Why I love photography…
I’ve always been drawn to capturing the raw emotion of athletes in action, and over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to follow several players from different schools.
When people ask why I follow players and teams, I usually say, “I love photography.” Honestly, there’s so much more to the story! The truth is that I do love photography, but that only scratches the surface.
Over the years, I’ve gotten to know many players, parents, and coaches. With that, you get to hear the stories of individuals. These stories help me to be a better photographer. I’m not a big fan of basketball in general, but the stories of these young women help me find a deeper appreciation for the sport through my lens.
Everyone will talk about the Amarillo High vs. Lubbock Monterey game for years and how it went into 5 overtimes. I remember seeing this couple in the stands at every game I’ve ever attended. They don’t have kids that play, but they always support the Sandies.
This might look like a traditional celebration, but I know this young lady was injured and made it her mission to yell and support her team from the sidelines. There’s no way you’d know about the “Why me?” questions followed by the countless tears as she longed to be playing alongside her teammates.
Most people expect the cheer team to just ‘Be there’ and don’t realize they attend every varsity sporting event! Not just one sport like most athletes do. They show up early, leave late, and cheer their hearts out no matter the score. Both my sisters were cheerleaders, and they put in as many hours as I did as a varsity athlete.
So if you see me at a game this year, it’s because “I love photography.”