Meet Zariq Xavier, the visual storyteller capturing the electrifying moments
within the fast-paced realm of the NBA G League and NBA. With an innate ability to freeze time and encapsulate the essence of athleticism, determination, and triumph, Zariq goes beyond the court to craft compelling narratives through the lens.
As a seasoned photographer in the world of professional basketball, he skillfully navigates the dynamic energy of the G League, where emerging talents hone their skills, and seamlessly transition to the grandeur of the NBA, where superstars shine. Through his keen eye and artistic prowess, Zariq provides a unique and intimate perspective that not only preserves the raw emotions of the game but also offers a glimpse into the untold stories that unfold beneath the dazzling lights of the hardwood. Here is my interview with him.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in photography, and how did you specialize in sports photography?
A: In high school I found a niche with sports video editing, which led me to learning a lot more about sports media through following guys like James Edwards and Rod Beard.
From there, I joined a Pistons site, Palace of Pistons. Around my freshman year at
Michigan State, one of my friends from there (Mike Philly) began his own NBA media career as a writer, and essentially told me he would love to get me into these situations and be able to not only edit but capture my own content from my eye. I took a semester off from State that year, and he was a beat writer for the Motor City Cruise at the time Mike reached out and asked if I wanted to do camera work for his outlet at these games. So, I took my mom’s camera at the time and kind of threw myself into this new unfamiliar world.
My mom is a photographer, and growing up I would help her out with some shoots but I never found a passion for photography doing the events she did, it was all a bit much for me. The moment I stepped foot on a G-League court, I felt like this was something I can do, and can see myself continue doing. Guys like Jaylen Johnson, Chris Smith, Isaiah Livers, Anthony Tarke from that team were the first players I found myself really building rapport with and they liked my work (even though looking back they were not near what I want my photos to look like now).
Q: What are some of your favorite NBA photography projects or moments that you captured? Can you describe the story behind one of them?
A: Recently, I covered the Pistons/Cruise community event where the players, coaches, staff, and season ticket holders provided groceries to people within the Detroit community who had no idea they would be receiving these items from Pistons/Cruise members.
Photographing and interviewing people during that event was really something I found to be really meaningful and fulfilling. Capturing the humanity behind sports and athletes is something I really want to do in every medium I create in, and I felt like it was a setting where players were able to be just normal people amongst the community. About a month ago I took pictures of the Pistons/Suns game and captured Kevin Durant on my camera.
As a media member we’re supposed to be impartial but it was hard to understate how incredible it was that I was able to capture pictures I was proud of and of someone I grew up watching and is still one of the best in the league was special.
Q: NBA and G League games can be so fast paced and unpredictable. How do you adapt to the unexpected situations to capture the best possible shots?
A: The games are super fast paced and can absolutely be overwhelming trying to capture every single moment. Initially, I found myself scrambling trying to get everything in one frame. The more games I did though, I realized you really just have to pick your spots and your moments. Getting creative with what you shoot and how you shoot it has been the biggest learning curve for me. A lot of what made it difficult was the idea of missing something, and although it’s not ideal, it’s bound to happen. That pressure being away from my thinking has actually led me to be able to capture more moments and know how I want my shots to look. Sometimes a player might pose for a picture and you were barely prepared, a lot of this stuff is improv honestly. Winging it is a major part of sports photography, because so much can change, or not go according to what you had envisioned in a second.
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We want to thank Zariq for being apart of our interview series with sports media creatives and sharing his insight into his career. You can follow him on Instagram (@zariqxavier)
