Hopkins Sports Photographers: Preserving Passion

Scoring a last-minute goal, making a crucial tackle, or crossing the finish line first all happen in a matter of seconds. Photographs, on the other hand, last forever. At Hopkins, there is a dedicated community of sports photographers who try to capture these moments for athletes.

Many of the photographers initially found a passion for photography itself before shifting into sports photography. Igniting at a young age, Aidan Nori’s ’28 passion “started to take off in seventh grade when I got my own camera and also started experimenting with drone photography.” His enthusiasm grew and eventually led him to sports photography: “Throughout my journey, I have experimented with various types of photography, with sports photography becoming one of my main interests.”Similarly, Jaiden Cook ’28 began his journey early: “I got into photography from my grandmother. She would drop me off at school in my elementary days and we would watch and photograph trains after school.” Beckermann said, “I first got into photography because I loved capturing real moments — the kind that tell a story without words. Sports photography came naturally after that; I’ve always been drawn to energy, movement, and emotion, and sports bring all of that together in one frame.”

As was the case for Lena O’Malley ’25 during her time as manager of Varsity Boys Soccer, some Hopkins students were first introduced to sports photography due to their previous commitments. O’Malley said, “I did not intend to get into sports photography my senior year, it just sort of happened. I originally started taking photos of the soccer team because I was not only their manager but I was also trying to create a strong profile for sports for college.” She added, “I ended up really enjoying doing my photography.” Julianne Gonzalez ’28 shared a similar story about discovering sports photography while making Per Annos, the yearbook, stating, “Yearbook needed people to cover sports games.I volunteered because it seemed like a lot of fun and I already knew how to work a camera.” 

Many photographers enjoy sports photography for different reasons. Gonzalez stated that she appreciates “getting to be on the sidelines of games. It offers a unique perspective into the dynamics of the teams and is an overall really great experience.” Through his photos, Cook cherishes the opportunity to uplift those around him: “My favorite thing about sports photography is capturing athletes in motion and the joy from the recognition. I always see photographers and photography as a service and showcase and that is what sports photography does.” Appreciating the social aspect of sports photography, Brock Bowen ’27 said that his favorite part is “getting to interact with the teams and having relationships with people that I would not  ordinarily have relationships with.” He continued, “It is also really cool to see younger people who want to get into [photography].” 

Additionally, O’Malley spoke on the rush of sport photography: “You are trying to capture these moments that happen in split seconds and when you do, you just get absolutely thrilled.” Beckermann finds the unpredictability of sports photography electrifying: “You never know when the decisive moment will happen — a perfect shot, a reaction, a split-second expression. You have to be ready and aware, and that makes it exhilarating.” He also commented on his love for the athletic side of sports photography, stating, “Competitive sports are battles, and as a former athlete, I understand the preparation that goes into those moments — the grind, the practice, the mental focus. I love seeing that play out under pressure.”

Some of the sports photographers have built a community around their craft. 

Cook attested to this strong bond: “I think that it is one big family, we all have great friendships with each other. We share photo opportunities that pop up and always support each other. Collaboration is very big in photography.” Nori contributed a similar sentiment: “Within this community, we can all help each other grow our individual skills, as well as share opportunities to shoot photos while taking pressure off each other’s shoulders.” Athletes also benefit from the array of  different photographers, as Gonzalez stated, “Each photographer has a different style and our cameras all have advantages and disadvantages, so athletes end up having a variety of photographs for them to use.” 

Sports photography at Hopkins is more than just taking pictures; it is about capturing emotion, preserving memories, and being part of a community.