Olympia Community Headshots : Meet Catherine
There’s a quiet determination you see in elite athletes—a powerful mix of passion and discipline. That’s the first thing I noticed about Catherine, a sophomore distance runner whose talents have already taken her from Stadium High School's track to the national stage. For this month's Olympia Community Headshots initiative, I had the privilege of capturing the person behind the impressive stats: a focused, rising star in our community.
The Story: Capturing an Athlete's Brand
As a high-level athlete, Catherine's image is a key part of her journey. Professional photos are crucial for everything from recruitment profiles and athletic websites to social media and potential sponsorships. Our goal for this session was to create a portfolio of images that captured not just her strength and determination as a runner, but also her unique personality off the track. These photos are a tool to help her build her personal brand as she moves forward in her impressive athletic career.
The Session: A Foggy Morning at a Famous High School
The Pacific Northwest set the perfect scene for our shoot: a foggy, overcast morning on the iconic grounds of Stadium High School. After a trek down the hill with my gear, I was warmed up and ready to meet Catherine, her mother, and her coach.
We started the session with a relaxed chat to get to know each other better. My first few shots are always about easing into the process—a chance for the person to get comfortable in front of the camera and for me to see the environment through my lens.
Catherine standing in front of the aging seats at Stadium High School’s famous bowl. I used two Alien Bees B1600 Strobes, one with a beauty dish and the other using a reflector and reduced power.
As we discussed the stunning campus, our conversation flowed easily from the upcoming cross country season to the start of the school year. It was incredible to get to hear some of the lore from Catherine, who pointed out the exact spots where scenes from the classic movie 10 Things I Hate About You were filmed. What really made the session special was Catherine's own creative vision. She came with a few photo ideas, and collaborating to bring them to life resulted in some of my absolute favorite shots of the day.
The Showcase: The Final Photos
The Impact: A Word from Catherine
Here’s what Catherine had to say about her experience:
“Russell is an amazing photographer and I feel so grateful that he captures my sport. I booked a photoshoot with him to take pictures of me at my school, Stadium High School. He was very easy to talk to and explain what I wanted and he helped me feel more natural when taking photos when I typically struggle to take photos. He told me exactly how to pose and position. I was so happy with the results and would totally do another shoot with Russell.” -Catherine
It was an honor to work with a young athlete as dedicated and kind as Catherine, and I can't wait to cheer her on this season and beyond!
If you or someone you know is a member of the BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ communities in Olympia and could benefit from a professional headshot, you can learn more about the Olympia Community Headshots initiative here. Please join me in wishing Catherine the best of luck in the comments below!
