August 29, 2025 • 35 mins
On this Fan Out Friday, Khristina is joined by Sports Photographer Bri Lewerke. Bri dives into the significance of representation in women's sports photography and her journey in women’s basketball. The conversation touches on the vital role of community, relationship-building, and credibility within the sports media. Bri also talks about her close connections with Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, and her current role as the team photographer for the Indiana Fever.
Want more women’s basketball scoop? Follow the show on Instagram @ICYMIwithKW and X @ICYMIwithKW and for more on Khristina, follow her on Instagram @khristinawilliams
Let us know what you think of the show by leaving a rating and a review!
CREDITS
Executive Producers:
Nikki Ettore
Jessie Katz
Tyler Klang
Jonathan Strickland
Producer:
Buffy Gorrilla
Producer & Editor:
Tari Harrison
Host:
Khristina Williams
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart Women's Sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
and Entertainment. Welcome to another episode of In Case You
Missed It with Christina Williams here on the iHeart Women's
Sports Network and in case you missed it, Gang, it's
(00:22):
Fan Out Friday, so you know, we only bring the
most elite guest to the show every single Friday. And
I'm incredibly excited about today's guests because we've known each
other for such a long time. And we'll get into
that a little bit later, but I truly respect this
person's work. I feel like the work that this person
(00:46):
does within the sports space in general is super necessary
and I'm excited so that you all can hear the story.
So without further ado, I want to introduce our guests
this week, and we're gonna go behind the lins with
our guest this week. Please welcome Bretty the Worky to
the show.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Thank you so much. I'm so excited to be here.
Thank you for such a kind introduction. This feels like
way overdue to be on your show with you, but
I'm super super pumped to be here and make it happen.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
So we like to start every single episode with our
guest sharing a win of the week, and that win
could be something personal, something to do with your career.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
But what was a win for you this week?
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Oh man? A win this week? I got to attend
a WNBA fever game as a fan. So I'll call
that a win because I feel like it allowed me
to have a different perspective about not only like watching
the game, but the fan experience. I think you can
(01:56):
take for granted a little bit the thing that you
get to do night in and night out in terms
of photographing and being in proximity to the team in
the game. But when I sat in the stands with
a lot of other younger children or die hard WNBA fans,
you get to really see how much they appreciate the
(02:16):
moment and how excited they are. And I feel like
that reinvigorated me a little bit as to what I
do and how lucky I am to be in these spaces.
So I will call my win of the week the
chance to be a fan.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
I love that you kind of have like a night
off situation. I would say a win for me this week.
So I got back to New York. I was in
Dallas for a little bit, and the weather it felt
like a fall like you know how when the seasons
are about to change and you get that falls fall
kind of situation going.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
And so I got off.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
The plane, I was like, what is going all in
here in New York City? But I am all for
fall and winter, so I was pumped and ready to
like put my summer clothes in stores and bring my
winter and fall clothes out. But now it's hot again.
But for those first few couple of days that I
was back, I was like, man, I truly missed it.
And I started seeing people on the timeline getting their
(03:13):
pumpkins spice and I'm like, no, it's twairly for pumpkins spice.
But I could do with the little breeze here and
there in New York. It was like sweater weather and
I was loving it.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
So that was a win.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
The weather, I guess, was a win for me this
week free, I want to dive right into the conversation.
So we met a couple of years ago at Spotify.
You worked on my show which was Women's Sports Wednesday,
and we kinda remained tight ever since. But I want
(03:43):
to know what was your first introduction to women's basketball, Well,
women's basketball.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Specifically was twenty eighteen WNBA All Star. For photographer specifically,
my journey started in twenty sixteen. Basically just started with
an inexpensive camera around Nike EIBL boys basketball. But I
realized really quickly that representation and sports media matters, and
(04:12):
specifically women's sports. They in particular have been or at
the time, were very overlooked historically, and I saw opportunity
to help change that through my camera and my lens.
And when I did photography for WNBA All Start in
twenty eighteen with WNBA photos basically, and after a couple
(04:35):
of years of being more around like the boys and
men's side of sport, I instantly fell in love with
the women's side. I think being able to document the
rise of women's basketball and contribute to how these stories
have been told was just meaningful instantly, and specifically being
around women was just better, Like they were just kinder.
(04:58):
It was fun to be around those players at the time,
and then the women around the women like you like
the women in media. And so yeah, twenty eighteen WNBA
All Star and really ever since then, I've been more
on the women's side.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
I feel like twenty eighteen was like the Golden era,
or really it just laid the blueprint out for what
we see today and women's basketball cover specifically. I mean
I was just getting started in the WNBA space in
twenty eighteen, but.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
So many of our peers Kamille Ari made for the W.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
All of those different outlets was building the foundation of
what we see in the digital space in terms of coverage,
whether it's photography, content, lifestyle writing. I feel like that
was a very special year for women's basketball, and so
it's interesting to hear your perspective of where you.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Were in twenty eighteen and in journey.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
And how all star was you know, your intro into
the women's basketball space. We talk about the differences between
cover men's sports versus women's sports, and how the W
has been a little bit more inviting in a way.
When you think about your journey through photography and being
(06:13):
in a male dominated space, how have you been able
to have longevity in this particular field.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
That's a great question. I think as a woman in
sports photography, especially early on, you have to prove your
credibility in a space where men are just often the
default that is the case for sports photography. Certainly, men
and specifically white men have just kind of always been
the default in this space, and access and opportunities and
(06:45):
simple acknowledgments at the time felt like barriers that aren't
as easily placed in front of men as they are women.
And I think for longevity specifically, it was telling stories,
being intent about the way that I capture athletes, especially women,
and they ultimately like shaped my creative approach. I feel
(07:08):
like I came in the space as a woman and
I was like, I know how I you know, I
didn't play college sports, but I played high school sports,
and I remember how I liked my stories to be
told as a as a woman athlete, and I just
tried to approach it that way. I didn't just document
the game. I tried to showcase like the power and
the emotion and like the depths and that these women
(07:31):
have their you know, their mothers, their personalities, their brands now.
And so I think just being a woman has like
fueled my passion for telling these stories that deserve more visibility,
and I think that has in turn given me credibility
in this space and longevity. But it wasn't easy at first, because,
like I said, women are certainly not the default in
(07:53):
this space, and it's been interesting to navigate, but it's
been so encouraging to see how much is growing in
terms of media in general, but sports photography as well.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Yeah, you hit on a few different touch points. We're
going to start with you saying that you played sports
in high school. What sport did you play in high school?
And how do you think just playing sports in your
youth impacted you know, how you approached your career.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Yeah, I played in high school. I played basketball, softball,
and volleyball. Basketball was definitely my favorite. And I think
sports are so centered around community. I think when I
left for college, college in itself is still a community
even if you don't play sports. But I just think
(08:43):
I instantly missed the community and the friendships of what
sports brings. And I'm sure many college athletes feel the
same way who don't go on to play professionally. In
any way, it's just you you lack this sense of
like belonging in community, and I found that instantly once
I started working in sports. I did an internship with
(09:06):
the Washington Wizards NBA team when I was in college
in twenty fifteen, and I knew in that moment that
I wanted to stay in sports. I didn't know what
it looked like, but I felt that community like I
was back playing again. It's you share passion, you share
what you come to work for every day. You share
the same drive to tell stories and bring more people
(09:30):
into this community that you know and that you love.
