Kate Foultz’s Path to Capturing Iconic Sports Moments
Some moments in sports history are so electric, they’re etched into our memory forever. For Kate Foultz ‘20, she didn’t just witness one of those moments, she captured it.
As a part-time photo editor for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Foulz was able to capture Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“That was the highlight of my sports photography career,” said Foultz. “A walk-off grand slam in the World Series is arguably one of the most historic sporting moments that has happened in recent years, so that was an incredible experience for me.”
Positioned in the batter’s eye (a position in centerfield with a clear view of the batter and the crowd’s reaction in the background), Foulz had the perfect vantage point to capture both Freeman’s celebration and the crowd’s electrifying reaction.
“It was the right moment at the right time,” said Foultz. “In my head, I was thinking, ‘How can I capture everything here?’ Getting the fan reactions in the background was just as important as framing the shot properly. It was the perfect spot to be in. Luck is when opportunity meets preparation, and I was just really happy to be in the right place at the right time.”
Foultz is no stranger to major sports spectacles. As a full-time photography coordinator for the NFL, she had the chance to work behind the scenes at Super Bowl LIX in February 2025, serving as part of the league’s on-site editing team. One of her most memorable moments was assisting in the photography and editing of Philadelphia Eagles players celebrating with the Lombardi Trophy after their victory against Kansas City.
“Being able to see [Philadelphia Eagles running back] Saquon Barkley and his family in that moment was special and an experience I will never forget,” said Foultz. “These players dedicate their lives to the sport, and witnessing their pure joy and hard-earned success was incredible. I’ve worked hard to get to this point too, and being part of moments like this is incredibly rewarding.”
Foultz’s rapid ascent in the sports photography industry began during her junior year at Emerson, where she started capturing Emerson Athletics events. Initially pursuing Journalism before transitioning into Sports Communication, she never took formal photography classes.
“I am self-taught, a lot of trial and error, countless YouTube tutorials, and simply shooting as much as possible at men’s soccer games, basketball games, and women’s lacrosse,” said Foultz. “It was a fun way to learn, and I loved when my classmates would ask me to come photograph their games.”
Kate Foultz ’20 has photographed college baseball games. 
Kate Foultz ’20 has photographed DI women’s basketball games with powerhouses like UCLA. 
Kate Foultz ’20 captures the great action moments during sporting events. 
Kate Foultz ’20 has photographed college gymnastics. 
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce strutted into the end zone scoring in Super Bowl LVIII. 
Rain creates photographic scenes. 
Like a gymnast concentrating on catching the uneven bar, Kate Foultz ’20 aims to get the perfect photo moment. 
Kate Foultz ’20 photographed the minor league affiliate for the Boston Red Sox. 
Kate Foultz ’20 has photographed numerous sports including rugby. 
From there, Foultz leveraged her connection with Communication Studies affiliated faculty member and Sports Communication Director Charles Steinberg, who was then-president of the Pawtucket Red Sox and later the Worcester Red Sox, to secure a role as a team photographer.
“Taking classes with Dr. Charles and building that relationship was a catalyst for this career that I have,” Foultz said. “Having all that experience in baseball helped me land the job with the Dodgers.”
She also credits former Sports Communication affiliated faculty member Charles Coplin, a former NFL and NHL executive, as a key mentor who continues to be an important part of her professional journey. She and Coplin stay in touch regularly, checking in each month to discuss their careers and exchange advice.
“Having a professor you can still turn to for guidance after college is invaluable,” said Foultz. “It always feels good having someone in your corner who is a true fan while you try to navigate the world as a college student.”
Foultz also found that her time as a guard for the Emerson women’s basketball team helped her develop the mental resilience needed for high-pressure situations, especially when photographing major events like the World Series.
“It’s that next-shot mentality,” she explained. “When I’m on the basketball court and miss a shot, I just think, ‘That’s fine, I’ll make the next one.’ The same applies in photography. If I miss a shot I really wanted, I quickly assess what I can do differently and move on. It’s all about erasing that mistake and striving to be better the next time.”
Her athletic background also plays a key role on the field. Just as she once used speed and positioning to navigate opponents on the court, she now applies those same instincts when racing to capture pivotal post-game moments.
“In post-game scrums, you’re charging toward the action, trying to get the quarterback handshake or key player interactions, all while competing with a crowd of photographers, many of whom are much bigger than me,” Foultz admitted. “Being used to physicality in basketball and knowing how to box out has definitely helped me hold my ground and get into the right position. I was quick on the court, and that quickness helps me get to the players and coaches right after the game.”
With her deep-rooted passion for basketball, Foultz hopes to professionally photograph the NBA, WNBA, or collegiate level.
“Basketball is still a huge part of my life, and I’d love for it to have a bigger presence in my career than it does now,” Foultz said. “That would be really exciting.”
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