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Sports Photography·Season 2 · Episode 23·Sep 21

Ralph Schudel — Sports Photography, No Comfort Zone & Learning Photography the Hard Way

Erling Haaland celebrating mid-air for Manchester City in front of a packed Chelsea crowd, photographed by Ralph Schudel

Haaland off the ground, hand up, Chelsea blue behind him. Ralph Schudel in exactly the right spot. Photo Credit: Ralph Schudel Photography. Used with permission.

Ralph Schudel picked up a camera because he wanted more bylines. What followed was a sports photography career that runs through the Columbus Crew sideline, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and a current gig as an official photographer for the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

In this episode Ralph breaks down how he built access from scratch, why getting out of your comfort zone is the only way to grow, and the advice he gives every aspiring photographer that involves your whole ass.

Why It Matters

Ralph didn’t wait for perfect conditions before he started shooting. He emailed athletic directors, told them exactly where he was in his development, and asked for a shot anyway. Access doesn’t come after you’re ready. It comes when you ask for it honestly and show up prepared to do the work.

About This Guest

Ralph Schudel spent years as a Sports Information Director before the camera became his primary tool. Today he shoots the Columbus Crew, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and serves as the official photographer for the Ohio Department of Public Safety, all while managing a full-time career alongside his photography work. He and TMac share a sideline at Columbus Crew matches regularly, where Ralph’s workflow includes live tweeting between shots and occasionally missing the action when TMac forgets to yell “head up.”

Ralph’s Bonafides

“

Don’t half-ass it. Whole-ass it. Put your whole ass into it. If you’re going to mess up, mess up. That’s how you learn.

”

— RALPH SCHUDEL, PHOTOGRAPHER, OHIO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

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Episode Timestamps

  • 00:00 Welcome & guest introduction
  • 03:00 From Sports Information Director to camera on the sideline
  • 11:00 Emailing athletic directors cold and what to say when you do
  • 20:00 Building access at D2 schools and why smaller programs are the perfect training ground
  • 29:00 Columbus Crew sideline: the workflow and the live tweet problem
  • 38:00 Ohio Department of Public Safety: what that gig actually looks like
  • 47:00 Whole-ass it: the standard Ralph holds himself to every shoot
  • 54:00 Getting out of your comfort zone as a daily practice

Your ZoomPod — Exit Ticket

After this episode, you'll know:

  • Why emailing athletic directors directly is the fastest way to build early access
  • How getting out of your comfort zone consistently is the only real shortcut in photography
  • What whole-assing it actually means as a professional standard for your own work
  • Why smaller programs and D2 schools are the best training ground for building a portfolio

Gear & Affiliate Links

Trick out your kit, and your wardrobe. Both Adorama and SmallRig are having sales right now. Or wear your photography mood, grab a ZWOF set-wear tee shirt. If you use a ZWOF link, we may earn a small commission that doesn’t increase the price of your item.

Explore More

Check out our other great podcast episodes. Link and follow for more great learn-photography content: IG @tvcommandomedia | FB @ZoomWithOurFeet.

Ralph built his access by showing up before he was ready. Same instinct applies every time you raise a camera.

Stop Shooting From the Stands →

BUILD NOTE: Full transcript pending paste-in from Buzzsprout.

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