Preserving Memories: The Photos Athletes Actually Want

When most people think about sports photography, they think about the biggest moments.

The game-winning goal. The walk-off hit. The championship celebration.

Those moments matter, but over the years I've learned that the photos athletes value most aren't always the ones that end up on a highlight reel. More often than not, they're the images that allow them to revisit a moment, share it with loved ones, or remember a chapter of their lives that passed far too quickly.

I realized this while reading through testimonials from athletes I've photographed throughout my career. Very few of them talked about photography in terms of shutter speed, image quality, or technical details. Instead, they talked about memories.

Quinnipiac women's ice hockey player Kahlen Lamarche recalled one particular photograph from her 30th career goal, calling it "a moment I'll be able to look back on for the rest of my life." Reading that reminded me that athletes spend years working toward moments that may only last a few seconds. A photograph allows those seconds to live forever.

For others, the value comes from preserving an entire season rather than a single play. Quinnipiac volleyball player Damla Gunes reflected on her team's MAAC Championship journey and how those photographs created "incredible memories to look back on." Similarly, Quinnipiac women's ice hockey player Kaley Doyle shared that some of her favorite moments on the ice were preserved through photography and that she would "always appreciate the memories" captured during her career.

Those comments changed the way I view every game I cover. While photographers naturally focus on action, athletes often remember experiences. They remember the teammates beside them, the journey that got them there, and the emotions surrounding a moment. Quinnipiac women's soccer player Catherine Graves put it perfectly when she said the photographs captured "the intensity of the moment in a way that feels genuinely true to the game." That idea has stayed with me because authenticity is what transforms a photograph from a picture into a memory.

Sometimes those memories extend far beyond the athlete.

One of the most meaningful things I've learned is how important photographs can be for family members who aren't able to attend games. Quinnipiac women's basketball player Jackie Grisdale explained that her family in Ohio couldn't regularly travel to watch her play, and because of that, the photographs captured "moments and emotions you'd never get from just watching the broadcasts." Quinnipiac baseball player Evan Jasek shared a similar story, saying he was able to send photographs to his grandparents because they couldn't see him play in person.

Those stories remind me that every gallery reaches far beyond the sideline. A photograph may be taken for an athlete, but it often becomes a connection between that athlete and the people who supported them throughout their journey.

The moments athletes remember most also aren't always the biggest plays. Sometimes they're the celebrations afterward, the emotions shared with teammates, or the feeling of accomplishing something special. Quinnipiac softball player Natalia Apatiga described this when she said that whether it was "a big hit, a diving catch, or a moment of celebration with teammates," the photographs helped "freeze it in time." That's what sports photography is at its best- not simply documenting an event, but preserving a feeling.

As I reflected on these stories, another theme became clear. Athletes appreciate effort. Quinnipiac women's basketball player Ella O'Donnell spoke about always looking forward to seeing new galleries, while also recognizing the work that went into organizing and sharing images. Former QBSN Photography Manager Nick Boyd echoed that sentiment, saying that whether it was "an action-packed shot in a championship game or a portrait for graduation day," the goal was always the same: creating something meaningful.

When I walk into a venue today, I'm still chasing the action shot. I'll always want to capture the game-winning goal, the championship celebration, or the perfect moment of competition.

But the older I get as a photographer, the more I realize those aren't the only moments that matter.

The photos athletes actually want are the ones that bring them back.

Back to a championship run.

Back to a career milestone.

Back to teammates they'll never play with again.

Back to family members who couldn't be there.

Back to a moment that lasted only a few seconds but helped define years of hard work.

And if a photograph can do that, then it has accomplished exactly what it was meant to do.

In the end, it comes down to one philosophy: focus on greatness by capturing the memories beyond the headlines.