From early videos to college sidelines
Ashley Salem’s path into collegiate sports photography began well before she was working around Gonzaga University’s Division I teams. As a middle school student, she experimented with a YouTube channel, an early outlet for the photography and video interests that eventually shaped her college career.
Today, Salem is one of two co-lead photographers for Gonzaga Athletics. Alongside fellow fourth-year student Rachel Trussell, she produces photographs, video and other digital content for all of the university’s athletic teams. Their work places them in a demanding production role: They are responsible for telling the story of Gonzaga sports while working in the fast-moving environment surrounding college competition.
“To be honest, I used to have a YouTube channel when I was in middle school. So I've always just been kind of creative and loved photos and videos, that sort of thing.”
Salem began sharing her work on Instagram at 18, using the account @ShotsbySalem. She also applied for an athletics internship as a freshman and was selected. Her progression at Gonzaga moved through several creative assignments before reaching her current position.
- She first worked as a creative video intern.
- She later became a creative photo intern.
- She now serves as a creative lead with Trussell.
That progression illustrates how student employment, personal portfolios and campus opportunities can combine into a professional path. Salem’s experience also shows that sports careers are not limited to playing or coaching. Behind each athletic program is a network of photographers, videographers and other staff members responsible for producing the images and material that audiences see.
Trussell found sports through campus journalism
Trussell, who is from Austin, Texas, initially entered Gonzaga as a business student interested in entrepreneurship. She did not begin college certain that sports would become her professional direction. Her work with The Gonzaga Bulletin, however, led her into sports photography and eventually to an internship with Gonzaga Athletics.
Trussell said she wanted to become involved on campus and had grown up playing sports. Working around athletics gave her another way to remain connected to that environment, even without being an athlete. She now describes the position as her dream job, and her photography is available through the Instagram account @rachelk.studio.
“This was just a different way of being involved and being in that environment that I love so much … This is my dream job.”
Women creating space in sports media
Both photographers said the industry presents particular challenges because they are women working in a field where women can be underrepresented. Trussell said she and Salem are often the only women present in a room. That reality has made representation a central part of how she views the work.
For Trussell, visibility matters not only for the two photographers but also for younger girls who may want to pursue careers in sports without competing on the field. She said women need to work hard, speak with authority and claim a place in the industry. The pair’s roles offer an example of how visual storytelling can provide a route into athletics for students with creative and journalistic interests.
The careers of Salem and Trussell remain rooted in student work, but their responsibilities now extend across Gonzaga’s entire athletic program. Their photographs and videos help present the university’s teams to the public while demonstrating the range of jobs available around college sports. For Salem, a childhood interest in making videos has developed into a leadership role; for Trussell, campus journalism opened a door to a profession she had not initially considered.