And so I think high school sports really just shaped
I mean so many things to be honest, like friendships
and long lasting relationships and how I approach work, but really, community,
I would say, is the center of that.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Another thing you touched on was something that's incre important
to anyone who wants to startup career in sports. But
you mentioned the word access and credibility and how you're
persistent and consistent in the work that you were doing
to be able to you know, gain both. So in
terms of the access part of it, you talked about
(10:19):
community and building community. But what part of the job
is about relationship building?
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Oh man, it's it's a huge part. I mean you
and I are an example of that. You have always
you know, looked out for me and given opportunities, uh
when when you have them, and I hope you feel
the same, because I think when you meet, especially other
women in this space, you want to push them further.
It's this space is one that we can all win in,
(10:46):
and we can all share opportunities and connections. And I
think that it's it's such a cliche phrase, but it
is who you know sometimes as much as like you
can be educated and informed and have college degrees or experience,
(11:06):
it really is about the people that you meet along
the way, And so I think specifically pushing women forward
in this space is something I'm really passionate about because
I've had women like you that I've met along the
way who have essentially brought my name up in rooms
that I'm not in, or vouched for me for jobs,
(11:27):
or just given me opportunities that I wouldn't have had
if I hadn't known the women in these spaces. And
the same goes for men or other people that I've
met in women's sports. I think we all really try
to look out for each other and empower each other because,
especially like you said, I love that you call it
the Golden Era of twenty eighteen. I feel like that
group of us have really been here for so many
(11:49):
years and really value all of the work and the
dedication that we've put into women's sports, and we all
really value each other and the value that we bring,
and so I I think it's just really about nourishing
and pouring into other people and their relationships that you
make in this space, because it can really open up
doors and opportunities still to this day for me.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
Yeah, I mean, I know new w fans they have
no idea what it was like in the early days
to try to be able to cover the league as
media as photographers, you really had to separate yourself and
carve out your own niche at that time. And because
there wasn't companies or media companies pouring in the dollars, right,
(12:32):
you sort of had to take a risk and build
something for yourself on your own, and they'd hope that
it will pay off, you know, years down the line.
And I would have to say it's definitely a good
return on investment in terms of, you know, all the
sweat equity in the beginning and time spent pouring into
things that we were passionate about, and it just brightens
(12:54):
my heart to see how far we've all come since
twenty eighteen. But what would you say was that moment
that made you feel like you've made it in this space.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
I'm gonna have to say something associated to Kaitlin Clark
because that just feels like a revolutionary shift. At the gosh,
it wasn't even I guess that long ago was the
Big Ten Tournament for her senior year and she won
the championship in overtime first Nebraska, and you know, people
(13:27):
already knew and admired Kaitlin because the year before of
her National Championship run, but everybody knew this was her
last year and she was about to go into the WNBA.
So every you know, moment, tournament and game, especially single elimination,
just felt like it had so much weight on it.
And when they won the Big Ten Championship and I
(13:48):
was their photographing, I brought up an idea which was
probably still to this day controversial, but I saw her
with the trophy and I thought it really resembled the
Larry O'Brien trophy that the NBA players hold in terms
of what the Big Ten Championship trophy look like. And
I didn't come into this day expecting this, but I said, hey,
(14:10):
would you want to take like a Kobe like photo
because as a photographer, you admire all of these like
legendary photos that you've seen for years and years, and
that one just came to mind. I said, would you
like to recreate that back in the locker room? And
she was down to do that, and we took that
photo and it kind of went crazy on the internet.
And I feel like that's when like I really grew
(14:33):
and following and people started really noticing my work like you,
Like we've mentioned, I've been doing this for quite a
few years now, but that felt like a shift and
a turning point both in women's sports in the moment
and what Caitlyn and all of these other girls have
done for the sport, but specifically for me, it felt
like a turning point where, oh, people care, really care
(14:56):
about this work that I've been doing in women's sports
now and they see what the ways I'm showcasing these
women through my camera, And so I'd say that was
the moment. I would also just say before prior to that,
page capturing pagebackers in high school also felt like a shift.
That was something where people were paying attention to a
high school women's basketball player. It just felt so because
(15:17):
even Caitlin didn't get the attention that Page did in
high school. And that was so fun because it was like, Wow,
this is so exciting. People are really interested in the
photos that I'm taking of this seventeen year old girl
in Hopkins, Minnesota. And so that was like the pre moment,
I would say, And then that Caitlin tournament in Kobe
(15:37):
Photo was probably when I felt things really start to
shift for Yah.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
I feel like you were kind of like a historian
in some ways, or of that class of twenty twenty,
because of your proximity not only to Page in Caitlin,
but your ability to tell stories through your lens with
such emotion. When I look at your photos, I'm like,
I feel something right, Like, I feel like there's a
lot of intention behind the work that you do.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
How are you able to find your style?
Speaker 1 (16:06):
Because I know a lot of photographs they have different
styles when.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
It comes to creating their signature look.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
I guess I would say, how are you able to
find that and channel that?
Speaker 2 (16:18):
That's a great question. I think I think style is important.
I do think that there are certain whether it's the
way that they post process photos or take photos or
share photos, there are certain photographers where you can see
an image and know where it's came from, and ultimately
that's always my goal. It's a saturated space that I
(16:39):
still think can grow. But of course there are so
many sports photographers, so many legendary ones, so many up
and coming ones, and it's really not always easy to
stand out or make your work be recognizable. And so
style in terms of the way that I share photos
and edit them has been something I try to pryorities
(17:00):
and to make it uniquely me. I think my biggest
inspiration when I am, you know, capturing women's athletes, is
just to tell women's stories through a woman's lens. Like
I mentioned, we've been so underrepresented and with so many
few women in this space, there's always been an opportunity
to reframe how athletes are seen and celebrated. So I
(17:21):
try to use specifically my social channels to share photos
that sometimes other brands or media outlets might not see
the photo and see the same story that I do.
An example that comes to mind is Maya Moore's retirement
last year, when Caitlin was sitting out on the court
watching her jersey retirement. Of course, the first story that
(17:43):
you think of is Caitlin is here watching Maya's jersey retirement.
But when I took the photo, there were so many
girls behind Caitlin in her jersey watching and so it
felt like this full circle moment of you know, someday
those little girls behind Caitlyn are going to watch Kaitlin
go through the same thing. And I shared that on
my channels, and that's maybe not something that you know,
(18:03):
somebody else could have captured. So I always just try
to frame things in the way that this is coming
from a woman's lens, and I it's just being intentional
with perspective is what I really try to do to Sumbity.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
I like that being intentional with perspective you do a
very very great job because I feel like photography, especially
when you're trying to.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
Catch action in moments, it's so hard. Have you ever
felt like.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
You missed a moment or you couldn't quite capture a moment?
