When I began taking photos for The Marching Virginians, I didn’t have very much photography experience. I knew how to turn my camera on, turn on autofocus, and switch between sport and auto modes, but that was about the extent of what I could do.

The Marching Virginians ended up being the perfect environment for me to learn more about photography and videography and to get loads of experience creating media that is actually sent out into the world. This year we had around thirteen student photographers with varying levels of experience, and together we took over 2,000 photos that were posted on our Facebook page (though the total number of photos taken was over 6,000).

Since I started taking photos at the end of our 2017 season, I’ve improved a lot. I’ve learned about a lot of the amazing aspects of photographing the MVs as well as some of the biggest challenges. For this post, I was able to talk to some of the other student photographers about their experience as well.

When asked about the biggest challenge associated with MV photography, Brad Lanza says,

“Honestly the most challenging part is dealing with the elements at a game. It's often hard to predict ahead of time if you want to bring your camera in because it may be raining or too cold at the games for the camera.”

Blacksburg weather is definitely unpredictable, and it’s always scary to have an expensive piece of equipment with you in a place so exposed to the elements.

MV tailgate bands in the rain during this year’s Hokies for the Hungry. Photo by Maggie North.

One of the challenges I’ve noticed is finding the right angle to photograph people from, as this depends a lot on someone’s instrument. For trumpets, horns, and tones, you shouldn’t photograph directly from the front or you’ll only see their bell. Trombones are by far the biggest challenge because you cannot see their faces at all unless you’re shooting from a left angle—unless you want to try to peek through their instrument to see their eyes, which can sometimes look cool.

How NOT to photograph trumpets. Photo unfortunately by Alana Hassett.

One of the other key challenges that I’ve noticed is specific to photography in the stands. When we’re in the stands we’re often so compact that people in the center of a row are almost impossible to photograph if you’re standing on the sides (unless they’re really tall). Because of this, a lot of people don’t get photographs of themselves in the stands, which is really unfortunate. Many photos in the stands are taken between shoulders, over heads, and below instruments.

It takes some time to figure out these challenges, but once you know about them, it becomes a lot easier to feel confident behind the camera. Sometimes it can be intimidating to get up close to people and point the camera at them when you know they know you’re there. But I think some of the best pictures can come when people know you’re there and make a funny face or a cute pose.

I asked some student photographers what their favorite thing is about taking photos for the MVs. Ashley Deans said,

“My favorite thing about taking photos for the MVs is seeing all of the wonderful moments between friends that I would otherwise miss. If I wasn’t behind the camera, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to see some of the things going on in other sections or across the field. I love capturing photos where MVs are making each other laugh or pushing one another to be the best performers they can possibly be. Every time I take photos, there are plenty of those moments to be seen, and I am reminded why this band is so special.”

I also asked Lexie Hackman, who said that her favorite thing about photographing the MVs is

“just the interaction you get to have with people. You start to recognize everybody just by going around and taking everyone's picture—it's a lot of fun! I also really like getting to see how people enjoy the pictures when they're posted, and how parents get excited to see their kids on the Facebook page makes me happy! It's also giving me such a great creative outlet and allowed me to combine two of my passions with marching band and photography… I have such a blast doing it and I really enjoy it!”

Brad Lanza said,

“I really love the satisfaction you get when you take a great picture of someone marching on the field or in practice. You get to see how happy they are when they see the picture of themselves doing what they love—which they'll be able to cherish forever as an MV alum.”

I also spoke to Caleb, an alum of the MVs who came back this season to take some amazing videos on gamedays. Caleb explains, “After a tough decision to not return as a musician for my final semester, I was fortunate enough to be able to use my common connection as a musician in the band to come back and film. Filming videos for The Marching Virginians has given me an outlet to serve the Hokie Nation through a different, yet still creative medium. Aside from the free games and building my skills and honing my practice as a videographer, I really missed being in the band and the friends I had there. It was nice to still be around the members of such a great organization as I prepared to enter the next stage of my life with a full-time job.”

I agree with everything that the other photographers said, and I would say that my favorite thing about taking photos for the MVs is getting to show the rest of the world a little piece of why the MVs are such an incredibly special organization. The Marching Virginians really don’t go anywhere without bringing excitement, passion, and Hokie pride, and I love having the opportunity to capture moments where we truly embody the Spirit of Tech.

Capturing the ‘Spirit of Tech’

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