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Why I Keep Showing Up

I photograph high school sports because I enjoy it. That is the simple answer.

The longer answer is that, somewhere along the way, this became more than showing up with a camera and trying to catch the biggest play.

A high school season moves quickly. At the beginning, everyone thinks there is plenty of time. Then senior night arrives, the final home game ends, and four years are suddenly over.

The photographs become more important after that.

They bring back the rain, the cold nights, the packed gyms, the student section, the celebrations and, sometimes, the disappointment. They preserve people and places that will not remain exactly as they were.

That is why I keep coming back.

Twinsburg Is Home

Most of my sports photography centers on Twinsburg High School.

I live in the community, and my children graduated from Twinsburg in the Classes of 2020 and 2022. I have watched these teams, schools and families for years. I know many of the people along the sidelines and in the stands, even when we have never officially met.

I occasionally photograph other schools and events, but Twinsburg remains the center of this project. This is my community, and I want it to have a visual record of the athletes, teams and traditions that pass through it.

I Like the Big Plays. But They Are Not the Whole Story.

Of course I want the game-winning goal, the diving save, the difficult catch and the celebration that follows.

Anyone photographing sports wants those moments.

But I do not believe the most meaningful photograph is always the most dramatic one.

Sometimes it is a coach talking quietly with an athlete after a mistake. Sometimes it is the bench reacting before the crowd understands what happened. It might be teammates laughing during warmups, parents applauding from the stands or a senior standing alone for a few seconds after the final home game.

Those photographs are easy to overlook because they do not appear in a box score.

Years later, they are often the ones that matter.

Parents Should Be Able to Watch the Game

Most parents attend an event because they want to watch their child compete—not spend the entire game trying to take photographs through a fence, over a crowd or from the top row of a gym.

Phone cameras have become very good, but sports photography is still difficult. The action is fast, the lighting is often bad and the best positions are rarely available from the stands.

I have the equipment, access and experience to make those photographs. Sharing them allows families to remain part of the event while it is happening and return to it later.

That matters to me.

The Photos Are Free

I volunteer my time. I am not paid by the school, the athletic department or a news organization.

The sports photographs on my website are available to download without charge.

“Free,” however, does not mean the work costs nothing.

There are cameras, lenses, computers, software, website expenses, travel and training. Then there are the hours spent at the event, followed by more hours sorting, editing and publishing the photographs.

I have invested more money and time into this than I care to total. That is not a complaint. It is simply the honest version of what goes into making the galleries available.

I continue doing it because I believe the photographs should be accessible to the athletes and families represented in them.

Downloading and Sharing Photographs

Athletes and families are welcome to download and share my sports photographs for personal use.

The only thing I ask is that the photograph be credited when it is posted publicly. A simple “Photo by T.J. Powell” is enough.

The images do not appear by accident. Someone stood in the rain, sat at the end of the court or spent the evening behind a computer to create them. Credit is a small request, and I think it is a reasonable one.

Supporting the Project

The photographs are free whether anyone contributes or not.

For those who would like to help offset the cost of maintaining the website, replacing equipment and continuing the coverage, I have a Buy Me a Coffee page.

A contribution is appreciated, but it is never required to view, download or enjoy the photographs.

Say Hello

There is a good chance you will find me near the sideline, behind a goal, along the baseline or at the far end of the court.

Please say hello.

I may be watching the play or trying not to miss something, so I can occasionally look more serious than I intend. I am not trying to be antisocial. Usually, I am just waiting for the next moment.

One of the best parts of doing this has been meeting the athletes, parents, coaches, alumni and supporters who give the photographs their meaning.

I will see you on the sidelines.

Go Tigers!