27 Most Famous Sports Photographers in 2023
Sports photography may look glamorous, but it's challenging and can be extremely stressful, especially for the world's top sports photographers.
You’re about to discover 27 of the best sports photographers on Instagram in 2023.
I’ll introduce you to famous male and female sports photographers from around the world you’ve never heard of.
From famous football (soccer) to basketball photographers and everyone in between, you’ll find a ton of inspiration for your own sports photography in this guide.
You should also check out our related guides:
Table of Contents
Who Are The Most Famous Sports Photographers in 2023?
1. Atiba Jefferson
View this post on Instagram
Atiba Jefferson specializes in skateboarding sports photography, and his action shots show some serious air.
What sets his photography apart is his focus on the skateboard lifestyle, capturing both the impressive talent and personality of skateboarders.
One of his biggest accomplishments to date is photographing the debut of skateboarding as an Olympic sport in Tokyo 2020.
2. Will Fox
View this post on Instagram
Will Fox is passionate behind the lens at MMA fights, documenting the brutal training and competition the sport is known for.
His stark images provide insight into the dedication of heavy-duty MMA fighters who need to be at the top of their game both physically and mentally to make it in the ring.
Mike Tyson, Douglas Lima, Jon Jones, Carlos Condit, and Rey Mysterio are a few of his favorite MMA legends to photograph.
3. Mike Lewis
View this post on Instagram
Sports photographers work in a wide variety of environments, and for Mike Lewis, the pool is the place to be.
As a famous underwater photographer, he captures photos of swimmers and divers in their element, from local comps all the way to the Olympics.
He’s the chief photographer with SwimSwam.com, the top website for global swimming news and information.
4. Krystle Wright
View this post on Instagram
Krystle Wright has made a name for herself as an adventure sports photographer and film director.
The Australian native travels the world in search of mountain climbers and other outdoor enthusiasts who make great subjects for stunning images.
Her work has been featured in National Geographic and has been used by brands like Amazon, Patagonia, Garmin, and Red Bull.
5. Cameron Look
View this post on Instagram
Aspiring sports photographers should follow Cameron Look, who has quickly made his way up in the industry by working hard behind the basketball scene.
Considered one of the top young photographers in professional basketball photography, Look has over 190,000 followers on Instagram who admire his shots of collegiate and NBA athletes.
While he loves to capture the on-court action, he also takes candid shots of basketballers in their element outside the arena.
6. Vanessa Andrieux
View this post on Instagram
Vanessa Andrieux is a French sports photographer who is popular for her skiing and snowboarding images.
How Much Do You REALLY Know About Photography?! 🤔
Test your photography knowledge with this quick quiz!
See how much you really know about photography...
She doesn’t mind a temperature change, though. Her photographs of yoga, running, cycling, and hiking have also generated international interest.
With over 20 years of experience as an official photographer, Andrieux regularly picks up work with big-name clients like Billabong, Vans, and Mini Cooper, just to name a few.
7. Tristan Shu
View this post on Instagram
Another French sports photographer to follow is Tristan Shu, who travels the world in pursuit of outdoor adventure.
Mountain biking, motocross, and paragliding are just a few of his favorite activities to photograph from incredible vantage points.
His passion and talent have landed him numerous commercial photography gigs with companies like Honda and Adidas, too.
8. Sterling Lorence
View this post on Instagram
Sterling Lorence is based in Vancouver but travels the globe in search of the perfect action sport shots.
Mountain biking is his favorite subject, as he not only captures the rider but also the incredible landscapes surrounding them.
His work takes him off the beaten track, and this adventure lover wouldn’t have it any other way.
9. Patrick Koenig
View this post on Instagram
Most famous sports photographers have their niche, and Patrick Koenig is no exception.
He’s absolutely crazy about golf, and his passion shines through in amazing photographs of golfers on lush green courses.
According to his Instagram bio, he’s setting a world record for the most 18-hole courses played in one year with the support of leading golf brands.
10. Maria Svarbova
View this post on Instagram
Maria Svarbova makes a splash with her fine art pool photography, usually featuring synchronized swimmers and divers.
