My Sports Photography Journey
2013 was a year of firsts – the first year my two daughters and their cousin started playing netball, and my first year capturing sports action through photography. I had a decent camera but had no clue how to use it properly. I was simply pointing and shooting in ‘sport’ mode, content with the results because I didn’t know they could be sooo much better!​​​​​
She does have hands - I promise!
I'm sure she has feet and another hand somewhere too!
My daughter is the one on the right, just pretend all the other players aren't there!
I can't believe I even kept this one - they are so out of focus!
In 2014, my daughters switched netball clubs, joining their cousin at Broadwater Netball Club. My sister and I started snapping action shots of all the players at the club, but I was still stuck on ‘auto,’ unaware that so many of my photos were out of focus.
The feet are missing - again!
If you ignore the very crooked poles in the background - this one could be okay.
This is a very clear photo - of the people in the background!
Looking better, just don't blow it up too much - you'll see it's still not in focus!
Then, in 2018, I began taking team photos for Broadwater Netball Club, which was also the year I decided to improve my photography skills. I finally made the leap to manual mode on my camera – a decision that led to a lot of studying! I read the camera’s manual (who knew that could help?) and started following various photographers, watching their educational videos and reading their blogs. Finally – I was learning the best positions to stand in and the best settings for my camera; my action photos were becoming more consistent!
I could see an improvement, but still not a strong focus when you zoom in.
By 2019, my sister convinced me it was time to go pro. The second half of that year was spent researching how to run a photography business and setting up my website.
2020 marked the official launch of Captured by Ky – though, nobody could have predicted the world would go into lockdown just months after, which wasn't the best timing! But I pushed through, and for the next three years, my 'sports photography' focus remained on netball.
After joining the Gold Coast Photographic Society in 2023, I was given the opportunity to take photos of other sports, including athletics, cycling, kendo, and table tennis. I loved the challenge of shooting in various lighting conditions – indoors, outdoors, and at night. Most importantly, I discovered my passion for capturing all kinds of sports.
2024 was my best year yet: I took team photos for more clubs, captured countless action shots at the club level, and had the privilege of photographing four interstate netball matches. Some of my photos even got published in Netball Scoop online!
These two photos of Sunshine Coast Lightning player, Ashleigh Ervin, were taken indoors in a poorly lit stadium, yet they are so much better than the two photos I shared above of her early days with Broadwater Netball Club!
Now, as 2025 begins, I’ve already dived into two new sports – tennis and BMX racing. I’m excited to see what the rest of the year has in store!