Do you ever have that have that when you're covering
games or you're following superstars like Caitlyn Clark or Page
Deckers around trying to capture moments for them.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
Yes, there have definitely been moments that I've missed. I
have felt really lucky about capturing so many, like a
lot of the if you think of Caitlyn specifically a
lot of her big shots in the NCAA tournament or
you know, beating South Carolina and things like that. I
have felt really confident about those moments that I've captured,
(19:04):
and I feel lucky in that way. There are really
small one off things. A recent example I can think
of was when the Valkyries were in town and Kate.
I always know that's the Kate and Caitlin game, and
people love that story, of course, and I was out
talking to Caitlin while she was stretching, and I turned
around to go back, and then somebody's like, oh, Caitlin,
(19:26):
Caitlyn or Kate and Caitlin just like hugged and like
had a moment and I missed it by you know,
a few seconds. And it's in the grand scheme of things,
it's okay, But something like that can really bother me
sometimes when I'm you know, it's it's a split second,
but that moment is something that makes people feel something,
Like you mentioned, like, I love that compliment so much.
(19:49):
If my photos make me feel something, and you know,
even if it's two seconds of Kate and Caitlyn hugging.
That's a moment that Iowa fans feel nostalgic about the
time they played together, and you know, so it's something
like that can really bother me. And then there's been
so many moments where a referee or somebody has gotten
I remember when Asia Wilson and Kate used to do that.
(20:12):
They're like noggin dude before the pregame, Like Freddy Fever
walked right in front of me when they were about
to get that moment and that was the only time
I had to get it. So small things like that,
But I do feel like in the big moments, your
preparation and understanding of the moment really does help you
walk away confident with what you captured. But sometimes you're
(20:32):
just unlucky. Honestly, Well, it's.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Your preparation intel Do you have like a shot list
before you go into these events or is it more
so just feeling the emotion of the moment.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
Mostly the emotion of the moment when it comes to games,
I feel lucky in that regard because a lot of
times you don't know what's going to happen. Obviously, you
don't know who's going to win who's going to score
the most points. When it comes to things like the
kit Kate and Caitlyn reunions or of rivalries or whatever
the case, you obviously try to prepare to showcase that
(21:05):
story as much as you can through your lens. But
outside of that, I just go in and for an
example is a few games ago, Shay Petty, who is
on a hardship contract for the Fever, hit a three
and I got this really great like bench reaction and
Caitlin was pushing her and the coaches were so impressed,
and things like that you can never plan for. You
just have to be ready for. So when it comes
(21:27):
to games, there's not a ton of preparation. It's kind
of just knowing what you have experienced doing and applying that.
But when it comes to if I do like a brand,
shoot with an athlete or shoot their outfits or something
like that, I will often have like a mood board
(21:47):
or something like that so that I can draw inspiration
from that. But I feel lucky with the games because
they play and I photograph. I tell people I could
never do like portraits or weddings or something where I'm
having to really be directing and posing like I feel
lucky that the athletes just play and I get to
capture it.
Speaker 4 (22:04):
So one of the things that I've been able to
admire that I really don't see, I guess in this
space with other photographers is your relationship with Kaitlyn and
(22:27):
how fun it is, Like you gave her a camera.
Speaker 3 (22:30):
To be able to document some of her own experiences.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
I thought that was kind of fun. And just how
you guys are just so playful and have that very
positive relationship that exudes in the work that you do
and publish.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
You know online. How did that relationship form?
Speaker 1 (22:47):
I know you talked about the Big ten tournament, but
how did that relationship form? And do you guys have
discussions about some of some of the work once it's
published or does she throw out some ideas to you.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
Yeah, So to answer your first question, I have known
about Caitlin since she was in high school. I've known
about her for a very long time. She put up
sixty points on my former high school. I'm older than her,
so I wasn't there, but I knew about her when
she put up sixty because I was like, who is
this coming into my old high school putting up sixty points,
and so I always admired her game. But since I've
(23:23):
always been in the women's sports space, I photographed I
think I've done the last four or five women's final fours,
and when they made it to the final four, I
was already going to photograph that for just women's sports,
and I was just there and I was so grateful.
I grew up a huge Iowah Hawkeye fan. My family's
an Iowhawkeye fan, and so I was just excited that
(23:45):
Iowa made it from like a completely biased standpoint. And
I took the photos and she just ended up messaging
me on Instagram, you know, like complimenting my photos or
something like that. I can't remember what her message was.
And we ended up just talking over Instagram and going
back and forth and staying in touch like over social
media for a while. And then yeah, we just kind
(24:06):
of became friends organically. It was very organic. We would
just talk on social or when we would see each
other at games, and then we just kind of organically
became friends along the way. And obviously I've just you know,
we've kind of like she's helped me with access to things,
and I've helped her get really great photos and along
the way we formed a friendship, which has been like
(24:27):
the most special part of it because I just think
she's an incredible human and she is totally playful, a
total goofball, and I feel like she keeps me young.
She's such a kid. But she Yeah, she loves photos,
like and I love that about her. She she'd we
definitely talk about like certain photography things, Like she's not
(24:48):
giving me ideas and stuff, but you know, I'll help
her like choose photos for certain things or give her
ideas on you know what, like photo would look best
for this or whatever the case. And yeah, she also
loves taking photos, like she is actually really good at it.
I mean, I guess I shouldn't be surprised because she's
(25:09):
good at everything, but she loves taking photos, and I
genuinely think there's like something there for her. I don't know.
I've been so impressed with the way that she's able
to capture images. And she's using some of my cameras
in like manual mode. For photographers, that's like not an
easy thing. You have to like learn specific things about
the camera to use it. It's not just like a
(25:29):
point and shoot. And yeah, so she's she's a creative.
I joke with her sometimes I'm like, you're a creative.
She'll say she isn't, But she actually has really creative ideas,
and that's been really cool to see. You know, there's
a lot of like I think it's Ken Griffy Junior,
and there's other former pro athletes now who are picking
up cameras and shooting sports and I just think that's
(25:50):
the coolest thing from a creative standpoint. I'm like, get
more athletes into this space because I think they would
have such a unique perspective coming from like the athletes things. So, yeah,
Caitlyn is great. I feel really lucky to have the
friendship and relationship that I do with her, and I
think that definitely translates into the way that I get to,
you know, share her story through a photo perspective.
Speaker 1 (26:13):
What can't Caitlyn do? She's so good at everything. She
needs a show where she tries everything, Like Kitlyn versus,
just try everything because she's so good to rest say
something the rest of us. You're also a team photographer
for the Indiana Fever. How fun has it been this
season capturing that team?
Speaker 2 (26:34):
It has been It's been so fun. It has been
such a joy. I'm part time on their staff and
I get to capture the tunnel interests with them, which
I think has been one of the most fun experiences.
