If you are having fun, you can literally be unstoppable. That was the message from freelance photographer and Our Game Media Program alumni Kelsey Zafiridis in a discussion with CommBank Junior Matilda Talia Younis.
The two met as part of the OUR GAME x LEGO Mentorship Series, where Younis meets with mentors from across the football industry.
Zafiridis found herself at a crossroads as she transitioned into adulthood. At first, photography was a career separate from football – she was a talented teenager, even playing a season with Adelaide United in the A-League Women in 2016/17 - but she soon realised that it could be a way to stay involved in the sport long after she stopped playing.
She has worked for West Adelaide Football Club and has had the opportunity to shoot CommBank Matildas games, in addition to her work at weddings, venues, and other live events.
The 25-year-old sat down with Talia to answer her questions about what it is like to work as a photographer in football.
Talia: How did you get into the football industry, and why do you love it?
Kelsey: I used to play. To be honest, for my whole childhood, football was everything. It was all I ever focused on. I played a lot, and then I had those moments in high school, where I thought: what’s going to be after football? So, I did a black and white film course and got into photography. It was only a few years later that I thought of actually bringing the two together.
When I shoot the games, I have such a good understanding of it, having been a player. Last year, I was an intern with Our Game, and that was an amazing opportunity. That has really accelerated the passion for it. I have a love of the game, for sure, and now I have this other passion in photography – I’m trying to bring the two together more.
T: What do you love about what you do, and why do you do it?
K: I love meeting new people. You get to connect with a lot of different people from all walks of life, which is really cool. I like going to some crazy places, and shooting some incredible things that a lot of people don’t get to do. I love being able to document and capture moments for people – it’s been pretty amazing.
Looking back on things like the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, that’s something that is once in a lifetime. Things like weddings, it’s such a special day to capture for people. I also love the freedom that it gives me as a lifestyle. It’s stressful for sure, but being my own boss and being able to do what I want to do, and choose the jobs that I want, is really amazing.
T: What is one of the main challenges that you face?
K: One of the most challenging things about being an artist and creator is my own inner confidence and battles. It’s always something that you’re constantly thinking about. I was really nervous about this interview – I’ve never done this before! I felt like, am I the right person to be chosen for something like this? I think the most challenging part is myself.
T: How did you get to where you are today?
K: I finished high school and decided to study photography, and studied for three years, and then decided to jump straight into the workforce. I have some pretty incredible parents that supported me along the way. Three years down the track, I’m now working as a full-time freelance photographer.
T: What was the lowest point in your career and how did you overcome it?
K: Being able to call myself an artist. It’s been a really tough challenge to overcome because of the style of work I do, it’s quite commercial. When you think of art, you think of paintings and drawings and still life, all of that kind of stuff. It was a really big thing for me to step over that and believe in myself that what I do is art.
T: What are the key areas of your role from a day-to-day basis?
K: The day-to-day is always changing. That’s another thing I love about what I do. For example, yesterday, I had three shoots in one day, so it was back-to-back shooting in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Sometimes it can be having a day off, setting up at home and doing things like editing and admin emails. It can flow into meetings, catching up with people, clients, that sort of stuff. So, it’s ever changing – but shoot days are always really fun.
T: Do I have to be naturally creative like you to take photos?
K: No! I will say I think a lot of sports people are really creative. The way that you think in your mind on the field is actually quite creative, trying to read plays and all of that stuff. But creativity is definitely something that, through study, I have learned. You get those instinctive things that can come quite naturally from the gut, but you can also evolve and learn those things and learn the tricks to play through trial and error.
T: What does Play Unstoppable mean to you?
K: Believing in yourself, having the confidence to do things that might be difficult or hard or even unknown. Even though sometimes things can be difficult, it doesn’t mean that we should shy away from them.
That’s what it means to me, as well as having fun. Enjoying what you’re doing in any way, shape or form, is really important to me. If you are having fun, if you’re enjoying the way that you’re playing or creating, you can literally be unstoppable.
T: What are some words of advice?
K: Having fun and joy is always at the forefront of my mind. A lot of the time, I have to bring myself back to making sure that I’m enjoying this. Don’t let the stress of nerves overcome that enjoyment. Believe in your ability in whatever way you need.
This interview was the second in the five-part OUR GAME x LEGO Mentorship Series. If you are interested in getting involved in different areas of our game, keep an eye out for future episodes on ourgame.com.au!
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