Behind the Lens: How My Journey Into Sports Photography Began
Sometimes, the things we become most passionate about start in the simplest ways. For me, photography started with picking up my mom's camera. At the time, I didn't think much of it. I wasn't trying to become a photographer or build a career out of it. I was just having fun, experimenting with something new, and spending time with my mom. Looking back, it's pretty cool to see how something so small eventually turned into one of my biggest passions. My mom always loved photography and visual arts, she grew up taking photos and loved that I was into it as well. Growing up, sports were always a huge part of my life. I spent most of my childhood playing different sports, and naturally, photography became another way for me to be involved in them. My mom was always taking pictures, and eventually, I started wanting to do the same. What began as simply borrowing her camera turned into something we could enjoy together. She taught me alot and it became something we could bond over.
As I got older, I continued picking up the camera whenever I had the chance. I enjoyed the challenge of trying to capture the perfect moment. I didn't know too much about composition or framing but I had a lot of raw creativity that led me. It wasn't until I came to UND that I really began to see photography as something more than a hobby. Moving away from home and becoming a student-athlete introduced me to new opportunities, people, and experiences that helped me discover what I wanted to pursue professionally. I had always considered myself a creative person, but college gave me the chance to figure out how I could combine that creativity with my love for sports. One of the biggest turning points in my journey was meeting people who recognized my interest in photography and were willing to help me develop it. Through the connections and mentors I gained at UND, I was given the opportunity to intern with UND Insider, our athletics content team. Interning with them has given me so many skills that took this from a hobby to something I can do as a profession. I've learned how to create stories with photos/videos, capture important and emotional moments, and work with a team on reaching a goal. I also strengthen those skills through being a collegiate athlete. More importantly, I was surrounded by people who were willing to teach me. My mentors shared their knowledge, gave me opportunities to try new things, and pushed me to continue improving. I've learned about lighting, composition, timing, storytelling, and how all those elements work together to create more than what the naked eye can see. I understand the emotions, preparation, and hard work that go into competing. Because of that, I try to capture more than just the action happening on the field. I want my photos to show the personality, energy, and emotion behind the athletes and the sports they love.
What started with borrowing my mom's camera has grown into a passion for photography, videography, and creative sports media. I still have so much to learn, but that's one of my favorite parts about it. Every event, project, and opportunity gives me a chance to improve and see things from a different perspective.
Visual Content
Old vs. New
For this visual content piece, I wanted to create something that represented my growth as a photographer over the past few years. I decided to compare two sports photographs I took, one from 2024 and another from 2026. The purpose of this design was to show how my photography and editing skills have developed through experience, practice, and the opportunities I've had. I created this graphic using Adobe Photoshop, keeping the overall layout simple so the photographs could be the main focus. I chose to place the two images directly next to each other to make it easy for viewers to compare them. The photograph on the left represents where I started, while the photograph on the right represents what my work looks like today. For the background, I chose two different shades of brown to create a warm, neutral color palette. I felt these colors complemented the photographs without distracting from them. I also wanted the design to feel more nostalgic, brown also is in my personality colors. I used large, bold white typography for the title and years to create contrast against the darker background. The title gives a good and simple indicator to what your looking at. One design element I included was the shadow effect behind the title. I wanted to give the text some dimension and make it stand out without adding too many unnecessary elements. I also kept the photographs the same size. Beyond the technical aspects, this graphic is meaningful to me because it shows how much I've learned in a relatively short amount of time. Through my internship with UND Insider and the guidance of mentors, I've developed a better understanding of photography and especially editing, which has a very big impact on the quality of your photos.
How Creative Sports Content Has Grown So Fast
Sports have always been about more than just the game itself. The athletes, fans, traditions, and emotions surrounding sports are what make them so special. However, the way we capture and share those moments has changed dramatically over the past decade. What used to be simple game recaps and a few photographs lacking creativity and depth, has turned into an entire industry centered around creative content, storytelling, and digital media. With the growth of social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, sports marketing departments have had to completely rethink the way they connect with their audiences. Fans no longer have to wait until the next day to see highlights or read about a game. Now, they can experience almost every part of it in real time, which reveals the growth of this industry.
Coverage to Storytelling
One of the biggest changes in sports media has been the shift from simply documenting events to telling stories. In the past, sports photography and videography were primarily used to show what happened during a game. While that is still important and occurs, creative teams are now focused on capturing the emotion and personality behind the competition, as well as incorporating cinematic elements to their work. A photo of an athlete celebrating with teammates or a cinematic video showing the preparation before a big game can sometimes create a stronger connection with an audience than a final score. These moments allow fans to see athletes as people rather than just athletes. People have recognized the value of this connection and have started investing more into their creative departments. Photographers, videographers, graphic designers, and social media managers all play important roles in shaping how a team or athletic department is represented. Social media has arguably been the biggest factor in the growth of sports creative content. Platforms have created opportunities for teams and athletes to reach much larger audiences. A single photograph, highlight video, or creative graphic can reach thousands or even millions of people. The demand for this kind of content has also increased significantly. Instead of only producing content on game days, creative teams are now capturing practices, workouts, travel, player personalities, and everyday moments. Fans want to feel connected to the teams they support, and social media gives organizations the ability to create that connection. This has also opened opportunities for athletes to build their own personal brands. With the growth of name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities in college athletics, having a strong digital presence has become even more valuable. This new style of content helps to compliment that.
The Growing Importance of Creative Teams
As the demand for content continues to grow, so does the importance of having talented creative professionals working behind the scenes. What makes sports creative work unique is the ability to combine creative skills with an understanding of sports. Knowing how to operate a camera or edit a video is important, but understanding the game, anticipating moments, and recognizing emotion is what makes the work so valuable. As a collegiate athlete and someone who works in sports creative media, I've been able to experience both sides of this. Being an athlete has helped me understand the preparation, emotions, and energy that go into competition. Through my experience with UND Insider, I've also learned how much work goes into creating content that represents athletes and the little things that are happening. I've realized that the best sports content doesn't always come from the biggest moments. Sometimes, it's the smaller details that tell the most meaningful stories.
As technology continues to improve and social media continues to evolve, I think sports creative content will only become more important. Cameras, editing software, and digital platforms have made it possible to produce incredibly high-quality work, while also making creative tools more accessible to people who want to enter the industry. However, I think what will continue to separate great content from average content is creativity and perspective. Anyone can post a highlight, but not everyone can tell a story that makes someone feel connected to it. For me, that's what makes this profession so exciting. It is constantly changing, and there are always new techniques, trends, and opportunities to learn from.
