Most people watch a game from the sidelines, but for Maddy Harmon ('27), the sidelines are where she creates. What began as a way to pass time at her brother's soccer games has grown into a passion – and possibly even a future career. She first picked up a camera at the start of her freshman year. Bored during one of her brother's games, she found an old camera tucked away in her mom's closet and decided to try it out. Not long after, one of the GCS High School soccer coaches, Hector Orellana, saw her taking pictures at a Middle School game and introduced her to his daughter Ashley, a professional photographer who works with Phoenix Rising, takes family portraits, and has even photographed U.S. soccer star Alex Morgan. Ashley quickly became both a mentor and inspiration, inviting Maddy to different photography opportunities and encouraging her to take it seriously. Maddy remembers one photo in particular that she fell in love with – a shot of a Gilbert Christian soccer captain who graduated last year kicking a goal. "That picture made me think, 'hmm this might be something I want to do'," she said.
When Maddy transferred to Valley Christian she wasn't eligible to play softball right away because of a transfer penalty. Instead of sitting out completely, she asked if she could start photographing some games. Her first assignment was Softball 2025 season opener against Globe, and from that day on, she's been the one behind the lens at Trojan events. Since then, she's covered nearly every sport – including soccer, volleyball, and football at Valley – though soccer is still her favorite. "I love outdoor sports the most because the details and emotions stand out more," she said. "But soccer is definitely my favorite to shoot." One of her best memories came during the Valley Christian vs Gilbert Christian volleyball game. "The energy in the gym was crazy. It was loud and emotional and exciting, and I got some really cool shots because of it."
Maddy's photos have a distinct cool-toned style with lowered shadows and a preset she created herself, giving her work a signature look. She doesn't plan shots ahead of time, instead relying on the unpredictable energy or sports to guide her. "Sports are spontaneous…I like to focus on the emotions like celebrations and reactions and moments that tell a story. That is what makes a photo really cool." Her go-to setup is a Canon R6 Mark II with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, which allows her to freeze the action and capture the smallest details.
Of course, photographing live sports isn't without challenges. Timing and positioning matter, and sometimes mistakes happen. Maddy recalls traveling to California for her brother's soccer tournament only to realize she had left her battery charger in Arizona. "I had to make one battery last the entire weekend," she said, laughing. "It forced me to be more careful and intentional with every shot." Moments like these have taught her valuable lessons. "Photography has taught me how to adapt and go with the flow," she said. "That's something I carry into other part of life too."
Her work hasn't gone unnoticed. Maddy's photos are often featured on the Valley Christian website and social media, and athletes frequently reach out to her asking for punctures, many of which end up being on shared on their own accounts. "It's really cool to see my work out there and know it's helping me build a portfolio," she said. Her proudest accomplishment so far has been the opportunity to photograph Phoenix Rising games, a professional step that grew out of the experience she's gained at Valley Christian.
Looking to the future, Maddy is focused on playing softball in college but isn't closing the door on photography. "College sports photography would be amazing," she said. "Shooting something like the World Cup or Champions League in Europe would be a dream." When asked if she sees herself more as an artist or a storyteller, Maddy said, " I think my photos can tell stories – especially the emotional ones. Celebrations are probably the closest thing I have to a 'signature shot,' because they capture the heart of the game."
What started as a simple way to fill time has turned into a gift Maddy now shares with her school, her community, and even the professional sports world. Whether she's stepping up to the plate or snapping photos from the sidelines, on thing is certain – Maddy is capturing the game in a way only she can.
