Meghan Condon had plenty of exciting moments this summer.
One was the opportunity to be a photographer at Gillette Stadium using a $10,000 camera.
There was also a chance to take pictures during batting practice at Fenway Park.
Throw in close encounters with five-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and Red Sox slugger Hanley Ramirez.
After a long school year that included her second open heart surgery, and a constant battle with migraines of both the head and stomach, the moments were just what the 13-year-old Easthampton resident needed.
A little boost heading into eighth grade.
Through a simple email to the Patriots, Condon got an opportunity to shadow Patriots photographer David Silverman during training camp on July 30.
“I was really surprised,” Condon said. “I didn’t know what to expect. I had a lot of fun. It was a great experience.”
While taking pictures after practice, Condon got close enough to Brady to elicit a smile. The moment with Brady was brief, and random for Condon.
“Nobody knew who I was or why I was there,” Condon said. “Everyone looked confused. But he smiled and waved.”
Thousands of fans watched as Condon snapped hundreds of pictures, learning the craft with a professional photographer by her side.
“I went around the field wherever the main photographer was going,” Condon said. “We went around to the different training parts.”
On the ride to Foxborough, Condon studied a Patriots’ roster to get acquainted with the team beyond the big names.
“I tried to review them to know the numbers,” Condon said.
Some of Condon’s favorite pictures included Rob Gronkowski going in motion past Brady, and Julian Edelman taking a knee.
Two days later, Condon was a guest at Fenway Park.
Colleen DelVecchio, Condon’s mother, also sent an email to Red Sox photographer Michael Ivins which resulted in a photography session during batting practice.
Condon was in more of a comfort zone at Fenway as she worked alongside Ivins.
“I am more used to the game and the team,” Condon said. “It wasn’t my first time at Fenway.”
During batting practice, she used Ivins’ camera to take a picture of Mookie Betts and Ramirez. She also had her photo taken with Ramirez.
“At first I wasn’t sure who he was,” Condon said. “He was standing there and he (Ivins) asked if I could get a picture with him.”
The Red Sox treated Condon to a night at Fenway, where she witnessed a Christian Vazquez walk-off homer against Cleveland.
“It was a pretty exciting game that night,” Condon said.
Condon’s time with both teams expanded her technical knowledge with cameras.
Silverman gave Condon a Cannon with a 300mm lens, while Ivins let her use a Nikon D5. There was an adjustment to using the different cameras for Condon, who personally uses a Nikon D5200.
The camera the Patriots provided was very tough to manage.
“It was a little too heavy to get a solid picture without blurriness,” Condon said. “The zoom was a big adjustment.”
When practice ended she took a picture that included boxing great Marvin Hagler, who was visiting with Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
Patriots Vice President of Media Relations Stacey James set up the whole day for Condon, who stayed at Patriot Place the night before.
Condon sent James a thank you note, which he responded to immediately.
Her visits with the Patriots and Red Sox were welcomed after a tough year.
Condon was 9 when she had her first open heart surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital for a cleft in her mitral valve.
“It was pretty much ripped in half,” DelVecchio said. “They had to go in and stitch it back together.”
This past year doctors at Boston Children’s performed another surgery to pull out scar tissue from the previous surgery.
While Condon missed school due to the surgery, she missed more time because of her migraines.
Abdominal migraines are more common in children and consist primarily of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, according to the American Migraine Foundation.
Through the use of Google Classroom, Condon managed to keep up with her coursework.
“I missed so much school,” Condon said. “I was home for so long. It’s just like a stomach ache just much worse. It was really bad at the beginning of the year.”
For someone who is going into eighth grade, Condon has clear sights on what she wants to do professionally. Condon aspires to be a photographer as well as a lawyer.
“She has always been a kid that sets her mind to things,” DelVecchio said. “She always has goals for herself. Some of that has to do with the heart surgery. It made her a strong kid. Stronger than I ever was.”
The experience with the Patriots and the Red Sox gave Condon a summer to remember.
“I had a lot of fun and it was a good experience,” Condon said. “I am excited for the beginning of the year. I am excited to see my friends again.”
Condon has only had two migraines in the last four months, and is ready for school without interruptions.
“I am excited for the beginning of the year,” Condon said. “I want to improve at soccer and keep it going throughout the year. I am cleared to do anything.”
With all the goals she has in place, “anything” is exactly right.
