AN award-winning sports photographer has died after falling 80 feet from a parking garage while snapping pictures.
Jason Hirshfeld, 48, was at the top of a parking garage in Norfolk, Virginia, when his freak accident occurred on Saturday.
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Hirschfeld was taking photos on the eighth level of the garage before he fell, police say.
Cops found him shortly after 12am on Saturday, but he died at the scene.
While Hirschfeld's cause and manner of death are currently unknown, police don't believe it was foul play.
A Virginia native from Portsmouth, Hirschfeld has photographed for The Virginian-Pilot, the Associated Press, The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN in his over 20-year career.
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Hirschfeld sent three photos to The Pilot, although he wasn't on assignment, about four hours before he was discovered by police, according to The Pilot.
The photos seemed to be taken from a high vantage point, the outlet reports.
Snaps of sunset scenes from downtown Norfolk and the view of Portsmouth from across the Elizabeth River were captured in the three photos.
“He was such a positive person about everything in his life. His work, his family, everything,” Pilot sports editor Jami Frankenberry told the outlet.
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“He’s really going to be missed.”
Hirschfeld is survived by his wife of 22 years, Michelle, and his children Caylee, whom he bonded over music and UNO with, and Ethan, to who he passed his love of baseball and basketball on, according to his obituary.
“He had a loud laugh and he definitely had a big personality,” Frankenberry said. “He just exuded positivity and enthusiasm.”
This enthusiasm showed in his photography.
“No matter what the assignment was that day, he was passionate about it,” Frankenberry said.
“He always wanted to do a good job and he was really proud of his work.”
Pilot photo editor Todd Spencer said that Hirschfeld was "one of the best sports photographers in the area."
“He was a great storyteller with his sports photography. You can have great photos, but without a great story, it doesn’t matter. He always had both.”
Hirschfeld enjoyed working with people new to the field and "felt strongly about teaching photography," longtime Pilot photographer and close friend of Hirschfeld's, Stephen Katz said.
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“He was very engaged with the interns, freelancers and new people, and it was very well received.”
