Article and photography by Chris Swann
Before working at NCAA Photos, I had never set up a catwalk remote before. I had only made a handful of portraits, and I had never worked in a high-pressure environment as big as a Final Four.
It was a whole new world setting foot in Denver. I covered some of the biggest events and moments that sports has to offer. Accomplishing the many demands of this job forced me out of my comfort zone, requiring high attention to detail, a strong work ethic, and, most importantly, confidence.
In this world, confidence is everything. It dictates how you push through high-pressure situations, how you respond to setbacks, and how you handle trying new things.
From capturing moments like LeBron James' record-breaking field goal to become the NBA all-time leading scorer, I learned how to push through the anxiety and clear out the noise to focus on capturing the important moments where missing is not an option. Moments like this gave me the confidence to move forward, knowing I was capable of such a task, and served as a defining moment early in my internship that would help define the rest of my experience at NCAA Photos.
When March came around, it was time for travel season to begin. Traveling weekly, often solo, is something I had never done before. Booking flights, checking overweight bags, and navigating through busy train stations and terminals can be overwhelming. My Think Tank Airport International V3.0 roller gave me peace of mind and allowed me to focus on what was in front of me.
Before NCAA Photos, I had never set up a remote other than one on the floor. Coming in, I knew I wanted to learn more about setting remotes in new places such as catwalks, backboards, or other interesting places. Through working events for Denver University, the Mountain West Basketball Championship, and March Madness, I had many opportunities to watch, assist, and set up remote cameras in all kinds of places.
All of that experience culminated in accomplishing one of the more laborious remote setups in the discus cage at the NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Track and field remotes can be tricky due to the strict time constraints of the events. Sometimes you only have minutes to set a remote before warmups begin. That was why my Think Tank Credential Holder was vital for staying on top of schedules and times for mounting remotes and keeping track of each day.
Aside from the time restrictions, the logistics of such a remote are heavy (literally).
Requiring a hefty 16-foot ladder, I got over the uneasiness behind setting high remotes early on, but still had the jitters standing atop the cage, unsupported, with the wind howling around me. Luckily, everything was set, focused, tightened, strapped, and secured with plenty of time to spare before the competition.
Moments like these remind me why it's important to step out of my comfort zone. I would not have been able to achieve something like this six months ago.
Walking out of this internship, I know that I am a stronger shooter with a much more diverse skillset than when I walked in. I was scared to take chances and bet on myself. Now I'm more confident in myself as a photographer than I've ever been. Opportunities like these don't come often, and I'm proud of the work I've made and the person I've become.
About the Author
Chris Swann
Chris Swann is a sports photographer who got his start photographing athletics at Texas A&M. As an NCAA Photos intern, he photographed championship events across basketball, gymnastics, track and field, and more. His work captures both the action and the moments that unfold around the competition.
Some great shots!