East London Sport:
Cinematic, Heroic Athlete Portraits
Since 2019, we have worked regularly with East London Sport to create bold, stylised portraits of their elite athletes, capturing them with intensity, presence, and professionalism.
Unlike traditional university sports photography, which often relies on generic backdrops, we took a different approach—one that elevates athletes, enhances brand recognition, and delivers high-impact visuals.
The Challenge: Creating a High-Impact Sports Brand
East London Sport needed a distinctive visual identity that positioned their athletes as elite competitors on a national and international stage.
✔ Move beyond standard headshots – Athletes needed imagery that reflected their dedication and professionalism.
✔ Create a recognisable, high-quality brand aesthetic – A consistent, dynamic style that set East London Sport apart.
✔ Ensure versatility – Images had to work across billboards, digital campaigns, print materials, and athlete promotion.
With athletes competing at elite levels across basketball, football, volleyball, athletics, and more, they needed visuals that matched their ambition.
The Strategy: Cinematic, Heroic Storytelling
✔ Studio-grade lighting & bold styling – Creating depth, power, and impact.
✔ Dynamic environmental portraits – Shot across campus in recognisable, high-impact locations, from the Thames with Canary Wharf to the UEL library.
✔ Athletes as the focal point – Every image designed to feel heroic, empowering, and uniquely East London Sport.
The Solution:
A High-Energy, Precision-Executed Shoot
✔ Regular shoots – We capture new athletes each season, ensuring fresh, relevant content year-round.
✔ 120 athletes photographed across six locations in a single, fast-paced media day.
✔ A striking visual identity that has become instantly recognisable as East London Sport.
The Impact: Raising the Game for UEL Sport
✔ A Heroic Brand Identity – A cinematic, visually striking photography style that defines East London Sport.
✔ Elite-Level Promotion – These portraits are more than headshots; they position UEL athletes as serious competitors on a national and international stage.
✔ A Growing Visual Legacy – Over five years, we have refined and evolved this bold visual style through regular shoots.
Because elite sport is not just about performance. It is about presence.
Let’s create powerful visuals for your team
Work in use.
The images are found across the UEL website, on social media, in print and posters around campus
Kind Words
“Sophie truly captures the spirit and energy of her subjects. Her images are not just visually striking but also engaging an authentic. Sophie is creative and invested in her shoots – she advises on the approach to take to ensure we get the best photographs and always goes over and above. Her enthusiasm and passion are second to none.
I’d highly recommended for anyone seeking authentic, powerful visuals for their brand.”
