Last edited on May 5, 2023
Picture
The school's mascot are the owls, which a few of the lacrosse girls are spelling out, above.

The Project

Prior to spring 2023, my school with about 350 students, did not have a photo media day for the sports for various reasons. I had noticed that there was significant student interest and that the school had the materials to do so, given that we already had a small studio and backdrop set, in a classroom. After a year of discussions with both the athletic department and the communications department, I successfully pitched, planned, and began executing media day at my school.

The Pitch

In the end of January 2023, I pitched a full scale proposal to the athletic director and his assistant including details regarding funding for this project, as well as timing and logistical details.
Three main points that I made in my presentation were that:
  1. 4/6 of the other schools in our league had similar productions.
  2. Having media days would be beneficial for both the athletics and communications departments.
  3. And that it would be advantageous to have this content in "the content library" for ease of use when sporting events came around that needed promotion, such as Senior Days and Nest Night (our sports spirit night).

The Planning

My proposal and presentation were successful, and media day was first implemented for the spring 2023 sports, as a trial run with a "soft start". The spring sports included baseball, lacrosse, track & field, and golf, amongst others.
In order to make this idea a reality, I initiated all conversations with the coaches, who in turn communicated with their athletes.

Making it Reality

While I worked on this project in conjunction with the athletic director, assistant AD, as well as the communications director and department, it was very much my project.
​I was the photographer for all of the media days this spring, and started the conversations with the coaches and players regarding media day.
Through the span of a week (a Thursday to another Thursday), I organized and photographed six different media days.

The Results & Looking Back

Below are the two main graphics that I designed in Photoshop as promotional materials for Nest Night, as well as a few photos from media day. These two graphics were used on social media as well as in formal school communications and newsletters.
Many athletes enjoyed having a media day for their sport and many others are looking forward to theirs in the 2023-2024 year.
Looking back, working on this project taught me valuable skills such as how to professionally advocate for a need, communication with adults, as well as how to plan and execute large scale projects. Additionally, working on this project taught me a different another style of photography, studio photography. I am very much looking forward to working on the media days again for the 2023-2024 school year, and I'm very grateful for the experience it has already provided me.

Additionally, working on the media day project to make studio photos and graphics gave me more Photoshop skills and graphic design. Below are the two graphics used for Nest Night promotion, and at the bottom are the graphics I designed for use on social media for Senior Days.

2023 Spring Sports Senior Day Graphics

Below are the five graphics that I designed for the spring sports' senior days. These graphics were used across social media on the day of each sports' senior day.
All photos were taken by me.
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