Gender Expression in Athletics: Project Phase 3

This project began as a part of my "photographic aesthetics" class this fall quarter and as it's progressed through the past ten weeks, I've realized that it means far more to me than I've been able to capture so far. The phases have been vaguely themed around our class critique structure and today I'm introducing phase three. Each phase has showed me different sides of my teammates and helped me to further understand the variety of perspectives that make up our sport.

During my final critique on my best fifteen images from this body of work, my professor asked me what I learned through creating this project. Where to begin? I learned so much that I've been madly inspired to create a gallery show and publication with the images from this project (stay tuned!). It has become a love letter to my team, teammates and everyone who has shaped me in this sport.

The overwhelming lesson I've taken away from the first ten weeks of this series was that my story is not simply my story. As lonely as this sport can feel, nobody's story is solitary in either their pain or joy. We share so many miles. Within those miles we hold tears, laughter, anger, stories and love. The struggles that we fight with ourselves as athletes do not need to be held by us alone. As we think our worst thoughts, we're often not the first to think them. As we celebrate, our village celebrates with us.

Running is celebrated for being an individual sport but ultimately, we're all in this together. Sharing our stories, and my teammates sharing their stories with me through this project, creates growth and understanding. I'm so thankful for their stories and perspectives as we build a community around healthy relationships within this sport.