Behind the Lens: My BBST Aly Fell Memorial Sprint Classic Photo Shoot

As I continue my journey into the world of sports photography, particularly swimming, I had the incredible opportunity to photograph the BBST Aly Fell Memorial Sprint Classic. It was an experience that truly highlighted the passion and energy of both the kids and their parents, and I couldn't be more thrilled with how it turned out. The excitement was palpable, the swimmers were giving their all, and the parents were cheering their hearts out. All of this energy combined made for an unforgettable day of shooting.

The Behind-the-Scenes Effort

Before diving into the photos, it's important to acknowledge all the preparation that goes into covering an event like this. While many might think that the actual photo shoot is the most challenging part, there’s a lot of groundwork that happens long before the first shutter click. For instance, every volunteer photographer must undergo a thorough background check, and complete Safe Sport training—a mandatory 3-hour course. While it can be dry and time-consuming, this training is absolutely essential for ensuring a safe and secure environment for all involved.

The preparation doesn't stop there. Editing the images from an event like this is an intense process, requiring a lot of time and focus to ensure each image captures the perfect moment. It's a lot of effort, but it’s so worth it when I can finally share the results!

Swimming Photography: A New Venture

This is my first time venturing into swimming photography, and I must say, I’m quite pleased with the outcome. Capturing the dynamic movement and intensity of swimmers requires a unique set of skills and a keen understanding of the sport. In this meet, I focused on telling a compelling story through my images by capturing a variety of shots—action shots of the swimmers in the pool, as well as moments of concentration, excitement, and joy on the sidelines.

Swimming Photography Tutorial: Tips & Gear

If you’re new to sports photography, particularly swimming, here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Gear – A premium lens like the 70-200mm f/2.8 is a must-have. It gives you the versatility you need to zoom in on those action-packed moments without having to be right by the pool. The f/2.8 aperture is also great for capturing clear shots in low-light conditions.
2. Shutter Speed – You’ll want to set your shutter speed to at least 1/1000 to freeze the fast movements of the swimmers. Anything lower can result in motion blur, so it's essential to maintain a fast shutter speed for crisp, sharp images.
3. Framing & Composition – It’s important to capture the entire swimmer’s body in motion. Make sure you’re ready to snap the shot at just the right moment, such as when they dive into the pool, take a breath, or touch the wall. Swimming is all about timing!
4. Storytelling – Don’t just focus on the action in the water. There’s a lot of emotion on the sidelines as well—parents cheering, swimmers concentrating, or teammates celebrating. These moments are just as important in telling the full story of the event.

I’m still learning and perfecting my technique, but I'm thrilled with how the shots turned out in this meet. It was such a rewarding experience to be able to capture the spirit of the event and the incredible athletes participating.

Sneak Peek

Editing these photos will take some time, but I couldn’t wait to share a sneak peek of a few of my favorites! From the intensity of the race to the camaraderie on the sidelines, I think these images truly capture the heart of the meet. Stay tuned for more!

📸 The full photo album will be shared through the BBST Facebook page, so make sure to follow along for all the updates.

Thank you for following me on this exciting new journey into sports photography. I can't wait to bring you more!

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