Madison Wisconsin Sports Photographer. The soccer game albums are primarily for the athletes who participated in the game to tell their story, for their parents/grandparents and for those especially passionate about the game. For everyone else who may be overwhelmed by the number of pictures please view the portfolio gallery to see a smaller number of pictures from each game.
Seeing all galleries here, it's not hard to figure out that promoting women's soccer is a thing for me. The University of Wisconsin has never paid me to capture any of these games, this is all done on my time and wearing out my own equipment lol. Other photographers have asked me why do I do it. With 3 daughters playing soccer, over the last 10+ years my passion for this sport has only increased. That's even with getting up at 4AM on weekends to drive to a game. It goes by so fast which you quickly come to realize and trust me, you'll truly miss it when it's gone. I've captured so many games and spent so many weekends out on the pitch preserving family memories watching my/our girls grow up. As my daughters still playing club ball started ball chasing I captured a number of DeForest High School games too along with their opponents and of course that continued when they started playing high school ball. During all this time it was clear the sport lacked promotion and capture of memories at all levels, club to even college D1. When a DeForest player whose family I know well joined the UW, I reached out to the UW to see if I could capture a couple games assuming at that level the coverage had to be pretty good. I remained persistent and finally after a few rejections over a year's time I was given permission but told it would be limited to 1 or 2 games. This was in 2016. After my first couple games a player who I knew of seeing her play named Rose Lavelle texted me that it was so great to be able to see game pictures and the whole team often waits for them to be posted. Her parents reached out to me with similar comments. At that time Rose, as I knew her, was a pretty good college player with aspirations to move up to the next level and enter the NWSL draft. I thought she was pretty good watching her play but had no idea as my soccer knowledge is that of a high school parent. Being one of the best her reaching out made it clear these teams weren't getting memories preserved even at this level. I enjoyed watching the games and bringing my daughters along why not capture them too as it's hard for me to go to an event and not be able to capture and preserve what I am seeing. Often I think "dang" that would have been a great picture etc. if I don't have my cameras. Apparently the UW liked what they saw and so far I've been lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to continue capturing memories of the University of Wisconsin Badger's Women's soccer team and their opponents in Madison. Even if you are an opponent and you bring your game, I'll notice you and won't hesitate to capture your play even when that might lead us to defeat. To grow awareness to this great sport and group of very talented athletes all players need to be promoted and have memories of their play preserved not just "money shots" of key players but of everyone like you'd want of your child if they were out there playing in the game or supporting their team from the sidelines. One also can't forget the student in student athlete. They give a lot and have a lot on their plates. To many this sport has meant so much in their life and has really made them on many levels who they are today up to this point. Don't forget that especially student fans when you beat up the opposing keepers with comments. As a father with a daughter who played keeper for a while, I can only imagine what these college keepers have endured and yet still play at this level. I look out for keepers whenever I have the chance especially when I hear the comments thrown your way. I do all of this on my own time and expense and trust me there are many hours when considering I edit every picture I post not to mention the cost of photography equipment which isn't cheap. As a soccer parent it became something I really enjoyed doing and now down to 1 of 3 left still playing the game I knew how much I'd miss it. I also recognize that athletes sometimes need reminders of the relationships and support they have out there and like to see good pics too.
While working for Sentry Insurance, I conceived of and solicited the idea to our President that we should sponsor the new professional soccer team Forward Madison FC similar to my former employer American Family's sponsorship of Atlanta United. This resulted in a formal contract and the Dairyland logo being proudly and prominently displayed on the front of Forward Madison jerseys enhancing the brand awareness of our organization. If you would like your favorite local team or player's special sports moments preserved contact me.
These galleries are generally massive as they are with my primary audience in mind, the players and their families. I do not cull these down to just the best shots as you'd find on most sports photographer's pages. When you're a parent or player any shot the athlete is in even if it's their back is awesome and they do look at every single one of them even if there are 4000 in an album. That's my audience. I know this from first hand experience and I'm here to preserve as many memories as I can for them and best serve their needs. So if you're not my core audience please keep that fact in mind.
While shooting a game typically I'm not focusing in on a specific player or players. I try and tell the full story of the game and provide more of an immersive feel. I will tie in the atmosphere, the emotions and who was part of the play and how it developed. If you're near the ball chances are I'll capture you in a few shots preserving memories for as many as I can. I also look for those special moments on and off the field often witnessing them develop. Thus my capturing and posting most of a game and not limiting processing to "key" plays or awesome shots, however those are captured too. Shooting at 400mm one surely can focus in when desired.
Whether you're a mom or a dad, make sure to get to your daughter's games as often as possible. They grow older so fast and it will get away from you. If you live in an area that has a college soccer team, get out and support them too!
Team and individual sport photographer in Wisconsin serving Madison, DeForest, Waunakee, Middleton, Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove, Monona, Verona, Oregon and more.
***Soccer has 3.5 Billion fans in the world while football only has 390 Million. Lack of promotion and awareness is the only thing holding back soccer in the U.S. from being a significant revenue generator.***
© David Gaustad Photography LLC