Photographing the 2026 Boston Marathon
When I found out that I fractured my back in November of 2025, I knew that I was going to have to withdraw from the 2026 Boston Marathon. At the time, I was devastated. I was on a high coming off of Chicago, despite knowing since September that something was deeply awry with my lumbar spine. All of my friends were going to be toeing the line in Hopkinton, and I wanted to be right there with them. When I got the confirmation that it was a fracture, I knew my dreams of hitting the streets of Boston come April 20th were dashed, but made the responsible decision (shocker!) to withdraw from the race.
Unsure of what my future in the sport would look like, and feeling like I had lost an aspect of my identity, I felt placeless. So, as I always have done when hit with some form of adversity, I picked up my camera. In the wake of my eating disorder, I turned to photography. When I was hit with myocarditis twice, I turned to photography. And now, with my back injury, I turned back to photography. Every time I start to get going with photography again, I get hit with a wave of imposter syndrome. I feel like my photos aren’t good, or like I should pick a more realistic, stable career. Yet every time I have faced an injury in my life, it is always the very thing I turn to, and I regret letting that sense of imposter syndrome win, time and time again.
This time, I wanted things to be different. I knew what passion I had for taking photographs, in the sports realm specifically. I wondered if there might be any contract opportunities I could pick up, just to ease my way back into working and develop my skills further. I wanted to explore it, and seriously this time. And with that, I turned to Indeed. One of the first listings I stumbled across came from MarathonFoto, for a Boston Marathon Finish Line Photographer. Eager, hopeful, and convinced that I was way in over my head, I emailed the company. And I am so glad I did.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself making it to that finish line on April 20th, but I did; through a much different lens. I was so honored to work for MarathonFoto that day, receiving my first official media pass and photographing thousands of inspiring athletes as they achieved their own dreams of conquering Heartbreak Hill. I was able to be a part of such a massive milestone for so many people; which has to be one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my life to date.
Spending the day at the finish line, capturing each runner in moments of euphoria, excitement, and triumph reminded me of what makes the Boston Marathon so special. The determination, the emotion, the personal victories at every level, and the electricity radiating throughout every mile—it was all there, and I had a front-row seat. I left feeling my own mixture of euphoria, excitement, and inspiration, having just been a part of so many people’s big days. As my partner and I walked to dinner that night, I was struck by the fact that had my life gone to plan, and had I lined up on that start line that morning, I never would have had that experience.
What I once viewed as a “what if” turned into a powerful reminder: sometimes the path changes, but the experience can still be just as meaningful. Photographing for the Boston Marathon was one of the most special memories of my life, and is one of my proudest accomplishments. I am so grateful to MarathonFoto for bringing me on, and for all of the incredible athletes I met at the finish line. It was such an honor to capture such impactful milestones, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.