Intramural soccer at the University of Denver is an essential part of many student’s college experiences. It provides an opportunity to unwind every Sunday with the sport they love most.
This shared love of competition and the beautiful game is what brings players together. My photos look to capture this bond. I wanted to show the sidelines, where the faces of the game truly shine.
I wanted to show the emotions that IM soccer brings, as well as the relationships that are built through it. To do so, I added two interviews from players that dive into the bond with their team as well as the game itself.
In this audio slideshow, I photographed and filmed Landice Mullins, a freshman figure skater for DU Figure Skating. Mullins is a freshman, high level figure skater who consistently trains and competes both collegiately and in the National Qualifying Series (NQS). In this slideshow, I put together a mix of photographs and videos with the goal of portraying her skating and story as a figure skater. I captured 14 photos and videos of Mullins on the ice and two images of where DU Figure Skating trains in the Ritchie Center. When editing this slideshow, I tried to organize my content in a way that told a story. I organized the clips starting with Mullins’ warmup and gradually led into her more complicated skills. I did this with the intention of the audience feeling like they were at a practice with her. I tried to break up the videos by element, separating the spins from the jumps, in order to showcase the range in Mullins’ skating. Additionally, I tried to incorporate videos and photos evenly to increase engagement.
I am showing the behind-the-scenes of my boss, who is the Assistant Director of Communications and Digital Media for women’s golf, men’s golf, volleyball, women’s basketball, and women’s lacrosse. I asked her questions about her favorite part of her job, her favorite behind-the-scenes moments, and what it is like to witness the bonds between athletes and coaches. The main theme of the video is to show the relationships that occur behind the scenes. Most people only see the games, performances, or final results, but they do not get to witness the emotional moments, trust, humor, and connections that are constantly happening off camera. These athletes and coaches spend almost every hour of the day together, so the relationships they build become extremely meaningful. Showcasing those quieter moments is one of my favorite parts of working in athletics media, which is why I wanted this slideshow to focus on that perspective rather than just competition itself.
All of the videos and pictures I used were content I captured while working as a social media assistant, so I already had a strong archive of authentic moments to work with. I chose the clips and photos that felt the most personal and emotionally genuine because I wanted the audience to feel like they were getting access to moments they normally would not see. I also intentionally organized the slideshow in a way that created a gradual emotional progression. I originally had a much faster opening sequence, but after feedback from my partner, I realized the story needed more time to build. I slowed down the beginning so the audience could settle into the story before the more emotional and energetic moments appeared later in the slideshow. This helped create a more linear story arc and made the narration feel more connected to the visuals.
My photo gallery highlights a staple of recreation at DU for many students: Havard Gulch Park. It is home to the iconic nine hole, par three, Havard Gulch Golf Course. I tried to capture the essence of a round there by showing a top tier recreational golfer, sophomore John David O’Hara, in his element. The viewer can see O’Hara experience a range of emotions found only in the game of golf and only at a course like the Gulch. His focus on the greens, his planning on the tee box, the intensity of his swing, his tenacity to get up the fairway, the joy on his face after sticking it to five feet and his calmness on the bench in between holes; this gallery has it all.
For this gallery, I aimed to capture life as a student athlete at the University of Denver during the National Intercollegiate Final. As a figure skater representing DU, I experienced the highs and lows of competition. Whether it be having fun on the ice, stressing before I compete, or rushing to do school work, there are many aspects of life student athletes have to balance. Last weekend (April 10th-12th), I took photographs of my teammates, the competition, and my overall experience of the weekend. I captured these images on my Iphone and film camera with the hopes of expressing the value of collegiate sports.
Rebecca German showing off her Denver pride before closing ceremonies.
University of South Florida posing for a selfie before closing ceremonies.
DUFSC’s seniors (Gillian Bush, Veronica Mayrose, Caitlin Chupa, and Ayden Smith) taking the ice to be honored for opening ceremonies.
Kylie Fenske presenting her element for team maneuvers.
Preparing for media day.
Skates on and waiting for awards.
The locker room door in Salt Lake City.
Freshman (Landice Mullins, Emily Brown, and Lucy Angarola) posing with the team flag for their fist nationals.
Kylie Fenske practicing a camel spin during team practice ice.
Working on homework during the competition.
University of Delaware’s team spirit.
The bumpy flight to Salt Lake City.
Landice Mullins wearing her two national gold medals.
A juvenile short program competitor.
My Top Photo Picks
Photo 1:
I chose this photo because it captures the overall excitement of the weekend. In this photo, my teammate Rebecca German is preparing the enter closing ceremonies. Before German got on the ice, I took this shot of her in the team jacket. I love this image because German fills the frame of the image and you can feel her joy and excitement through the image. When taking this image, I tried to make sure the Denver logo on the jacket was eye-catching, and I believe I succeeded. I particularly like the color contrasts of the white jacket and the red logo with the blurred background, as this makes the red logo pop and catches audience attention. In the future, I will aim to capture posed pictures similarly to how I captured this image.
