Photo Essay: Women in sports photography

With a total staff of 33 photographers and editors, 21 of whom are women, it’s safe to say that The Michigan Daily’s photo staff is a woman-dominated group. However, the sports photography industry is comprised of a very different demographic. As of 2021, women made up only 37% of sports photographers, and are paid 96 cents for every dollar their male counterparts make. While we make more progress in getting another woman into the room where it happens every day, there are leaps and bounds to be made before that hard work is done. Our photographers and editors gathered together to comment on the trials, tribulations and, ultimately, the triumphs that they have faced as women in sports photography.

Georgia McKay

Managing Photo Editor

Sports were a constant part of my childhood. I played just about every sport imaginable, often juggling multiple practices a day. My dad and I spent countless hours watching football and basketball together, and my family regularly attended games at the nearby university. When I picked up a camera for the first time, it felt only natural that I would photograph sports too. Yet the first time I stepped onto the sidelines with my camera and found myself to be the only woman on the field, it felt like I didn’t belong. Throughout my time at The Daily, that feeling has shifted. Being a part of a staff of photographers that is primarily made up of women has shown me that not only do we belong, but also that we deserve the space we take up on the sidelines. The women on photostaff constantly uplift each other and affirm that our presence matters. It is still intimidating to be one of the only women on the sidelines. But now, every time I shoot a sport for The Daily, I am reminded of the joy sports brought me growing up, even if I am no longer the one playing. I am grateful and proud to be doing something I love, and to be part of a change that shows women belong on the sidelines, too.

Holly Burkhart

Managing Photo Editor

As I have entered into the larger world of media, I have quickly become aware of the imbalance between men and women sports journalists. One instance that comes to mind is Michigan men’s basketball Pro Day 2024, where scouts, coaches and media creators showed up to Ann Arbor to observe the team’s progress. It was my first time photographing Michigan men’s basketball, so, excitedly, I burst through the doors and took my place on the sidelines of the court while the players began practice. I observed the room around me: Players huddled around Wolverines coach Dusty May, scouts and journalists scribbled down notes and other photographers took their place on the sidelines. It was absolutely packed. Usually, I look around crowded rooms and notice that I am the only redhead — on Pro Day, I looked around the room of more than 100 people and realized I was the only woman there. At first glance, I couldn’t believe it; however, when I left Crisler Arena that day, I walked away realizing the unfortunate norm for women in sports journalism.  

From high school journalism conventions in California, to the sidelines of Michigan Wolverines football games, I have met many extremely talented men in journalism. Women’s month is not to invalidate the work that those journalists have done to achieve their positions, but rather to highlight the courage and dedication that it took for many women to enter a field that remains disproportionate. We need an even playing field. 

There exists not only an art to stopping time, but also a viewpoint that is crucial, especially for documentary photography. There is a certain subjectivity to vision, and the frames we arrange shape our beliefs. I continue my path in journalism not only to chase my passion, but also to inspire young women with the following message: The world needs your perspective, and you belong in sports journalism.

Top left: Grace Lahti/DAILY. Buy this photo., bottom left: Ruby Klawans/DAILY. Buy this photo., right: Meleck Eldahshoury/DAILY. Buy this photo.

Grace Lahti

Senior Multimedia Editor

Being a woman in sports photography is many things. It’s a fun phrase to post on one’s Instagram story on National Women in Sports day. It’s the feeling of constantly questioning yourself at an event you’ve shot 10 times over. It’s a college newsroom filled with inspiring women who aren’t afraid to take up space and get incredible shots in the process. It’s having the layout of a stadium you could navigate in the dark explained by someone who has been there a couple times prior, but of course he must be more familiar — men have a better sense of direction, right? The line between chivalry and condescension often feels blurred when explaining why I’ve felt slighted in my experiences as a woman in sports photography. I’d argue that it’s quite simple to make that boundary as stark as paint on a court. I’ve had so many wonderful experiences in my time as a photographer at The Daily, and I’ve encountered endless mentors of all genders in the Michigan media rooms that truly show what it means to make every photographer feel respected. But we cannot find complacency in all the good that does exist while forgetting the bad moments that nag at one’s confidence. At home and away, we still have work to do. It is through the persistence of powerful women, like those I am lucky to be surrounded by at The Daily, that we will continue to forge a path for women to walk onto sidelines feeling confident and capable.

