BBC Women's Sport Show Interview with Jeanette Kwakye
BBC Women’s Sport Show | My Mission in Women’s Sports Photography
Why Authentic Sports Imagery Matters
BBC Women’s Sport Show | My Mission in Women’s Sports Photography
I recently had the incredible opportunity to join Jeanette Kwakye on BBC’s Women’s Sport Show to talk about my work in sports photography and my mission to ensure women in sport are seen, celebrated, and authentically represented. Too often, images of female athletes are curated to fit a commercial ideal, rather than capturing the grit, power, and determination that defines their performance. Whether in action or portraiture, my goal is to showcase their strength and resilience, not just their appearance.
Why Authentic Sports Imagery Matters
During the interview, Jeanette shared a personal experience, how she used to dislike seeing action shots of herself because they felt unflattering. It’s a common feeling, but my response was simple: those images show the truth of the moment, the beauty of raw effort. I believe sports photography is about capturing what athletes do, not just how they look. The sweat, the exhaustion, the power, these elements tell the story of dedication. And when female athletes see themselves in these images, they often recognise their own strength in a way they hadn’t before.
Behind the Lens: Why Women’s Sport Needs Women Photographers
Photographing sport isn’t just about pointing and shooting, it’s about timing, instinct, and the energy within the moment. Whether I’m capturing the unpredictable intensity of a live game or crafting a styled shoot that balances power with aesthetics, every image is about more than just the action. It’s about the story, the struggle, and the spirit of the athlete. As a female photographer in a male-dominated industry, I’ve faced my own challenges. But, much like the athletes I capture, I push forward. Because women’s sports deserve more than just visibility, they deserve to be seen in their full power. Too often, female athletes are photographed through an idealised lens, reducing them to how they look rather than how they play. Their grit, sweat, and sheer determination, the very essence of their performance can be lost in the way they are framed. In my conversation with Jeanette Kwakye on BBC’s Women’s Sport Show, we explored the impact of authentic sports photography, why it matters who is behind the camera, and the responsibility we have as storytellers to capture female athletes as they truly are. This is why I created my passion project, “Standing in the Light” to document women in sport from a female perspective, one that is still missing in many global conversations. Because representation isn’t just about who is seen, it’s about who is telling the story. And as long as women’s sport continues to fight for equal recognition, we need more women behind the lens ensuring these stories are told the way they deserve to be.