I have to be, you know, at the game really
early for their arrivals, but I get to interact with
them and their personality in a way that's very different
than who they are on court. And I think that
(26:55):
I also try to bring a lot of energy to
the tunnels. You know a lot of times people walk
in and it's quiet, and they have cameras in their
face and I'm like, hey, you look amazing. How are
you Like we get to have conversation and just try
to bring some energy upon their arrival. And I think
the Indiana Fever team, the players, the staff, everybody in
(27:16):
that organization is incredible. And being able to work with
them and see, in my opinion, one of the best
digital teams in the sports space do what they do
has just been such a joy and I feel really
really lucky to be around around them. Like outside of
the work, the people are just amazing. So it's been
so much fun and I feel really grateful.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
How fun is Sidney Culcid.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
I mean, I know she's injured now, and we wish
her speedy recovery. But she's such a huge personality and
I know that when I see the videos of her
walk into the tunnel.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
She's always engaging and just being so fun on.
Speaker 2 (27:48):
The walk in sid is amazing. I have missed her
in the tunnel so much. She's come through a couple times,
like on crutches since her injury, and I'm just heartbroken
for her with that. But she is just an amazing spirit.
I always knew, you know, from her shows and her videos,
how funny and entertaining she was, and she truly is.
Like she will say the most out of pocket stuff
(28:10):
and she will make you laugh harder than you ever have.
But she's also one of the most genuine people I've
ever met in my life. When she meets people in
a room, she comes up and shakes your hand and
looks you in the eye and remembers your name. And
it doesn't matter how big or how small you are
within the organization. She's so intentional to make everyone feel seen,
and she is like she's like a warm hug. You
can never not feel seen or welcomed or heard around her.
(28:35):
And so outside of how incredibly hilarious. She is. She's
just one of those like once in a lifetime people
that you just want in your life forever. And I
hope I get that with Sid. But she is severely
missed in the Tunnel, as is Sophie. Sophie had crazy
energy too. It's just yeah, it's been tough, Caitlin. You know,
the tunnel has dwindled down. We've gotten new people. It's
(28:56):
been a ride for the Fever this year. But I
feel lucky because they're all such bestial humans from top
to bottom.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
Ow cool was it that your photo of page was
used by Nike?
Speaker 2 (29:06):
That was very cool. That was very unexpected. I that
was from her game here in Butler at Butler actually
in Indianapolis, and I was very not prepared for Nike
to reach out and want to use one of the images.
But that was I mean, it was a dream come true.
Like you always want your photo to be, you know,
(29:28):
shown in some space. I remember when I was in
it was probably twenty eighteen timeframe over time made a
billboard and used one of my NIKEUIBL photos for that,
and that was the first moment where I had had
a photo you know, blown up and showcased in that way,
and for this to be on apparel that people can buy,
I was completely blown away. And for it to be
(29:48):
Paige was even more special. Pages one of the most
amazing humans I've ever known, and she just deserves, you know,
all the good things and has been a great friend
to me and helped me with access to things as well.
And so for that to be this full circle moment.
She was one of the first women athletes that I captured,
and then for that to be on a T shirt
(30:10):
for her draft night was extremely special. And yeah, it
still feels surreal, Like my whole family has the T shirts,
and it just when my dad was in town in
Indianapolis when Paige and the Wings played here, he kept,
you know, seeing the shirt and he's like, I want
to tell them that was my daughter's picture. I'm like, Dad, please,
just not today. It's okay. But yeah, it was very
(30:31):
It was a very cool moment. And yeah, we'll see
how many more of those happened. But it's it's special
to be able to capture photos like that that have
a place, you know, on a T shirt. I would
have never imagined that, like ten years ago, So.
Speaker 1 (30:44):
Listen, I have a T shirt from that night because
I attended Paige's draft party, which is a lot of fun,
and once I found out you took the photo, I
was like, Oh, this makes it more special because my
friend took this picture. So I have that shirt and
I wear proudly to the gym or can out everywhere outside.
I love the shirt, Bree, Before we let you get
(31:05):
out of here, I'm very interested in knowing who inspired you,
whether it be a photographer someone in close proximity to you,
who inspired you on this photography journey, and what do
you hope people after you get from the work that
you do, or any advice to those who are looking
to get into sports photography.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
Yeah. I think one of the first women that I
ever saw photographing was Cassie Athena, and I think she
inspired me because you know, honestly, I would get mixed
up with her all the time in the spaces that
it was because it felt like it was only us
two people would come up and ask if I was
Cassie and I'm like, no, I'm not Cassie. I'm just
another blonde with a camera. But she inspired me because
(31:47):
of the photos that she would take the moment she
would capture, but also just her relentlessness to be in
spaces like she really inspired me to, you know, not
let people tell you no and just continue to find
a way to make it into these spaces in places
as a woman. She was there photographing even years before
(32:07):
I was, when it was really hard for women to
get into places. And so she has completely inspired me
to you know, keep pushing and keep yeah, being relentless
in finding space. And I think that has been an
amazing thing that I learned from her early on that
helped me get to where I am. And I think
(32:27):
what I hope people take from my work is that
these women are incredible athletes, but more than that, they're
just incredible people. They I hope that young athletes see
my photos and see themselves in a frame, or I
just hope that people think about, like what they connect
with through my photos, whether it's a lifelong fan or
(32:50):
someone new to the sport who's drawn in by my storytelling.
I just want my photos to spark something universal, whether
that's excitement or pride or nostalgia. But sports in general
are about a connection, and as a photographer, I just
feel like it's my opportunity to make sure that those
moments are felt as much as they are seen. So
(33:11):
I hope that's what people take away from me, and
then I just hope the next generation. I get so
many messages from young girls and photographers who are so
young and are wanting to try out photography, and that
has completely reinvigorated me. It's just I can't imagine that
ten or twenty years ago we had this many young
girls or just young people in general who wanted to
(33:32):
be in the women's sports space photographing, And so I
think they inspire me, and I hope I can inspire them.
But they can be in these spaces and they can
tell these stories and they will do so much better
than even I am now, Like it's only going to
keep growing and getting better from here, and I hope
that they feel inspired to know that there's a place
for them, and there's a place for as many women
(33:54):
as we can get in this space. And as much
as I inspire them to get there, someday, they inspire
me to, you know, keep going and be able to
continue to share these stories on a wider stage. So
I feel very lucky in that way.
Speaker 1 (34:07):
Alle Brie, you're certainly leaving the game so much better
than when you entered it in twenty eighteen. And I'm
super proud of you, Like, seriously, I know every time
we see each other, we show each other up, but
I'm super super proud of you your growth and how
you've been able to really separate yourself and this space.
Speaker 3 (34:25):
And I hope that you know.
Speaker 1 (34:26):
That the work that you're doing is so so so necessary,
and you know, I'm excited to see what's next for you.
Speaker 2 (34:32):
Thank you, Christina, That seriously means the world. And right
back at you, I'm so proud of you. You were
one of the original people who knew what this moment
was going to be and you deserve to be here
times one hundred. And I think we're all so lucky
to have you in this space and the stories that
you've shared and your commitment to this has absolutely elevated
(34:54):
the women's game and shown these athletes in such a
special way. So we're all very lucky to have you,
and I feel very lucky to know you and call
you a friend, so well, thank you.
Speaker 3 (35:04):
Feeling is so mutual.
