Top 10 Sports Photographers in Houston

If the only thing you know about this city is “Houston, we have a problem,” then you are missing out. Best known as a hub for NASA and the 4th largest city in America, Houston is home to dozens of industries (and more than one sports team).

The city’s diversity and the state’s love of baseball make this an attractive home to astronauts and athletes alike. Sports photographers and photojournalists have been flocking to Houston for years.

Whether they are contributing to the Tribune or snapping photos at the local high school, there are plenty of talented sports photographers in Houston to choose from.

Andrew Struther Photography

Portrait and editorial photographer Andrew Struther has been working in Houston for years. His work has been featured in Forbes, The Washington Post, Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, to name a few.

Whether it’s football, mixed martial arts, or basketball, Struther has the photography chops to perfectly capture the moment. He has photographed for every major sporting organization in the US, like the NFL, NBA, UFC, and MLB.  

Struther’s work does not shy away from the gritty reality of professional athletics. He often highlights the brutal physical and emotional moments between plays and creates a true sense of intimacy that is difficult to master.

Elizabeth G. Conely

Elizabeth Conely is a visual journalist working for the Huston Chronicle. Before living in Texas, Conely worked for the Detroit News before moving to Houston in 2015. She has won multiple awards for her photography, including Photographer of the Year in 2010 and Multimedia Journalist of the Year in 2014.

In addition to her work as a staff writer for two newspapers, Conely has had her work published in Newsweek, The Atlantic, and People Magazine. Her impressive background as a photojournalist gives her a breadth of experience that helps her create emotional resonance in her shots.

Michaela Brook Photography

Born and bred in Texas, Michaela Brook is an up-and-coming sports photographer. She began her journey into photography taking pictures of her high school football team, partnering with the coach and players to produce amazing shots. She currently attends Texas Tech University where she interns for the Athletics Department.

Brook’s work shows a surprising range, and a unique ability to blend styles to showcase her subject. If this is what she’s capable of now, we can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Maria Lysaker Photography

Graphic designer turned photographer, Maria Lysaker has been taking pictures professionally since 2007. Before that, she worked for Disney in Florida. Her experience spans both collegiate and professional sports, and she is contracted with Rice University.

Lysaker has been published both nationally and abroad, with her work appearing in The Guardian, The New York Post, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN. If we were to write out the full list of her prolific body of work, we’d probably be here all day.

Jon Shapely

Jon Shapely is a staff photographer for the Houston Chronicle. He has previously worked as a videographer, and photographer for numerous publications. This University of Texas grad has racked up an impressive list of photography awards in the past few years.

In 2020 alone, Shapely nabbed a spot in the Top 10 Action Photo, Division from the AP Sports Editors, and 1st place Star Investigative Report of the Year from Texas APME, just to name a few. In addition to these two wins, Shapely has won 1st place for Best Video Under 2 minutes from the Texas AP Managing Editors 3 years running.

Leslie Plaza Johnson

Of all the photographers on this list, Leslie Plaza Johnson most fully embraces a documentary style of photography. Her work is bold and vivid, embracing the messiness of real-life action rather than chasing a pristine still image. In her own words, Leslie “builds visual narratives around reinvention, restoration, and transcendence.”

Outside of her contributions to the Houston Chronicle, Johnson doubles as a professor of Anthropology and real estate photographer where she specializes in aerial shots captured via drone. Her work can be seen in Sports Illustrated, and on ESPN.

Gina Gallagher Photography

If you are looking for a photographer who perfectly blends science and art, Gina Gallagher Photography fits the bill. Gallagher has been working as a photographer for years and has earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. She has a clever love for photographing athletes but also channels her passion for photography into clean, classic portraits.

Joe Buvid Photography

Joe Buvid got his start on the student newspaper at Sam Houston State University. During his time in college, he won multiple collegiate awards before graduating in 2010. He has worked freelance for the Houston Chronicle, Conroe Courier, and The University of Houston photographing sporting events and athletes.

Robert Seale Photography

After 11 years working as a staff photographer for major news publications, Robert Seale took a leap of faith and started his own business. While on staff, he photographed everything from cover stories to Super Bowls and World Series games.

Since making the risky move to leave his job as a photojournalist, Seale has built a thriving studio, photographing for big businesses and oil companies in Texas.

Sui Genesis Photography

Owned and operated by photographer Ralph Parrott, Sui Genesis Photography specializes in events and sports photography. Parrott prides himself on his ability to build authentic connections with his subjects. This is what allows him to capture the essence of a moment in his photos.

Find a location in Houston for your next film or photo shoot, meeting, or event.