The 9 Best Sports Photographers in San Francisco

Curious to see the work of the top sports photographers in San Francisco? At Peerspace, we get it. San Francisco has a rich sports and fitness scene. In addition to the pro teams here in the Bay Area, there’s a huge collection of amateur sports teams, from peewee to the high-school level, as well as a thriving outdoor-sports scene. SF is a world-class city with world-class athletes, which helps keep San Francisco sports photographers busy taking photographs for local publications.

If you’re a photographer, no matter where you’re located, check out Peerspace to discover and rent amazing hidden gem spaces that help you perfect your craft. The creatives on this list are a mix of some of the most well-known sports photographers in San Francisco and talented up-and-comers whose names you should get to know. 

1. Santiago Mejia

San Francisco Chronicle staff photojournalist Santiago Mejia has been present for the highest of highs and the lowest of lows of Bay Area sports. From the Dubs winning their third championship in four years to the 49ers’ recent losing seasons (no shade, 49ers fans — Shanahan’s going to turn it around).

As a Chronicle photojournalist, he’s also captured many of the most indelible news images in recent years. He’s shot wildfires, political turning points, and scenes of unbelievable natural beauty. He’s a San Francisco institution, and his work shapes what many of us think about the Bay Area and its heroes. 

2. Sean Gibson of 415 Sports Photography 

Sean Gibson of 415 Sports photography takes striking, motion-filled images that really distill the focus and intensity of sports. He focuses on both individual and team sports. And, he does so in a way that’s clear even to people who don’t really understand the sports themselves.

His images are packed with emotions and an understanding of the situations the athletes in his images are facing down. Virtually anyone can relate to and comprehend the subjects of Sean’s images, even when the athletes are pulling off feats that few people will ever experience themselves.

3. Alexis Cuarezma

San Francisco sports photographer Alexis Cuarezma is more of a sports portrait artist than a sports photojournalist. His photos capture the incredible physical feats, the raw physicality, and gracefulness. He also has a strong sense of the style and trend-setting ability of today’s athletes.

Because he’s shooting portraits rather than candids, his photos have an additional layer of cinematic drama added to each shot. Alexis does this by styling, careful direction, and the ability to fully control the use of light and framing. One does not always have the luxury of doing so when shooting photojournalistic sports shots at full speed, but he makes it look easy.

4. Brad Mangin

Brad Mangin has been shooting sports photography for over 30 years. In that time, he has shot for Sports Illustrated, Major League Baseball, the PGA Tour, and more. Looking through his portfolio, you would be surprised to learn that he provides most of his coverage nowadays with his iPhone. His baseball photos especially stand out.

Brad has a real eye not just for the drama of the game but for the personal side of things as well, such as team camaraderie and the sense of connection between fans of the same team. We also really enjoy his Instagram because it’s filled with pictures of cats, and, well, we love pets.

5. Jay Watson

Jay Watson is a sports photographer who takes on all sorts of projects, from editorial work to action sports. His photos are textured, high-contrast, and cinematic. Generally, his photos focus on one dominant subject and tell this person’s story.

Jay’s photos do a lot of work distilling the personalities and bodies behind some of the greatest Californian sports feats. He uses muted colors and backgrounds to bring more attention to the central action of his photos. In fact, he really has a way of capturing shots from an angle that would be compelling to both sports fanatics and outsiders.

6. Amanda Hibbert

Amanda Hibbert is a San Francisco sports photographer who also captures still-life images. Her photographs are full of wit and whimsy. She’s clearly attracted to the story of the people, landscapes, and items she photographs in her work. She also draws us in to the mysteries and uniqueness of her subjects, which allows her photos to connect with her audience on a deep and yet subliminal human level.

Amanda’s work is natural yet colorful, as well as classically composed, yet tailor-made to capture the eye of today’s digitally savvy audiences. She can really do it all. Amanda recently joined the APA San Francisco board as a member, highlighting her accomplishments in the commercial and sports photography world.

7. Nick Otto

https://www.instagram.com/nottophotos/

Nick Otto’s portfolio covers a wide range of subjects from event coverage, to still-lifes, to photojournalistic shots of cultures the world over and, of course, many sensational sports photographs mixed in as well. 

Nick’s photos often seem focused on giving a true accounting of the sense of scale of American sports. You’ll see the smallness of a single person in a crowd, and the larger-than-life size of a batter standing in the batter’s box while tens and thousands of fans either cheer him on or else hold their breath. He has the ability to capture exuberance and celebration that far outstrips his average contemporary, as well as an aptitude to connect with audiences of all ages.

8. Robert Edwards Media

https://www.instagram.com/robertemedia/

Robert Edwards is a Bay Area-based photographer available in San Fran, Oakland, and beyond. A lot of his work is done not with pro sports teams, but with amateurs who really help make the sports scene in California so rich — high school and college sports stars, the athletes who train and practice every day simply for the love of the game.

We especially love Robert’s basketball photographs, which are exciting and chock-full of motion and a strong sense of the risk and thrill of the court. In his other sports photos, he’s able to capture the same sense of athletes withstanding the chaos and competition to achieve at the highest level.

9. Valerie Shoaps

Valerie Shoaps shines with her extreme-sports photography, especially her surfing and watersports photography. Her other sports photos exude a sense of the athletes’ fortitude, as they are able to focus through that chaos and walk the thin line between danger and control in order to become champions.

Valerie does a phenomenal job of capturing the personal striving and almost-storybook-level of drama inherent in every sports match. 

Bonus: Kelley L Cox

Kelley L Cox of KLC Fotos is a San Francisco-based sports photographer whose work has graced USA Today as well as MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL publications. She is a freelancer whose work shows us players at their peak, both on and off the court, sharing insights that we as spectators rarely get to see.

With her KLC Fotos brand, Kelley also strives to bring photographers and clients together to ensure more fruitful working relationships. And when top-notch camera manufacturers need experts to help them create new gear, they call her for her insights! It’s easy to see how Kelley and her work have made an indelible mark on San Francisco sports and photography history in general.

San Francisco sports photographers: conclusion

These San Francisco sports photographers we’ve selected today all capture authentic photos that tell the whole story of the most important moments in San Francisco sports. They’re masters at capturing emotion, exhilaration, and incredible physical ability.

And remember, if you’re a photographer, no matter your genre or experience level, Peerspace can help you hone your craft. We offer you access to hundreds of creative spaces across the Bay Area, from professional photo studios to sports courts. These real-deal spaces will help you master your craft. So much so, we may just feature you on one of our “top photographers” list down the road!

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