After their season was cut short due to a Covid outbreak, the Metropolitan Riveters are back on the ice looking to capture the Isobel Cup once again. The Riveters have undergone lots of changes including new owners, a new general manager, and a new arena. With a new chapter beginning for the Riveters, there’s going to be a lot of exciting moments. The woman capturing all the action is Kate Frese. Frese has been in the photography industry since 2009, capturing multiple subjects for various publications. However, she calls working with the hockey team the best decision she ever made. She spoke with us about her career and where she hopes to take her career.
How did your love of photography develop and when did you decide you wanted to turn it into a career?
My mother often had a camera in her hand at family holidays and a lot when I was growing up. She’s the one who bought me my first film camera as a teenager. I always knew I wanted to do something creative, but didn’t truly dive into photography until I was in my undergrad for art. I actually went in as a graphic design major. I took a photo elective course and it was love at first sight.
What made you specifically want to become a sports photographer?
During my Junior Review in my undergrad, I was asked by the Photography Department Chair what I wanted to do with my degree. I honestly hadn’t thought too much about it. A professor also in the critique mentioned how I love sports and should give that a go. I didn’t put a ton of thought towards it until a sports magazine saw my music photography (what I was focusing on at the time) and offered me an internship shooting pro sports. I said yes and it’s all been a dream since then.
You’ve taken a lot of incredible photos. Which ones stand out to you the most? If you had to pick, do you have a favorite photo?
It’s hard for me to pick favorites, I must admit. There are three that definitely always stand out in my mind. One is a photo of Wayne Simmonds being introduced on opening night. I popped it into black and white and it instantly became very moody with the smoke and backlights. I also have a photo of Carter Hart spraying his water bottle during a game that I blacked the background out. I’m still getting asked for prints of that. And the last would be a photo of the back of Madison Packer walking down a hallway on the way to a rink before an outdoor game in Buffalo.
You are now working with the Metropolitan Riveters. It must be so special seeing young fans cheering on their favorite female athletes. What has it been like to work in the Premier Hockey Federation while it continues to grow?
I absolutely love this team! It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I get a ton of access the athletes are the BEST to work with. I never leave a shoot, practice, or game without feeling appreciated. It’s giving me a lot of room to try out new things that I don’t have access to do yet within the NHL or any of the other leagues I work with.
What is the best way for fans to support the Premier Hockey Federation and its growth?
Go to games and take someone who has never seen women’s hockey in person with you. There are a ton of people who don’t even know the league exists. Also, invite people to check out the league who aren’t necessarily even into hockey. I think that the NWSL and WNBA should be working together more to bring fans into each others’ spaces.
How has the pandemic affected your work?
I didn’t have work for several months. It’s was quite scary at times. I wasn’t sure if my career would survive. Ironically, I am now doing the best I ever had with my career. I’ve since started freelancing directly for NHL and NBA teams.
What are some current projects/goals you are working on?
I want to have enough work strictly shooting sports that I can narrow down some of the other work that I do that’s not directly related to shooting sports. I’d love to be hired by an NHL, NFL, NBA team as a team photographer OR be a team photographer for several different women’s teams while they build up the revenue to be able to pay photographers more.
What is your best advice for anyone looking to work behind the camera in sports?
Start shooting what you have access to. Just because it isn’t pro, doesn’t mean you can’t grow as a photographer and hone in on your craft. Women’s sports have more access than men’s and is a great place to get started! Networking is the most important thing you can do while continuing to improve your skills.
