Road Trips, Teething, and Perfect 10s: A Nationals Season for the Books

There is a specific kind of magic that happens in a dimly lit arena, right as the chalk settles and the crowd holds its breath. This year marked my 14th year photographing the Level 9 and 10 Development Program Nationals, but let me tell you, this one felt like a whole new world.

While the gymnastics was as elite as ever, my "behind the lens" reality looked a little different this time around.

The Mile Markers

This wasn’t just a weekend trip; it was a full blown odyssey. We packed up the car in Connecticut and headed south to Georgia for Easterns. From there, it was a cross-country haul to Oklahoma for Level 10 Nationals, and as I type this, we are currently somewhere on the long stretch of highway heading back home to CT.

The stats for this season:

• 14 years of Level 9 and 10 Nationals under my belt.

• 4 years shooting alongside my husband (and best bar shooter I know).

• 1 tiny human making his National debut.

The Logistics of "Parent-Photographer"

In years past, my focus was purely on technical prep: memory cards, charged batteries, swapping my wedding prime lenses for my go-to gymnastics lenses, etc. This year, the prep was just as precise, but the logistics expanded to include a tiny new teammate. It was about the seamless tag team effort that comes with being a photography duo and parents.

To make sure our son was taken care of, my husband and I spent the week flip flopping evening sessions. I’d spend the day capturing sticks and crowd roaring routines, then we’d trade places: he’d step behind his lens for the evening session while I headed back to the hotel to handle the bedtime routine.

The Ultimate Reward

Driving from CT to GA to OK and back is a lot of windshield time, but the reward is worth every mile.

Seeing these athletes, many of whom I’ve photographed for years, reach the pinnacle of their career is an honor I never take for granted. Sharing that atmosphere with my son for the first time made this year feel like a milestone for our family business.

Homebound

As the pavement hums under our tires and we head back to New England, my heart is full. One of the best parts of our workflow is shooting for immediate delivery, so while the miles are still clicking by, the photos are already in the hands of the athletes and families.

To the athletes: Thank you for letting me capture your strength.

To my husband: You are the ultimate teammate. From managing the baby shifts so I could shoot the morning sessions to crushing the evening coverage, I couldn't have done this without you.

We’ll be home for less than 48 hours to reset, recharge, and swap suitcases, and then it’s back at it. Region 6 Xcel Regionals, I’m coming for you!