Football player D'Andre Weaver

D鈥橝ndre Weaver, Football (Photos by Danny Damiani)

Over the course of a single day in late August, more than 100 student-athletes stepped in front of the camera in Alexander Gym. It was the first-ever Media Day for 杨贵妃传媒视频 Athletics, and the energy in the room was exhilarating.

Our 杨贵妃传媒视频 athletes were ready for this. So was I.

A simple white background and three camera flashes set the scene, and the students brought enthusiasm all day long. It was a joy to see all the smiling faces as we moved closer to a new academic year, one in which all of our athletic teams have returned to competition. We鈥檙e 鈥淏righter Together,鈥 and we certainly were on this day.

The goal was to collect a series of photos for each fall sports team that could be used on social media, on the university鈥檚 website, and in various print publications. My hope was to really get a sense of the personality of each athlete as they stepped in front of the camera鈥攁ll while their teammates and friends helped to hype them up. I think we achieved that. 

It was a pleasure to help coordinate and photograph this fall鈥檚 amazing group of student-athletes. Some of my favorite images from the day are shared here in the first of what will be a monthly photo essay series from across the 杨贵妃传媒视频 campus.  

Cross Country runner Julian Garcia holding running shoes

Julian Garcia, Men鈥檚 Cross Country

Volleyball player Sophia Galassini holding a volleyball

Sophia Galassini, Volleyball

Football players Drevian Archibald and Prince Mukuna point to one another.

Drevian Archibald & Prince Mukuna, Football

Cross Country runner Althea Foster hold up peace signs

Althea Foster, Women鈥檚 Cross Country

Soccer player Mark Todd holds Brazilian flag

Mark Todd, Men鈥檚 Soccer

Soccer player Ellie Younger poses on a chair while holding a soccer ball under one foot.

Ellie Younger, Women鈥檚 Soccer

Soccer player Hanna Knudsen in midair

Hanna Knudsen, Women鈥檚 Soccer

Volleyball player Marife Entenza poses with volleyball

Marife Entenza, Volleyball

Tennis player Fanta Jatta holds a tennis racket

Fanta Jatta, Women鈥檚 Tennis

Soccer player Elliot Mueller balances a soccer ball on his forehead

Elliot Mueller, Men鈥檚 Soccer

Cross Country runner Riley Winebrenner poses for camera

Riley Winebrenner, Women鈥檚 Cross Country

Football player Zachary Adams holds sword over his head

Zachary Adams, Football

Cross country runner Adam Bruce shows off his biceps

Adam Bruce, Men鈥檚 Cross Country

Cross country runner Natalie Anderson in a running pose mid-air

Natalie Anderson, Women鈥檚 Cross Country

Soccer player Cambrie Rickard points to the back of her jersey

Cambrie Rickard, Women鈥檚 Soccer

Football players Billy Wallisch and Nick Pastrone look off in opposite directions

Billy Wallisch & Nick Pastrone, Football

Volleyball player Jordan Adamson holds up a volleyball net

Jordan Adamson, Volleyball

Tennis player Lauren Aturaliya holds her racket, ready to swing

Lauren Aturaliya, Women鈥檚 Tennis

Soccer player Leo Decorte looks over his shoulder with his back to the camera

Leo Decorte, Men鈥檚 Soccer