If there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout my photography journey, it’s that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to capturing a moment. Whether I’m on the sidelines of a game or working one-on-one in a portrait session, photography continues to show me different sides of storytelling—and I love both for entirely different reasons.
When I say sports photography is so rewarding, I mean it. When I did my first sports shoot, I was so incredibly worried the pictures would turn out to be absolute trash. I am a self-taught beginner photographer, so I had low expectations for myself. However, after hours of consistently changing settings and eventually going through the 400 pictures of just one play or point, the 5 to 10 absolutely and wildly awesome shots really made me feel a little more confident in my abilities. That is what I mean by it being a rewarding style of photography.
Now, when I first started exploring photography, I gravitated more toward controlled environments—where I could easily adjust to basic lighting, plan out my shots, and take my time capturing someone in a way that felt both creative and intentional. Working in a fast-paced, you either catch the shot or miss it kind of environment honestly really intimidated me, but eventually, after my first chance to shoot live action, my world opened up to an entirely new part of photography I hadn’t tapped into yet.
Then again, there is a level of satisfaction like no other when you go back to a portrait or head-shot session and you see your skills and knowledge come to life in a photo that encapsulates the entire essence of a person’s face and body. Knowing your camera well is what makes or breaks the photos you take, so when you see the tiny freckles, dimples, or gleam in someone’s eye captured in a way no other device or person could, that is just as rewarding.
The Rush of Sports Photography
Again, shooting sports is a completely different world. You don’t get a redo. There’s no pause button, no “Can you try that again?”—you have to be ready to anticipate what’s going to happen and capture it in a split second. It’s unpredictable, fast, and full of adrenaline.
But that’s exactly what makes it exciting.
With sports photography, I’m not trying to curate a moment—I’m chasing it. I’m scanning the field or court, watching for emotion, motion, connection. There’s something so raw and real about freezing an athlete mid-sprint, capturing the concentration in their eyes, or snapping the celebration right after a game-winning point. Those moments can’t be recreated, and the challenge of capturing them makes it so rewarding when you get it right.
There’s also an energy to sports photography that’s hard to replicate anywhere else. The crowd, the chaos, the movement—it’s a challenge, but one that keeps you completely present. You’re reacting instinctively, and in a way, you’re just as locked into the game as the players are.
The Intentionality of Portrait Photography
On the flip side, I have so much love for staged and portrait photography. It’s a slower, more thoughtful process. You get to collaborate, guide your subject, experiment with angles, lighting, and composition. In a portrait session, I’m not just capturing what’s in front of me—I’m building something with the person I’m photographing.
There’s a beauty in the calm of portrait work. I love having time to be intentional—to tweak small details, to direct subtly, and to create a space where someone feels comfortable enough to let their personality show. You have the time to notice the way the light hits their face, how their expression changes when they start to relax, or how the background plays into the story you’re trying to tell.
With portraits, it’s not about speed. It’s about emotion. It’s about taking the time to make someone feel seen in the final image.
Why I Keep Coming Back to Both
What I love most about doing both types of photography is how they stretch me in different ways. Sports photography forces me to be quick on my feet, to make fast decisions, and to sharpen my technical skills in unpredictable environments. It’s helped me grow my confidence in working under pressure and trusting my instincts.
Portrait photography, on the other hand, challenges me to slow down and be more intentional with my vision. It reminds me of the power of connection—of making people feel safe and seen in front of the lens.
And honestly? I think they complement each other.
Being a stronger sports photographer makes me better at anticipating movement and timing in other kinds of shoots. Being a portrait photographer makes me more attuned to emotion and storytelling, even in high-speed action shots. I can borrow skills from one world and apply them to the other.
Different Tempos, Same Goal
At the end of the day, both styles are about telling a story. Whether it’s the story of an athlete pushing their limits or a quiet moment shared between two friends in a portrait session, I get to be the one capturing it. That’s what keeps me coming back to the camera again and again—the chance to turn moments, big or small, into something lasting.
I don’t think I could ever choose between the two. Some days, I crave the chaos and motion of sports. On other days, I want to create something calm, detailed, and intimate. They may seem like opposites, but they both give me different kinds of joy—and different opportunities to grow.
So, if you’re a photographer trying to find your niche, maybe you don’t have to choose just one. Try something new. Step outside your comfort zone. You might find that the things you learn in one area can completely change the way you approach another. That’s been true for me, and I’m grateful for every shoot that pushes me to see things from a new angle—literally and creatively.
Have a story, a moment, or an idea you think deserves to be captured? I’d love to hear about it! You can submit your experiences through the “Share a Story” form on my website or check out the “Suggest a Shot” page to let me know what you’d like to see next.
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