Lessons From the Darkroom: Learning Patience Through Sports Photography

Whenever I pick up my camera to try something new, I remind myself: learning is part of the journey. Recently, I brought my camera to the baseball field to practice sports photography, and while some images turned out beautifully, others… not so much.

A few of the frames came out fuzzy, some I look at and wish I'd caught the moment quicker or from another angle. And... some... didn’t develop properly because the film stuck together on the reel. In the past, I might have been discouraged. But this time, I chose to see it differently. These imperfect photos reminded me of the importance of slowing down, staying present, and giving myself grace while I learn.

Sports move quickly, but film photography tends to be a slower art form. Asking you to breathe, take your time, and focus on the details without losing technique. Balancing those two worlds was a fun challenge!

The truth is, not every photo has to be perfect to have meaning. The “missed” shots were still part of the story—and they taught me something I’ll carry forward into my work. (Some of these with development issues kind of have an abstract look to them -- which I'm not really hating!)

While my practice frames are just that—practice—what I learn from them makes me a more thoughtful photographer for my clients. At the end of the day, trying something new is never about perfection—it’s about growth, patience, and grace. And that’s a lesson I’m grateful baseball photography taught me.

I'm looking forward to next season!

I wish I had taken this as a portrait rather than landscape