As a contract photographer for the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Sounders FC, I am getting to witness the culture of sports from another angle — that is, the side behind the doors typically closed to the media.

Today I had the opportunity to jump behind those doors with the Seahawks.

The biggest sporting event of the weekend (with apologies to my Sounders FC mates) wasn't even a game or a match. It was the NFL draft, and in it, the Seahawks had the fourth overall choice.

As head coach Jim Mora quipped, "it's not a position we want to ever be in again". That's because if you're picking fourth, it means you had one hell of a sh*tty season the year before. To anyone's reckoning, a record of 4-12 fits that bill.

But that's so last year, and with a new coach and a healthier roster, the Seahawks are on the rise.

With the fourth pick in the weekend's draft, Seattle selected linebacker Aaron Curry out of Wake Forest. Curry arrived late Sunday evening, accompanied by his fiancee and his mother. By 9am they were on their way to the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, headquarters of the Seahawks, and I was waiting to document Curry's big first day in Seattle.

Curry was accompanied by Seahawks director of player development Maurice Kelly, and a cameraman from NFL.com.

Upon first arriving at the VMAC, Curry walked up to the building and raised both fists and yelled, "yeah! this is IT!". Unlike many high draft picks who are flown to the city of a prospective suitor for the purposes of pre-draft interviews, the Seahawks were discreet about their desire for Curry so no such visit was arranged.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 32mm, ISO 800, 1/200th sec.,f6.3)

The four pillars of the franchise's mission statement are emblazoned in large print in the lobby, and by all accounts, Curry will fit the bill.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 65mm, ISO 1250, 1/100th sec.,f6.3)

Curry appeared tired, albeit just briefly, on the elevator ride up to the offices of head coach Jim Mora and team president and general manager Tim Ruskell. "Just for a second," said Curry, of his yawn. "Our plane was delayed last night and I was up early today because I wanted to get this day going!".

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 14-24mm/f2.8 lens @ 16mm, ISO 1250, 1/8th sec.,f2.8)

Up in the coaches offices, Ruskell and Mora handed binoculars to Curry so he could see the bald eagle that flies over the outdoor practice field which borders Lake Washington.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 48mm, ISO 1250, 1/125th sec.,f4.0)

His tour continued with a visit to the draft room, where Seahawks staff had gathered over the weekend to select players, including, of course, one Aaron Curry.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 42mm, ISO 1250, 1/60th sec, f3.2)

Curry marveled at the size of the new indoor practice facility, and endured some playful teasing from veterans who were working out.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 14-24mm/f2.8 lens @ 16mm, ISO 1250, 1/250th sec., f2.8 + flash)

The players' locker room is new and plush, with recessed lighting and wood fixtures. Curry took in the size of the room and wondered where the linebackers sat.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 14-24mm/f2.8 lens @ 17mm, ISO 1250, 1/40th sec., f2.8 + flash)

Kelly, the player development man, quickly said, "not so fast, man, the rookies dress IN HERE" and opened the door to a small room with black metal lockers and harsh florescent lighting. Curry laughed and said, "Okay, I see how it is. That's good. We'll bond down here, us rookies".

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 14-24mm/f2.8 lens @ 17mm, ISO 1250, 1/25th sec., f4.0 + flash)

In the equipment room, Curry posed between huge movable storage units that hold every type of football gear imaginable.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 14-24mm/f2.8 lens @ 17mm, ISO 1250, 1/40th sec., f6.3 + flash)

A trip to the players lounge, outfitted with computers, flat screen televisions and video games with customized chairs gave Curry a moment to reflect on how his life was about to change.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 14-24mm/f2.8 lens @ 24mm, ISO 1250, 1/40th sec., f5.6 + flash)

Finally it was time to change into a suit and head up to his first press conference with the Seattle media. His first "Welcome to the NFL" moment came just before he took the stage when a team official handed him a jersey with his name and number on it, then gave him instructions on how to hold it in front of the cameras.

"You mean hold it up in front of me? That's all big time! Wow…Really? Man, I see that on television and it's a big deal." Guess what, Mr. Curry, you're a big deal, too. In front of the lights and cameras, he looked at ease, and handled himself comfortably.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor VR 70-200mm/f2.8 lens @ 160mm, ISO 1600, 1/250th sec., f4.0)

After the official press conference it was time for one-on-one interviews.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 14-24/f2.8 lens @ 21mm, ISO 1600, 1/200th sec., f3.2)

Like most athletes, as soon as the suit wasn't needed, he changed back into more comfortable clothes, and made his way out of the VMAC with a day full of memories and an handful of hats. A true player, he couldn't help but stop at a nearby television to watch just a little more draft coverage.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 14-24/f2.8 lens @ 24mm, ISO 800, 1/40th sec., f3.5 + flash)

Curry flew back home tonight, but will return in time for the start of this weekend's minicamp.

It was fun for him, but it was also a fun day for me, combining some of my journalism instincts (find storytelling moments) with my new job (getting behind the curtain and sharing what I see).

Thanks for reading and thanks for your patience as I have been taking more time between posts.