Shooting Three
FROM APRIL/MAY 2023 ISSUE OF WEST END PHOENIX
This year, the Toronto Raptors teamed up with Room Up Front, a grassroots group that connects early-career BIPOC photojournalists with mentors. They gave WEP a sneak peek at the work Norma Ibarra, Lucy Lu and Adetona Omokanye have been producing at Raptors and Raptors 905 games, documenting the action.
(Click on images to view full size)
From Norma Ibarra:
"I started the Room Up Front program in hopes to expand from being a skateboard and mountain bike photographer into a sports photojournalist." During a time out, above, she says, "I noticed Katia Sanon [assistant athletic therapist for Raptors 905] running toward a player to fix their hand. It captivated me how she is always paying attention to what the team needs before, during and after the game." Ibarra also caught Fred VanVleet (top left) mid-stride, "doing his point guard thing, making sure the ball gets to the right player on time."
From Adetona Omokanye, who describes the photo program as a "fantastic experience":
"Ron Harper Jr. (top right) is a two-way player between the Raptors 905 and the Raptors. He's high-fiving team members during player introductions at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga."
From Lucy Lu:
"Sports photography was something I never thought I would do as a portrait photographer, but I've learned that sports is all about timing, preparedness and flexing your creative muscle when there's so much you can't control. Capturing game play is just as important as capturing the emotions, energy and drama around the game. I learned to pay attention to emotions on the athletes' faces in critical moments - while anticipating a pass or before making a shot, like this one (top left), where Pascal Siakam is aiming for the basket."