Back to Where It All Started — Ginásio Clube Olhanense
Yesterday was special. Not because I was photographing a major international event or a stadium packed with thousands of fans—but because I went back to the place where everything began for me six years ago: the home of Ginásio Clube Olhanense.
Dontae Mitchell of GCO driving forward
Back then, my son was going to school in Olhão. One day, the local basketball team showed up to his gym class, encouraging the kids to come support them at their next game. We decided to go, and something made me bring my camera—just a simple Canon 7D at the time. I didn’t have any real plan. I sat in the stands like everyone else and started taking photos just for fun.
But something clicked that evening. The noise of the crowd, the intensity on the court, the emotion of every basket—it pulled me in. That night was the spark that set me on the path to becoming a sports photographer. I kept coming back, game after game, slowly discovering what would become my passion and eventually my career.
The local fans showing their support, making NOISE
So walking back into that same venue yesterday, now as a professional photographer shooting with a Canon 1DX Mark III and an R6 Mark II, felt like closing a circle.
Same team. Same court. Same atmosphere. But a very different me.
The game itself was electric. Ginásio Clube Olhanense and CAB Madeira stayed neck-and-neck right until the end. The fans were loud from the opening whistle—just as I remembered—and the support for the home team never stopped. Though Olhanense came up just short, the fight and heart they showed were incredible.
Before heading out, I took a moment to look back at my photos from six years ago. Let’s just say… I’ve improved a lot. Experience helps, sure, but shooting with better equipment and understanding the craft on a deeper level makes a world of difference. Even the lighting in the venue seemed better this time around—photographers notice these things.
It was fun, meaningful, nostalgic, and inspiring all at once. I travel around the world covering major tournaments and events, and I truly love that side of my work. But there is something incredibly special about the local clubs, the intimate arenas, the community energy, and the people who live and breathe their team.
I hope to be back again soon. And if any clubs, teams, or players in the Algarve or around Portugal are looking for professional photography coverage—matches, tournaments, portraits, events—I’m here, I’m local, and I’d love to capture your story just as I’ve captured so many others.
