Ric Kruszynski — Pro Sports Photography, Trading Cards & How to Learn Photography From the Ground Up
The crease. The chaos. The shot. Ric Kruszynski, Columbus Blue Jackets. Photo Credit: Ric Kruszynski Photography. Used with permission.
Ric Kruszynski’s photography career started with a shoebox of baseball cards at age five, a borrowed camera at his son’s travel baseball games, and the nerve to ask a stranger if he could try it. Today he shoots for the Cleveland Browns, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Upper Deck hockey cards, with roughly 3,000 photos he’s taken now circulating in trading card packs worldwide.
In this episode Ric breaks down the path from Little League sideline to professional credentials, and shares the philosophy that’s guided every step: you earn opportunities, you don’t ask for them.
Why It Matters
Ric’s advice disappoints most people who ask for it, because there’s no shortcut in it. Start at the most basic level. Shoot your nephew’s Little League game. Earn your way from high school to college to professional work, one level at a time. For anyone hoping to skip straight to the credential, Ric’s path is the honest answer: the path is the path, and it’s different for everyone, but it still has to be earned.
About This Guest
Ric Kruszynski is a Cleveland-based sports photographer shooting for the Cleveland Browns, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Upper Deck hockey cards, with roughly 3,000 photos now appearing in trading card packs. A lifelong card collector since age five, his photography career began by borrowing a friend’s camera at his son’s youth baseball games and creating custom trading cards for the team. He’s built a career on consistency, professionalism, and a willingness to put himself forward, reaching out directly to people who could give him an opportunity rather than waiting to be discovered.
Ric’s Bonafides
“
You’ve got to be really good. It helps if you’re consistent, friendly, and reasonable to work with. There’s one common thread throughout most of the high-profile gigs I’ve gotten: a point where I reached over a line to connect with somebody and asserted myself to take a chance.
”— RIC KRUSZYNSKI, SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER, CLEVELAND BROWNS AND COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETSHear This Episode
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Episode Timestamps
Your ZoomPod — Exit Ticket
After this episode, you'll know:
- Why earning your way up from Little League to high school to college builds the skill that professional credentials require
- How asserting yourself and reaching out directly is the common thread behind nearly every high-profile opportunity
- What mudita means and why finding joy in someone else’s success is the real fuel behind a long sports photography career
- Why there is no single right path into sports photography, only the path you’re willing to put in the work for
Gear & Affiliate Links
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Explore More
Check out our other great podcast episodes. Link and follow for more great learn-photography content: IG @tvcommandomedia | FB @ZoomWithOurFeet.
Ric started with a borrowed camera and the nerve to ask. Same first step applies to anyone picking up a camera for the first time.
Stop Shooting From the Stands →BUILD NOTE: Full transcript pending paste-in from Buzzsprout.
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