Speaker 1 (35:05):
Well, Brie, I want to thank you for being our
guest this fan out of Friday or in case you
missed it here on iHeart Women's Sports Network. And y'all,
if you are watching this or listening to this, make
sure you give Free a follow across all of her
social media, retweet reposts, engage with her work online. And
that's going to do it for this week's episode. We'll
(35:27):
see you next time. In case you missed it with
Christina Williams is an iHeart Women's sports production in partnership
with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment.
Speaker 3 (35:38):
You can find us on
Speaker 1 (35:39):
The iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart Women's Sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
and Entertainment. Welcome to another episode of In Case You
Missed It with Christina Williams here on the iHeart Women's
Sports Network and in case you missed it, Gang, it's
(00:22):
Fan Out Friday, so you know, we only bring the
most elite guest to the show every single Friday. And
I'm incredibly excited about today's guests because we've known each
other for such a long time. And we'll get into
that a little bit later, but I truly respect this
person's work. I feel like the work that this person
(00:46):
does within the sports space in general is super necessary
and I'm excited so that you all can hear the story.
So without further ado, I want to introduce our guests
this week, and we're gonna go behind the lins with
our guest this week. Please welcome Bretty the Worky to
the show.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Thank you so much. I'm so excited to be here.
Thank you for such a kind introduction. This feels like
way overdue to be on your show with you, but
I'm super super pumped to be here and make it happen.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
So we like to start every single episode with our
guest sharing a win of the week, and that win
could be something personal, something to do with your career.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
But what was a win for you this week?
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Oh man? A win this week? I got to attend
a WNBA fever game as a fan. So I'll call
that a win because I feel like it allowed me
to have a different perspective about not only like watching
the game, but the fan experience. I think you can
(01:56):
take for granted a little bit the thing that you
get to do night in and night out in terms
of photographing and being in proximity to the team in
the game. But when I sat in the stands with
a lot of other younger children or die hard WNBA fans,
you get to really see how much they appreciate the
(02:16):
moment and how excited they are. And I feel like
that reinvigorated me a little bit as to what I
do and how lucky I am to be in these spaces.
So I will call my win of the week the
chance to be a fan.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
I love that you kind of have like a night
off situation. I would say a win for me this week.
So I got back to New York. I was in
Dallas for a little bit, and the weather it felt
like a fall like you know how when the seasons
are about to change and you get that falls fall
kind of situation going.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
And so I got off.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
The plane, I was like, what is going all in
here in New York City? But I am all for
fall and winter, so I was pumped and ready to
like put my summer clothes in stores and bring my
winter and fall clothes out. But now it's hot again.
But for those first few couple of days that I
was back, I was like, man, I truly missed it.
And I started seeing people on the timeline getting their
(03:13):
pumpkins spice and I'm like, no, it's twairly for pumpkins spice.
But I could do with the little breeze here and
there in New York. It was like sweater weather and
I was loving it.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
So that was a win.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
The weather, I guess, was a win for me this
week free, I want to dive right into the conversation.
So we met a couple of years ago at Spotify.
You worked on my show which was Women's Sports Wednesday,
and we kinda remained tight ever since. But I want
(03:43):
to know what was your first introduction to women's basketball, Well,
women's basketball.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Specifically was twenty eighteen WNBA All Star. For photographer specifically,
my journey started in twenty sixteen. Basically just started with
an inexpensive camera around Nike EIBL boys basketball. But I
realized really quickly that representation and sports media matters, and
(04:12):
specifically women's sports. They in particular have been or at
the time, were very overlooked historically, and I saw opportunity
to help change that through my camera and my lens.
And when I did photography for WNBA All Start in
twenty eighteen with WNBA photos basically, and after a couple
(04:35):
of years of being more around like the boys and
men's side of sport, I instantly fell in love with
the women's side. I think being able to document the
rise of women's basketball and contribute to how these stories
have been told was just meaningful instantly, and specifically being
around women was just better, Like they were just kinder.
(04:58):
It was fun to be around those players at the time,
and then the women around the women like you like
the women in media. And so yeah, twenty eighteen WNBA
All Star and really ever since then, I've been more
on the women's side.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
I feel like twenty eighteen was like the Golden era,
or really it just laid the blueprint out for what
we see today and women's basketball cover specifically. I mean
I was just getting started in the WNBA space in
twenty eighteen, but.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
So many of our peers Kamille Ari made for the W.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
All of those different outlets was building the foundation of
what we see in the digital space in terms of coverage,
whether it's photography, content, lifestyle writing. I feel like that
was a very special year for women's basketball, and so
it's interesting to hear your perspective of where you.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Were in twenty eighteen and in journey.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
And how all star was you know, your intro into
the women's basketball space. We talk about the differences between
cover men's sports versus women's sports, and how the W
has been a little bit more inviting in a way.
When you think about your journey through photography and being
(06:13):
in a male dominated space, how have you been able
to have longevity in this particular field.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
That's a great question. I think as a woman in
sports photography, especially early on, you have to prove your
credibility in a space where men are just often the
default that is the case for sports photography. Certainly, men
and specifically white men have just kind of always been
the default in this space, and access and opportunities and
(06:45):
simple acknowledgments at the time felt like barriers that aren't
as easily placed in front of men as they are women.
And I think for longevity specifically, it was telling stories,
being intent about the way that I capture athletes, especially women,
and they ultimately like shaped my creative approach. I feel
(07:08):
like I came in the space as a woman and
I was like, I know how I you know, I
didn't play college sports, but I played high school sports,
and I remember how I liked my stories to be
told as a as a woman athlete, and I just
tried to approach it that way. I didn't just document
the game. I tried to showcase like the power and
the emotion and like the depths and that these women
(07:31):
have their you know, their mothers, their personalities, their brands now.
And so I think just being a woman has like
fueled my passion for telling these stories that deserve more visibility,
and I think that has in turn given me credibility
in this space and longevity. But it wasn't easy at first, because,
like I said, women are certainly not the default in
(07:53):
this space, and it's been interesting to navigate, but it's
been so encouraging to see how much is growing in
terms of media in general, but sports photography as well.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Yeah, you hit on a few different touch points. We're
going to start with you saying that you played sports
in high school. What sport did you play in high school?
And how do you think just playing sports in your
youth impacted you know, how you approached your career.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Yeah, I played in high school. I played basketball, softball,
and volleyball. Basketball was definitely my favorite. And I think
sports are so centered around community. I think when I
left for college, college in itself is still a community
even if you don't play sports. But I just think
(08:43):
I instantly missed the community and the friendships of what
sports brings. And I'm sure many college athletes feel the
same way who don't go on to play professionally. In
any way, it's just you you lack this sense of
like belonging in community, and I found that instantly once
I started working in sports. I did an internship with
(09:06):
the Washington Wizards NBA team when I was in college
in twenty fifteen, and I knew in that moment that
I wanted to stay in sports. I didn't know what
it looked like, but I felt that community like I
was back playing again. It's you share passion, you share
what you come to work for every day. You share
the same drive to tell stories and bring more people
(09:30):
into this community that you know and that you love.
