Behind the Lens
A day at the rink with sports photographer Natalie Ballard
Story and photos by Meladie Young
Nestled against the boards, Natalie Ballard gets an up-close view as the Western Washington University men’s ice hockey team takes the ice. Weaving in and out of the frame, Ballard always manages to get the shot. Take a look as Ballard becomes the one in front of the camera in a behind-the-scenes look at what she does best.
Ballard aims her Nikon camera at the ice rink filled with players to capture that perfect shot. She has been working for the team for two seasons, attending frequent practices to improve her skills.
Ballard glances down at the photo displayed on the screen, her fingers numb from editing mid-game shots ready to be posted. She slides the color corrector over and over, trying to counteract the dingy lighting of the old arena. The challenge of the space gives Ballard even more room for creativity.
Ballard gazes out to the ice waiting for the moment that she needs to bring the camera up to her ready eye. She has a talent for finding a moment out of what others wouldn't bat an eye at. Her knowledge of the team helps her know when a moment will arise, sometimes even before they do.
Ballard didn't always dream of being a sports photographer. She went out on a limb the summer before her freshman year and applied for the team's photography internship. After securing the position, she dove in head first and couldn't be happier working for the team that she has now found a sense of family in.
The Sportsplex rink has plenty of spots for Ballard to get a wide variety of angles. This gives her a vast array of photos to choose from when she is editing and gives her many options for her portfolio. Ballard continues to build her resume by working with the hockey team and freelancing for WWU athletics.
If you want to see more of Ballard in action, make your way down to the Bellingham Sportsplex to catch one of the team's exhilarating games. You can also see Ballard doing her thing at The Publicity Center events on Western's campus.
“This is work I wanna do. My favorite part of it is the photography,” Ballard said. “I know what I'm doing in my field and I'm bringing something to the table. I'm not just the person around who happens to be doing this. I have skills and I'm here for a reason.”