Student Photographers Capture Holton’s Athletic Story

 

Holton students are making an impact on the field and from the sidelines. Through Holton’s photography program, students have had the opportunity to capture defining moments across our fields, courts, pool, and track, wherever Holton athletes compete, all the while building technical skills, confidence, and community connections.

For Upper School photography teacher Kristian Whipple, sports photography gives students a chance to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting. “A successful sports photographer needs to understand composition, lighting, and exposure, plus a host of skills that are unique to sports,” Whipple said. “Students have to anticipate where the action will happen and time it perfectly—all while adapting to changing conditions.”

The work isn’t always easy. “It is fast-paced, and you have more misses than makes,” Whipple said. “That helps reinforce perseverance.”

Beyond students in photography classes, Holton also opened the opportunity to other students interested in learning by providing access to cameras and rental lenses during games.

For Dorothy A. ’28, who photographed track, the experience changed how she sees photography. “In sports photography nobody poses for you,” she said. “The best photos aren’t always perfectly lit or staged—they capture raw, honest moments that can’t be replicated.”

She now sees each image as part of a larger story. “A photo of a runner crossing the finish line isn’t just about the race. It’s the climax of weeks or months of training.”

For Corinne E. ’29, photographing softball offered a new way to support classmates. “Photographing Holton games was a great experience because it allowed me to support my peers while capturing their effort throughout the game,” she said.

Barrett P. ’27, who photographed lacrosse, softball, and basketball, said being on the sidelines made her feel even more connected to her peers. “The most exciting part of photographing sports is cheering on my friends while capturing moments that go by so fast in real time,” she said.
One of her favorite memories came during Holton’s varsity basketball ISL semifinal win. “Holton won, and I got a really cool shot of everyone jumping and celebrating.”

Whipple says those moments reflect something bigger than photography. “It builds confidence, a sense of accomplishment, and a sense of place in the world,” he said. “It also creates relationships among students who might not otherwise interact.”

At Holton, meaningful learning happens not just in classrooms. Through sports photography, students are developing creative skills while helping tell the story of their community.