Ken Griffey: From Baseball Icon to Photography Maestro

Oct 21, 2023

Ken Griffey Jr. is one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

Did you know he was also a talented photographer?

I didn’t until recently discovered his beautiful photos.

He captures the beauty of the game which I like much.

So I went the rabbit hole and investigated his interest in photography.

It began when he was a child.

He would often take his camera to the ballpark and take pictures of his teammates and coaches.

After retiring from baseball in 2010, he decided to continue photography on a more serious level.

He took classes and workshops to learn more about the craft.

As you can see, his style is super dynamic and he has this rare ability to capture the emotion of the game.

He often shoots from unique angles, like from behind the plate or from the dugout.

He also uses his knowledge of baseball to anticipate big moments and capture them on camera - which, I’d admit, is a massive advantage!

His book “Junior: Griffey on Griffey” is a collection of his photos from throughout his career, as well as from his travels around the world.

What makes Ken Griffey Jr.'s photography so special?

Unique perspective
He has a unique eye for baseball, thanks to his 22-year career in the major leagues.
Natural talent
He has a great perspective on composition and timing.
Moreover, he’s able to capture the excitement of the game.
Passion
He is passionate about photography as much as you and I are.
He loves the game and taking pictures of it. What else? :)

If you're inspired by Ken Griffey Jr.'s photography, here are a few things I’d recommend you do to improve your own craft:

Develop your unique perspective
Always look for things that other people might not see as you do.
Practice regularly
The more you shoot, the better you'll get at it.
It’s a universal law that applies to everything.
Practice.
Be passionate
If you're not excited about what you do, honestly - why bother?
We can sense it in your photos.