Photo 2:
This photograph is special because it wasn’t planned. We we’re standing next to University of South Florida’s team and I noticed them taking a selfie, and I thought it was a good moment to capture. I really like the photo because it expresses their team spirit and togetherness very naturally. From a technical stance, this is also one of my favorite pictures because the team really fills the frame of the image. Additionally, although the picture has a bit of a busy background, you can still easily tell which team is South Florida’s, due to their togetherness. I ended up sending this image to the team on instagram and they loved it! In the future I will try to capture more candid moments such as this one.
Photo 3:
Lastly, this third photograph was one of my favorite pictures from the whole weekend. This image is of the senior pioneers as they enter opening ceremonies, and it truly captures the nerves, excitement, and sentimentality of the first day of their last nationals. I particularly love this picture because it captures their entrance with them standing in the lines of the rule of thirds. Additionally, I really like that you can see the motion of their skating through their hair and dresses. Overall, I love the candid joy this image captures. In the future, I will try to incorporate these features into my motion shots.
For my photo gallery I chose to do pictures from this past weekend when DU won the National Championship. Although I was neither at the game or a player on the ice, I had my own unique experience watching the game with my friends at a local college bar. I also was able to capture the celebration and the aftermath of the win as students flooded the streets, celebrating a moment that felt bigger than just a game. Through my photos, I want to capture not only the excitement and energy of that night, but also what it means to experience a major campus moment as part of a community. Even without being at the arena, the sense of school spirit, connection, and collective celebration was undeniable, and that shared experience is what I hope to communicate through this gallery.
On our way to watch the game. Watching the gamePost win The remains.. On our way home Kissing the ring
This photo gallery highlights the behind-the-scenes work that supports DU hockey, especially the role of the equipment staff. From preparing gear for the Frozen Four to setting up and cleaning the locker room, these images show what happens off the ice. While most people only see the games, the preparation, organization, and daily routines are what make performance possible. These photos capture the standard that defines Denver hockey.
DU captures 11th National ChampionshipTrophy on ice in Magness ArenaTrophy on Bench Trophy in stalls with jerseyWhite jerseys DU wore when capturing their 11th National TitleLocker room prepped before the National Championship GameStick rack leaving for VegasDU locker room after claiming 11th National TitleStick rack returning from VegasLocker Room with jerseys hanging before National Championship GameLocker room before the National Semifinal vs MichiganLocker Room ahead of National Semifinal Game vs Michigan
Three Favorite Photos
Photo 1 – Trophy on ice
I chose this photo because it captures the season’s end result, taken in a quiet moment during the celebration with the DU community, as all the fans waited for autographs and their own picture with it. The close shot helps isolate the trophy and draw attention to it. I used a low angle to make the trophy stand out as the subject, making it feel more important and central in the frame. In the future, I will continue using depth of field and angles to emphasize key subjects and moments.
Photo 2 – Locker room setup
This photo is strong because of its symmetry and the leading lines created by the lockers and benches. It naturally guides the viewer’s eye across the image, showing organization and structure. I focused on framing and balance to create a clean, professional look, with the jerseys hanging nicely in their stalls, as well. Going forward, I will continue to use symmetry and alignment to strengthen composition in both photos and video.
Photo 3 – Scoreboard
I like this photo because it clearly and powerfully captures the season’s final outcome. This, with the scoreboard, provides context and immediately tells the viewer what was achieved. I used framing and perspective to center the scoreboard and include the surrounding arena, adding scale and atmosphere. In the future, I will continue to focus on capturing moments that clearly communicate the story, not just the setup.
Beyond the roar of the crowd and the intensity of competition, this gallery captures the quieter, often overlooked moments that define DU Athletics. From focused pregame routines and solitary warmups to candid sideline interactions and postgame reflections, these images highlight the emotional and mental spaces athletes occupy in between the action. There’s a stillness in a goalie awaiting a shot, a pause in a player’s stride, and a sense of intimacy in celebrations shared among teammates. These moments reveal the discipline, anticipation, and personal connection that fuel performance. Together, they tell a deeper story, one not just about winning, but about presence, preparation, and the human side of sport that exists when the noise fades.
Junior Cale Ashcroft on the ice after winning his second title.Ryoma Mishiro getting set as his double’s partner served.Senior Samu Salminen winning the faceoff in the last regular-season home game.Johnny Hicks in the tunnel before winning the 4-3 2OT postseason matchup.Johnny Hick’s mom after Johnny secured DU its 11th championship. Chase Bruno waiting to pass the ball as the Pioneers took on the No. 5 Syracuse.Johnny Hicks and Cale Ashcroft embracing after the National Championship win.Faceoff specialist Luke Smeader keeping eyes on the ball–and only on the ball. Sophomore Lucy Garnsey preparing to take on her first start.Lexi Gwaku awaiting for her teammate, the Attacker of the Year, to shoot one her way.The first time Johnny Hicks held the National Championship trophy. Taking a corner takes practice, precision, and perfection. Boston Buckberger locked in on the puck that is about to drop for the faceoff.The Pioneers’ leading scorer Cody Malawsky ready to take the possession into the O-Zone.Defenseman Nora Zelazny trying to keep the possession after she won it in a take-down.
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