Q&A with Taylor Sims, sports photographer and member of Black Women Photographers organization
Photo provided by Taylor Sims
For the third consecutive year, TrackTown USA and Black Women Photographers are working together to provide paid opportunities for Black women and non-binary creatives to cover select track & field events this summer at Hayward Field. This will be the first year that will include videographers in addition to photographers.
Apply today to be a part of the Black Women Photographers and TrackTown USA 2024 cohort at BlackWomenPhotographers.com/TrackTown-USA. Application deadline is Friday, March 8, 2024.
We sat down with Taylor Sims, a talented sports photographer and a member of the Black Women Photographers organization. She's captured some of the biggest moments in track & field, including The Prefontaine Classic and the World Athletics Championships Oregon22.
What sparked your journey into photography, especially within sports?
My journey into photography started in college. I saw an ad for a camera that I liked and had enough money saved up so I was able to purchase that camera when I went home for the weekend. I started taking pictures of my friends and of others around campus and fell in love with it. I got into sports by taking pictures at a local gym three times a week. I reached out to the owner of the gym to offer creative content services and it's been going up since then. Shooting content for that gym allowed me to build up a sports portfolio and that led to more jobs and contacts in the sports industry.
Sha’Carri Richardson at the 2022 Prefontaine Classic. Photo by Taylor Sims
What is your favorite memory while taking photos at Hayward Field?
Hayward magic is 100% real and you feel it when you're near or when you're far away. This is such a hard question because I have so many favorite moments and memories! My favorite memory while taking photos at Hayward was during the World Championships in 2022. There was a fan with a sign waiting for Allyson Felix to finish interviews and after the interviews finished, the fan thought Allyson didn't notice her but she did. As Allyson walked over to this young girl, she began to cry hysterically and I was in the right place at the right time to capture that exchange between them. As Allyson just spent time with her and comforted her, the tears just kept flowing and the fan couldn't believe that moment was happening. That was special to me because in that moment I realized how important role models and idols are. Not just to young kids but to everyone! It was just beautiful and I'm happy I was there to capture it.
Allyson Felix and a young fan at the 2022 World Athletics Championships . Photo by Taylor Sims
What is a key piece of advice for black women aspiring to work in sports photography?
My advice would be to shoot your shot and shoot it often. Don't be afraid to reach out to brands, athletes and organizations when you want to start building a portfolio or are looking for paid work. Don't be discouraged by the no's that come your way, just continue to stay grounded and focused on your craft until the right doors open for you.
Lastly, don't put yourself in a box when it comes to sports, try anything that you can. You never know how much you can enjoy it until you get out there and you never know who you may run into while you're on a job or just out shooting for experience. Have fun ladies!
Anna Cockrell at the 2022 Prefontaine Classic. Photo by Taylor Sims
Follow Taylor Sims on Instagram: @fromtaylor_