Hey there, beautiful humans!

So, picture this: It’s 95 degrees, I’m standing on the sidelines with 20 pounds of camera gear hanging around my neck, sweat is literally dripping onto my lens, and I’m dodging flying footballs while trying to capture that perfect touchdown moment. Sounds glamorous, right?

Welcome to the wild, wonderful, absolutely chaotic world of sports photography – and honestly? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

The Real Behind-the-Scenes of Sports Photography

Let me pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to be “the camera lady” at your local games. Because what you see – those crisp action shots, those perfect celebration moments, those tear-jerking senior night photos – that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The reality? I’ve been rained on, in hurricane weather, and yes, even hailed on while trying to get the shot. I’ve been trampled on the sidelines, hit by the sport ball, and once got so caught up in a game that I cheered louder than the parents in the stands. My camera bag is basically a survival kit at this point – extra batteries, lens cloths, hand warmers, bug spray, and always, ALWAYS snacks.

But here’s the thing that might surprise you: every single uncomfortable, sweaty, chaotic minute is worth it for those moments when everything clicks.

Why Sports Photography Chose Me

I didn’t wake up one day thinking, “You know what sounds fun? Standing in a field for three hours while teenagers run around with a ball.” Sports photography kind of found me, and now I can’t imagine doing anything else.

It started when I was photographing a senior session for a football player. His mom asked if I’d come to one of his games to get some action shots. I figured, why not? How hard could it be?

Y’all. I was so unprepared. I showed up with my portrait lens thinking I’d just stand on the sidelines and snap away. Within the first five minutes, I realized I was in way over my head. The speed, the unpredictability, the fact that I had no idea what was happening half the time – it was overwhelming and exhilarating all at once.

But then I caught this moment. The quarterback threw a perfect pass, and I somehow managed to capture it mid-air with the receiver’s hands reaching up, the defender diving, and the crowd in the background all frozen in anticipation. When I looked at that photo later, I got goosebumps. I knew I was hooked.

The Technical Hustle (AKA Learning to Expect the Unexpected)

Sports photography is like regular photography’s wild cousin who drinks too much coffee and never sits still. Everything I thought I knew about photography had to be reimagined for the sports world.

You’re shooting in constantly changing light conditions – bright sun one minute, shadows the next, and don’t even get me started on those Friday night lights. Your camera settings are changing faster than the plays on the field.

Then there’s the gear. My Nikon cameras are workhorses, but they’re only as good as the glass in front of them. Those long lenses that let me capture the action from the sidelines? They’re heavy, expensive, and absolutely essential.

But the real challenge isn’t technical – it’s mental. You have to anticipate what’s going to happen before it happens. Where’s the ball going? Who’s going to make the play? You’re not just documenting what’s happening; you’re predicting it.

The Emotional Rollercoaster Nobody Talks About

Here’s what they don’t tell you about sports photography: you become emotionally invested in every single game. You’re not just an observer; you’re part of the story.

I’ve been there for the buzzer-beaters, the game-winning touchdowns, the devastating losses, and the championship celebrations. I’ve watched seniors play their last high school game, seen underdogs pull off impossible victories, and captured moments of pure joy and heartbreak – sometimes in the same frame.

Last season, I was photographing a basketball game where this kid had been struggling all season, and this was one of his last chances to really shine. Fourth quarter, his team was down, and he got fouled on a two-point attempt with seconds left.

I watched through my viewfinder as he stepped up to the free-throw line. The gym was dead silent. He made the shots. Game over. His team won. The celebration that followed was absolute chaos, and I was right there in the middle of it, tears in my eyes, trying to capture every single second.

That’s the thing about sports photography – you’re not just taking pictures. You’re preserving the moments that these kids will remember for the rest of their lives.

The Community Connection That Changed Everything

What I didn’t expect when I started shooting sports was how much it would connect me to my community. I’m not just the photographer anymore; I’m part of the fabric of these games.

Parents recognize me in the grocery store. Players wave at me from across the field. I’ve become invested in these teams, these kids, these stories.

And the families? They trust me with their most precious moments. When their kid scores their first touchdown or has their senior night ceremony, they know I’m going to be there to capture it. That responsibility doesn’t scare me – it motivates me.

The Business Side of the Hustle

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: making money from sports photography. It’s not always easy, and it’s definitely not always predictable.

Here’s the thing – when I’m shooting Lincoln games, I’m not there with my hand out asking for payment. Those in-the-moment shots of your kids making the big play, celebrating with teammates, or having their senior night? I’m not charging Lincoln families for those. I’m there because I genuinely love being part of this community and documenting these incredible moments.

Some games with other schools, I’m there as a hired photographer for a family wanting specific action shots. Other times, I’m shooting on spec, hoping to sell photos to parents afterward. And honestly? A lot of the time I’m just there because I love it, building relationships and staying connected to what matters most – these kids and their stories.

The real business opportunity I’m chasing? School contracts. Getting hired by local schools to be their official sports photographer would be a game-changer for Lilley Photography. It would provide steady income and the chance to document entire seasons while still keeping that community-first approach that means so much to me.

Why I Love Every Sweaty, Chaotic Minute

So why do I keep showing up? Because sports photography is alive in a way that other photography isn’t. It’s unpredictable, emotional, and raw. You can’t pose an interception or ask a player to run that touchdown again. You get one chance to capture the moment, and if you miss it, it’s gone forever.

But when you don’t miss it? When you capture that split second of pure athletic poetry, that moment of triumph or heartbreak? There’s nothing like it.

Plus, I’ve learned that I’m apparently very competitive. Who knew? I find myself getting just as invested in the outcome as the players and parents. I want my teams to win, not just because it makes for better photos (though it does), but because I genuinely care about these kids and their success.

The Bottom Line

Sports photography isn’t for everyone. It’s physically demanding, technically challenging, and emotionally exhausting. You’ll get dirty, sweaty, and occasionally hit by flying objects.

But if you’re like me, and you find yourself drawn to the energy, the community, and the pure adrenaline rush of capturing athletic moments as they happen, then welcome to the hustle. It’s worth every sweaty minute.

So the next time you see me on the sidelines, covered in mud and grinning like a maniac, just know that I’m exactly where I want to be – documenting the moments that matter, one frame at a time.

Keep playing hard, and I’ll keep shooting harder.

With love and slightly obsessive sports photography energy, Alisha 📸

P.S. – If you’ve got an athlete in your family and want those perfect action shots, you know where to find me. I’ll be the one with the camera, the crazy lens, and the biggest smile on the sidelines!