40. Steph VanWagoner: From Starting Over to Sideline Photography for the Detroit Lions

Send us Fan MailFind Steph on Instagram: her personal account & photography accountFollow The Game on social: The Game: Instagram | TikTok Victoria Henderson: Instagram | TikTokEver wonder how someone goes from a 911 console to the Detroit Lions’ sideline with a camera in hand? We bring you an intimate, step-by-step look at how freelance photographer Steph Van Wagner built a career in pro sports through smart outreach, gritty portfolio work, and unshakable calm under pressure. From weddings with zero retakes to Ford Field’s catwalk, Steph shares the exact moves that turned a fan POV video into a coffee meeting, then into a season contract.We dig into the nuts and bolts that most people never see: why “don’t ask for a credential” is rule number one, how contributing photographer contracts and image rights actually work, and the no-gambling policies that can end a season before it starts. Steph breaks down game-day rhythm—arriving before the crowds, rotating between sideline action and partnership deliverables, and using shared presets for cohesive edits—plus the captioning and upload pipeline that keeps content flowing fast. If you’re building a portfolio, you’ll hear practical ways to shoot for free without working for exposure forever, how to DM with purpose, and what kind of questions earn real mentorship.Steph also opens up about resilience: the portfolio review that left her in tears, the Michigan–Oregon assignment that arrived two weeks later, and the mindset shift that turned criticism into fuel. For women carving a path on male-dominated sidelines, she offers a grounded message—your eye belongs here, your voice matters, and kindness is a competitive edge. Whether you’re an aspiring sports photographer or a curious fan, you’ll leave with a clear playbook for breaking in, staying in, and growing your craft with integrity.If this conversation pushed you to take your next shot, follow, share, and leave a quick review. Tell us the one skill you’re committing to improve this month—we’ll cheer you on.Support the showThanks for listening to The Game! We're happy you're here. If you enjoyed the episode, please send it to a friend, share it on social, or leave us a cute 5-star review. JOIN THE COMMUNITY of women in our Substack community for gameday chats, exclusive articles, and more NFL by the girls. Thegamehq.substack.comSEND US A HOT TAKE OR LISTENER QUESTION WE CAN SHARE ON THE SHOW: [email protected] or https://www.instagram.com/thegame.hq FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:The Game: Instagram | TikTok Victoria Henderson: Instagram | TikTokLove you, bye! <3