Today we’re sharing a behind the scenes look at a truly inspiring female sports photographer, Hana Asano. This interview was originally published in the September/October 2020 issue of Click magazine.
Photographer Hana Asano is the daughter of two immigrants from Japan who came to the United States in hopes of becoming jazz musicians. Growing up in California, Hana has always had a strong love for imagery, sports and the moments in between. She attended university on a Division 1 scholarship to play basketball. Her experiences as a collegiate athlete informed her understanding of the strength, power and vulnerability that sports provides on a daily basis.
As a professional photographer she combines her passion for storytelling through sports, examining each subject as an athlete and an individual. Focusing primarily on sports figures and the culture that surrounds them, Hana’s eye for moments in time has garnered the attention of major sports brands and editorial publications.
Hana works consistently with Nike and Adidas, alongside other major sports brands, where she separates herself with her experience in sports, and ability to capture athletes immersed in their craft. See more of her work at hanaasano.com and on Instagram @hanaasano.
Q: How did you get your start in photography, specifically in the niche of sports and athletes?
My first memory of sports photography was in middle school. I carried the Polaroid i-Zone instant film camera everywhere I went! My older cousin was a skateboarder and I’d follow him around taking small Polaroids of him skating down a rail. Ever since then, I’ve loved the medium of photography. There will always be something so magical about freezing a moment in time.
Later, I played Division 1 college basketball, and when I graduated, I missed sports terribly. Realizing I had the ability to work with athletes and sports in a different way, I fell in love with both sports and photography all over again.
Q: Let’s talk about women and sports and photography. Any challenges as a woman artist who is paving the way for other women?
There’ve definitely been some weird moments as the only female in the pressroom, field, or studio shoot. It can certainly feel uncomfortable.
Growing up amongst only brothers, I think I’ve always naturally embraced the different perspective women bring to life and photography.
There are many incredible female photographers, past and present, paving the way in the industry, even beyond sports. It’s not always easy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
It’s important to be vocal and educate folks about both gender and racial injustice so our industry can be better in the long run.
Q: What’s your workflow for an editorial shoot, specifically for your work on the iconic Chamberlain/ESPN Body Issue?
Editorial shoots are incredible. You get to bring your full creative ideas to the table. I worked with Nick Galac of ESPN for that specific shoot. It was great because Nick allows you to embrace your own style for every shoot.
For most shoots, we start with logistics: What are the “deliverables” ESPN needs, and how can we get a team out in Oklahoma to start putting the pieces together. Once those are in place, we’ll generally do an in-depth location scout, keeping in mind the lighting, weather, timing and other variables that can affect the shoot.
The biggest challenges for us in Oklahoma were the humidity and 30mph-wind. After considering logistics, I’ll usually submit a creative look and lighting per location.
With Lauren Chamberlain, a former Team USA and professional softball player who is now a MLB TV personality, motivational speaker, instructor, and mentor, we wanted to embrace her beauty, strength and power, and we made sure to keep our lighting and locations appropriate for that. The prep is long, but once you arrive on location, the real fun begins!
Q: Do you need to work with athletes to make them feel comfortable in front of your camera?
Absolutely. Keeping my subjects comfortable is always my number one priority. As photographers, it’s important to constantly keep an eye out for how the athlete or talent is feeling. I carefully watch and read my subject to pick up on subtle cues and make adjustments as necessary.
Q: We loved the Brigid Pickett shoot for Runner’s World. Tell us about it.
This one was awesome. Amy Wolff from Runner’s World brought me on. Brigid Pickett was 39 weeks pregnant at the time of the shoot, so we were really cautious in how much we wanted to push her versus keeping the shots authentic to her running.
When I got to the Huachuca Mountains, Brigid was down to do anything — amazing! I always prefer to keep things organic, so we documented her as she ran on a few of her favorite trails, doing background shots in advance to do the location justice.
Being a female photographer, this shoot was special to be a part of. Not only was Brigid a mom-to-be of 39 weeks, but also already a mom to the cutest girl. It’s truly incredible what the female body is capable of achieving, and it was an important reminder for me (a non-mom) that you don’t have to always sacrifice your passion for motherhood.
A behind the scenes look.
Q: What is it like to be on the field in a stadium with thousands of screaming fans while photographing players in action?
I used to be a team photographer for the LA Galaxy, and those years were truly among the best of my life. Nothing compares to being a part of a team and getting to document a player from the start of their years with a team to the end. In 2014, the LA Galaxy won the MLS Cup. I was extremely lucky to be there to photograph that. That championship game is something I’ll never forget.
Aside from wanting your team to win, there are a lot of logistics, to make sure you and your team of photographers capture every angle. That was also Landon Donovan’s last season. We took three different angles from around the field to make sure we captured him as the whistle blew and the Galaxy had won the cup. It’s true when they say that soccer is the most beautiful sport in the world. Nothing compares to the body movement of the athletes and the crazy fans in this sport.
Q: When you photographed players from the U.S. Women’s national soccer team, how much time did you get with each athlete?
The USWNT are the most incredible group of female athletes I’ve been fortunate enough to work with. Aside from the work they are doing to fight in equality in sport, they are all kind and thoughtful humans.
We aren’t given a lot of time to photograph athletes off the field. There are days and hours of planning that go into getting 5 minutes with an athlete. Most of the “shoot” is actually prepping for the shoot. Lighting, gear, mood boards, hiring crew. Once you get the athlete in front of you, everything is downhill from there.
Q: When have you been most inspired by an athlete?
I recently got to photograph Paralympic athlete Tatyana McFadden for Nike. Tatyana has had the most incredible life story I’ve come across. Born paralyzed from the waist down, she spent the first six years of her life in a Russian orphanage, and is now the world’s best female wheel-chair racer of all time.
I’ve never come across an athlete who came from so little to accomplish so much. She continues to inspire me.
Q: What is your biggest challenge in your work?
It’s a challenge for any photographer to stay authentic to her own style, especially when busy with commercial work. It’s important to reflect and take the necessary time to create personal work.
Q: How do you like working on your own versus with a creative team?
As an athlete my whole life, working alone took me a while to get used to. Photography can be a lonesome endeavor, so it’s extremely important to surround yourself with other artist friends. When you’re on set, you get to work with assorted crews, and throughout the years, you start to form your own team. It’s a great balance, since you really do get the best of both worlds.
Q: How much retouching do you prefer?
I have a go-to retoucher I collaborate with for commercial and some editorial work. It’s pretty rare that my work gets retouched, though. I prefer to personally use Lightroom to apply my own finishing touches.
Q: Are you having fun?
Absolutely. I think you have to always enjoy being alive. It’s a funny time to think of what’s next. I don’t think anyone really knows. In the meantime, I’m doing my best to stay healthy and create art. There’s no use in worrying about the things you can’t control.
Photos by Hana Asano.
This article was originally published in the September/October issue of Click magazine. Click here to buy a copy, or subscribe so you never miss an issue.
