Media Day with the Darby Girls Basketball team was one of those shoots that reminds me exactly why I love what I do.

From the second we stepped into the gym, the energy was there. Music playing, girls hyping each other up, sneakers squeaking on the court, it felt less like a photoshoot and more like a team celebration. And honestly, that’s when the best images happen.

We started with the group shots, bringing the whole team together. These are always such an important part of media day. It’s not just about lining everyone up and snapping a photo. It’s about capturing the identity of the team their unity, their confidence, and that shared mindset going into the season. You could feel how connected they are, and it showed in every frame.

Then we moved into individual shots, and this is where things got really fun.

We set up a full lighting setup right there in the gym and leaned into a more creative direction. Think bold lighting, dramatic shadows, and adding smoke for that extra edge. These shots had so much personality. Each player got their moment to step in, own their space, and show off who they are on and off the court.

This is the kind of stuff I love most – giving athletes images that feel powerful, not just posed. Photos that look like them.

We wrapped things up with classic headshots to round out their media package. Clean, polished, and perfect for rosters, graphics, and anything the team needs throughout the season. It’s that balance of creative and practical that makes a media day really work.

But beyond the photos, what stood out most was how much fun everyone had. Teammates cheering each other on, laughing between takes, fully buying into the process. That kind of energy changes everything. It brings the photos to life in a way you just can’t fake.

This is exactly what strong visuals are about. Not just capturing what something looks like, but how it feels to be there.

And if this is how they show up on media day… I already know this season is going to be something special.