Every event needs the perfect photo to capture it – in other words, the perfect person.
Written by Sarah Popeck
For a Division I school, athletics are an immense part of the school culture – but what’s a game without a good photo to remember it?
From the practices to the players and everything in between, sports photographers have the job of capturing the essence of every game. They have a special eye for seeing the world through a camera lens, where every moment is just a click away from being memorialized in film. Whether at Matthews Arena, Parsons Field, or an away game, there is a photographer hidden in the outskirts, looking for that perfect shot.
Kayla Shiao is a student photographer for Huntington News and WRBB Sports who found her passion for photography in her freshman year of high school. Taking photos for her school’s newspaper, she alternated between cheerleading and shooting football games. Over the years, Shiao has had the chance to find her artistic direction, especially learning how to shoot hockey games as a California native who did not have experience with the sport.
“When I was first starting out, it was more trying to get faces and a feel for the photos I was taking,” Shiao said. “As I’ve gone on, I’ve tried to get more creative types of photos, more photojournalistic ones that tell a story within them and really show emotion.”
Shiao has shot dozens of events including Beanpot tournaments, track meets at UMass Amherst, and the women’s Hockey East Championship. She finds it exciting to be on the sidelines and support the teams from afar. Yet, there is also a struggle to find the perfect angle for that one immaculate click.
“A lot of sports photography is chance. You have to be in the right spot at the right time because if you miss a moment, you miss a moment,” Shiao said.
A challenge with shooting games is that they’re action-packed and it is unpredictable. This prevents photographers from pre-planning their gameplay photos, capturing the emotions and peak moments as they happen.
“You’re at the mercy of where the players go. You could think you’re in the best position, but it turns out to be the worst,” said Jim Pierce, a professional photographer for Northeastern Athletics. “A great shot can be disastrous.”
An alum of Northeastern’s baseball team himself, Pierce started in the corporate world with an engineering degree before getting into sports photography full-time. Ever since, he’s been a prominent figure across all of the teams at the university. Not only does he bring his incredible craft, but he has a special connection to both the team and its fans.
“It’s my alma mater and I am a total Husky through and through. I get the same view as some of the players and the fans,” Pierce said. “Especially against BU and BC. I do have to keep a little objective here and there, though.”
There are also more shots than fans realize — there is game action, of course, but there are also warm-ups, scenery shots, artistic shots, empty stadiums, and even going to practices for multiple days. One event turns into a large-scale effort. Moreover, the outcome of the game can bring even more stress.
“When it comes to the end of the game, if we’re winning, you want to get that celebration shot,” Pierce said. “You have to plan that well before the game is over, but it is more venue-dependent than sport-dependent.”
Sports photographers get the chance to work together, learning from each other as they all work towards the same goal and use each of their unique perspectives to tell the story of a game.
“Someone else has probably thought of some crazy new angle that you’ve never thought of, so arm yourself with something else creative and let someone else inspire you,” Christian Gomez, Northeastern Class of 2023, said. “A lot of people can take a good action shot, but it’s that bump of a creative eye that can differentiate you.”
Gomez served as the Director of Photography for The Red and Black and currently does freelance work. He always loved photography, taking photojournalism classes in high school, but Northeastern gave him the essential bridge into sports photography and opened a new network for him. From fall nights watching soccer — a sport that Gomez played growing up — to Fridays at Matthews Arena, there was never a dull moment.
His goal: to make an impact, whether it’s inspiring someone new or getting a message of appreciation from athletes. He aims to put out memorable photos for people to reflect on and take the time to value.
“Everyone is always trying to stand out and make something new and innovative and creative,” Gomez said. “If someone has looked at my photo and thought ‘Wow, that’s a great shot!’ then I’ve done my job and that’s all I’m aiming for.”
While they have a major mission, all three of them blossomed into incredible photographers by attending game after game and critiquing themselves.
“Try to find inspiration in other people. Learn what you like, make that inspiration your own and get as much experience as possible,” Shiao said. “A photo is really just learning and growing as you continue taking them.”
Even when the stress of the moment gets inside their head, though, it is crucial to remember why they choose to do what they do.
“I love staying connected to the sports industry and keeping with it because it’s something I love to do,” Gomez said. “It’s important that I don’t forget that I do it for the love of it because it’s something I enjoy.”
Sports photographers are an important part of the athletics atmosphere, even if they are hidden in search of that perfect shot that they pictured in their head. They are just as much a part of the game action as they take on the challenges of immortalizing a moment.
“On the inside, I’m doing as much as everyone else is, but I just don’t show it on the outside,” Pierce said. “It’s a pleasure to work with the teams and the players, and it has been a fun ride that I want to keep going.”
The Red & Black 