Her carefully curated photo collection has a distinct style, as the pool tiles create interesting lines in every image.
Svarbova is a fan of geometric shapes and sharp, bold compositions with bright yet muted colors.
11. Lynne Cameron
View this post on Instagram
Lynne Cameron is a famous sports photographer from Great Britain, currently working as the official photog for the England Lionesses, the national women’s football team.
Her football and rugby images have earned her international recognition and awards, plus the nickname Pappa-Snappa.
Before her role with the Lionesses, she spent nine years with Rangers FC as the official photographer and four years with Scottish Rugby Union.
12. Zak Noyle
View this post on Instagram
When it comes to surf photography, Zak Noyle is one of the best sports photographers there is.
The Hawaiian surf photographer lives on Oahu and captures large-wave photographs, showing off the incredible courage and determination of surfers.
His images offer a new perspective on surfing photography and intrigue ocean lovers all over the world.
13. Sachi Cunningham
View this post on Instagram
Sachi Cunningham is another big wave photographer to put on your must-follow list.
As a multimedia journalism professor, Cunningham tells vivid stories through her photography skills.
The award-winning documentary filmmaker and photographer has been featured by the Discovery Channel, PBS Frontline, and the New York Times.
14. Ann Odong
View this post on Instagram
Ann Odong is passionate about Australian women’s football, and her campaign for the country’s 2023 Women’s World Cup bid made headlines.
Throughout her work with the Matildas, Odong has become a champion of diversity and inclusion.
Scrolling through her Instagram, you’ll see countless shots of teammates supporting one another and scoring epic goals.
15. Tom Jenkins
View this post on Instagram
With 30+ years of sports photography under his belt, Tom Jenkins definitely makes this list.
The British photographer has captured countless sports events with the Observer and Guardian newspapers over a very successful career.
He has photographed Wimbledon 20 times and covered five FIFA World Cups and four Olympic Games.
16. Grant Brittain
View this post on Instagram
Skateboarding is a way of life for Grant Brittain, who has spent over 40 years covering the sport with candid, energetic photos.
He’s not afraid to get up close and personal with skateboarders, using a wide-angle lens for a fish-eye effect.
He’s helped start two skateboarding magazines and continues traveling the world for skateboarding competitions and photo shows.
17. Richard Heathcote
View this post on Instagram
Richard Heathcote is a professional photographer with Getty Images.
As one of the best sports photographers in the game, he covers the PGA Tour, Ryder Cup, and Olympics.
He was named Photographer of the Year by the Sports Journalist Association in 2019.
18. Marc Aspland
View this post on Instagram
From local football matches to national and international events, sports photographer Marc Aspland does it all.
The British photographer has been The Times Chief Sports Photographer since 1993 and was named the Sports Photographer of the Year four times.
His portfolio spans football, tennis, horse racing, and swimming, with six summer Olympics in the books.
19. Savannah Cummins
View this post on Instagram
Savannah Cummins also belongs on our list of sports photographers to follow. She’s primarily interested in the extreme action of professional climbing.
Cummins celebrates climbing and all its thrills, but she also documents the travel it takes to get there.
Her great shots are a testament to climbers and their real passion for scaling jaw-dropping heights in stunning locations.
20. Aaron Chang
View this post on Instagram
Aaron Chang moved to Hawaii at a young age and never looked back, combining his passion for photography and surfing into a wonderful career.
As a surf photography pioneer, Chang invented the ultra-wide angle lens technique used to capture the barrel of big waves.
His 25-year tenure as Surfing Magazine’s senior photographer isn’t his only feature, as his work has appeared in GQ, Sports Illustrated, and Newsweek.
21. Al Bello
View this post on Instagram
When looking at water sports photography, many of the most popular images come from Al Bello’s camera.
While Bello loves diving, water polo, and synchronized swimming, he’s covered many sports over the years.
Whether it’s baseball or basketball, he makes sure to capture individual athletes both training and competing for a well-rounded look at their sport.
