Featured: Cowlitz Indian Tribe Celebrates USATF All-American Catherine Harju

Stadium High School sophomore and USATF All-American Catherine Harju.

It is always a privilege to capture athletes in their element, but it is a distinct honor when those images are used to celebrate heritage and community achievement.

Recently, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe featured my work in a post celebrating Tribal member and Stadium High School sophomore, Catherine Harju, following her stellar 2025 Cross Country season.

A Season of Grit

The official announcement on the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Facebook page, recognizing Catherine Harju’s All-American season and crediting Russell Moore Photography.

The photo featured by the Tribe (shown above) was captured during the WIAA State Championships in Pasco, WA—a race known for its competitive intensity. Catherine didn't just stop there; she went on to achieve a personal 5k best of 19:29 at the NXR Northwest Regional Championships in Spokane just a week later.

Her season culminated in true cross-country fashion: battling near-blizzard conditions in Shelbyville, Indiana, to earn USATF All-American honors at the Junior Olympics.

Capturing the Moment

When I’m on the course, I’m looking for that split-second of absolute focus. The image selected by the Tribe captures Catherine mid-stride at the State meet, eyes locked forward, bathed in that sharp autumn light we get in Eastern Washington.

A huge thank you to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe for crediting Russell Moore Photography in their announcement. It is incredibly rewarding to see my work play a small part in recognizing such a talented young athlete and her connection to her community.

Congratulations to Catherine, her mother Shawn, her father Danial, and the Harju family on an incredible season.

/// ARCHIVE LINK: PORTRAIT SESSION

While this post celebrates her grit on the course, we recently slowed things down to capture her personal brand at Stadium High School.

[ VIEW FULL SESSION ]