figuring out that his legacy will reside on via our memories of his infectious smile, kindness, generosity, and the way he lived lifestyles to the fullest. He turned into as precise as anyone I've ever commonly used. in case you knew him, you needed to like him.
Ed, Travis, Lee at the 2019 NCAA Championship in Pittsburgh seasoned seashore player, VBM creator TRAVIS MEWHIRTER: I'm not certain if any seaside volleyball participant can be able to remember, in any sort of aspect, the actual time they met Ed Chan. Ed become the activity's omniscient presence; he was just all the time there, digital camera in hand, doing precisely what he cherished, for the category of americans he cherished most: seashore volleyball avid gamers.
An addendum, perhaps, to that final sentence: Ed Chan cherished seashore volleyball players, sure. And the person loved taking photos. but if there are handiest two facets of his existence that Ed ever cared to let any individual comprehend, it is that he adored taking pictures, and he adored his spouse, Julie.
it truly is, in my intellect, the mark of a person who has made it. Ed's closing years have been lived in his own own Valhalla: both things he loved most in existence are precisely what his world revolved around. That's all most knew about Ed, and that's all he ever wanted individuals to grasp: pictures and Julie.
That's it.
That became Ed's life. And what a pretty one it become.
The day before Ed passed, I walked by him on the breathtaking pathway from North Avenue to very wellroad. He had, as always, digital camera in hand, twiddling with whatever thing or other. He made the equal joke photographers like to make about my Maryland flag tank excellent: "Thanks for wearing that. it works as a superb autofocus."
after which he was off, likely to sift via lots of pictures, photographs he would spend editing with Mark Rigney until four within the morning. There's a certain solace for those of us who knew Ed decently smartly: In Ed's last moments, his soul become now not confused or bothered, his mind now not racing with dark and dreary strategies. Ed turned into in his own own Valhalla.
Now he's in a unique form of Heaven, notwithstanding one I'm sure nevertheless has cameras and lenses and volleyball. A Heaven that just may have vital somebody like Ed Chan.
***
As I noted, the remaining time Ed and that i had been together changed into in New Orleans for AVPNext. The nighttime before the event, we bumped into Shawn Ledig. He become blown away that THE Ed Chan turned into there. and that i am so blissful we took this photo, the final one of us together:
Ed, Shawn, Lee in New Orleans June 2021 For that count, I'm so completely satisfied I took this one in every of Ed tomorrow:
Many because of the folks who contributed to this piece. Thanks, too, to the numerous who reached out with condolences and neatly desires. we all miss Ed and always will. i'm so grateful that we acquired to spend five striking years together and will treasure that point all the time.
***
There can be a get together of Ed's life in San Diego on Sunday, November 7. Our hope is to stream it on-line for people that can't attend but wish to be part of it. click on here for more particulars.
Ed and the guys
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