Today we’d like to introduce you to Cole Christopher.
Hi Cole, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Cole Christopher, and I am a photographer here in the Dallas – Fort Worth metroplex. I have always carried a camera around my neck since I was about 2 years old; now I am 18, going into my Freshman year at Syracuse University as an Editorial Photography/Photojournalism major within their S.I Newhouse School of Communications. Growing up, my dad was and still is my biggest inspiration. He worked at the Star-Telegram in Fort Worth as a sports photographer covering the Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, etc. But he did not start off as one of their go-to guys. He first started out covering box scores at high school football games, and he would bring me to every single one of them (I was about 5 to 8 during this time). He is now a filmmaker and director, and he has made multiple documentaries; his latest project was screened at South by Southwest film festival. All that being said, my dad never forced me into photography or filmmaking; I have always been in love with telling stories through visual media. I really started getting into photography during my transition from middle school to high school, and that is where I found my love for sports photography. From my freshman year all the way through my senior year, I shot all the sports at Trinity Valley School. I shot for the players, the team, the coaches, and the athletics department. I got to really immerse myself in the world of sports behind my lens. Starting my junior year, is when I tried to really make a business out of it. I shot multiple AAU Basketball tournaments and many 7on7 football tournaments, including one with Overtime. I shot at car meets, senior portrait sessions, and anything I could bring my camera to. Then at the beginning of last summer, I shot the Charles Schwab PGA Challenge (this was my second year doing it), and multiple of my photos were used for publications. Last summer, I moved to Los Angeles and interned for the legendary sports filmmaker Mike Tollin at his production company. Some of the projects he has made are “The Last Dance”, “The Captain”, “Iverson”, and the list goes on. Being able to work behind the scenes at one of the most prestigious production companies was an incredible experience. I got to learn the ins and outs of real storytelling at a very high level. Returning home from Los Angeles changed my outlook on my career forever. My experience working with Mike made me aware of the small details and feelings that make up a great story, and that those details matter even if nobody else sees or knows about them. Throughout my senior year, I had many different kinds of shoots: I did 14 senior portrait sessions, shot 13 high school football games, covered a basketball season, and was lucky enough to shoot two Dallas Mavericks games. After these events were complete, I kept finding myself focused on how I felt during the game rather than what happened. I looked for the tension before the play, energy on the sideline, and emotion after the final whistle. I found so many great and often overlooked moments that I was lucky enough to capture. By the end of the year, it had become clear to me that my journey as a photographer was no longer just about getting better at taking photos. It’s also about how to tell a story with my images and how to preserve the memories of each event with the emotion that created them. I now step into every shoot with that same mindset, and I am hoping to continue my journey with the athletic department at Syracuse. I truly believe photography is my meaning in life. It is my passion, and I cannot imagine doing anything else in my future.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I believe that no one’s path to success is perfectly smooth, and so far, I have faced my share of roadblocks and challenges. Being a young person in the creative industry is hard because it takes a lot for adults to trust you with work. It has taken quite a bit of time and effort to gain the respect of adults, especially when I was younger, shooting for them. Getting credentials can also be difficult at times. Larger events are higher in media demand, so it can be a struggle at times to secure a pass. My biggest setback or struggle was when I got into a terrible car accident in March of 2025. I was driving home from a shoot at night when I got sideswiped and lost control of my car. The guy who hit me did not hit his brakes and slammed me into a tree, completely totaling my car. Luckily, I was okay, but I no longer had a car. For a while, it was difficult to get to shoots because I did not have any means of transportation, meaning I took fewer jobs.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As you know by now, I am a photographer, specifically a sports photographer. I shoot portraits and concerts too, but my love is for sports, and I would definitely say that is what I am known for. My favorite sport to shoot is basketball, but football is a close second. I love shooting the emotion in sports; it is something that you cannot compare to anything else. I am most proud of my football photos from this past season. I really worked over last summer to become a better photographer for the upcoming season, and I think my work paid off. Those images are some of my best, and they are a night-and-day difference from the past seasons I have shot. Every photographer I have worked alongside has said my shots are very personable and they reflect the personality of the people in the photo. I try to capture moments that people do not see, so I can create different images to define my work among other photographers. I am constantly shooting at different angles or positions on the field or court to create visually striking and unique photos. Also, black and white photos are super defining, and they stand out amongst others.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Photography brings me the most happiness in my life. Being able to capture a photo for another person is incredibly rewarding. As a photographer, you are able to preserve a moment in time that would otherwise disappear. As a storyteller, I love being able to capture a wide variety of photos for many different people from all walks of life and getting to connect with those people on a deeply personal level. Bringing meaning to moments that would otherwise go unnoticed is something I try to do in every shoot. Seeing the feedback from others makes me happy that I was able to deliver memories that mean a lot to people and their families. I love being behind my lens as I am able to go anywhere without anyone asking twice. I get to immerse myself in so many different environments that I would otherwise not even consider being a part of. I do not know what I would be doing with my life if I weren’t a photographer. All I know is that every time I pick up a camera, I am reminded that the greatest moments in life are worth preserving, and that in preserving them, I have found my purpose.
Pricing:
- Portrait shoots: starting at $200
- Sports teams: starting at $150
- Individual players: starting at $50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://colechristopherphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coleccphotography/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-christopher-60909020a/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@coleccphotography
