{"id":79366,"date":"2022-01-20T15:00:59","date_gmt":"2022-01-20T20:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=79366"},"modified":"2022-01-18T14:44:12","modified_gmt":"2022-01-18T19:44:12","slug":"winter-olympics-photographer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/winter-olympics-photographer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Winter Olympics Photographer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although it seems like just yesterday that the world was watching the Summer Olympics, the Winter Olympics \u2014 slated to begin on February 4, 2022, in Beijing \u2014 are right around the corner.<\/p>\n

Featuring thrilling performances from the world\u2019s elite athletes, the Olympics bring the best of the best to a global stage. But who captures these moments for the world to see?<\/p>\n

Enter Olympic sports photographers.<\/p>\n

These hard-working professionals endure long days in all kinds of weather to memorialize athletes\u2019 once-in-a-lifetime moments. And as photographers, they are an elite group all their own. But what does it take to get to that level?<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll go behind the scenes with Annice Lyn<\/a>, a renowned female documentary sports photographer who was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2021<\/a> and has been photographing the winter Olympics since 2018.<\/p>\n

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Annice Lyn at Tokyo 2020 Olympics<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Getting Started as a Sports Photographer<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Before becoming a photographer, Lyn was already immersed in the world of competitive sports. She competed as a national figure skater in Malaysia before a knee injury prevented her from further competition.<\/p>\n

Photography provided a way for Lyn to stay connected with the skating community. She made it her mission to document the hard work that goes into figure skating as a way to raise the profile of the sport.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring my days of competing, I often saved up to buy my competition photos. But, to my dismay, the photos did not do our [hard work] justice,\u201d said Lyn. \u201cStarting from humble beginnings with no formal photography training, I developed a passion for visual storytelling\u2026in hopes to capture the action and compelling moments.\u201d<\/p>\n

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(Photo by Annice Lyn\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 06: Shiyue Wang and Xinyu Liu of China compete in the Ice Dance Rhythm Dance during day 1 of the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at Mokdong Ice Rink on February 06, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Annice Lyn\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Journey to the Olympics <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Although Lyn was familiar with the athletic world, she still faced a long journey to the Olympics. After leaving figure skating, she began covering local sports competitions as a way to practice her photography.<\/p>\n

Her advice?<\/p>\n

\u201cStart by championing your local sports association \u2014 believe in budding athletes. You never know where they will be in two, three, or five-years\u2019 time. As they improve, you and your skills in photography improve as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

While covering community sports, Lyn built a portfolio and was eventually invited to photograph the Southeast Asian Games and the Four Continent Championships, among other events, before becoming an accredited Olympic photographer in 2018.<\/p>\n

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(Photo by Annice Lyn\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Olympic Experience <\/strong><\/h2>\n

For most, making it to the Olympics is a momentous occasion all its own. However, Lyn\u2019s first Olympics \u2014 PyeongChang 2018 \u2014 held a deeper meaning for her.\u00a0Those 2018 games marked Malaysia\u2019s first appearance in the Winter Olympics, including the debut of the country\u2019s first Olympic figure skater, Julian Lee Zhi-Jie.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a figure skater and a Malaysian myself, it was incredibly special to get the opportunity to capture our nation\u2019s debut and every moment throughout the winter Olympic games,\u201d said Lyn.<\/p>\n

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In this Sunday, March 24, 2019, file photo, free skate pairs gold medalist Sui Wenjing and Han Cong of China perform during the gala exhibition for the ISU World Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, north of Tokyo. (AP Photo\/Annice Lyn, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Stamina is Key <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Yes, photographing the Olympics is an honor, but it\u2019s also hard work. Covering the events involves a strenuous schedule \u2014 often with only a few hours to sleep \u2014 along with uncertain mealtimes and the intense physical demands of carrying gear.<\/p>\n

Lyn said that her key to avoiding burnout and keeping her composure under pressure was ensuring she was physically and mentally fit.\u00a0To achieve this, she offers some unusual advice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWeigh in an estimated amount and weight of your gear\u2026and go to the gym and do weight training. [With this training], you’ll be able to handle the job given to you, as well as build your stamina.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also suggested packing healthy snacks like energy bars to stay fueled while in the stadium. Another important tip: don\u2019t forget to hydrate!<\/p>\n

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(Photo by Annice Lyn\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Breaking Boundaries <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Lyn\u2019s work at the Olympics didn\u2019t just break ground as a representative of Malaysia. She is also blazing a path for women looking to grow within the industry that\u2019s long been\u00a0dominated by men.<\/p>\n

Of the 2,309 press credentials distributed for PyeongChang, 80 percent went to men. Only 544 (19.1 percent) were women, and Lyn was one of just 77 accredited female photographers at the games.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile gender equality has grown leaps and bounds in recent years, these statistics illustrate that inequality still persists in the realm of visual culture,\u201d she said. \u201cBeing part of the minority motivates me to be a representative and grow the female photography community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though there\u2019s still work to be done in this regard, Lyn shared that she did see an increase in visibility of female photographers during her coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and hopes the landscape of the industry will continue to evolve.<\/p>\n

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(Photo by Annice Lyn\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gear for Sports Photography<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When we asked Lyn about her go-to gear, she shared an extensive list of equipment she uses to capture her images:<\/p>\n