Emily Alberts

Senior Sports Editor

Sports photography is a place for learning, creating, communicating and growing. But most importantly, it can — and should — be a place for everyone. Though much progress has been made thanks to the pioneers of female sports photography, there still lies a visible gap in the representation of women in any given media room. Representing diverse perspectives has long been emphasized within the field of photography with the goal of telling compelling stories in unique ways. Sports photography should be no exception. The photo staff of The Daily is unique in that more than two-thirds of its staff are women — a statistic that you’d be hard-pressed to find in any other professional photojournalism setting. I’ve been so lucky to have been taught by such talented women who have gone on to do amazing things in the industry, and I look forward to the opportunity I have to make a similar impact on younger photographers on Daily staff and beyond. But this shouldn’t be a unique situation. By relentlessly amplifying our voices and sharing our perspectives, we can continue the transformative work forged by many talented female photographers before us.

Alyssa Mulligan

Senior Outreach Editor

I still remember my first time shooting a sporting event for The Daily. I was a nervous freshman surrounded by seasoned male photographers, feeling completely out of place. But everything shifted when I was later paired with another female staffer. After a few months being on staff, I realized that sports photography as a woman isn’t about fitting in; it’s about standing out. Over time, I’ve had the chance to speak with many female athletes, and a recurring theme has stuck with me: Many of them feel seen, comforted and even empowered when they spot a woman on the sidelines. Being part of a staff that’s more than 50% women, I’m constantly uplifted by the brilliance and boldness of those around me. Their work pushes me to grow, to create and to continue carving out space for stories that deserve to be told, through our eyes and on our terms.

Meleck Eldahshoury

Senior Statement Editor

Working at The Daily as a photojournalist, I’ve gained an incredible perspective on the goings-on of campus. This perspective grows specifically from the community of photographers who inspire me to continue to spend hours upon hours with my photographs because of the importance of documentation. As female photojournalists, it is imperative that we share our perspective, one that is scarce around the world. I’m lucky to work alongside such talented and motivated women who continue to encourage me to strive towards telling honest and captivating visual stories.

Bela Fischer

Assistant Photo Editor

Spending 15 years as a female athlete shaped so much of who I am today, so when my time playing volleyball and soccer ended, I wanted to continue to be a part of the game. Sports photography became my way to stay connected to that energy, just from a new angle. As I started photographing more sports for The Daily, it quickly became clear just how few women photographers were present on the sidelines and in the media rooms. This observation makes me even more proud to be able to be a female sports photographer. I’ve been able to learn so much from the amazing women on The Daily, and I’m so grateful that we are all able to be the representation for women at these events.

Bridgette Bol

Assistant Photo Editor

As a woman, it has been really intimidating to begin shooting sports. I hesitate to shoot sports that I may not know everything about. What if someone comes up to me and asks me to name the five greatest players of all time and I don’t have an answer? However, the women on The Daily photostaff have welcomed me with open arms. I feel so encouraged to take risks and step out of my comfort zone to try things that society has made me feel unqualified for. Being a woman in sports photography has taught me so much about the value of a supportive community. I look up to the other women on staff that have taught me everything I know about sports photography, and I am genuinely in awe at what they continue to accomplish.

Left: Meleck Eldahshoury/DAILY. Buy this photo., right: Grace Lahti/DAILY. Buy this photo.

Arushi Sanghi

Assistant Photo Editor

Being a woman in sports photography is both empowering and challenging. At The Daily, I work alongside an incredible community of female photographers, but when I step onto the sidelines of a game, I’m often one of the few women there. Sports photography isn’t just about capturing action — it’s about telling stories, and I’ve found that it is special to photograph female athletes who occupy such a large stage in college athletics. While I’ve had moments of feeling out of place, I’ve also experienced the deep camaraderie of women in sports media, and that drives me to keep pushing forward.

