Gavin, Goals & Giggles – A Sports Portrait Session with Heart (and Pucks!)

Every once in a while, a session comes along that reminds me why I love what I do—and Gavin’s sports shoot was exactly that kind of day.

It all started when Michele stumbled across the JW Portrait Studio Facebook page. She’d had some sports portraits taken of Gavin years ago, back when he was a little 6-year-old ballplayer, dabbling in baseball and soccer. Now 10, Gavin has swapped cleats and bats for grappling and goalie pads—diving headfirst (sometimes literally) into jiu jitsu and ice hockey.

Michele reached out wanting to capture this stage of Gavin’s journey—his grit, his grin, and the energy he brings to the things he loves. And honestly? I couldn’t have been more excited. As a photographer, moments like this are gold. They’re full of movement, personality, and heart. And even better: the whole family came along for the session at my Holly Ridge studio.

Now, it’s not every day I get to photograph a goalie while his dad fires pucks at him mid-shoot—but that's exactly what happened. Talk about action shots! Gavin, decked out in full goalie gear, was locked in and loving every second. (And yes, we took the necessary safety precautions—I like my camera gear unbroken, thank you very much.)

We mixed in some cool studio lighting, froze a few airborne pucks, and got those gritty, powerful images that really show Gavin in his element. And in between the shots? Laughter. So much laughter. We had Kendrick Lamar blasting through the studio speakers (Gavin’s pick), and the vibe was electric—more like a hangout than a photo shoot.

Michele and her husband were amazing—supportive, relaxed, and clearly so proud of their son. You could tell this was more than just getting a few pictures; this was about freezing a chapter that’s flying by way too fast, as it tends to do when you're a parent watching your child grow up before your eyes.

We wrapped the shoot with a family portrait—Gavin still suited up as goalie, and both parents proudly sporting team gear. It was fun, it was personal, and it’s exactly the kind of photo they’ll look back on years from now and smile. Or tear up. Or both. (Let’s be honest, probably both.)

Michele later left this incredible Google review:

“I cannot say enough great things about Jeff and his work. The entire process was streamlined and easy. He was dialed into my ideas and what I was looking for. Communication was excellent and scheduling was easy. His work is top notch and he takes pride in his skill set. Our photos turned out amazing. The cost is worth every penny. I do not expect great work to be cheap. Thank you so much for a pleasant and professional experience!”

Michele, thank you. It means the world to have clients who value the care and craft that go into every session—and who appreciate that we’re more than just a quick photo booth at a sports complex. We’re a real studio (which is getting rarer these days!) where memories are made and celebrated.

If you’re a mom reading this, wondering if now is the “right time” to do a session like this—let me just say: it is. You blink, and the soccer cleats turn into grappling belts and goalie pads. These phases move fast. Capturing who your kids are right now is one of the greatest gifts you can give your future self.

So if your child has a passion—whether it’s ballet or baseball, Minecraft or martial arts—I’d love to help you capture it. We’ll laugh, we’ll play their favorite music, and we’ll create something that tells their story. Because trust me: the essence of who they are at 10? It’s magic.

-- Jeff