While most Menlo students watch the games from the stands, senior Audrey Tsao and freshman Evan Grant are patrolling the sidelines, cameras in hand, capturing the thrill of Menlo sports through their lenses. Both blend their love for sports and photography creating stunning visuals that bring the excitement of each Menlo game to life. Their interest in photography goes beyond just snapping the shutter; they use their skills to support and highlight Menlo athletes.

Tsao has been keen on photography. “I’ve always been [the] friend who has her phone out and I’m the one taking photos — I really enjoy capturing the moment,” Tsao said. “So I like saving memories even if it’s just with my phone. On family trips, my dad brings out his old camera and I always enjoy using it.”

Last school year, during photography class, Tsao realized that she wanted to take photos of subjects that were of higher interest to her. The obvious answer was sports. “I really like sports, so I thought that [to] complete my assignments and create my portfolio, I could go watch games and shoot. It’s two things that I like together,” Tsao said. “I started with school cameras and then brought my own [and] learn[ed] my preferred settings.”

Tsao decided she wanted to share her work, and her first step was to create an Instagram account for photography. There, she found a community of fellow photographers who were open to questions and offering advice. “I got invited into an Instagram group chat with a whole bunch of photographers from all over the world. And that was where I started asking questions and learning,” Tsao said. She began to draw inspiration from other photographers’ color schemes, editing styles, and signature shots to begin to develop her own style as a photographer. 

For Grant, his love for photography was passed on by his brother, Connor Grant (‘24). Connor Grant would bring his camera on family day trips and vacations and inspired the younger Grant to start using one as well. It wasn’t until he was in the eighth grade that Grant began to take photography more seriously.

“During the [Menlo] Middle School basketball season, I broke my foot on the first day of tryouts but I had to stay for practices,” he said. “So I went to Mr. Hyland [Menlo Middle School Creative & Visual Arts Teacher], and I asked if I could borrow some of the cameras from his classroom. I would just photograph basketball practices and learn how to use the camera.” After purchasing a new camera and using his brother’s lenses, Grant began taking shots of Menlo sporting events more regularly.

Like Tsao, Grant has also used social media to enhance his brand. “It’s just a good place to showcase photos and it’s almost your portfolio in a way,” Grant said. Grant also finds opportunities to take more photos through his social media accounts. “I have had a couple of people ask me to go out to games on Instagram and that’s how I get in contact with players,” he said. 

The players also appreciate the photos as well. “Evan sent the whole [football team] the photos after the game and we all really appreciate it because everyone gets their own high-quality photos for free,” sophomore Nathan Banatao said.

Looking forward to college, Tsao explained that she would love to keep photography in her life, though less as an area of study and more as a hobby. “I hope to continue sports photography on the side in college. It’s definitely something I’m interested in,” Tsao said. “At the moment, I don’t want to major or minor in photography.” Tsao has also been offered an internship to take photos of athletics by AJ Tinio the Director for Creative Media at the University of San Francisco, who was intrigued by her portfolio.

Similarly, Grant intends to continue fostering his passion for sports photography in the future. “I would love to shoot college sports or professional sports, whether that’s soon — while I’m still in high school — or when I’m a college student with an internship,” Grant said.

Grant and Tsao are excited to continue their sports photography careers and will be capturing Menlo sporting events throughout the remainder of their high school years. Regardless of the professions they eventually choose, they both are confident that photography will remain a significant part of their lives.