iN PHOTOS: Kamloops sports photographer overcomes industry challenges

Andrea Heath is an energetic action sports photographer in Kamloops who isn’t afraid to get down in the mud to get the perfect capture.

She can be seen behind her lens at local sports events and big brand sports races in BC and Alberta where she follows her passion for capturing people in motion.

“I don’t mind hiking through the mud and getting filthy,” she said. “I borrowed an e-bike for the last dirt bike race so I could get around the course. You have to be lying in the dirt and mud and shooting in all conditions and be OK with that.”

Kamloops photographer Andrea Heath. iNFOnews.ca/ Dylan Sherrard

The sports action photography industry is male dominated that requires a relentless hustle to get contracts. Heath has had her share of imposter syndrome as a creative person and has a high standard to perfectly capture an athlete in motion.

“I can probably count under ten photographers I know in BC that are women,” she said. “My niche is highlighting women in sports. When I’m shooting they’re getting to see not just male photographers and media, they’re seeing female representation, which I think is super important.”

Last year, Heath worked at the mega annual expo for mountain biking called Crankworx Whistler where she was the only female photographer out of 28 in the media pit.

When asked why she thinks the industry is male dominated, Heath didn’t want to speculate.

“Maybe women are put off thinking it’s a boy’s club, but I don’t want to make assumptions, it might put people off and there are more women getting into it which is awesome.

“It can be intimidating. Sometimes as a woman you have to hold your own and don’t let guys push you around. I’ve had a few events where guys tried to intimidate me but I deserve to be there as much as them. I don’t shy away.”

Heath is a mother working full time with BC Parks doing photography on the side. She picked up the camera five years ago after getting laid off from a marketing job during the pandemic to chase her lifelong dream of doing professional photography.

She volunteered at community events to hone her camera skills and soon discovered her passion for action sport photography.

A racer at the 2024 Blackhorse women’s progression event in Revelstoke catches air. iNFOnews.ca/ Andrea Heath Photography

“I quickly realized sports was my jam, I grew up playing competitive sports and have a couple of pro athlete friends,” she said. “I was shooting them and that facilitated connections with sports sectors.”

Heath has done contracts for Red Bull Canada, Toyota and Lulu Lemon, along with numerous local events in Kamloops. She isn’t able to pay her bills with photography alone, yet.

She said the industry can be lucrative but is one of feast or famine where she has to hustle for contracts.

This photo is part of a Lulu Lemon Ambassador shoot by photographer Andrea Heath at Peterson Creek in Kamloops. iNFOnews.ca/ Andrea Heath Photography

“You have to be persistent and keep putting yourself out there, making your work known,” she said. “With Red Bull, I emailed them lots because I thought my work and style aligned with what they were looking for.

“Everyone has a different style so it isn’t always they don’t want to hire you, maybe it’s your style and the way you edit.”

Covering an event can be exhausting with long days of shooting and long evenings of culling and editing sometimes a thousand photos to meet strict deadlines.

“There is mental exhaustion, editing takes a lot of time and the turn-around can be quick,” she said. “Red Bull needed the edited photos within two hours. For big events, they want them right away.”

Young riders pose at the Greater Kamloops Motorcycle Association’s Mini Kahuna bike race in Kamloops in April. iNFOnews.ca/ Andrea Heath Photography

Heath sticks with the work despite the challenges because she loves the art form, meeting people and capturing athletes doing what they love.

“These athletes have invested their time and done their hustling and you get to find that perfect capture for them, that moment they worked really hard for. I think that’s a real gift and a responsibility to be able to do that for people,” Heath said.

Go here to view her work or connect with her on Instagram.