Diane Ketelsen Loves a Challenge


Diane KetelsenAspiring sports photographer Diane Ketelsen, 31, was studying fashion design at University of Oregon when she took a photography class, and it changed her direction. “I fell in love with the photographic image and I knew it was something I wanted to get into,” she says.

Although she wasn’t sure right away what she wanted to photograph, she did know she didn’t want it to be easy. “Being a person with a disability, I grew up in a family where I wasn’t really encouraged very much, so I like the challenge of photographing sports because it forces you to react fast,” says Ketelsen, who has cerebral palsy. “When I’m photographing an event, I get lost in the moment of capturing that action, that emotion. There’s a sense of freedom when I have a camera in my hand.”

Diane Ketelsen photographing sportsKetelsen uses her Amysystems track hybrid when shooting events since it’s faster and more functional over mixed surfaces than her manual. Also, she shows up an hour or two ahead of time. “That way I can get set up, decide what the lighting is going to be and what the shutter speed should be. That gives me more preparation to get consistency in my photographs,” she says.

Also, even though Ketelsen wants to be challenged, she’s realistic about what she can physically do. “With my disability, sometimes the camera gets heavy, I get tired. Sports is very intense, very fast, so I tell myself if I miss the shot, it’s OK.”

Ketelsen is the administrative assistant at Emerald Art Center in Springfield, Oregon, where she shows her work. “They are helping me grow in my communication and passion and I’m very grateful for them,” she says. “I’m blessed to be able to work there and be part of that community.” Follow her journey at dketelsen.wordpress.com.


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