HOW TO GET STARTED IN DISC GOLF PHOTOGRAPHY
This is the most asked question people ask me about photography. “How do I get started in disc golf photography?” The simplest way I can answer this is, you just have to do it.
I don’t even know if I’m the right person to ask. Because honestly I have spent majority of my career in disc golf photography not getting paid for it (or appropriately being paid), more recently these last few years that has changed. But it is modest and does not compare to what a commercial photographer would be making.
There is nothing glamorous about this job.
You have to REALLY want to do it.
What has worked for me is my roots with the sport. I have stuck with disc golf since I started playing in 2004. There has not been a day since then since I have not thought about disc golf.
Photography has been with me my entire life, my first word was light! The two concepts paird together really well.
Not to mention, I also love pushing the limits and what it means to be human. I love the heat and freezing cold. I love watching people bear these elements and helping them get through with a positive mental attitude. I also really love watching their journeys through life and the sport.
When I photographed the pro disc golf scene (more than I do now), it was different than what you see today. This was around 2009-2016 the crowds were smaller and the pros were more personable. Not to say that they aren’t personable today, because they are.
It was just a different vibe and for me that was exciting because you really didn’t see too much media on the course, if at all. I knew I was covering something special, and I was going against the grain. I had friends and family telling me to stop doing what I was doing because ‘there’s nothing in it for you.’ Some family and friends were supportive, but it was really the disc golf community that kept encouraging me.
Looking back now…
I’m glad I didn’t stop for a moment of it.
Media wise, to me, I often think people think of photography last. That’s just the way it is. Photography is last, and video is now. Maybe I should have done video over the years, but I was always focused on singular moments. At first I focused on action, until I grew out of that and realized that I was really documenting a culture, a tribe and the candid genuine moments were really where it was at.
The moments that I have captured over the years strike people differently now with the passing of time. They say you were there when… and it was the best time in their life. Or they were struggling with mental health and seeing a photograph of themselves outside doing something they enjoyed would help get them through. I’ve also seen their children grown up, and documented their progression in disc golf.
The thing is, photography really gets better in time.
Having moments that are 10+ years old now to look back on. That’s the heart of what I’m doing here. Because it hits you different.
I also document locations. I have gone back to the same locations, to photograph it in different seasons, or over the years.
I think if I didn’t have this reference with time, space and the human element, I wouldn’t see my mission as a photographer as clearly.
To answer the question:
how do you get started in disc golf photography?
Start by doing it.
You don’t have to be perfect.
Learn and own your craft. Understand it well.
Make a portfolio. It can be in whatever form you want.
Make connections. Ask local tournament directors or events if they need help… and when they don’t answer just show up because you want to (that’s what I did for many, many years, and I still do that now).
I don’t recommend showing up to a major or Disc Golf Pro Tour (“DGPT”) event because there are policies in place and they no longer allow for spectators to carry DSLR cameras with a detachable lens. You need to investigate where you are going, what you are doing, and contact people beforehand. The policies for DGPT and PDGA can be found on their websites.
At majors and DGPT events. You can still show up and ask media people on the spot. I don’t advise doing this during the final rounds or final day coverage. But there are finite moments during events to meet and talk to people. Just introduce yourself and give them your card.
There is so much that you can do locally. You can also reach out to brands to see if there is anything they are looking for.
Be creative in your pursuit. Whether it is capturing moments or talking to people.
There are many different ways you can make money at this. Events may hire you, you can sell prints and merchandise, start a Patreon account, try out YouTube, sell individual photo sessions, work with brands and so much more. It really is up to you.
Don’t be afraid to try and fail. Or try and succeed! I think so often we just get stuck with the idea of starting something new and it is mentally paralyzing. The idea of what you think you want to do versus how and what actually happens is often very different from what you perceive.
I hope this helps! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. But don’t ever forget… JUST GET OUT THERE AND DO IT!
The Progression of Connections
Avery Jenkins’ winning putt at the 2009 World Championships
In 2009 I played advanced amature women at the world championships. I played so poorly and missed the cut to get to the semifinals. I was actually happy I missed the cut because it gave me more time to take pictures. This is when I realized I really wanted to do media more and I captured Avery Jenkins’ winning putt in the sudden death playoff against Josh Anthon. This was my first published photograph in DiscGolfer Magazine.
Eric McCabe 2010 World Championships
The 2010 World Championships were so close to home at Lemon Lake County Park in Crown Point, Indiana. I went out on my own to photograph this event (at this time there was no media policy in place for spectators, you could bring a DSLR camera). Some of my photographs from this event were published in DiscGolfer Magazine. This is where I met John Duesler from DiscGolfPlanetTV. He hired me to photograph the upcoming President’s Cup in Rock Hill, South Carolina and the Memorial Championship in Phoenix, Arizona.
Nikko Locastro 2014 Ledgestone Insurance Open
In 2011 the first Ledgestone Insurance Open took place. Before that the big event in that area was the Greater Peoria Open. I played Ledgestone in 2011 and won FPO (there were 2 of us). Since then I have been apart of Ledgestone, mostly photographing the event every year (except one).
Cale Leviska at the 2012 Vibram Open
In 2012, I cold-called Steve Dodge who was the tournament director for the Maple Hill/Vibram Open. I knew about this tournament from word of mouth (and I owned all the Maple Hill Open dvds). I was dead set on getting out here one day and I couldn’t believe Steve accepted my pitch!
When Steve wanted to start the Disc Golf Pro Tour he called me and asked if I wanted to be their tour photographer. It was very modest at the time and I obliged to cover 4 of their 5 touring events that starting year in 2016.
Sean Callahan, Steve Matul,
and Steve Olsen
at The Canyons Grand Opening
Local to me, The Canyons had its grand opening on September 20, 2014 in Lockport, IL. I photographed the grand opening because I just thought it would be a fun thing to do. I have always loved supporting local events whenever I can.
Dellwood Disc Golf
Sean Callahan, The Canyons course designer, opened Dellwood Disc Golf on April 1, 2015. It was a modest shop then and has since expanded a few times (to what you see here). I photographed the grand opening of their pro shop, and forgot about it. It showed up in my Facebook memories one day and it dawned on me that I had been documenting them since day one!
Dellwood has grown exponentially as disc golf has grown and it has been so much fun to experience that with them. The thing about Dellwood is everything they do is an experience. It is a way for people to challenge themselves, escape from the everyday, or to just enjoy the outdoors. It is a place that many consider home.
Dellwood Disc Golf Presents The Dellys
Ryan Fancher, Terry Miller, Twan,
Sheila and Sean Callahan,
Leo Borowski and Thor Batchelor.
When I look back at all of this. Traveling, going ‘on tour’ while working my full-time 9-5 job in Chicago as a Communications Coordinator (for the last 20 years), I find that the place I love most is where I started. Locally in Chicagoland, working with Dellwood Disc Golf and helping them with their website and media, and inspiring people to get out there and do what you love.
The focus doesn’t always need to be where you are headed, it should be what you enjoy.
