The Importance of Photographing the Local CrossFit Competition

I would venture a guess that any photographer in or around the world of functional fitness is much like an athlete in that same arena. They want to make it to the Games. The CrossFit Games is the Super Bowl of the sport where all the top athletes from around the world converge to see who is the fittest. All of these athletes in the same area, doing things that the average person might see as impossible, makes for a

But you can never discount the power in photographing the local competitions.

It is obvious that the Games level athlete has made sacrifices and trained hard to be where they are. But what about the competitor at the local competition? What brought them to where they would cross paths with my camera?

These are just some thoughts that crossed my mind as I photographed the 4 Year Anniversary Competition held at CrossFit Bluegrass this weekend. Most, if not all, of these athletes work a full time job. Some have children. Some are engaged. Some are overcoming an injury. Some ventured well out of their comfort zone and competed for the first time. Some moved from scaled to RX. You never know the full story behind the athlete. That is what makes photographing these competitions so much fun for me. I feel as if I get to live that experience with them and then capture it forever, leaving them with a permanent record to go along with that first win or that big PR. Seeing a competitors face before they approach the bar or right after time is called.

And when it is all said and done, I grab my gear and make my way home to cull through the gigabytes of memories on my cards, to process and pull out the best. You know, those photos that when the competitors see them, it takes them immediately to that moment and they can relive that feeling. The see progress in their bodies and new abilities, having completed a competition that wouldn’t have been possible just a year prior. They share the images on Instagram and update their profile photos and their friends heap well-deserved praise on their accomplishments.

I love the entire process, from start to finish. It is yet another reason why I love CrossFit so much and am thankful to be a part of the community and a member at CrossFit Bluegrass.