Melissa Wade, Hockey Photographer
Welcome to HockeyPhotography.com.
I started as a hockey fan and was asked by a former employer to figure out a camera and then teach him how to use it. The New Jersey Devils’ training camp was opening the next day (back when fans were allowed) so I took the camera with me and that was it for me. I even started my first website before that camp had finished as I quickly discovered showing prints from the previous day interfered with watching and shooting the action. One big motivator at the time was the lack of photos of my favorite players like Ken Daneyko and Sergei Brylin. You could find plenty of different images of Martin Brodeur or Scott Stevens, but for most of the others there were only 3 or 4 different images that you’d see everywhere (these were the early days of the internet).
My style of shooting today as a hockey photographer is still driven by that same desire to cover everyone on the ice – not just the star players.
My camera is primarily focused on the college players – men’s and women’s – and international hockey on the junior level (U18s, U20s), but I am happy and available to cover any level of hockey.
All photos on this site can be licensed for editorial use and the majority may also be purchased as prints for personal use (exceptions – players taking part in professional camps/games as licenses are required, images that include certain school’s athletes and for Frozen Four & Regional games, images that include still eligible players).
I began a blog in July 2009 to highlight players and site updates and I provide image galleries to non-commercial (my definition) blogs to use – see the FAQ posts for restrictions. I also joined Twitter in September 2009 – follow me for notice of blog updates and new game galleries.
—–
I know it is popular to have one’s own photo on an About page, but I like to stay on the other side of the camera. I delayed so long in taking a photo for one tournament’s credential that I ended up having to take it with a freshly blackened eye courtesy of a hockey stick. If a rink has an open no-glass ice level spot – you’ll find me there. If shooting has to be done from a higher level – look for a photographer on a ladder. I’m short and I hate having the glass cut through my shots. I keep a ladder and stools of varying heights in my car at all times.
—–
It got a bit buried so just to repeat – Do you need a Hockey Photographer? If you do, email me with details – I’m available to cover any level of the game and can transmit on site.
—–
The sidebar image? I use it everywhere and have for years. Probably not the smartest shot to show since it isn’t sharp – just a quick snap because I wanted to ask someone about the glove. I don’t even know who the hand belongs to :-). But for all its flaws as a photo, I love it and after using it for so long, can’t imagine dropping it.
