Gripping Sports Image Earns UofM Student Silver ADDY
National Award Follows Zach Wall’s Game-time Photo of Kendric Davis
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 — It all began with his trusty Sony A7iii camera in a basketball arena hundreds of miles from home.
Zach Wall, a senior Creative Mass Media major graduating from the Department of Journalism and Strategic Media, first picked up a camera in 2020. Just a few short years later, Wall won a Silver ADDY honor at the annual American Advertising Awards for his black-and-white image of Kendric Davis. Wall’s meteoric rise to the top of his game can be attributed to several things, including being in the right place at the right time, whether that be a sporting event or the University of Memphis.
"It's thrilling to see Zach capture such compelling moments with his camera,” said Michael Robinson, a professor in the Department of Journalism and Strategic Media at the UofM. “It takes a measured confidence to place yourself right in the mix to get the magic shot. He lives and breathes this."
Wall has served as a student creative for men's basketball, a full-time position he started last summer following a successful internship with the team. Wall’s work — both photojournalistic and commercial — can be seen on the team's social media and in their promotional content.
“Congratulations to Zach on this well-deserved award,” University of Memphis Interim Athletics Director Jeff Crane said. “Zach is an extremely talented photographer and has an eye for visual storytelling, which helps our fans connect with our student-athletes and programs. This award is a testament to his passion and skill, and we are proud to have him as part of our creative content team.”
Wall first photographed Tiger athletics in 2022 while working with the football team and has since captured baseball and basketball as well.
“I have always had a passion and love for sports, and I think what I love the most about sports photography is the energy of the environment around you for big games,” Wall said. “Working for Coach Silverfield and Coach Hardaway has been an incredible experience. I am thankful to have built many relationships with coaches and some amazing athletes over the last couple of years."
"Working for Coach Silverfield and Coach Hardaway has been an incredible experience," said Wall. "I am thankful to have built many relationships with coaches and some amazing athletes over the last couple of years."
Wall’s winning photo was a result of his determined attitude and eagerness to jump into the mix, even at a moment's notice. After receiving a text that granted him media credentials for the road game at Alabama, Wall drove down separately from the team to shoot photos and returned home that same night.
"I would have never thought it would lead me to a national award," he said, following the ceremony in Salt Lake City. "It was unreal and something I'll never forget."
Robinson echoed Wall’s excitement.
"Watching one of my students bring national acclaim to our programs – and the University as a whole – is an incredible feeling,” he said. “I'm endlessly proud of Zach and his talent deserves to be celebrated."
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Godwin
Director of Media and Public Relations
jennifer.godwin@memphis.edu
(O) 901.678.4822 (M) 501.529.7482