X Games 2024
This summer, I had the opportunity to photograph the X Games in Ventura, California. Thanks to some connections in the skate industry, I was able to snag a media pass, which allowed me to get much closer than the general public.
With my years photographing skateboarding for a living, I've shot many skate contests. This, however, was the first women's contest I've ever photographed, and I loved every minute of it. These women absolutely shred; they have rad style from the way they skate to the way they dress, and to top it all off, they are the sweetest and most supportive group. I had never seen so many hugs and cheers from fellow competitors.
When I was shooting contests for work, I needed to frame the shots to provide context for what the skateboarder was doing. Now that I’m no longer in the industry, I have the freedom to frame shots however I want. These types of compositions were often looked down upon in the industry, referred to as "Newspaper Shots," meant to refer to a photographer who doesn't understand skateboarding. But honestly, I loved shooting this way. These women had so many personalized touches—like their nails, clothing, and makeup—that only close-up shots could truly capture.
I would go back and photograph this every single day! I loved every second of it. I am so stoked women have become such a big part of skateboarding now. They absolutely deserve it!
