The Westlake varsity football team huddled together on the Legacy Stadium field following the State Semifinal game. Westlake had just upset North Shore, who had ended Westlake’s season the previous two years. Head coach Tony Salazar hoisted the trophy in the air and screamed at his players, “It’s a helluva day to be a Chaparral!” Spit and sweat filled the air, and the team went nuts. I was in the middle of it, capturing the moment.

Ever since I was little, I’ve enjoyed creating. In elementary school I made small books by folding and stapling paper into pages that I filled with words and drawings. In middle school I started a gaming channel on YouTube, and in my freshman year of high school I learned graphic design on Photoshop in a digital art class. Then, in my sophomore year, I found a new passion in a photojournalism class.

In that spring semester, I photographed a baseball game. I was hooked. Something about capturing a split-second moment that contained so much action and so many emotions was incredibly addictive. I loved every part of photography. I mastered manual mode on my camera to ensure I got the results I wanted, I created presets on Lightroom to fine tune my editing process, and I even began teaching myself videography. I started spending my free time taking photos, attending multiple games a week and then editing my images. And while sports photography is my passion, I’ve come to appreciate all of it. From science experiments to dance performances to spike ball tournaments to portraits, I enjoy documenting all aspects of student life.

Photography has taken me everywhere: from the field at AT&T Stadium for the football State Championship to the Moody Center floor for graduation. My role as a photojournalist on the yearbook staff is to document our experience as Westlake High School students. I am able to take my school and community where they can’t go: on the sidelines, behind the scenes and up close. The photos I’m taking will become a part of our history.

Taking pictures taught me the importance of being outgoing. I’ve mentored newer photographers on our staff, teaching them about their equipment and camera settings as well as providing on-field advice about positioning and lighting. I’ve made countless new friends and connections through photography.

Photography has been a huge part of my high school experience. I don’t mind the long drives out to the middle of nowhere to capture a game, simply because of how much I love being on the sidelines with a camera in my hands. Photography has enabled me to impact my school community, creating many friends and connections along the way. The lessons and experiences photography has given me have shaped me as a person. There’s nothing like seeing your photo taking up a full spread on the yearbook and walking through the crowded Commons while friends and classmates excitedly flip through their books. Seeing a whole year’s worth of work culminating into a tangible product is incredibly rewarding, and it makes all the late nights worth it.

I took this photo after Westlake took down North Shore in the football State Semifinals. I had taken an ACT that morning, after which I jumped straight into the car to make the 2+ hour drive to Katy, TX. With the radio on in the background, I could hear Westlake jump out to an early lead. I was surprised because North Shore had ended Westlake’s season the past two years. I arrived at halftime, and the first offensive play of the second half was a touchdown pass for Westlake. The crowd erupted. It was an environment unlike anything I’d seen. After the game, emotions were high, and the whole team huddled together. Head coach Tony Salazar screamed a speech over the noise from the stands, after which he raised the trophy in the air and everyone sprinted towards him. I zoomed all the way out with my 24-70 millimeter lens and held down the shutter.

The strength in this image is the emotion. Though technically strong, I love that every time I look at it I see something new. It still has a strong center of visual interest, with head coach Tony Salazar as the focal point. All of the players are looking at him, and that’s the first thing I see.

I took this photo in the volleyball State Quarterfinals, where Westlake faced Buda Johnson. Over the fall semester I enjoyed photographing volleyball more and more. The stands were packed, and after every point the fans went crazy. I had moved right next to the net to get a good reaction shot, and instead got this image of Malaysia Brady, the Chap hitter, seemingly floating in mid-air.

The key to this image is the frozen action and shallow depth of field. The crowd is soft enough that the players stand out, and I captured peak action as Brady is about to spike the ball.

Our yearbook staff included a spring supplement in our book. The annual dance show, Zenith, was on our deadline. After reaching out to the dance director and explaining that we wanted to include it, she agreed to let us come to the family-only dress rehearsal. Because it was a rehearsal, and I was the only one taking photos, I had the freedom to move around and take photos from the front of the stage. I ended up settling down in the front row, where I was able to capture this image mid-song. Taking pictures of dance was new for me, and I worked through challenges of extremely low lighting, fast action and lots of subjects.

Taking photos of so many subjects was challenging, but I saw this moment where the lead dancer was isolated. It made for a strong image, and my settings allowed for a strong image. I kept my aperture on 2.8, the lowest available, and adjusted ISO accordingly.

This year, I applied for and received a credential for the Texas Relays. It was only my second time shooting track and first time shooting pole vaulting. There were only two Westlake athletes  in the meet, and one was competing in pole vaulting, so I had to learn quickly. After watching the other athletes compete, I decided the best spot to be was on the other side from where she launched. One thing I always do is focus on getting the subject’s face in my images, and this was the best place to do so. I turned on ‘silent shutter mode’ to max out my frame rate and ensure I got a good photo, and then I started shooting. 

I could tell that the sky was going to be blown out, so I decided to go with it. I shot straight up, making sure to include her face. I love how she looks so calm in such an intense physical activity. I also included context with the measuring pole and her equipment.

I took this image in the volleyball State Semifinals, where Westlake matched up against Fulshear. After making the hour-and-a-half drive out to Texas Lutheran University, I arrived at the gym and a tense atmosphere. One thing I love about volleyball is the reactions, which are unlike any other sport. After every point they huddle up and cheer, and as the playoffs went on this intensified. This was Westlake’s first State Semifinal appearance in 15 years. I kept moving around before settling on our side of the net, and while I hoped to simply get a good reaction shot and a couple clean action shots, I ended up getting both in the same frame. 

The composition and emotion make this photo. Including action and reaction in the same image is rare, but it suited this game. I also love the repetition of their teammates in the background, slightly soft and all on their feet.