Team & Sports Photography
There's more to athletes than what they look like
Team & Sports Photography
I get less than two minutes with each athlete—so I come prepared. I build a dramatic set, use dynamic lighting, and guide athletes through poses that feel personal, not posed.
My goal isn’t just a good shot—it’s to capture who they are right now. When possible, I also ask short questions to preserve what this sport has meant to them.
Years from now, these photos should do more than show how they looked. They should remind them of who they were becoming.
More Than a Picture Day
I love setting the stage and being prepared—so when the magic shows up, I’m ready to capture it.
While I don’t usually photograph newborns or infants, put a 5-year-old in a hockey jersey and I’m all in. There’s something powerful about seeing kids show up as athletes—proud, focused, and full of energy.
But I’ll be honest: I have mixed feelings about traditional team photo day.
The reality is that I’m usually given less than two minutes per athlete. It’s fast. Coaches want to maximize practice time. Parents give up their Saturday. Ice time or field rentals are ticking. It’s easy for photo day to feel rushed and transactional.
That’s not how I work.
Even with the time crunch, I aim to create portraits that stand out—not just technically, but emotionally. I build a big set (often with a 30×40-foot backdrop), multiple lighting scenarios, props, and occasionally a trampoline for dynamic movement.
Then I walk athletes through a series of poses—some serious, some smiling, some in motion, some locked-in and dramatic. I encourage them to watch the athlete ahead of them so we can keep things flowing while still making space for real expression.
Action. Personality. Story.
Whenever possible, I like to combine traditional portraits with action-style shots that reflect the sport itself—an “action portrait” that feels true to how these athletes move, play, and carry themselves.
And lately, I’ve started asking waiting athletes to fill out a short questionnaire while they’re off-camera. I ask them things like:
- Why did you start playing this sport?
- What’s your favorite moment from this season?
- What has this sport taught you?
- What do you hope for in the future?
I’ve found that what they say about the sport is often as meaningful—if not more—than what I can capture through the lens.
Why This Matters
These photos are more than just a record of what your athlete looked like this season. They’re a snapshot of who they are becoming—at this age, in this sport, at this time in their life.
I don’t want to just give you pictures that capture what they look like. I want to give you keepsakes that reflects wo they are—effort, growth, and personality.
If you’re a parent or coach looking to schedule team portraits—or bring deeper storytelling to your team—reach out here. I’d love to talk.
