Centre News

Jamey Price ’10 has found his niche as a photographer of horse
and car racing. He took pictures for Getty Images at this year's
Breeders Cup race at Churchill Downs.
Price particularly likes photographing racecars, and found
himself at some exciting events in 2011. “I covered a NASCAR
race, an Indycar race and two American Le Mans sports car
races,” he says.
“With horseracing and motorsport photography, there is so
much visually engaging about the entire experience,” Price says.
“There is color, motion, excitement and energy, and that really
translates well into photography.”

Jamey Price ’10 is making a name for himself in the world of racing—both on the track and off.

Price has been photographing and racing horses for several years, and he has recently found several opportunities to photograph important events in the world of racecar driving.

“2011 was a big year for my career,” Price says. “I covered a NASCAR race, an Indycar race and two American Le Mans sports car races. I also assisted Getty Images at the Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs. Working for Getty is a huge honor, as they are very well-respected in the industry as some of the best sports photographers on the planet.”

Photography has even taken Price overseas, where he was able to be part of an event he calls one of the best he has yet experienced.

“I sold a full-page photo spread to ‘Southern Living’ this spring and, using that money, I bought my way to Spain. I managed to find an outlet that would use my photos from a pre-season Formula One test near Barcelona,” says Price. “Though it doesn't sound exciting to most, it has easily been the highlight of my early career. The only thing I can equate it to would be going to Olympic trials for an athlete: you're not on the team yet, but you're a lot closer than most people will ever be. It was just an incredible week—I'm still getting my hearing back from standing that close to those cars.”

Price still races and photographs horses, but has a special place in his heart for racecars.

“Though many don't know it, my passion in photography is actually in car racing, Formula One in particular,” he says. “It's always been a love of mine and, since I picked up the camera in my sophomore year at Centre, the goal has been to become a full-time F1 photographer.”

Taking photographs of both car and horse races is particularly exciting for Price.

“With photography, and specifically horseracing and motorsport photography, there is so much visually engaging about the entire experience. There is color, motion, excitement and energy, and that really translates well into photography,” Price says. “Having been an athlete my whole life and loving what I'm shooting translates into photos that people enjoy looking at.”

Although Price is dedicated to being a professional photographer, he admits that it’s not always easy to have his work distributed.

“To get published as a freelancer is something you have to hunt down,” he says. “Being persistent and sending images around the world will eventually get you noticed. ‘Southern Living’ actually approached me, which was a nice surprise.

“Getting picked up by wire services takes time and a lot of hard work,” Price continues. “It's a combination of networking and floating around in the right circles while shooting consistent work that is the kind that they look for to join their team. It's just a matter of working hard and keeping your eyes looking forward.”

Though taking pictures may seem like a solitary task, Price has noticed that making connections with other photographers is easier than it might seem.

“The journalism world is incredibly small. Everyone has heard of everyone's name, for good or bad. And sometimes the people you meet can be incredibly important and influential people,” he says. “It's kind of fun to follow the daisy chain of work I've picked up from meeting a single person.”

With both racing and photography on his plate, Price is busier than ever—but wouldn’t trade it.

“Admittedly, it is increasingly difficult to juggle photography, riding and a social life. Riding is just a fun hobby and I know it's something that I can't do forever,” he says. “I would rather ride in a race than take pictures of it, which is why I've partly chosen motorsport as my career goal—I can't very well try and be a racecar driver at this point in my life.”

Photography projects continue to pour in for Price, who is excited for his future prospects.

“I've got a busy spring lined up. I'll be at a few steeplechase races as the official track photographer, shooting an Indycar race in Alabama on April 1, covering the Derby for Getty Images and also adding the two spring Charlotte NASCAR races for Getty as well,” he says. “Life is not dull at the moment.”

Have comments, suggestions, or story ideas? E-mail elizabeth.trollinger@centre.edu with your feedback.

Centre College, founded in 1819 and chosen to host its second Vice Presidential Debate in 2012, is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges, at 42nd in the nation, and ranks 27th for best value among national liberal arts colleges. Forbes magazine ranks Centre 34th among all the nation’s colleges and universities and has named Centre in the top five among all institutions of higher education in the South for three years in a row. Centre is also ranked fourth in the nation by U.S. News for its study abroad program. For more, click here.