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A photography student at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, and a member of the Illinois Army National Guard, is spending her summer of 2024 in Forest City, photographing the Coastal Plain League's Forest City Owls.
Nicole Fox, 22, said she began applying for sports photography internships last winter and was contacted by the Owls management and offered the job. She applied to 20 teams and was interviewed by eight teams, she said.
"I'm glad I came to the Owls," she said."I love doing this," Nicole said, adding she doesn't have a favorite sport, but instead enjoys "whatever is happening during that season."
Nicole is following the Owls throughout the season.
As the photographer for the Owls, Nicole said she must focus on the main thing happening at a given time.
"It's the decisive moment, you're looking for like, a home run, fan engagement, cheering. I look for things like composition and design."
She's tried to improve her knowledge of the game over the summer in Forest City.
"I am getting better about being able to anticipate what is going to happen next. I've been able to do that the last few games, looking at who is on the bases and where they're going to throw the ball," she said recently.
The best thing about her work is "when the Owls win, for sure."
Nicole said it is bothersome sometimes if "You miss out on something big, even when trying your best and you still don't get the best shot."
"Sometimes I am focused on the batter and I am not ready for someone to steal a base," she said.
Nicole tries to keep herself from making an error with her photography, "but sometimes you feel like you missed out on the best shot."
"I think you can combine a great decisive moment, good lighting, good composition and all that comes together for a good shot," she said.
When not engaged in sports photography and her college life at Southern Illinois, Nicole serves as a member of the Army National Guard, having joined in 2019. Just before arriving in Rutherford County, she was in Poland for her company's annual two week training.
Officers in her company applied for the training in Poland and were granted the mission.
"We were able to do some really great and unique stuff," she said.
While in Poland when not on duty, her team enjoyed traveling to the nearby city, touring and eating authentic Polish food.
As a member of the Illinois Army National Guard, Nicole said her college professors are really understanding. "Sometimes there will be some conflicts (with schedules) but we usually get things done before."
The educational benefits offered by the National Guard are the biggest things she considered when she decided to join. "In Illinois, you do not have to pay tuition if you go to a state supported school," Nicole said.
"It's a new experience, discipline, work ethic are also a big part of the reason I joined. It's such a different experience from everyday life. I get to interact with so many other people and it's a different aspect of life," she said.
Nicole isn't sure what she'll do after college. If she decides to stay with photographing sporting events, she may not be able to remain in the National Guard, due to conflicting schedules.
While in Rutherford County she's visited and photographed scenes in Chimney Rock State Park, and the Pisgah Forest and Broad River Greenway while enjoying hiking and waterfalls.
Photography wasn't always what she thought she'd study and or have a career.
"I actually started doing this during my junior and senior years of high school being on the yearbook staff," she said. After that she was hooked.
Nicole is the daughter of Dean and Kim Fox of Illinois and has three younger brothers.
While in Rutherford County this summer, she is living with Isothermal Community College President, Dr. Margaret Annunziata and her family. "They are super sweet," she said.
