Where I've Been and What's Next
With UC Ice Hockey
When the 22-23 season ended for the University of Cincinnati Ice Hockey team, I decided to take a short break before my next venture. During the break I have attended a few games/events, but I was not taking nearly as many assignments as I previously was from August-February. For UC Hockey, I am still helping manage and post on our social media platforms for the team and will be continuing to do so during the off-season.
During Spring and Summer for UC hockey we are preparing for the upcoming season. We recently hosted a three day prospect tournament where over 60+ of both new and returning players were in attendance. It was a great turnout and a fun weekend of hockey. While I took on my normal role of taking photos for our tournament, I was encouraged to take on new responsibilities. As someone who takes a lot of hockey photos, I also watch a lot of hockey. As a photographer I have a unique perspective, I see a lot of things that some people might miss and also have stills of plays to see a more in depth picture of what is happening on the ice. I've expressed to the coaches before that I enjoy not only discussing our strategies, but analyzing the games.
I've never claimed to know everything there is to know about hockey, but I have my own insights and Coach Ley and Coach Perkins have always been receptive to me discussing those insights with them. They were in full support of me participating with them in taking notes on the prospects and having a say in important conversations for the 23-24 season. Being the only woman in these types of spaces can sometimes be intimidating. I was worried that I would not be taken seriously by all parties involved. However, those doubts in my head were proven wrong by both staff members and our returning players. To be involved in a program that values my opinions and talents equally is incredible. Assisting in choosing our players for next season made me feel like I played an even more important part than normal. I see so much potential for our program and their constant support of me only makes me more excited to see what is next for our team.
“The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance - and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.”
My Next Venture
Next up is baseball season, my very first! I was hired as a Photography Intern for the Florence Y'alls. The Florence Y'alls are a minor league baseball team in Florence, KY, just 10 minutes south from the bridge that connects Ohio and Kentucky. The Y'alls have 50+ home games that I will be present at.
As most people know, I work a full-time job in insurance and sports photography is something I do in my free time. So I will be working two jobs this summer and although I know it will be exhausting, I am looking forward to it. I can only hope that this is a step in the right direction to making sports photography my full-time job in the near future. Building this career takes a lot of time and energy, but I am still having the best time doing it. My goal is to work for both a hockey team and a baseball team due to their opposing seasons so there is no overlap. Both seasons combined would take up a full year to create a full-time role.
Recently for Undrafted
Last week I attended my last NHL game of the season for Undrafted News. I specifically chose to attend the Blue Jackets vs. Penguins game to get photos of my dream team for my portfolio. If I could choose any team in the NHL to work for, it would be the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins have such a successful history, a great fan base and since Cincinnati doesn't have an NHL team, it is one of the closer options. Hopefully one day in the future, that is something I can accomplish, but for now I really enjoyed taking these shots.
