First, can you tell me how you got into photography?
I always loved documenting things and watching history unfold. I love photography because it’s a mish-mosh of all of that. It’s an art form and storytelling – it’s capturing history.
When I first got hold of my mother’s digital camera and saw her pictures – things like family vacations – I loved it. I loved taking pictures with her camera and got my own camera at the age of 10.
When I was in middle and high school I learned to use a dark room and learned the art form of photography. I learned I could make a career of it in college. I went to Penn State as an undecided communications major – I didn’t know what I wanted to do then. One of the options they gave me was photojournalism. I knew what the photo part was, just not the journalism!
What did you do after that?
I got an internship with a Cap Cod baseball league as a team photographer. I lived with several people over the Summer and it was transformative. I learned I could do this as a career.
After that I applied and got accepted into Penn State’s Curley Center for Sports Journalism. That’s when I got the opportunity to cover the Women’s World Cup, and I interned with most of Penn State’s D1 teams. My last year I got an internship with the Pirates and then accepted a position in Denver with Clarkson Creative. I learned so much about the industry then and was able to cover the Denver teams and other sports like the Final Four.
In the Spring I applied for and accepted this position with the Steelers as their Photography Associate. I was really happy to move back to Pittsburgh.
As you’ve said, you’ve done work across the sports spectrum – college sports, Pirates, Steelers.. what are the differences in how you approach the different sports?
There’s not too much difference to me. There’s a winner and a loser and a story to tell. The objective is to tell a story. Not just the peak activity in the game, but those quiet moments – times when you catch a coach thinking on the sidelines or the athletes before the anthem.
You also have to understand the sport too. That familiarity with the sport allows you to anticipate plays and reactions. And of course sometimes luck is involved. When you’re working with a team of photographers, it’s also important to know what those others are doing.
Are there types of shots that you’ve come to enjoy the most?
Photography is so subjective – what looks good to me others may dislike, and I may not like what others do. At games., I like to look around and if no one else is around me I like to stay in my spot. I try to go where others are not – that gives me a greater likelihood of capturing a unique moment. Obviously sometimes it’s important to be in a certain place and get a certain shot – you can’t always just say “Screw it, I’m leaving!”But you can’t be afraid to take risks when appropriate. I’m not afraid to try and fail. You never make all the shots – sometimes a ref gets in the way or you’re not in the right spot – not every picture gets an award.
I love shots with emotion. In the Commanders game when Pickens had a big catch and run, he went crazy afterwards. I caught him in his element then – going off and screaming. I love stuff like that. There are so many moments like that during sporting events that tell the story. Those are the moments I adore. They are very telling of the mood and storyline and personality of the player.
What’s the toughest part of the job?
I think being a woman in a male dominated environment has been tough for me. In pro sports there’s an emphasis on male sports – when you cover those as a woman you have to not let certain things get you down. It’s hard to find community with other photographers at times when it’s so male dominated. It’s tougher to find support and community.
But it’s been rewarding too. It makes me proud – I hope I can inspire other younger photographers – especially women. I want them to see that if I can do it now, then can do it.
Any Steelers players and coaches you like working with most?
I came in right before camp so I didn’t get the chance to get to know a lot of people yet. But working with the staff and front office has been awesome. They have all been friendly and willing to accept me and allow me to be a spectator to what’s been going on. I appreciate that and don’t take it for granted. It’s all been fantastic.
Any pictures you’ve taken that really stand out to you?
In the game versus the Jets, I got the picture of Dean Lowry blocking the kick. You can see the ball touching his hand. When I sent the pictures to the editor during the game I didn’t even realize I got it. She looked at it later and said “Dude, that’s awesome!” I just thought then “Oh, I actually got that!”
You don’t go into games with a guarantee that you get everything, but that game I feel like I did.
What do you enjoy most about the work?
I’ve worked with so many people – so many unique personalities and people from different backgrounds. It’s been rewarding getting to know so many people.
The opportunity to connect with the coaches, players, trainers, front office people – building those relationships has been very rewarding. I’ve loved getting to meet so many people. It’s been awesome. Not just with the Steelers but throughout my career. I can say that I have friends now all over the country.
You talked about being supported in Pittsburgh – who helped you most there?
Karl Roser and the entire photography team – Taylor, Jared, Arron etc. They’ve been instrumental in the growth and learning I’ve experienced since coming here. Being able to learn from them is a privilege and an honor.
When I first got to Pittsburgh we traveled to Detroit for the third preseason game. Detroit’s team photographer Jeff Nguyen gave us goody bags, and in mine was a note telling me how lucky I was to be learning from Karl – that he was a legend in the industry.
I’ve been able to learn from him – to see how his mind works. He’s been at the helm there for a long time and I’m extremely fortunate to work with him. I will cherish the time I’ve had to work with him for my entire career. I’ve learned so much from him already.
What’s your dream for the next step in your career there with the Steelers?
I’d love to work full-time for a team. I prefer the team setting – there’s more opportunity to collaborate than with an agency. Working for a team you can form relationships that last.
But, while I definitely prefer the team side of things, I would be grateful to be in any position that allows me to photograph sports, whether that be as a team photographer, wire photographer, photojournalist or freelancer.