Student sports photographers capture their perspective of high school sports through photography and share it with Sanger High School and the Sanger community. These student sports photographers have taken years honing their skills through time, practice, and motivation to capture and create images to their own unique liking. Students must also express integrity and respect with both the camera equipment and field requirements.
Photographers go through the process of figuring out where and when specific events are and getting approval from both staff and coaches to be allowed to take pictures.
“Taking anywhere from 100 to 300 photos”, according to Robert Gray, the photography and video media teacher. Finally editing each individual picture to their preferred style. This process allows for the creation of a singular picture that each photographer decides to share.
Senior sports photographer Omar Rios, who is currently taking Advanced Photography, states that “improving each day motivates me to get up…to perfect the craft.”
Rios gets access to these events by taking various photography and yearbook classes here at Sanger High. Rios has been taking photos since August of 2023 and has been managing his instagram account @rioscaptures where he shares various sports photos, many of which Sanger High has collaborated with, sharing Rios’ images to a larger audience.
Taking pictures at events from field to court, Rios states that his favorite sports events to take photos of are the boys soccer games. Rios has connections and is very familiar with the players and staff involved on the team. Rios is also, “familiar with the sport so it just makes photographing it even more enjoyable.”
Senior student photographer, Emely Alcantar, who has been working for the yearbook since 7th grade, and is currently a photographer for the Sanger Scene, states that taking pictures of sporting events, when athletes are completely immersed in their game, “feels like you’re freezing a key part of their experience…it’s about capturing what others miss.”
Alcantar has been managing her photography account @ermelindaphotography as of last year. Although having experience in multiple sports from fields to the courts, Emely expresses that her favorite sport to capture is the “fast-paced and intense” sport of tennis. Alcantar enjoys the various challenges that come with sports photography as there is always something to capture from behind the camera.
Photography and Video production teacher Robert Gray expresses that sports photography is difficult due to motion and lighting, especially with the vast difference between lighting indoors versus outdoors. The final product of these photos are often used for the student’s personal or photography socials like Rios and Alcantar’s, but also for the school.
This is an open opportunity for those who have any interest in photography, especially sports photography, whether it’s simply a hobby or a future career.
