Through late-night editing sessions and turf-infested socks after games, I found myself dapping up six-foot-seven power forwards and discovering an altruistic community of creatives. As a sports photographer, I found myself in a liminal space between two worlds I had previously known separately−athletics and the arts.
First entering this space as a timid freshman, I found confidence during games from the enthusiasm of athletes and camera-wielders alike. Otherwise presenting a larger-than-life persona in the hallways, they showed me during pre-game rituals and on the sidelines how to express oneself authentically, to be genuine to the people around me. Sharing with other photographers our different shooting and editing styles, I learned to appreciate the various perspectives of ideas both on and off the field, each shaped by the lens they’re viewed through.
Building a following as I covered more games, I realized that my fulfillment came not from social media metrics, but rather from sharing this creative practice with others. Covering senior nights and elimination-round victories, I observed how these games lasted beyond the final whistle. Capturing images for beyond myself, I strive to share these timeless moments with athletes and support them as they pursue the next level. Guiding fellow shooters through the once-daunting task of requesting media clearance, finding positions on the field, or understanding the complexities of frame rate and aperture, I seek to contribute to this community of creatives in the same spirit as those before me.
Through this particular passion for creativity and generosity, I develop a multi-lensed perspective for the people around me.
I really love this vantage point that you provide which is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I have been on the field before playing at a relatively high level, but emotions get in the way of truly evaluating and understanding exactly what is going on in the locker room after a loss or the true feelings of other teammates because you’re so caught up in your own world. This interesting standpoint of an outsider looking in is so valuable because you get the perfect vantage point to see all the intimate details between a coach and his players and the culture of a team while still surveying from the distance of a lens. I also really appreciate your dedication to your craft. You seem very passionate and inspired by your work and that is always something I love to see no matter what the subject matter. Keep it up Mr. Xu, and I hope to see some of your pictures at some point!
Hey Michael, thanks for your input! Cool poses are good and all, but what makes a good sports photo great is when the emotion of athletes, coaches, and fans come through.
P.S. You can find my past work on my IG (@shotbykevinxu) and website (https://kevinxu.passgallery.com/portfolio).
Hey Kevin,
I remember that you were actually the person who got me into sports photography and I would like to thank you for that. I agree with your statement that fulfillment doesn’t come from the social media metrics but sharing the creativity with others. Countless times, people have asked me if I am paid to take pictures or if I work with the school or school newspaper, and almost everytime they are shocked when I tell them neither. The biggest reason for why I became a sports photographer was to do something for the teams and the players and share a different perspective of their sport with them, and I’m glad that they were all able to appreciate that creative perspective over the past few years.
whaddup James! I’m always happy to help people find what they enjoy.
This was very interesting, Kevin! I am always so impressed by photographers that posses enough skill to photograph even the highest forms of athletic movement! Though corny, a picture is really worth a thousand words, and I know I always love reminiscing about specific track races after I see some of the pictures that were taken of me running. I love sports pictures because they capture the grit, determination, and power that human beings really embody, so I am really glad you enjoy using your photography skill to capture those essences! Great job!
Hi Macy, thanks for commenting! I too can also appreciate the emotions that are drawn from seeing a photo, connecting the remembering and experiencing self in one moment.