22. Elsa Garrison
View this post on Instagram
Elsa Garrison is an American sports photographer who first picked up a camera at a young age and quickly discovered her true passion.
Her industry colleagues know her by first name, as her sport images showcase achievements on the world stage and have featured in Sports Illustrated and TIME.
Since graduating from college in 1998, she has photographed the NBA Finals, World Series, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, and Olympic Games.
23. Chris Burkard
View this post on Instagram
Chris Burkard is a landscape, travel, and sports photographer who has nearly four million Instagram followers.
His loyal audience loves his captivating images of surfing and kayaking in some of the world’s most beautiful spots.
For those interested in wall art, Burkard offers his favorite images on one-of-a-kind handcrafted resin prints made in California.
24. Camilla Rutherford
View this post on Instagram
Still Stoked named Camilla Rutherford one of the best female action sports photographers in the world back in 2016.
The Scottish photographer hasn’t slowed down, continuing to shoot surfing, hiking, and biking shots in awe-inspiring locations.
Some of her most impressive images were taken in Switzerland and New Zealand, where she now lives.
25. Hy Money
View this post on Instagram
Hy Money’s work featured in some of the biggest football publications, but her career wasn’t without challenges.
Take the HARD Photography Quiz! 🤯
Now it's time to really test your photography knowledge!
(99% of people can't get all the questions right...)
She started taking photos of local football matches in the 1970s, although women were banned from doing so in many venues.
She preserved and earned the title of Britain’s first female sports photographer. Her professional photography portfolio now spans over 30 years of amazing sporting moments.
26. Brad Mangin
View this post on Instagram
Brad Mangin belongs in baseball. Just take a look at his portfolio and you’ll see why MLB and Sports Illustrated hire him!
Mangin is passionate about baseball past and present, and he strives to capture the overall culture and community of the sport.
Baseball fans may be familiar with his pictures in ESPN Magazine and popular coffee table books, too.
27. Neil Leifer
View this post on Instagram
Last but not least, we have Neil Leifer, a true leader in the sports photography field.
With a career spanning over 50 years, Leifer has inspired a whole generation of sports photographers.
His most famous picture was taken in 1965, showing Muhammad Ali’s knockout of Sonny Liston.
Over 150 of his photos have graced the Sports Illustrated cover, and many more were featured in TIME magazine.
FAQs about sports photographers
What is the most famous sports photo of all time?
One of the most famous sports photos of all time is The Catch by Walter Iooss Jr. This image of the 1982 NFC Championship Game shows Dwight Clark of the San Francisco 49ers catching Joe Montana’s touchdown pass, giving them a 28-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys. They went on to win the Super Bowl, and the image was etched in history.
Who is the most famous NBA photographer?
Andrew Bernstein is a Hall of Fame NBA official photographer with over 40 years of experience in sports photography. As the most famous NBA photographer, Bernstein has captured images of the biggest names in basketball, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James.
Who is the photographer for Nike?
As one of the world’s most popular athletic apparel and footwear companies, Nike has numerous photographers on hand to capture amazing pictures. Jeffrey Biri, Thalia Gochez, and David Uzochukwu are a few of the top photographers making waves with Nike.
Who is the NFL photographer?
Ben Liebenberg is the NFL’s Director of Photography. Since 2007, he has led the league in editorial content and worked with countless photographers to deliver dynamic NFL coverage. He’s a 4-time Emmy winner and has been taking pictures for nearly three decades.
Do sports photographers get paid well?
Sports photographers make $75-$500 per game on average in America, depending on their experience and the competition they’re covering. While it can take time to build up a portfolio, the more experience and exposure they have, the more likely they will make good money.
Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.
Includes limited-time discounts.
Jeff Collier is an experienced film photographer who enjoys experimenting with modern digital photography equipment, software and apps. He’s also an ex-world champion triathlete and avid cyclist, clocking hundreds of km each week in the beautiful Tweed Valley of northern NSW, Australia.
WELCOME TO SHOTKIT
Enter your email to be sent
today's Welcome Gift:
19 Photography Tools
🔥 Popular NOW:
Shotkit may earn a commission on affiliate links. Learn more.