People enjoy the festivities on Main Street at the 2023 FISU World University Games on January 14, 2023 in Potsdam, New York. (Photo by Maddie Crooke/FISU Games)
Snow is illuminated by stage lights downtown at the 2023 FISU World University Games on January 14, 2023 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/FISU Games)
Carmen Sofie Nielssen of NOR celebrates silver; Fabiana Dorigo of GER celebrates gold; Celia Abad of ESP celebrates bronze during the Main Street medal ceremony at the 2023 FISU World University Games on January 14, 2023 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Maddie Crooke/FISU Games)
Jan Zabystran of Czech Republic celebrates his gold medal in mens AOPSG during Main Street medal ceremony at the 2023 FISU World University Games on January 14, 2023 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Maddie Crooke/FISU Games)
A volunteer raises flags downtown at the medals plaza during the 2023 FISU World University Games on January 14, 2023 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/FISU Games)
<> at the Main Street Festival Village during the 2023 FISU World University Games on January 15, 2023 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Hailey Trejo/FISU Games)
<> at the Main Street Festival Village during the 2023 FISU World University Games on January 15, 2023 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Hailey Trejo/FISU Games)
<> at the Main Street Festival Village during the 2023 FISU World University Games on January 15, 2023 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Hailey Trejo/FISU Games)
An ice sculptor creates a piece downtown at the 2023 FISU World University Games on January 14, 2023 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/FISU Games)
Ice Sculptor works on Main Street at the 2023 FISU World University Games on January 14, 2023 in Potsdam, New York. (Photo by Maddie Crooke/FISU Games)
A family walks downtown during the 2023 FISU World University Games festival on January 14, 2023 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/FISU Games)
Olympian Clare Egan helps a child with laser biathlon downtown at the 2023 FISU World University Games festival on January 14, 2023 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/FISU Games)
Fans of the events cheer and laugh as they are interviewed by an NBC newscaster. FISU festivities January 13, 2023 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Surya Vaidy/FISU Games)

Syracuse Students Reflect Back on Their Experience

Collaboration delivers high-quality photos, positive experiences for students and organizers. Analysis promises future improvements.

FISU Staff Testimonials

"We were very pleased with the quality of work that you guys produced […] I turned over thousands of photographs for the FISU archival record, and they’ll be using these images for years to come"

— Jon Lundin

Head of Media and Communications

"The students are impressive to work with. Adaptable with great situational awareness for ice hockey"

— Gregory Kie

Photo Cluster Manager

"The guide for the photos and the system for tagging, huge kudos to your work. […]
You guys had professionals wanting to use the system you made.
That’s a big feather in your cap"

— Cecil Bleiker

Media and Broadcast Operations Specialist

FISU Games Photography: A SWOT Analysis

Strengths:

  • Effective Workflow: Clear guides and strategies streamlined the photographic process.
  • Experience & Variety: Students captured a wide range of sports with diverse experience.
  • Positive Impact: Lasting relationships built, FISU staff impressed by professionalism.
  • Student Success: Overwhelmingly positive experience with publications in 50+ outlets.
  • High Volume & Quality: Delivered over 5,000 high-quality images to the client.
  • Extensive Coverage: Over 85 events captured throughout the FISU Games.

Weaknesses:

  • Second Week Staffing: Photographer availability decreased during the second week.
  • Limited Awareness: Not all delegations knew competitor photos were available.
  • Critique Constraints: Insufficient time for in-depth photo critiques.
  • Training Time: Short training window, especially for inexperienced photographers.
  • Upload Challenges: Lack of reliable FTP or upload system.

Opportunities:

  • Educational Programs: Develop photography classes for undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Speed: Create a faster upload system to upload directly from provided software
  • Unique Tasks: Provide opportunities to try different sides of an operation, from managing a photo desk, live editing, to being in the field.

Threats:

  • Roster Access: Difficulty in acquiring up-to-date rosters for athletes.
  • Inclement Weather

Student Testimonials

"“Without the templates, we would’ve just evaporated, you should charge for them"

— Surya Vaidy

Student Photographer

"Learning Photomechanic was one of the most useful tools, it drastically improved my workflow and I will be taking what I learned with me throughout the rest of my career"

— Maddie Crooke

Student Photographer

"It really changed the way I saw sports photography with the way the whole set up was done […] We knew exactly how we would type things out to make it uniform between all of us, and made it a lot easier"

— Bond Photos

Student Photographer

Sponsors who made this experience possible

Capturing Gold
Isaiah Vazquez Master's Project