Background & My Story

It started with a compact Nikon, a birthday gift from my parents many years ago, which I only used occasionally. In grade 7, my school offered a basic two-month photography course where I used my phone to learn composition. I quickly grew a love for the hobby and urged my parents to let me work with more than just a Samsung phone and the compact Nikon. I promised that I would take multiple high-quality photos for six months with the gear I already had to prove that I wouldn’t abandon a camera shortly after getting one. Sure enough, my parents purchased a modest Canon M50 for my next birthday. With this new tool, I photographed local events, car dealerships, and lots of nature.

At some point, on a bus ride home from school, I thought to myself, “How cool would it be to photograph sports!?” After talking with friends and reflecting for a few days, I messaged my school after summer break to inquire about photographing school sports and its privacy policies. Shortly after, they referred me to the school’s yearbook photographer, and I committed to photographing 1–4 games per week for six months. Eventually, I had to quit due to extreme burnout and pressure.

The following year, I transferred to a different high school and enrolled in the full IB program, which went absolutely horribly. After some resistance, I dropped the full program but stayed in a partial track, choosing Film IB as a replacement. That summer, I was privileged to make my first real entrance into the industry by working with 1UP Soccer Academy and then Football Alberta. Around this time, I also upgraded to a Canon R8 to keep up with my growing needs.

The next year, my photography teacher referred me into Photography 20, and I once again committed to yearbook and the graduation video. I expanded my Instagram account by photographing my school’s football team and sharing my work with a wider audience.

From there, I continued to progress, make connections, and stay consistent.

• Ryan Zegrer