Photographing The Nike Pre-Classic | Atlanta Sports Photographer

Being trusted to photograph the Nike Pre-Classic in Eugene was an opportunity that brought together so many of the things I love about sports photography: 

• athlete storytelling

• creative direction

• bold portraiture

• and the energy of working around high-level athletes

This experience was a reminder to me that sports photography is about much more than capturing what happens during competition.

The right image can introduce an athlete, strengthen a brand, support a social media presence, and give dedicated athletes visual representation of their efforts.

Sports Photography Goes Beyond the Game

For athletes and sports programs, professional photography can serve many purposes. A strong portrait can become part of an athlete's personal brand or be used across a program's marketing for months.

That was the focus during this project. Instead of simply documenting the athletes competing, we created portraits that were equally polished, powerful, and intentional.

And Getting to work with athletes at the top of their game was such an inspiring moment for me as a photographer.

Representation, Collaboration, and What's Next:

One of the most meaningful parts of this experience was working alongside other Black women photographers and creatives. In an industry where Black women are still underrepresented behind the camera, being in the room, creating together, and contributing to a project at this level mattered.

And, working with high-level athletes means being able to move quickly while still paying attention to every detail. The lighting, posing, expressions, wardrobe, and overall composition all have to work together.

I was grateful for my years of experience in the sports industry that I could bring to the table for these portraits at Nike Pre-Classic.

For these pictures, the goal was to create a controlled environment that allowed each athlete's personality to come through while maintaining a cohesive visual style. The result was bold and editorial, while still looking authentic to each athlete themselves.

That same approach is something I bring to media day photography for schools and teams in Atlanta. Your athletes have put in the work. Their images should reflect that level of dedication.

Being trusted with a national-level sports opportunity at the Nike Pre-classic also reinforced where I want to take my business next: creating elevated imagery that helps athletes, teams, and organizations tell their stories with confidence.

For me, sports photography is not just about documenting a quick moment. It is about creating the images that help people see the athlete, the program, and the work behind it.

If you are interested in working together, please click here to reach out.