By Grace Carella ’21
From high school football to college rugby, Mike Rollins has captured some of high school sport’s most exciting moments. St. John’s Prep, Pentucket High, Gordon College and Endicott all have been destinations of Rollin’s and his Nikon D500. Rollins has photographed athletes from schools across the North Shore. From Tristan Shelgren from St. John’s Prep, India Ingemi, Annie Towler, and Shelby Degrenier from BHS and rising senior Jarrett Young from St. John’s Prep who is now a Junior Olympics Athlete, Mike has captured endless sports moments . I had the opportunity to catch up with Mr. Rollins, and to learn more about how he got started in the photography industry.
At a glance
Favorite song?
“That’s What Friends Are For,” by Elton John, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, and Gladys Knight.
Favorite movie?
So many but offhand, Titanic.
Favorite way to spend a Saturday?
Taking photos or vegging out in front of the television.
Favorite icecream flavor?
Cookies and cream.
What or who inspired you to start photography?
When my nephew, David (Class of ‘13), started to do sports, his papa (my dad) did not want to drive to go to all of his games. I would drive him to various games, and at the time I had no real interest in watching sports so I was bored and decided to start with videotaping games. That turned into photography and thus began my love of photography and sports.
How long have you been doing photography?
I remember my first game when I was in the fourth grade, so age 10. It was a Polaroid instant camera. And through the years I had a Fuji disc camera but just was taking photos here and there. It was nothing serious until my nephew started playing sports.
Favorite sports photography moment of your career?
Football Superbowl BHS 2012.
With Covid-19 and social distancing affecting all sporting events – including pre-professional and professional – how has the sports photography game changed? Is it harder to find events to shoot at?
It is much harder. I think this summer I have done three baseball games. Usually during the summer you can find different levels of baseball, and some flag football or semi pro football to take photos of. Not sure if it’s due to games being cancelled all together or just not posting game schedules so the crowds aren’t as big.
Have you seen any difference in athletic event attendance? (Are there more or less people in attendance at summer league games because people are looking for a reason to leave their house or are there less because people are still afraid of the virus?)
I have only been to three baseball games this summer and I would say the crowd was the same as pre-corona. Maybe slightly more.
With the MIAA and many colleges canceling or pushing back their fall season start dates, do you feel safe attending these events to take photos? Do you ever get nervous when it comes to large gatherings of people?
I feel safe. I don’t have any symptoms. I always wear a mask around people.
How did the quarantine at the beginning of March affect you? Schools did not have spring seasons, and that meant you had no events to attend. How did you stay busy, optimistic and prepared for any upcoming events?
Yes, we had no lacrosse, spring track, and no proms. I was able to go to the Beverly High School graduation at BHS, and also the Hurd Stadium ceremony. I have done some family photos and senior pic here and there. I have mostly been using downtown to back up photos and watching a lot of TV.
In your opinion, do you think it is safe to have High School student athletes participate in their fall seasons? Many schools (including Beverly High) are going remote until the end of the year, when the school committee will vote again to plan for the January- June Time frame. If students are not able to attend classes, do you think it is safe to send them to athletic competitions?
I think everyone is aware of the risk, and I think it should be up to the parents, players and coaches if they want to participate. I know everyone is cautious-and this is just my opinion-but life is a risk, all athletes (male and female) when they go on the field, or track, or whatever are at risk of being hurt.
For many athletes, the fall and winter seasons are crucial to their college athletic careers. You have taken thousands, if hundreds of thousands of photos, all of them capturing the growth and development of athletes throughout their high school athletic careers. You have photographed some of the top athletes on the North Shore. Although you are not the athlete, how do you think the possibility of not having a senior season will affect senior athletes?
I think it will affect them greatly. Some or most of these athletes have been playing their sport for many years. Some were elected captains last year and now are facing the possibility of not playing in their final high school season.
Although not directly related to athletics, you were in attendance at the Beverly High Graduation at Hurd Stadium. Did that graduation (although socially distanced) feel any different from the traditional graduation? Did you feel safe taking photographs during that event?
I felt very safe. I kept my distance. I used a long lens during the ceremony and after ceremony kept my distance and mask on to take a few small group shots.
The Ledger thanks Mike Rollins for his time.
