Spotlight on Jessie Wardarski

TID:

 

I love the access of high school sports, and the ability to get closer to those participating in them. Can you talk about the culture of coverage in Tulsa, and how you approach not just games like this, but high school sports in general?

 

JESSIE:

 

I’m right there with you Ross. The access you have with high school sports specifically lends itself to great story telling, and intimate photos, which of course is ideal for this job and what we’re trying to accomplish. It really allows you to capture those vulnerable, emotional, raw moments that are so often guarded in both college and professional sports. I’m not a sports photographer by any means, and it’s not something I'm always comfortable doing, but I love shooting high school sports for this very reason. The pictures before and after the game and the candid features on the sidelines or in the locker rooms. And in and around Tulsa, you really get a range of passions. Sports, especially high school, are huge for most communities here.

 

There are certain sports in Tulsa that we cover more heavily: football, basketball and baseball. So, sports like soccer we really only cover during playoffs or state tournaments. So this was actually my first interaction with these teams all season. We of course try to give equal coverage, but a lot of the time there are certain schools or certain sports that just attract a larger audience, which drives traffic and drives some of our main coverage. But, no matter the sport, I try to go into most high school athletic situations the same. Knowing that, yes, action is important (if I could I’d go to games just to shoot features), but I need to be watching and waiting for those moments of high impact or high emotion as well.

TID:

 

Does shooting sports help you in other aspects of your daily photography (in terms of anticipation, predictive behavior, etc.?) In other words, what about shooting sports translates to other assignments?

 

JESSIE:

 

This is a great question, and I don’t think I’ve ever really thought about it before. I would say it has helped give me the confidence to get up close and personal with people. I use to be really timid about even standing next to players on the sidelines, didn’t want to be a distraction them during the game, but that’s something I’ve really learned to get over on and off the field. You’re there to capture the moment, to document the people and the place, no matter what you’re covering. And you’re not going to get the shot if you’re timid, or worried about what other people are thinking of you, and the fact that you’re standing next to them with a camera. They’ll get over it and so will you.

 

In terms of anticipation and predicting behavior, it has helped in that you learn to read people, read their faces. You can start to sense, or anticipate, when somebody might embrace another person, or may start crying. It teaches you to know what lens you need to have in your hand at the right moment. But, I think overall, it really helps and teaches you to stay observant and on your toes as a photographer in general. So I’d say that, yes, sports definitely trains you to have these quick observant qualities and, yes, it translates into almost every realm of photography.

 

TID:

 

What have you learned about yourself in covering sports on this level?

 

JESSIE:

 

I’ve definitely learned a lot. But I think the biggest thing is that I get swept up in a moment and in emotion. I’ve learned how to manage myself in those emotional situations. I’ve often felt like I was out there celebrating with the team, but you have to stay objective and focused in order to see the whole situation and catch the whole moment. I’ve also learned that I’m a photographer who likes to blend in, and with that I didn’t talk a whole lot, which is good and bad. But with sports, I learned I need to be able to be both bold and quiet. In a lot of situations, you need to ask questions to get the access that allow you to get the shots you want. If you don’t ask you won’t know, obviously.

 

So, something as simple as asking a coach before the game if you can come in the locker room at halftime, or if you can get on the roof of the press box to get an overall shot, or "hey coach can I ride the bus with your team to the game to really get the feel of the team," etc.

 

 

TID:

 

What have you learned about others (coaches, parents, participants, etc.)?

 

JESSIE:

 

I’ve learned that all coaches are different. All players react different. PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT. And with that you have to be able to take anticipate any sort of response. For instance, some coaches are okay with you being between their players on the sidelines during a game. Some will yell at you probably in hopes of you getting kicked off the field. You have to be able to take that response though and know they are in the moment and in the sport. Coaches are a lot like parents, protective, encouraging and they just want what’s best for their players and students. So again I’ve learned you just have to get their early and ask and respect what they have to say. But also that you have to do your job and sometimes that might mean making somebody mad.

 

Last spring, I was covering a local baseball team in the playoffs. They lost and so it was my job to shoot that, to cover the loss and document the team. I really hated shooting players crying and it makes me uncomfortable to have to do that when I know what they’re feeling, we all do. A player looked up at me and asked if I really needed to shoot a picture of him crying. In my head I said no and I wish I wasn’t, but out loud I knew it was my job and that’s all I said.