21-year-old NSW TAFE student set to photograph Olympics

By Mike O'Connor | 3 July 2024

A 21-year-old TAFE NSW photography graduate will be snapping the world’s best athletes next month, after securing a prized opportunity to photograph the marathon events at the Paris Olympics.

Jacob Gower, who lives in Buttaba, near Newcastle, and just graduated with a Diploma of Photography and Digital Imaging, says his own passion for long-distance running enables him to embody a different perspective for his speciality area of track and field athletes.

NSW 21-year-old Jacob Gower has been given a rare opportunity to photograph the Olympic Marathon in Paris next month.

“We also had to do a lot of research into iconic photographers as part of my studies, and absorbing their styles inspired me to emulate a more artistic representation to help build greater recognition of track and field athletes in Australia," he says.

“My teachers’ knowledge and expertise, along with their encouragement to build my portfolio, was part of what inspired me to travel around Australia shooting athletes at track and field events.

"Learning how to run a photography business side was also invaluable, things like how to respond to a brief are really important to making a successful career,” he said.

In addition to shooting the marathon in Paris, he’ll also have the rare opportunity to photograph inside the Olympic Stadium as an accredited photographer.

In addition, the young photographer has also started a new role as Creative Director with Straight At It, a media company specialising in athletics.

“Even though my dad was a professional photographer, committing to study photography helped me realise my dream career is a possibility,” Gower said.

“I am really excited by this opportunity, it will be challenging but that’s what I love about photographing athletes,” Gower said.

TAFE NSW Hunter Street campus Head Teacher, Fine Art, David Trout, says Gower's opportunity is testament to his talent and hard work.

"We saw from day one that he was very competent and has pushed himself to develop his own unique style. This is key to the recognition and work he is getting,” Trout said.

You can see more of Jacob Gower's photos here.