From the electric crowd to the final walks in the locker rooms, the moments that define WJ’s athletic seasons are preserved not only in memories, but through the dedicated work of student photographers. They work hard to capture the raw emotion and action on the field and court, each with their own crafted techniques.
Every photographer discovers their passions differently. For some, it is about the pure joy of the job, and for others, it is strictly business. Senior Roy Rozin found his calling early on, driven by the enticing love of the job.
“I became a photographer in seventh grade because I liked the ability to capture moments with the click of a button,” Rozin said.
Similarly, junior Parker Kim discovered photography for the love of the social connection it brings.
“I started photography in my freshman year when I took my dad’s camera, I saw others doing it, and it looked like a fun time, and my friends were asking me to take pictures at their games,” Kim said.
In contrast, sophomore Spencer Robinson approached photography with more of an entrepreneurial mindset from the start.
“I became a photographer in sixth grade to make money,” Robinson said.
When it comes to charging for their work, a shared mindset emerges within our local photographers. Supporting our school generally comes first, but further professional services require some sort of fee. Rozin often provides his services for free within the school athletic community, but is sometimes available further.
“I usually don’t charge for WJ, but if it is an event that doesn’t fit exactly in my schedule, I might charge to make time for it,” Rozin said.
Robinson’s business mindset in photography, however, evolved over time. He didn’t initially charge for his photography, but as his brand grew he scaled his prices with his popularity. Prices range from how many players he is shooting and the sport.
Sophomore Liam Snow falls somewhere in between the passion and profit motives by feeding his earnings directly back into his work.
“I’ve made $400 this past fall season, I’m saving it up for better equipment in the future,” Snow said.
However, photography isn’t just about the gear and money; it is about perspective, patience, and practice in order to succeed.
“Find your own style, don’t focus on what’s online because those are the best photos that people take, you really just have to develop over time,” Snow said.
When starting out, it is also beneficial to take inspiration from successful high school photographers, some even in the area.
“I take inspiration from random stuff online and Elijah Goodman from Sherwood. I’m just trying to see other photographers and find my own style,” Snow said.
