Behind the Lens at the 2025 USA Gymnastics Championships in Tulsa

I've had the privilege of photographing the USA Gymnastics Championships since 2015, and every year has been a little different. This year's Championships took me to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the nation's best athletes in Rhythmic Gymnastics, Trampoline & Tumbling, and Acrobatic Gymnastics came together to compete. My assignment this year was focused on Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics, and it was an incredible opportunity to be back on the national stage, documenting some of the country's top athletes.

As exciting as the competition was, this trip was memorable for another reason.

It was my first time being away from my son for more than two days.

For four days, I traded bedtime stories and morning cuddles for airport terminals, rental cars, camera bags, and long competition days. While I knew I would miss him, I was also excited to continue doing the work I've poured my heart into for more than a decade.

Like many working moms, though, the logistics weighed on me before I ever boarded the plane. As a breastfeeding mom, I wasn't just packing camera gear. Alongside camera bodies, lenses, batteries, hard drives, and my laptop, I also had to pack my breast pump, cooler, and everything I needed to safely bring my milk home. If I'm being honest, I had built up a lot of anxiety before leaving.

Would TSA question the milk? Would the airlines care about another bag? Would I have a private place to pump between flights? Would everything fit? Would something get lost?

Thankfully, none of those worries became reality.

Every airport I traveled through, Charlotte, Tulsa, and Hartford, had dedicated nursing suites that were clean, private, and thoughtfully designed. They offered comfortable seating, changing stations, electrical outlets for pumps, and a quiet space to step away from the crowds. Every gate agent I encountered was kind, helpful, and completely understanding.

Sometimes we spend so much time preparing for everything that could go wrong that we forget to leave room for everything that can go right.

Once I arrived in Tulsa, my focus shifted completely to the competition.

I've photographed this championship for over ten years, but every assignment brings a new perspective. This year, I had the opportunity to focus on Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics, a discipline that combines incredible athleticism with artistry, precision, and expression. Every routine is different, and every athlete tells a story through movement. Those are the moments I love to capture.

It's never just about photographing a leap, a toss, or a catch. It's about preserving the determination before an athlete steps onto the floor, the relief after a routine they've worked months, or even years to perfect, and the joy that reminds us why we all fell in love with this sport in the first place.

One of the things I appreciate most about photographing gymnastics is that I've had the opportunity to follow athletes throughout their journeys. Over the years, I've documented local invitationals, state championships, regional competitions, Development Program events, and national championships. Watching athletes grow, not only in their skills but also in their confidence, is one of the greatest privileges of this career.

If you'd like to see more of my gymnastics photography, you can explore my Gymnastics Portfolio here.

Tulsa also serves as the perfect lead in to another exciting event on my schedule. In just a few weeks, I'll be back on the national stage to photograph the U.S. Classic in Hartford. It's always exciting to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new athletes, and continue documenting the stories that make gymnastics such an incredible community.

While national championships are certainly exciting, they're only one part of what I do through Apex Motion.

Throughout the season, I photograph gymnastics meets of every size. From local invitationals to state, regional, and national competitions. I also partner with gymnastics clubs for Gym Photo Days, creating athlete portraits, team photos, website imagery, and marketing content that helps clubs celebrate their athletes and showcase their programs. Whether I'm photographing an athlete at their first meet or documenting a national championship, my goal remains the same: to create images that preserve the hard work, dedication, and unforgettable moments that make gymnastics so special.

To everyone I saw in Tulsa, thank you for another incredible championship.This trip challenged me in new ways, both professionally and personally. It reminded me that I can navigate the unknown, trust the process, and continue doing the work I love, even when it means stepping outside my comfort zone.

As much as I enjoyed being in Tulsa, coming home and seeing my big guy again made the trip feel complete. Now it's time to unpack the camera gear, catch up on some cuddles, and get ready for the next stop on the calendar: the U.S. Classic in Hartford.

I'll see you there.