“I think one of our great strengths, as women, is our sometimes slightly more emotional side,” says Michele Grenier on why female photographers gravitate towards more sentimental and moving photographs. She started her professional photography journey at an age when most people begin to settle into their careers, realizing soon after that she loved capturing sporting images.
All images are used with permission. Check out Michele Grenier’s website and Instagram page to see more of her sports photography.
Long live female photographers!
Michele Grenier Started Photography At The Age Of 30
“I bought my first DSLR camera at the age of 30” Michele says excitedly while recalling her first moments in photography some years ago. She started out as an assistant aiding a good friend who was a professional photographer covering weddings. After helping her a few times, the creativity that photography offered her enthralled Michele. “That’s what made me want to go back to school to learn the trade!” she says.
Shallow Depth Of Field Is Fascinating To Her
The basics were a tad confusing to her at first, but she immediately became enamored with the concept of shallow depth of field. “I’ve always been obsessed with blur in my photos,” confesses Michele. “I quickly got my first 50mm f/1.8 (a focal length that is still one of my favorites to this day), and I shot EVERYTHING at f/1.8. I started with an old Nikon D5000 and the 50mm. When I had a bit more budget, I added a used Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 ED and Nikkor 20mm f/1.8 G lenses.”
Why Sports Photography?
“I have always been an active person,” says Michele Grenier on why sports photography came naturally to her. Based in Quebec, Canada, a big part of her time continues to be spent at gyms and fitness centers. Michele says she knew from the moment she started doing photography that all she was interested in photographing was sports. “I remember practicing countless times after my photography classes while I was at CrossFit. It helped me from the start to build a network in the industry and get my first contracts.”
Can A 20-40mm Really Give Good Sporting Images?
Judging from her initial choices of lenses, we can safely say that Michele Grenier is a big fan of prime lenses. I did however, see some really eye-catching images on her portfolio that were taken with a wide angle Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 lens (one which received 5 stars in our review last year). And it’s a lens that Michele thoroughly enjoys using too.
“As you’ve probably already noticed by now, I am a big fan of prime lenses. I’ve really enjoyed the freedom this lens provides me in quickly changing my composition without having to physically move around,” she states about her reason for adding this lens to her arsenal.
The constant aperture of f/2.8 is also a must when shooting at high speeds indoors, which happens to me 90% of the time
What Are The Key Factors To Getting Good Portraits Of Sportspersons?
Emotion matters the most to get an image that keeps the viewer engaged. “I believe that the most important thing when I photograph athletes is the emotion that emanates from my images. It has to be spontaneous, sincere, and authentic. To share a story. I pay a lot of attention to the expression in the eyes and the non-verbal language. If I ever hesitate to share or deliver a photo, I always ask myself – ‘If it were me in the photo, would I be happy/proud to see myself in this way?’ The answer then comes naturally,” Michele says.
Do More Women Opt For Careers In Sports Photography Now?
“It’s an excellent question,” Michele says. “I believe so. I see more and more young women getting interested in sports photography and carving out their place in the field.” She continues to state that she believes women have a bit more of a predisposition to capture emotional moments.
