By Mitchell Seaworth
Photography wasn’t always something I saw myself doing seriously. I’ve always loved sports—playing them, coaching them, watching them—but holding a camera on the sidelines instead of a glove or a clipboard? That was new territory. A few years ago, I started taking photos just for fun. I’d snap a few shots at games I attended or take nature pictures when I was fishing up at the lake. But the more I did it, the more I realized how powerful it is to freeze a moment in time—especially in sports.
Today, I bring my camera with me just about everywhere. Whether I’m standing behind the fence at a baseball game or sitting courtside at a local high school basketball match, I’ve come to appreciate the magic of capturing sports in local communities. It’s not about fancy stadiums or national headlines. It’s about emotion, effort, and pride. And through the lens, I’ve found a whole new way to tell the stories that make local sports so special.
More Than Just a Game
When people think of sports photography, they often picture pro-level action—NFL touchdowns, NBA dunks, or World Series home runs. But what I love most about local sports photography is that it strips everything down to the real moments. There’s something powerful about catching a young athlete’s expression right after a big play, or a coach encouraging their team during a timeout.
These are the moments that often go unnoticed. In smaller communities like ours, the athletes aren’t playing for fame or scholarships. They’re playing for their schools, their families, and their love of the game. And it shows. Every photo I take is a snapshot of heart and hustle—and that’s what makes it meaningful.
Learning to See the Story
When I first started, I focused mostly on action shots—players swinging bats, throwing passes, diving for rebounds. But the more I practiced, the more I started to see the stories happening between the plays. The nervous glance to the stands before a free throw. The little league teammates high-fiving after a tough inning. The pride on a parent’s face when their kid scores their first goal.
That’s the beauty of photography—it teaches you to slow down and pay attention. I’ve learned to look beyond the scoreboard and find the emotion in the small details. Those candid, unfiltered moments often say more than any final score ever could.
Becoming Part of the Community
One unexpected gift of photography has been how it’s helped me feel even more connected to my hometown. Showing up to games with my camera has allowed me to support teams and players I’ve mentored. And over time, I’ve become a familiar face on the sidelines—not just as a coach or a fan, but as the guy with the camera trying to capture something special.
I’ve also had parents and players come up to me after games asking for photos. It’s an awesome feeling to be able to give them something they can keep—a photo that captures a moment they’ll remember forever. Whether it’s their first home run or the last game of their senior year, these images matter. They tell the story of growing up in a place where sports are more than competition—they’re part of our identity.
A New Way to Stay in the Game
After years of playing and coaching, picking up photography gives me a new way to stay involved in sports. It challenged me in different ways, taught me patience, and gave me another outlet to support the next generation of athletes.
Unlike coaching, where you’re leading and instructing, photography requires you to observe. You have to blend into the background, anticipate the play, and react quickly to catch the right frame. It’s not always easy—especially with fast-paced action—but when you nail the timing and capture that perfect shot, it’s incredibly rewarding.
Why It Matters
I see local sports as a reflection of community spirit. They bring people together—neighbors, families, classmates—and give everyone something to root for. Through photography, I get to honor that.
In a world that moves fast, where everything feels temporary and digital, photographs give us something permanent. They remind us of where we’ve been, how hard we’ve worked, and the people who were there with us. For the athletes I photograph, these are more than pictures—they’re memories of some of the most defining moments of their youth.
Final Thoughts
Photography has changed how I experience sports. It’s given me a new lens—literally and figuratively—to appreciate the effort, emotion, and energy that go into every play. I might not be on the field anymore, but I still feel every win, every loss, and every cheer from behind the camera.
I’ll always be grateful to the teams, coaches, and families who let me share their stories. Whether it’s under the lights on a Friday night or out on a dusty diamond, I’ll be there—camera in hand—ready to capture the game, one photo at a time.