And so I think high school sports really just shaped
I mean so many things to be honest, like friendships
and long lasting relationships and how I approach work, but really, community,
I would say, is the center of that.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Another thing you touched on was something that's incre important
to anyone who wants to startup career in sports. But
you mentioned the word access and credibility and how you're
persistent and consistent in the work that you were doing
to be able to you know, gain both. So in
terms of the access part of it, you talked about
(10:19):
community and building community. But what part of the job
is about relationship building?
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Oh man, it's it's a huge part. I mean you
and I are an example of that. You have always
you know, looked out for me and given opportunities, uh
when when you have them, and I hope you feel
the same, because I think when you meet, especially other
women in this space, you want to push them further.
It's this space is one that we can all win in,
(10:46):
and we can all share opportunities and connections. And I
think that it's it's such a cliche phrase, but it
is who you know sometimes as much as like you
can be educated and informed and have college degrees or experience,
(11:06):
it really is about the people that you meet along
the way, And so I think specifically pushing women forward
in this space is something I'm really passionate about because
I've had women like you that I've met along the
way who have essentially brought my name up in rooms
that I'm not in, or vouched for me for jobs,
(11:27):
or just given me opportunities that I wouldn't have had
if I hadn't known the women in these spaces. And
the same goes for men or other people that I've
met in women's sports. I think we all really try
to look out for each other and empower each other because,
especially like you said, I love that you call it
the Golden Era of twenty eighteen. I feel like that
group of us have really been here for so many
(11:49):
years and really value all of the work and the
dedication that we've put into women's sports, and we all
really value each other and the value that we bring,
and so I I think it's just really about nourishing
and pouring into other people and their relationships that you
make in this space, because it can really open up
doors and opportunities still to this day for me.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
Yeah, I mean, I know new w fans they have
no idea what it was like in the early days
to try to be able to cover the league as
media as photographers, you really had to separate yourself and
carve out your own niche at that time. And because
there wasn't companies or media companies pouring in the dollars, right,
(12:32):
you sort of had to take a risk and build
something for yourself on your own, and they'd hope that
it will pay off, you know, years down the line.
And I would have to say it's definitely a good
return on investment in terms of, you know, all the
sweat equity in the beginning and time spent pouring into
things that we were passionate about, and it just brightens
(12:54):
my heart to see how far we've all come since
twenty eighteen. But what would you say was that moment
that made you feel like you've made it in this space.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
I'm gonna have to say something associated to Kaitlin Clark
because that just feels like a revolutionary shift. At the gosh,
it wasn't even I guess that long ago was the
Big Ten Tournament for her senior year and she won
the championship in overtime first Nebraska, and you know, people
(13:27):
already knew and admired Kaitlin because the year before of
her National Championship run, but everybody knew this was her
last year and she was about to go into the WNBA.
So every you know, moment, tournament and game, especially single elimination,
just felt like it had so much weight on it.
And when they won the Big Ten Championship and I
(13:48):
was their photographing, I brought up an idea which was
probably still to this day controversial, but I saw her
with the trophy and I thought it really resembled the
Larry O'Brien trophy that the NBA players hold in terms
of what the Big Ten Championship trophy look like. And
I didn't come into this day expecting this, but I said, hey,
(14:10):
would you want to take like a Kobe like photo
because as a photographer, you admire all of these like
legendary photos that you've seen for years and years, and
that one just came to mind. I said, would you
like to recreate that back in the locker room? And
she was down to do that, and we took that
photo and it kind of went crazy on the internet.
And I feel like that's when like I really grew
(14:33):
and following and people started really noticing my work like you,
Like we've mentioned, I've been doing this for quite a
few years now, but that felt like a shift and
a turning point both in women's sports in the moment
and what Caitlyn and all of these other girls have
done for the sport, but specifically for me, it felt
like a turning point where, oh, people care, really care
(14:56):
about this work that I've been doing in women's sports
now and they see what the ways I'm showcasing these
women through my camera, And so I'd say that was
the moment. I would also just say before prior to that,
page capturing pagebackers in high school also felt like a shift.
That was something where people were paying attention to a
high school women's basketball player. It just felt so because
(15:17):
even Caitlin didn't get the attention that Page did in
high school. And that was so fun because it was like, Wow,
this is so exciting. People are really interested in the
photos that I'm taking of this seventeen year old girl
in Hopkins, Minnesota. And so that was like the pre moment,
I would say, And then that Caitlin tournament in Kobe
(15:37):
Photo was probably when I felt things really start to
shift for Yah.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
I feel like you were kind of like a historian
in some ways, or of that class of twenty twenty,
because of your proximity not only to Page in Caitlin,
but your ability to tell stories through your lens with
such emotion. When I look at your photos, I'm like,
I feel something right, Like, I feel like there's a
lot of intention behind the work that you do.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
How are you able to find your style?
Speaker 1 (16:06):
Because I know a lot of photographs they have different
styles when.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
It comes to creating their signature look.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
I guess I would say, how are you able to
find that and channel that?
Speaker 2 (16:18):
That's a great question. I think I think style is important.
I do think that there are certain whether it's the
way that they post process photos or take photos or
share photos, there are certain photographers where you can see
an image and know where it's came from, and ultimately
that's always my goal. It's a saturated space that I
(16:39):
still think can grow. But of course there are so
many sports photographers, so many legendary ones, so many up
and coming ones, and it's really not always easy to
stand out or make your work be recognizable. And so
style in terms of the way that I share photos
and edit them has been something I try to pryorities
(17:00):
and to make it uniquely me. I think my biggest
inspiration when I am, you know, capturing women's athletes, is
just to tell women's stories through a woman's lens. Like
I mentioned, we've been so underrepresented and with so many
few women in this space, there's always been an opportunity
to reframe how athletes are seen and celebrated. So I
(17:21):
try to use specifically my social channels to share photos
that sometimes other brands or media outlets might not see
the photo and see the same story that I do.
An example that comes to mind is Maya Moore's retirement
last year, when Caitlin was sitting out on the court
watching her jersey retirement. Of course, the first story that
(17:43):
you think of is Caitlin is here watching Maya's jersey retirement.
But when I took the photo, there were so many
girls behind Caitlin in her jersey watching and so it
felt like this full circle moment of you know, someday
those little girls behind Caitlyn are going to watch Kaitlin
go through the same thing. And I shared that on
my channels, and that's maybe not something that you know,
(18:03):
somebody else could have captured. So I always just try
to frame things in the way that this is coming
from a woman's lens, and I it's just being intentional
with perspective is what I really try to do to Sumbity.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
I like that being intentional with perspective you do a
very very great job because I feel like photography, especially
when you're trying to.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
Catch action in moments, it's so hard. Have you ever
felt like.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
You missed a moment or you couldn't quite capture a moment?
Do you ever have that have that when you're covering
games or you're following superstars like Caitlyn Clark or Page
Deckers around trying to capture moments for them.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
Yes, there have definitely been moments that I've missed. I
have felt really lucky about capturing so many, like a
lot of the if you think of Caitlyn specifically a
lot of her big shots in the NCAA tournament or
you know, beating South Carolina and things like that. I
have felt really confident about those moments that I've captured,
(19:04):
and I feel lucky in that way. There are really
small one off things. A recent example I can think
of was when the Valkyries were in town and Kate.