Ananya Kedia

Assistant Photo Editor

During my first two semesters at The Daily, I found myself exclusively photographing women’s sports. There was something powerful about the camaraderie among the athletes that deeply inspired me. Capturing that energy not only shaped me as a photographer but also sparked my desire to find a similar sense of community among the women photographers around me. The unwavering support I received from my fellow Daily photographers as well as the incredible women I met on the sidelines became just as meaningful as the moments I captured through my lens!

Lila Turner

Staff Photographer

Although sitting in on a Daily photo meeting would lead one to believe otherwise, photography is a male-dominated field. So for many of us, stepping into the weekly 3 p.m. meetings is a relief. Here, you’ll find a female-dominated staff that operates as a team — not dissimilar to the many sports teams we photograph on a constant basis. As a team, we support one another, cheer on each other’s wins and push each other to be the best that we can. Stepping onto the sidelines of a sport is scary for many reasons — for one, you may not be protected from balls and players alike (I know I am not the only one to have been hit by a basketball or had to frantically rush out of the way of a player). Often, the scariest, most intimidating moment is feeling unsure of your place and knowledge. After four years of photographing Michigan sports, I still find myself feeling out of place as a male photographer walks past me to push boundaries I’ve never felt comfortable crossing. I grew up playing sports and have always been aware of the gender imbalance that exists within them. To be a female photographer in sports means facing such gender imbalance head-on, both in your field and on the one you capture. The Daily photostaff is filled with women who carve out their space in sports and excel time and time again.

Sarah Boeke

Staff Photographer

Pasted on the wall of The Daily’s photo storage closet, a small article cutout features Daily photographer Sara Krulwich, the first female Daily photographer and the first female photographer to capture a football game from the sidelines of the Big House. Passing by this cutout is a weekly reminder of how uniquely lucky I am to be a member of The Daily — I learned to shoot football from incredible female photographers, watched our staff elect female Managing Photo Editors throughout all four of my years on staff and was supported by a majority-female staff. Our staff not only values passion, talent and a love for sports, but fosters an environment where those qualities are prioritized over gender. Because of The Daily, I see a place for myself in the sports industry where I once didn’t.

Left: Ava Farah/DAILY. Buy this photo, right: Meleck Eldahshoury/DAILY. Buy this photo.

Mahi Garg

Staff Photographer

In a world where technology presence is growing exponentially, misrepresentation in the media continues to fuel stereotypes and microaggressions every single day. Often this stems from lack of diversity in media staff, so to be a female photographer — especially in the field of sports — has been invaluable. Women’s sports, in particular, have been historically underrepresented, both in coverage and in the way female athletes are portrayed. Rather than being celebrated for strength, passion and skill, stories center around appearances and personal lives. The Daily has given me the opportunity to change this narrative, and I am proud to be a part of this movement alongside 21 incredibly talented female photographers.

Jenna Hickey

Staff Photographer

In high school, I saw glimpses of the gender disparity in sports photography. At games, referees asked me to move away from the baseline while the male photographer just feet away was never approached. That exclusion became more apparent when I started photographing football and basketball games at the University, surrounded by a room full of male photographers. However, if you walked into a Daily photo staff meeting, you would think photography was a female-dominated field. Every year, the majority of our staff has been made up of incredible women who have gone on to work for major organizations such as The Chicago Tribune, the MLB and the NBA. These women have inspired me with their work ethic, creativity and determination to challenge the status quo. In a space where I initially felt like an outsider, I’ve discovered a supportive community that celebrates each other’s achievements and pushes one another to grow. 

Madalyn Braun

Staff Photographer

Although I am new to photostaff, I have loved sharing my perspective of sports photography through the images I’ve captured. At The Daily, I have been very fortunate to be mentored by some amazing women. These talented women have helped me strengthen my skills to capture images of the phenomenal Michigan athletes.

