Student Photographer Turns X-Games Fantasy Into Reality

While he makes pictures with a still camera, second year Brooks Institute Professional Photography student Ric Tapia is learning a lot about the value of networks.

In his case, the networks are connected to the other photographers and instructors he meets in person and on-line. Making use of these networks has paved the way for Tapia to cover this third X-Games in Los Angeles this summer. In addition one of his pictures will become a poster used to promote the summer games.

Working with Brooks Institute faculty member Joanne A. Calitri, Tapia first asked for help getting to the 2006 Summer X-Games. The Staples Center venue in Los Angeles would be a reasonably easy commute for Tapia from Santa Barbara.

However Tapia had to measure up, as Calitri puts demands on the students who work with her on such projects. First Tapia needed a recent sports portfolio. Then came an appointment with Calitri to review the work for technical ability and to assess the student’s professionalism. Next Tapia had to present her with written request and research about the event. Calitri instructs throughout this process, including how to seek credentials from the event coordinator. She eventually reviews the student’s work at the end of the coverage.

“That extra person (Calitri) helped push me,” said Tapia about getting a credential. “I was lucky to do what I wanted to do.”

While X-Games sponsor ESPN did not require him to show a portfolio, Tapia sent his work to Marketing and Content Coordinator Amy Lupo. Tapia wanted to show he could be trusted at major events. He started with 35 images, which he and Calitri trimmed to 20 for Lupo’s review.

After his summer experience, Tapia was ready for more. When it came time for the January 2007 Winter X-Games in Aspen, Tapia faced additional expenses. He was on the hook for his own plane flight and any rental gear he wanted. He sprang for a 300mm lens since he knew the advantage of having a long lens for big time sporting events.

For housing, Tapia returned to his networks, this time putting a message on the Sports Shooter professional photographic community Website asking for someone to share a room. Local Aspen photographer Guy Rhodes offered Tapia a place on his couch–for free. Teaming up with someone who had local knowledge helped Tapia navigate the town more efficiently than if he had been on his own.

Once on-site, Tapia had to understand the ground rules. Before the events started he had easy access. As the official start times approached the photographers had to get behind the barriers.

“You know how it is: You just want to be close to the action. The fences were a little far away,” Tapia said.

However Tapia received an Events Staff press pass that gave him access superior to that of other photographers. With that, Tapia was one happy photographer. “I don’t’ think I’m that special,” Tapia said. “They gave it to me and it was very nice to have.”

This credential got Tapia into the media, events staff and VIP rooms, all of which provided food, thus helping defray the cost of Tapia’s trip.

The media room may have given Tapia his biggest buzz of the games, because he got to meet Olympic gold medalist Shaun White. “I got to shake his hand,” said Tapia. “It was cool to be that close to the athletes.”

The credential also allowed Tapia to make use of the Games’ snowmobile shuttle which served as a local taxi service on the mountains. Tapia would go to the pick-up spot as the staff called for a driver. Then Tapia hopped on and rode off to his next event. Unfortunately this only helped some of the time.

“For the most part it was a lot of walking around,” said Tapia. “You were at 9,000 feet up. Day One I definitely noticed the altitude.” With more than 50 pounds of cameras, lenses and assorted gear, Tapia appreciated the occasional ride.

At the games Tapia was able to show his pictures to Lupo. She did not use his work during the games since she had her own hired team of photographers. However she reviewed Tapia’s work and knows what he can do.

“I know if I get a call and am asked to shoot non-stop, I can do that,” said Tapia. “This means a great deal to me, this confidence boost.” At the same time, Tapia knows he is still growing. “I expected a lot of myself and sometimes I didn’t get it,” he said.

Plus Tapia has that poster soon to be part of the 2007 X-Games promotion. It is of a BMX biker rider, a picture shot at the previous summer games.

For other photographers who aspire to do what he’s doing, Tapia suggests, “Never show you are sweating on the inside,” he said. “I never showed any breakdowns if I had them.” His goal was to project a positive attitude at all times. He wanted other pros to remember, “Ric was positive throughout, and I’d want to hire him.”