Covering the AAU Northeastern Regional Championships: A New Milestone After 600+ Gymnastics Competitions

Regional session photo by Allison Mott and her team, Apex Motion.

Over the past ten years, I have had the privilege of photographing more than 600 gymnastics competitions throughout the country. From local invitationals to state, regional, and national level events, I’ve witnessed countless moments of determination, perseverance, triumph, and growth.

This spring marked a new milestone in that journey as my team and I had the opportunity to serve as the official photographers for the AAU Northeastern Regional Championships hosted by Northwest Gymnastics in New Hartford, Connecticut. While we’ve covered hundreds of gymnastics events over the years, this was our first AAU Regional Championship, making the experience especially meaningful.

Coach's Corner

Captured just after a routine, this candid image reflects the bond between an athlete and coach in a meaningful post-performance moment.

The AAU Northeastern Regional Championships brought together athletes from across the region to compete at one of the highest levels of AAU gymnastics. Throughout the weekend, the energy inside the venue was incredible. Every session showcased years of dedication from athletes, coaches, and families. From confident beam routines and powerful vaults to emotional awards ceremonies and team celebrations, there was no shortage of memorable moments to capture.

Behind Every Great Event Is Great Leadership

Northwest Gymnastics Staff

A special thank you goes to Brianna Boyjian, Regional Meet Director for the championship.

From our first conversations leading up to the event through the final session of the weekend, Brianna was exceptional to work with. Organized, communicative, and committed to providing an outstanding experience for athletes and families, she helped create an environment where every detail felt intentional.

Anyone who has ever organized a large gymnastics meet understands the amount of work required behind the scenes. Brianna and the Northwest Gymnastics team delivered an event that ran smoothly while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for everyone involved.

The Responsibility of Preserving Athletic Memories

One of the things I love most about sports photography is knowing that the images we create often become lasting keepsakes for athletes and their families. Years from now, many of these gymnasts may not remember every score they earned, but they will remember the experience of qualifying for Regionals, competing alongside teammates, and achieving goals they worked so hard to reach.

Being trusted to preserve those memories is something my team never takes for granted.

Thank You

Thank you to AAU Gymnastics, Northwest Gymnastics, Brianna Boyjian, the coaches, athletes, parents, volunteers, and everyone who contributed to making this championship a success. We are grateful to have been part of such a memorable weekend and look forward to continuing to tell the stories of athletes through photography for many years to come.

Congratulations to all of the athletes who competed, and best of luck in your future gymnastics journeys.