From March 14 to March 17, I had the opportunity to go with Professor Panetta to Baltimore for the USA Olympic field hockey event. While I was there I got a chance to shoot photography and some videography. The days consisted of rooms holding different speakers and activities. All of these events needed to be covered and sometimes there was four happening at once.
The crew consisted of Panetta, two graduate of Cabrini, one graduates of Eastern and two students, Ashleigh Carby and myself. Carby and I are enrolled in Panetta’s photography class and were invited to come on this trip to gain experience and knowledge.
“I grew close bonds with a wonderful team of hard workers,” Carby said.
Event photography is nothing like portrait photography, which is what I am used to doing. When doing a portrait you get full control of your model and can tell them how to position and where to look. Event photography can be more difficult to get a good shot because the speaker is talking and moving around much more. When people are giving presentations their facial appearances can seem unpleasant. To get one good photo you may have to take 70-100 photos of that person.
I learned an immense amount on this trip and overall it was a great experience. I never talked to the people in my class and when I roomed with Carby we instantly became friends. We were running from shoot to shoot and each day we got better and more confident. I felt connected with each speaker as they gave their presentations.
“I thought the trip was nothing short of an amazing opportunity,” says Carby. “It was everything I expected to be busy and a little hectic at times but it exceeded my expectations at the same time.”
One of my highlights of the event was getting to shoot the USA Olympic players running some drills. This was set in a
ballroom in a hotel, which was turned into a field with turf and nets. I got to take really cool shots of them playing the sport and teaching younger athletes how to do some drills. Also, in the ball room was a field where anyone got the chance to play walking hockey. I watched and took pictures of intense games played by players, coaches, referees, and average people.
This event gave me real-life experience I will remember forever. Now I feel way more confident in my photography skills. I am so thankful for this opportunity and had a great time. I really recommend if given the chance, to take any opportunities that professors offer because this is something that you will carry with you and help you with future jobs.
At the end of the week, the crew was all in the equipment room and talked about the whole weekend and how we got everything done. Of course, things are going to go wrong but when you have people behind you to help it makes everything a whole lot easier.
If given the chance, Carby and I would both do it all over again.
