Through the Lens: Barr Reeve Basketball

This is definitely different from what you usually see on my page, but I wanted to challenge myself and try something new. In college, I had a final project for one of my photography classes where I created a photo essay. If you’re not familiar with a photo essay, it’s about telling a story through images rather than relying heavily on words. It’s especially engaging for visual people, or for those who prefer to experience a story rather than read it.

I’ve been out of college for a little over a year now, but I knew I wanted to revisit that kind of work at some point. The photo essay I created back then was one of my favorite projects - it pushed me creatively and stuck with me. I wasn’t sure what or who I would focus on this time, but during sectional week of IHSAA basketball, it clicked: I wanted to document Barr Reeve Basketball.

Why Barr Reeve? Why not a bigger program, or a team with a more well-known name?

Over the past seven years, I’ve photographed hundreds of high school teams across different sports. Each one has its own identity, and many share similar qualities: hard work, dedication, and team unity. But what stood out to me about Barr Reeve was the way those qualities feel lived out every day. It’s not just that they work hard or support each other, it’s the consistency of it, the way it shows up in everything they do.

There’s a genuine sense of brotherhood here. It’s a program where players play for each other, where the sidelines matter as much as the court, and where the connection between teammates, coaches, and the community goes beyond the game itself. That family-like atmosphere isn’t something you just see, it’s something you feel.

That’s what makes Barr Reeve different.