Olympic and Paralympic Athletes for Team USA

I have had the pleasure of photographing many amazing athletes over the past 15 years of my career: Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, Sue Bird, Elena Delle Donne, Natasha Could, Mike Wardian, Azzi Fudd, Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell…

…but recently I had the opportunity to photograph members of the USA Olympic and Paralympic teams at their ‘Team USA Week’ conference in Washington DC.

200 athletes over 3 days. An amazing array human beings. And a great shoot to have been involved with.

Thanks to Noah Willman for the 2nd shooting and Kenny Giarla for the Assist, as well as Anita Bahramy and Patti Nelson for their efforts with the make-up.

Here are just a few examples…

- Stephen

Christopher for the Library Journal

At the end of April when I was photographing the virtual iPad portraits for the Library Journal (link), one of the subjects was Christopher and he happened to be local to DC. Our virtual session timing did not work out but we were able to quickly setup a session local to the DC area so we could include his portraits in the issue.

In addition to shooting with some greenery I wanted a quick studio style headshot so I clamped some black foam board to a light stand. Quick solution to get a plain background.

Virtual Portraits for the Library Journal

I’ve been lucky to have a few assignments for the Library Journal over the past few years. This was an interesting one.

Back in March I reached out to the Art Director to check in and see how he was doing. He mentioned that he was saddened they could not photograph their usual award winners (Movers and Shakers) the usual way they would; at a conference, with all winners present. Instead he was going to have to have each person send in some images of themselves and he wasn’t pleased at the difference in quality and setting he was going to receive.

With an eye on consistency between images I had an idea and pitched him the possibility of me photographing each subject remotely - I would FaceTime/Zoom/Skype with each subject on my iPad, direct them within their home/work space and then take an image of them with my camera, photographing my iPad. That way there would be a consistent theme (all virtual) and frame (my iPad).

One of the easier commutes to a work assignment I’ve had. Taking photos in your living room is fun.

Sports Illustrated Daily Cover, 5th May 2021

It’s been a pleasure photographing Russel Westbrook all season. Such a professional. Such a good guy. And the man is a walking stat-line. I’ve never seen a player put up the numbers that he has before, and on such a consistent basis. The man is a beast.

https://www.si.com/nba/2021/05/05/do-triple-doubles-matter-daily-cover

SI Daily Cover RW.jpg

- Stephen

Washington Mystics Media Day/WNBA Content Day

Last year the entire WNBA season was played in the bubble in Bradenton Florida. Or as we called it; the “Wubble”. This year the 2021 WNBA season will be played as normal with teams in their home arenas. With that plan in place I am back to photographing only one team (instead of all 12) on media day and back in DC with the Washington Mystics.

My key light was. gridded octabox on the boom above the subjects, with a 5ft diffused umbrella acting as fill. Additional I had two diffused umbrellas adding just a slight rim/edge on the subjects.

As much fun as 90+ days in Florida was, I am happy not to be doing it again!

- Stephen