From College Courts to NFL Sidelines
Photography had always been my passion, but breaking into the world of professional sports photography took time, effort, and the right opportunities. My journey started with a college basketball game in Virginia, where a chance meeting with seasoned sports photographer Geoff Burke changed everything. Geoff took me under his wing, and from that moment, my career took off in ways I never expected.
Learning the Ropes with USAA and NCAA
As a freelancer, I had the opportunity to work with organizations like USAA and the NCAA, capturing high-energy moments that defined games and seasons. Shooting college sports was the perfect training ground—it taught me to anticipate plays, find the best angles, and deliver compelling imagery that told the story of the game. Covering NCAA events meant working in fast-paced environments, dealing with challenging lighting conditions, and mastering the technical aspects of sports photography.
The Thrill of Shooting the Pros
With experience in college sports, I soon found myself on the sidelines of NFL, NBA, and MLS games, shooting for major media outlets. There was nothing quite like the energy of an NFL game—thousands of fans, elite athletes moving at lightning speed, and the pressure to capture defining moments in real-time. Shooting NBA games brought a different kind of challenge—faster action, unpredictable plays, and the need to be in the perfect position for that game-winning shot. Covering MLS added another layer of excitement, as soccer’s fluid motion and dramatic moments required a keen eye and quick reflexes.
Mastering Fast Turnarounds with Photo Mechanic and FTP
One of the biggest adjustments I had to make was learning how to turn photos around quickly during games. In today’s media landscape, immediacy was everything. That meant mastering Photo Mechanic for rapid culling and editing, embedding metadata efficiently, and transmitting images via FTP to media servers in real-time. I had to train myself to shoot, edit, and send within minutes, ensuring that my photos were available for publication before the final whistle blew.
Lessons from a Mentor
None of this would have been possible without Geoff Burke. His guidance helped me navigate the industry, from shooting techniques to networking with the right people. He taught me how to find the best light, anticipate key moments, and, most importantly, how to tell a story through my images. His mentorship provided me with the confidence to push forward, knowing that I had someone to learn from and lean on when things got tough.
Looking Back
Working as a freelance sports photographer was an incredible journey filled with unforgettable experiences. From college courts to NFL sidelines, I learned the value of preparation, adaptability, and speed in this industry. Every game was a new challenge, and every opportunity brought the chance to improve and grow.
As my career evolved into all things marketing, I took those same principles of storytelling, quick decision-making, and strategic thinking with me. While I may not be on the sidelines as often anymore, the lessons I learned from sports photography continue to shape the way I approach my work today. For anyone looking to break into sports photography, my advice remains the same: put in the work, seek out mentors, embrace the fast-paced nature of the industry, and never stop learning. The moments you capture today could become the iconic sports images of tomorrow.