Three years ago, I had no idea a single volunteer photography assignment would open the door to experiences I could only dream about.
That opportunity came from Kelley L. Cox and her KLC Fotos platform.
My first assignment through KLC Fotos wasn’t a glamorous, high-profile event. It was a volunteer shoot covering the Cal vs. Stanford women’s lacrosse game at Maloney Field on the Stanford University campus. I was excited, a little nervous, and simply grateful for the chance to be on the sidelines. The game was a twilight game with two thirds of the first half in perfect golden hour lighting and the rest under mediocre stadium lighting to say the least. My goal was take as much advantage of the warm-ups as possible to ensure I had enough well lit photos in case the rest became unusable.
I didn’t know where I was allowed to stand or move. When I could move, or what to expect as the game went on. To be honest, I didn’t even know what a lacrosse match looked like. Not being able to predict what might be coming handcuffs you quite a bit in sports photography, however I made the best of it and ended up loving the experience more than I could ever imagine.
Looking back now, it’s amazing how much that one opportunity changed the direction of my photography journey.
From there, the assignments kept coming, and so did the learning experiences.
Over the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing an incredible variety of Cal Athletics programs, including:
- Football
- Men’s Basketball
- Men’s Gymnastics
- Women’s Volleyball
- Men’s Golf
- Men’s Tennis
- Women’s Tennis
- Men’s Soccer
- Women’s Soccer
- Women’s Lacrosse
- Track & Field
- Cross Country
Beyond athletics, I also had opportunities to photograph numerous Cal Berkeley events, expanding my experience far beyond game-day action.
The opportunities didn’t stop there.
Through KLC Fotos, I was also able to photograph Cal State East Bay athletics and university events, along with events for the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. Each assignment introduced me to new people, new environments, and new challenges that helped me grow as both a photographer and a storyteller.
One of my favorite things about Kelley is that she’s never kept her knowledge to herself.
She organized a free and incredibly fun Portraits 101 workshop for photographers interested in learning more about her success with media day photography. It wasn’t just about lighting or camera settings—it was about building confidence, sharing ideas, and helping other photographers improve. That generosity says a lot about who she is.
Then there was one assignment that, as a lifelong Oakland A’s fan, I’ll never forget.
Knowing how much the A’s meant to me, Kelley connected me with one of her contacts and gave me the opportunity to photograph the A’s vs. Giants game on the final Oakland Athletics Hall of Fame induction game before the team’s departure from Oakland.
It’s difficult to put into words what that experience meant, to be in the dugout and on the field with legends that I grew up idolizing. The late Rickey Henderson, Jose Canseco, Dennis Eckersley, among so many other greats.
Growing up watching games at the Coliseum, never would I have imagined I’d one day be standing on the field with a credential around my neck, documenting one of the final historic moments in Oakland A’s history. It’s a memory I’ll always treasure, and it happened because Kelley believed in me enough to open that door.
What has impressed me just as much as the assignments themselves is how Kelley treats the photographers she works with.
She’s unbelievably responsive. Whether it’s answering a question, helping solve a problem, sharing advice, or simply communicating quickly, she’s always there. In an industry where good communication can make all the difference, that’s something I’ve always appreciated.
Photography is a funny profession. You never know where the next assignment, connection, or opportunity will come from. Beyond Kelley, I got to spend time and photograph side-by-side with some amazing photographers and people: Catharyn Hayne, Al Sermeno, Robert Edwards, and so many others.
Looking back over these past three years, I’m incredibly thankful that one volunteer lacrosse game turned into photographing everything from Division I athletics and university events to professional-caliber experiences and unforgettable moments.
So thank you, Kelley.
Thank you for trusting me with your clients.
Thank you for believing in me.
Thank you for creating opportunities that helped me grow as both a photographer and a professional.
Most of all, thank you for making this journey fun.
I truly hope our paths continue to cross for many years to come. Wherever photography takes us next, I’ll always be grateful for where this chapter began.
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