Conversations with Tim Miles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Miles.

Hi Tim, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I’ve done photography for several years with an emphasis on event photography. I connected with several in my local Tucson community to learn and improve at wedding photography and videography. This type of photography taught me the critical components of being a better photographer and the expectations of running a successful event photo and video company. Naturally, these skill sets and equipment helped me easily transition to doing high-intensity action sports photography like pickleball and rock climbing. After seeing all the fantastic content for pickleball, a sport I enjoy, I expected a significant opportunity. Players of all levels like focusing on the competition and having quality content showing their growth and highlights of their play. As these talented athletes progress in their semi-professional and professional careers, they amass a following and sponsors who want to see fantastic content.

Let’s dig deeper into the story – has it been an easy path, and if not, what challenges have you overcome?
There are always lessons to be learned, and being able to adapt to struggles is essential. There are a lot of unknown & shifting client expectations in this barely untouched market of pickleball photography. Our biggest competition as professional photographers and videographers comes from easy access to high-quality recording devices, such as our smartphone cameras. They are a great tool that demands a skilled photographer to produce high-quality content. It’s no longer just about high-megapixel, sharp, clean photos, and video. It’s about telling a story through the photographer’s lens and eyes. Social media is all so fast, and it also demands faster turnaround times and an improved skill set of the tools and workflows at our disposal.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in sports photography, with the bulk of my work being pickleball gameplay. I’m known for getting amazing feats of athletic prowess. Key shots in pickleball include overhead smashes, ernes, and tweeners (between the legs). As with any live event, it boils down to a bit of luck to have the moment and the foresight and eventual skill to capture it when it does happen. I think game experience and passion for the content you’re capturing are essential. I play pickleball multiple times a week. This allows me to connect with those in my local community and get some great exercise in. I feel this gives me good insight into the pickleball athlete mindset. I’ve played recreationally and have a better insight into the emotions and game-shot selections in tournaments. This on-court experience prepares me to capture the moments I’m off the court and showcase this athlete or the overall game.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any essential lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I wasn’t operating my sports photo and video business during that time, so business-wise, I wasn’t affected by it. Pickleball has grown in massive popularity during that pandemic as a socially distanced exercise, bringing many of my regular clients into the sport.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://athleticcaptures.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athleticcaptures

Image Credits
The photo of me was provided by Bruce Yeung (https://www.instagram.com/yeungphotography/). The 8 action photos are all photos I took and own.