By Norah Jewett ‘25
If you have any connections to Beverly High through Instagram, chances are that you’ve heard of Panther Sports Media, the Instagram account that provides photographs of different sporting events for the Beverly community. This account is run by Bradley Griffin, a BHS senior who attends Beverly High games to photograph the events on the field. I had the opportunity to ask him a few questions regarding this account.
Q: What kick started the idea to make Panther Sports Media?
A: Last year I had taken Physiology of Sports and Exercise and we did this semester long project where you had to follow around an athlete and report on it. I had picked one of my friends on the football team and I said, “what more can I do to add to this?” because it was just bland. My grandfather is a photographer so when I had asked for one of his cameras, he sent it down and I fell in love with it.
Q: Do you plan on making a career out of photography?
A: I want to major in photography in college and do a minor in journalism, so I’m not giving it up.
Q: Do you have a favorite sport to photograph?
A: In the beginning it was football because I used to play football. But when I do non-BHS sports, it’s a lot different than BHS sports. BHS sports are a lot more fun since I know the people on the teams. In my own head I do better because I’m comfortable here–I know my angles, I know my lighting. But I wouldn’t say I have a specific sport I like better. It’s easier to shoot games where I know what’s going on, like when I first did field hockey and volleyball, I had no idea what was going on, but learning and watching games helped me improve. But I’d say it started as football, but I enjoy all sports now.
Q: What’s the hardest part about photography that people don’t normally realize?
A: I’d say grind. When I shoot a game, I typically end up with seven hundred photos and have to go through every single photo to make sure it’s perfect: the exposure, the color, the balance, and then doing that another six hundred and ninety-nine times and deciding what is your best work.
Q: Do you have plans concerning what will happen to Panther Sports Media after you graduate?
A: I’ve put a lot of thought into this and I’m trying to convince my younger brother–who’s a freshman–to get into photography and he’s thinking about it. But I’m not sure if I’ll pass it along to someone else or rebrand the account and take it with me to college. If I see someone who’s really passionate about what I’m doing and someone I trust, then I’ll definitely open for consideration.
Q: What is your greatest takeaway from this?
A: I’d say trying to bring the community together. When I started I wanted everyone to have photos of themselves and not make them pay. As an athlete, I understand how cool it is to have someone come to my game and get a picture of me doing what I love and I wanted to do that for other people. At football or soccer games, parents and faculty members will approach me about what I’m doing, it makes me feel wanted and respected in my field.
Q: Any tips for anyone looking to get into photography?
A: Try not to ever use auto mode, try to learn how to be the best photographer you can. It’s going to take a while, I’m still learning things. In my eyes, I know I can do better, I’m always trying to one-up myself. Always have that constant battle with yourself, always try to do better, you’re never at the top of the mountain. There’s always something you can improve.
Q: Anything else you’d like to share?
A: If there is anyone who ever wants to learn and shoot games with me, please reach out, I’d love to help in any way I can.
You can find Panther Sports Media on Instagram at @panther.sportsmedia.
Image credit @panther.sportsmedia on Instagram
