University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Kari Hodges/UGAAA
Through the Lens: Opening Weekend
February 19, 2024 | Baseball
Get an inside look at the inspiration behind the shots from team photographer Kari Hodges
ATHENS – Opening Weekend is always a highly anticipated time.
This is my second season as the University of Georgia baseball team photographer. Shooting baseball has been my passion and the driving force of my career for four years. I have had the opportunity to capture moments for five teams, across two states and hundreds of student-athletes.
I believe there is a powerful story that can be told through sports photography, and I am fortunate to act as the author of Foley Field's biggest moments through my lens.
The start of this season brought the dawning of a new era as Ike Cousins Head Baseball Coach Wes Johnson began his tenure leading the team. I wanted to capture Coach Johnson's first moments stepping on the field. His composure in this shot represents the work the team has put in to prepare for that moment.
One of the most impactful elements of baseball is brotherhood. The first series gave the team a chance to showcase their diverse skillsets. Seeing each players' unique home run celebration and capturing that is always a surprise. I worked throughout the weekend to find the right place to be to capture those moments. This celebration isn't about showing off or flexing their skills, it debuts the family aspect of our team.
Surprisingly, this is one of my favorite photos from the weekend. It was something that happened spur of the moment before the series finale. Tre Phelps and Trey King have large, outgoing personalities and always find a way to bring a smile to my face through their antics. I think this photo shows the fun that we have that reaches beyond the success on the field.
I am a big fan of detailed-driven photos because they bring a unique perspective to sports photography that derives from the standard action shots. Tight, profile photos allow for the viewer to see the emotion and intensity on the athletes' face as they prepare for the plate. Eye black always makes the photo look better, too.
This was the first time I saw our team, all positions and players, celebrate a big moment. The performance during the first game showed the strength we have at the plate. Seeing the student-athletes so excited to be successful for the first time this season was powerful as it drew out the emotions the team has been itching to feel all offseason. Fernando Gonzalez has an extremely humble, kind personality. As a leader on the team, it was special to see him be celebrated like that for his accomplishments.
For this shot, I was stationed at the end of our dugout. One reason I like to shoot baseball is the grit showcased across the field. You never know when you are going to capture that display of skill, and I was in the right place at the right time to do that for one of our new players.
One of my favorite places to sit is next to the on-deck circle. I like the preparation moments, the grip spray, putting on the gloves and the practice swings. A lot of steps go into preparing to step onto the field for the first time as a Georgia Bulldog. This was John Marant's first game playing for the red and black, and I loved the opportunity to capture that.
I like taking photos of guys pregame because there is a lot of emotion. You can see them alone and serious, reflecting or excited with a lot of personality. This was taken moments before some of our starting lineup took the field for the first time this season. Showing players lock in before big moments creates impactful photos.
After the final handshakes of a series sweep, I saw two of our impact players celebrate the end of a big weekend together. There is a lot of love on our team, and I wanted to make sure I got this moment between two players who have bonded so quickly in their short time as Bulldogs.
This was just the beginning.
This is my second season as the University of Georgia baseball team photographer. Shooting baseball has been my passion and the driving force of my career for four years. I have had the opportunity to capture moments for five teams, across two states and hundreds of student-athletes.
I believe there is a powerful story that can be told through sports photography, and I am fortunate to act as the author of Foley Field's biggest moments through my lens.
The start of this season brought the dawning of a new era as Ike Cousins Head Baseball Coach Wes Johnson began his tenure leading the team. I wanted to capture Coach Johnson's first moments stepping on the field. His composure in this shot represents the work the team has put in to prepare for that moment.
One of the most impactful elements of baseball is brotherhood. The first series gave the team a chance to showcase their diverse skillsets. Seeing each players' unique home run celebration and capturing that is always a surprise. I worked throughout the weekend to find the right place to be to capture those moments. This celebration isn't about showing off or flexing their skills, it debuts the family aspect of our team.
Surprisingly, this is one of my favorite photos from the weekend. It was something that happened spur of the moment before the series finale. Tre Phelps and Trey King have large, outgoing personalities and always find a way to bring a smile to my face through their antics. I think this photo shows the fun that we have that reaches beyond the success on the field.
I am a big fan of detailed-driven photos because they bring a unique perspective to sports photography that derives from the standard action shots. Tight, profile photos allow for the viewer to see the emotion and intensity on the athletes' face as they prepare for the plate. Eye black always makes the photo look better, too.
This was the first time I saw our team, all positions and players, celebrate a big moment. The performance during the first game showed the strength we have at the plate. Seeing the student-athletes so excited to be successful for the first time this season was powerful as it drew out the emotions the team has been itching to feel all offseason. Fernando Gonzalez has an extremely humble, kind personality. As a leader on the team, it was special to see him be celebrated like that for his accomplishments.
For this shot, I was stationed at the end of our dugout. One reason I like to shoot baseball is the grit showcased across the field. You never know when you are going to capture that display of skill, and I was in the right place at the right time to do that for one of our new players.
One of my favorite places to sit is next to the on-deck circle. I like the preparation moments, the grip spray, putting on the gloves and the practice swings. A lot of steps go into preparing to step onto the field for the first time as a Georgia Bulldog. This was John Marant's first game playing for the red and black, and I loved the opportunity to capture that.
I like taking photos of guys pregame because there is a lot of emotion. You can see them alone and serious, reflecting or excited with a lot of personality. This was taken moments before some of our starting lineup took the field for the first time this season. Showing players lock in before big moments creates impactful photos.
After the final handshakes of a series sweep, I saw two of our impact players celebrate the end of a big weekend together. There is a lot of love on our team, and I wanted to make sure I got this moment between two players who have bonded so quickly in their short time as Bulldogs.
This was just the beginning.
Players Mentioned
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