Left: Emily Alberts/DAILY. Buy this photo, middle top: Sydney Hastings-Wilkins/DAILY. Buy this photo, middle bottom: Sydney Hastings-Wilkins/DAILY. Buy this photo, right: Jenna Hickey/DAILY. Buy this photo.

Soyeon Kim

Staff Photographer

Being part of The Daily photo staff has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my college experience. Covering sports has given me the chance to shoot high-energy games, travel for assignments and work under real-world deadlines. Balancing quick decision-making on the sidelines with post-game editing has sharpened both my technical and storytelling skills. The collaborative environment at The Daily pushes me to improve, as I receive constructive feedback from talented peers and editors. Overall, it’s been an incredible opportunity to grow as a photographer.

Sydney Hastings-Wilkins

Staff Photographer

I have always seen myself as a woman in sports — first, growing up as an athlete, and now as a photographer. Within women’s sports and our Daily section, I have found community, joy and growth that keeps me connected. But when you arrive at a game and every other professional photographer is a man, it instills a sense of discomfort. You become incredibly aware that this space was not set up for you. In contrast, The Daily has been a place where I have gotten to learn from incredible women, and hopefully, have gotten to make an impact on the younger women on staff. We build each other up and create a culture that resists the male domination in our field and strengthens the skills needed to become successful. I was hired and mentored and encouraged by talented women sports photographers, and knowing how rare that is, I feel extremely lucky. 

Ava Farah

Staff Photographer

Sports were a fundamental part of my high school experience, so when I started to take photography seriously, I knew that sports photography was a passion of mine. However, as I explored more, I was intimidated by the fact that photography, and sports photography specifically, is an industry dominated by men. But the women I work with at The Daily have shown me that sports photography is not only a space where a woman can exist, but a space where she can excel. I frequently look at my peers’ sports photography and am in awe of the talent and emotion they portray in each frame. Their work inspires me every day, and I can only dream that one day, I will be able to do the same for another young photographer, wondering if she can thrive in the field she loves.

Ruby Klawans

Staff Photographer

Growing up, I was obsessed with basketball. I knew I was not good enough to make it far as an athlete, but I had a real love for the game. I lost that connection with sports in general until I joined The Daily two years ago. Reconnecting with basketball through my camera lens has been an incredible opportunity. I feel as though I rediscovered my younger self by photographing sports. I owe The Daily and the incredible women photographers around me so much for reigniting this spark in me.

Left: Alyssa Mulligan/DAILY. Buy this photo, right top: Ava Farah/DAILY. Buy this photo, right bottom: Alyssa Mulligan/DAILY. Buy this photo.

Ellie Vice

Staff Photographer

Walking into a sporting event is daunting, and I always feel a little bit nervous and on-edge. But in my time as a photographer for The Daily, I have come to learn how to mediate that anxiety. It has become a point of pride to see how these spaces have become familiar, and that my position as a woman is so important. The world of sports should be the same for women in sports photography as it is for men, and it is important to find such equity in courts, fields and similar spaces. My female peers’ work is astounding, and it is a privilege to get to work beside them.

Riley Nieboer

Staff Photographer

I am incredibly grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to work beside some amazing women in sports photography over the past three years. Being able to learn and grow beside my colleagues has been a unique and rewarding experience, one that I will cherish beyond my college years. In our work, we have the ability to showcase the strength, resilience and power of women athletes. It’s a beautiful thing. 

As Women’s Month draws to a close, it is so important to continue to empower women to showcase their creative perspectives in sports. Getting into the media room is one thing, continuing to create spaces where women can grow and support each other is another. Each and every one of us has our own unique stories to tell — and our own modes of telling them. Getting the opportunity to continue sharing our stories is key to bringing the change we wish to see.

Senior Multimedia Editor Grace Lahti can be reached at glahti@umich.edu. 

Senior Sports Editor Emily Alberts can be reached at ealbs@umich.edu

The Michigan Daily Photostaff can be reached at photo@michigandaily.com.

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