Portland, OR -- Looking to take her photography game to the next level, Academy of Art University women's volleyball athlete
Meg Williams has already made the most of a summer internship with the Portland Tribune. After attending the U.S. Olympic Trials for track and field in Eugene, Oregon (coincidentally also where
ART U's Vashti Thomas competed in the long jump), Williams had her images published on the Tribune's front page.
“I want to eventually become a freelance sports photographer or work for a sports magazine like Sports Illustrated or ESPN as a staff photographer,” Williams, a Portland, OR native, explained. “So working for a newspaper this summer has really helped prepare myself for the pace of the real world. The turnaround for the photos is ridiculously fast and nothing can prepare you for that unless you work through it.”
As part of that fast-paced environment, the Portland Tribune made one of Williams' first assignments to take photos at this summer's U.S. Olympic Trials for track and field. Precisely capturing future Olympians such as Brittney Reese and Galen Rupp in action, Williams too had the opportunity to show she could thrive on a big stage.
“My biggest highlight from this summer has been shooting the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene,” Williams said. “Being right there at the finish line while these truly inspiring athletes gave 110 percent was life-changing.”
While in Eugene, Williams ironically had the opportunity to photograph a fellow Urban Knight as well. Attending the trials to compete in the long jump event, Vashti Thomas served as the first ART U athlete to reach such an elite level, wowing the audience and photographers alike with an impressive
22-10.5 mark in the preliminary round on July 29. Check out Williams'
photo gallery of Vashti Thomas in action and
others from the U.S. Olympic Trials.
“It was amazing to be able to see Vashti Thomas, a fellow Academy of Art University athlete competing the long jump at the trials,” Williams said. “She did an amazing job finishing seventh in the world at the time and I was there to document it. It felt great to cheer her on.”
Williams, who had
one of her photos appear in Sports Illustrated last year, has also bolstered her photography portfolio with a variety of images from Urban Knights in action this past year, marketing campaigns for the Athletics Department, and a special assignment to create a new
“Be Artist. Be Athlete.” poster image in the style of Vanity Fair.
"I'm very proud of Megan taking advantage of the education she is receiving here at Academy of Art University,” head coach Ed Jackson said. “It's amazing that with two years of accomplished coursework, Megan has the tools to begin gaining valuable work experience doing what she loves doing. I am looking forward to seeing Megan's photographs capture some of the greatest moments in sports history."
Thankful for all that she has learned at Academy of Art University, Williams attributes her success this summer to one particular class which specifically prepared her for challenges within the sports realm.
“The Academy of Art University has taught me an extraordinary amount about the fundamentals about photography. But my Sports Photography class last semester really helped me exponentially,” Williams recalled. “It taught me much more about the business behind the field that set me ahead this summer in my internship. It made me look much more professional compared to the other photographers who were interns as well. I could then learn more about the business because I already had the basics down.”
