Finding New Angles: My First Foray into Sports Photography

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There’s something special about stepping outside of your usual rhythm and trying something new with your camera. Lately, I’ve been spending more time at the ball field with one of Rochester Baseball League's recreational teams, and it’s given me a fresh opportunity to experiment with a genre I haven’t worked with much before: sports photography.

Instead of the action-packed slides into home plate or dramatic swings at bat, I found myself drawn to the in-between moments. The quiet camaraderie in the dugout, the way the light filtered across uniforms and gear, and the details that often go unnoticed -- the bats leaned casually against the fence at the ready, or the well-worn bag of baseballs ready for the next inning.

What I love about these images is how they balance structure and spontaneity. I loved looking for the natural frames -- the shots through the fencing or tunneling through the dugout. I learned that sports photography doesn’t always have to be about freezing fast-paced action (although those shots are great, too!); sometimes it’s about telling the story of the game itself. A glove tossed aside, the anticipation in a player’s expression, or the calm before the next big play -- all of these details build a narrative just as powerful as the scoreboard and remind me why baseball is truly America's past time.

For me, this experience was also a reminder of why I love photography in the first place: it’s about capturing connection, about finding beauty in the everyday, and about pushing myself to see differently. Baseball may not have been my first love photographically, but after this, I can definitely see myself diving deeper into capturing the energy and artistry of the game!

Here are a few of my favorite frames -- especially those dugout shots where the personality of the team really shines through.

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The Padres, Rochester Baseball League, 2025 Playoffs