I always know that's the Kate and Caitlin game, and
people love that story, of course, and I was out
talking to Caitlin while she was stretching, and I turned
around to go back, and then somebody's like, oh, Caitlin,
(19:26):
Caitlyn or Kate and Caitlin just like hugged and like
had a moment and I missed it by you know,
a few seconds. And it's in the grand scheme of things,
it's okay, But something like that can really bother me
sometimes when I'm you know, it's it's a split second,
but that moment is something that makes people feel something,
Like you mentioned, like, I love that compliment so much.
(19:49):
If my photos make me feel something, and you know,
even if it's two seconds of Kate and Caitlyn hugging.
That's a moment that Iowa fans feel nostalgic about the
time they played together, and you know, so it's something
like that can really bother me. And then there's been
so many moments where a referee or somebody has gotten
I remember when Asia Wilson and Kate used to do that.
(20:12):
They're like noggin dude before the pregame, Like Freddy Fever
walked right in front of me when they were about
to get that moment and that was the only time
I had to get it. So small things like that,
But I do feel like in the big moments, your
preparation and understanding of the moment really does help you
walk away confident with what you captured. But sometimes you're
(20:32):
just unlucky. Honestly, Well, it's.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Your preparation intel Do you have like a shot list
before you go into these events or is it more
so just feeling the emotion of the moment.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
Mostly the emotion of the moment when it comes to games,
I feel lucky in that regard because a lot of
times you don't know what's going to happen. Obviously, you
don't know who's going to win who's going to score
the most points. When it comes to things like the
kit Kate and Caitlyn reunions or of rivalries or whatever
the case, you obviously try to prepare to showcase that
(21:05):
story as much as you can through your lens. But
outside of that, I just go in and for an
example is a few games ago, Shay Petty, who is
on a hardship contract for the Fever, hit a three
and I got this really great like bench reaction and
Caitlin was pushing her and the coaches were so impressed,
and things like that you can never plan for. You
just have to be ready for. So when it comes
(21:27):
to games, there's not a ton of preparation. It's kind
of just knowing what you have experienced doing and applying that.
But when it comes to if I do like a brand,
shoot with an athlete or shoot their outfits or something
like that, I will often have like a mood board
(21:47):
or something like that so that I can draw inspiration
from that. But I feel lucky with the games because
they play and I photograph. I tell people I could
never do like portraits or weddings or something where I'm
having to really be directing and posing like I feel
lucky that the athletes just play and I get to
capture it.
Speaker 4 (22:04):
So one of the things that I've been able to
admire that I really don't see, I guess in this
space with other photographers is your relationship with Kaitlyn and
(22:27):
how fun it is, Like you gave her a camera.
Speaker 3 (22:30):
To be able to document some of her own experiences.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
I thought that was kind of fun. And just how
you guys are just so playful and have that very
positive relationship that exudes in the work that you do
and publish.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
You know online. How did that relationship form?
Speaker 1 (22:47):
I know you talked about the Big ten tournament, but
how did that relationship form? And do you guys have
discussions about some of some of the work once it's
published or does she throw out some ideas to you.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
Yeah, So to answer your first question, I have known
about Caitlin since she was in high school. I've known
about her for a very long time. She put up
sixty points on my former high school. I'm older than her,
so I wasn't there, but I knew about her when
she put up sixty because I was like, who is
this coming into my old high school putting up sixty points,
and so I always admired her game. But since I've
(23:23):
always been in the women's sports space, I photographed I
think I've done the last four or five women's final fours,
and when they made it to the final four, I
was already going to photograph that for just women's sports,
and I was just there and I was so grateful.
I grew up a huge Iowah Hawkeye fan. My family's
an Iowhawkeye fan, and so I was just excited that
(23:45):
Iowa made it from like a completely biased standpoint. And
I took the photos and she just ended up messaging
me on Instagram, you know, like complimenting my photos or
something like that. I can't remember what her message was.
And we ended up just talking over Instagram and going
back and forth and staying in touch like over social
media for a while. And then yeah, we just kind
(24:06):
of became friends organically. It was very organic. We would
just talk on social or when we would see each
other at games, and then we just kind of organically
became friends along the way. And obviously I've just you know,
we've kind of like she's helped me with access to things,
and I've helped her get really great photos and along
the way we formed a friendship, which has been like
(24:27):
the most special part of it because I just think
she's an incredible human and she is totally playful, a
total goofball, and I feel like she keeps me young.
She's such a kid. But she Yeah, she loves photos,
like and I love that about her. She she'd we
definitely talk about like certain photography things, Like she's not
(24:48):
giving me ideas and stuff, but you know, I'll help
her like choose photos for certain things or give her
ideas on you know what, like photo would look best
for this or whatever the case. And yeah, she also
loves taking photos, like she is actually really good at it.
I mean, I guess I shouldn't be surprised because she's
(25:09):
good at everything, but she loves taking photos, and I
genuinely think there's like something there for her. I don't know.
I've been so impressed with the way that she's able
to capture images. And she's using some of my cameras
in like manual mode. For photographers, that's like not an
easy thing. You have to like learn specific things about
the camera to use it. It's not just like a
(25:29):
point and shoot. And yeah, so she's she's a creative.
I joke with her sometimes I'm like, you're a creative.
She'll say she isn't, But she actually has really creative ideas,
and that's been really cool to see. You know, there's
a lot of like I think it's Ken Griffy Junior,
and there's other former pro athletes now who are picking
up cameras and shooting sports and I just think that's
(25:50):
the coolest thing from a creative standpoint. I'm like, get
more athletes into this space because I think they would
have such a unique perspective coming from like the athletes things. So, yeah,
Caitlyn is great. I feel really lucky to have the
friendship and relationship that I do with her, and I
think that definitely translates into the way that I get to,
you know, share her story through a photo perspective.
Speaker 1 (26:13):
What can't Caitlyn do? She's so good at everything. She
needs a show where she tries everything, Like Kitlyn versus,
just try everything because she's so good to rest say
something the rest of us. You're also a team photographer
for the Indiana Fever. How fun has it been this
season capturing that team?
Speaker 2 (26:34):
It has been It's been so fun. It has been
such a joy. I'm part time on their staff and
I get to capture the tunnel interests with them, which
I think has been one of the most fun experiences.
I have to be, you know, at the game really
early for their arrivals, but I get to interact with
them and their personality in a way that's very different
than who they are on court. And I think that
(26:55):
I also try to bring a lot of energy to
the tunnels. You know a lot of times people walk
in and it's quiet, and they have cameras in their
face and I'm like, hey, you look amazing. How are
you Like we get to have conversation and just try
to bring some energy upon their arrival. And I think
the Indiana Fever team, the players, the staff, everybody in
(27:16):
that organization is incredible. And being able to work with
them and see, in my opinion, one of the best
digital teams in the sports space do what they do
has just been such a joy and I feel really
really lucky to be around around them. Like outside of
the work, the people are just amazing. So it's been
so much fun and I feel really grateful.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
How fun is Sidney Culcid.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
I mean, I know she's injured now, and we wish
her speedy recovery. But she's such a huge personality and
I know that when I see the videos of her
walk into the tunnel.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
She's always engaging and just being so fun on.
Speaker 2 (27:48):
The walk in sid is amazing. I have missed her
in the tunnel so much. She's come through a couple times,
like on crutches since her injury, and I'm just heartbroken
for her with that. But she is just an amazing spirit.
I always knew, you know, from her shows and her videos,
how funny and entertaining she was, and she truly is.
Like she will say the most out of pocket stuff
(28:10):
and she will make you laugh harder than you ever have.
But she's also one of the most genuine people I've
ever met in my life. When she meets people in
a room, she comes up and shakes your hand and
looks you in the eye and remembers your name. And
it doesn't matter how big or how small you are
within the organization. She's so intentional to make everyone feel seen,
and she is like she's like a warm hug. You
can never not feel seen or welcomed or heard around her.
(28:35):
And so outside of how incredibly hilarious. She is. She's
just one of those like once in a lifetime people
that you just want in your life forever. And I
hope I get that with Sid. But she is severely
missed in the Tunnel, as is Sophie. Sophie had crazy
energy too. It's just yeah, it's been tough, Caitlin. You know,
the tunnel has dwindled down. We've gotten new people. It's
(28:56):
been a ride for the Fever this year. But I
feel lucky because they're all such bestial humans from top
to bottom.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
Ow cool was it that your photo of page was
used by Nike?
Speaker 2 (29:06):
That was very cool. That was very unexpected. I that
was from her game here in Butler at Butler actually
in Indianapolis, and I was very not prepared for Nike
to reach out and want to use one of the images.
But that was I mean, it was a dream come true.
Like you always want your photo to be, you know,
(29:28):
shown in some space. I remember when I was in
it was probably twenty eighteen timeframe over time made a
billboard and used one of my NIKEUIBL photos for that,
and that was the first moment where I had had
a photo you know, blown up and showcased in that way,
and for this to be on apparel that people can buy,
I was completely blown away. And for it to be
(29:48):
Paige was even more special. Pages one of the most
amazing humans I've ever known, and she just deserves, you know,
all the good things and has been a great friend
to me and helped me with access to things as well.
And so for that to be this full circle moment.
She was one of the first women athletes that I captured,
and then for that to be on a T shirt
(30:10):
for her draft night was extremely special. And yeah, it
still feels surreal, Like my whole family has the T shirts,
and it just when my dad was in town in
Indianapolis when Paige and the Wings played here, he kept,
you know, seeing the shirt and he's like, I want
to tell them that was my daughter's picture. I'm like, Dad, please,
just not today. It's okay. But yeah, it was very
(30:31):
It was a very cool moment. And yeah, we'll see
how many more of those happened. But it's it's special
to be able to capture photos like that that have
a place, you know, on a T shirt. I would
have never imagined that, like ten years ago, So.
Speaker 1 (30:44):
Listen, I have a T shirt from that night because
I attended Paige's draft party, which is a lot of fun,
and once I found out you took the photo, I
was like, Oh, this makes it more special because my
friend took this picture. So I have that shirt and
I wear proudly to the gym or can out everywhere outside.
I love the shirt, Bree, Before we let you get
(31:05):
out of here, I'm very interested in knowing who inspired you,
whether it be a photographer someone in close proximity to you,
who inspired you on this photography journey, and what do
you hope people after you get from the work that
you do, or any advice to those who are looking
to get into sports photography.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
Yeah. I think one of the first women that I
ever saw photographing was Cassie Athena, and I think she
inspired me because you know, honestly, I would get mixed
up with her all the time in the spaces that
it was because it felt like it was only us
two people would come up and ask if I was
Cassie and I'm like, no, I'm not Cassie. I'm just
another blonde with a camera. But she inspired me because
(31:47):
of the photos that she would take the moment she
would capture, but also just her relentlessness to be in
spaces like she really inspired me to, you know, not
let people tell you no and just continue to find
a way to make it into these spaces in places
as a woman. She was there photographing even years before
(32:07):
I was, when it was really hard for women to
get into places. And so she has completely inspired me
to you know, keep pushing and keep yeah, being relentless
in finding space. And I think that has been an
amazing thing that I learned from her early on that
helped me get to where I am. And I think
(32:27):
what I hope people take from my work is that
these women are incredible athletes, but more than that, they're
just incredible people. They I hope that young athletes see
my photos and see themselves in a frame, or I
just hope that people think about, like what they connect
with through my photos, whether it's a lifelong fan or
(32:50):
someone new to the sport who's drawn in by my storytelling.
I just want my photos to spark something universal, whether
that's excitement or pride or nostalgia. But sports in general
are about a connection, and as a photographer, I just
feel like it's my opportunity to make sure that those
moments are felt as much as they are seen. So
(33:11):
I hope that's what people take away from me, and
then I just hope the next generation. I get so
many messages from young girls and photographers who are so
young and are wanting to try out photography, and that
has completely reinvigorated me. It's just I can't imagine that
ten or twenty years ago we had this many young
girls or just young people in general who wanted to
(33:32):
be in the women's sports space photographing, And so I
think they inspire me, and I hope I can inspire them.
But they can be in these spaces and they can
tell these stories and they will do so much better
than even I am now, Like it's only going to
keep growing and getting better from here, and I hope
that they feel inspired to know that there's a place
for them, and there's a place for as many women
(33:54):
as we can get in this space. And as much
as I inspire them to get there, someday, they inspire
me to, you know, keep going and be able to
continue to share these stories on a wider stage. So
I feel very lucky in that way.
Speaker 1 (34:07):
Alle Brie, you're certainly leaving the game so much better
than when you entered it in twenty eighteen. And I'm
super proud of you, Like, seriously, I know every time
we see each other, we show each other up, but
I'm super super proud of you your growth and how
you've been able to really separate yourself and this space.
Speaker 3 (34:25):
And I hope that you know.
Speaker 1 (34:26):
That the work that you're doing is so so so necessary,
and you know, I'm excited to see what's next for you.
Speaker 2 (34:32):
Thank you, Christina, That seriously means the world. And right
back at you, I'm so proud of you. You were
one of the original people who knew what this moment
was going to be and you deserve to be here
times one hundred. And I think we're all so lucky
to have you in this space and the stories that
you've shared and your commitment to this has absolutely elevated
(34:54):
the women's game and shown these athletes in such a
special way. So we're all very lucky to have you,
and I feel very lucky to know you and call
you a friend, so well, thank you.
Speaker 3 (35:04):
Feeling is so mutual.
Speaker 1 (35:05):
Well, Brie, I want to thank you for being our
guest this fan out of Friday or in case you
missed it here on iHeart Women's Sports Network. And y'all,
if you are watching this or listening to this, make
sure you give Free a follow across all of her
social media, retweet reposts, engage with her work online. And
that's going to do it for this week's episode. We'll
(35:27):
see you next time. In case you missed it with
Christina Williams is an iHeart Women's sports production in partnership
with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment.
Speaker 3 (35:38):
You can find us on
Speaker 1 (35:39):
The iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Host
Khristina Williams
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