Internship Recap

Hello all! I am Reece Bachta, the photography intern for the Chicago Sky for the 2025 season. I am 21 years old and currently a fourth-year student at Kansas State University, studying Public Relations and Advertising. I am also completing two certifications in Business in Sports and Entertainment and Social Media Management. I am originally from Leawood, Kansas, and began my photography journey in high school. Photography is my passion. While I focus primarily on sports photography, I also work across a wide range of styles, including event, product, fashion, studio, family, and engagement photography. After I graduate, my career goal is to become a team photographer or Director of Team Content for a college or professional sports organization. Returning to the WNBA would be a dream opportunity if it presents itself.

The Chicago Sky are a professional women’s basketball team in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team is based in Chicago and plays at Wintrust Arena, located in the city’s South Loop. They joined the WNBA in 2006 and compete in the Eastern Conference. In 2021, the Chicago Sky won their first-ever WNBA Championship. Unlike many teams in the WNBA, the Sky operate independently, meaning they are not affiliated with an NBA organization. However, they share the spotlight with the Chicago Bulls. The team’s colors are sky blue and radiant yellow. Some of the key players include Angel Reese, Hailey Van Lith, Kamilla Cardoso, and Ariel Atkins. The Sky are also known for their vibrant mascot, Skye the Lioness. Over the past 20 years, the Chicago Sky have become a dynamic force in women’s basketball.

As a Photography Intern for the Chicago Sky, I serve as the second team photographer for all home games, capturing in-game action and behind-the-scenes content. I assist with editing and applying metadata to photos from game days, community events, partnership activations, and basketball operations. I work closely with MaryKate Drews, the Director of Photography and Content Integration, who is my direct supervisor, to brainstorm and execute creative concepts for the marketing department. I also help manage the team’s photo archive using PhotoShelter by organizing and maintaining historical content. In addition, I contribute to an intern-led creative project designed to enhance fan engagement, including mascot content collaborations. My schedule includes being on-site at Wintrust Arena for all home games and working in the Sky office one to two days a week depending on the team’s needs. I also take part in educational sessions on photo archiving and database management and sit in on team meetings to learn more about WNBA operations and content planning. I recently began a creative editorial project, with more details coming soon.

So far, I have had the opportunity to meet many incredible leaders and interns across various departments that make up the Chicago Sky franchise. It has been wonderful getting to know the players, the fans, and the staff. This experience has also opened doors to exciting networking opportunities. One highlight was connecting with the Head Photographer for Chicago Fire FC, who also works with Getty Images. I have really enjoyed capturing themed game elements such as Juneteenth, Pride Night, and Play4Kay for Breast Cancer Awareness. One of the most memorable moments was photographing the first-ever women’s professional basketball game at the United Center, a venue rich in Chicago history and sports achievement. I look forward to everything that is still to come in the next two and a half months.

The most important lesson I have learned is to let the moments unfold naturally and allow the game to guide my lens. I have realized that I tend to be my own toughest critic as a photographer, often feeling disappointed when I miss certain shots. But I’ve learned that it’s more important to be present, stay focused, and be ready for the moments when they do happen. I have also learned how to collaborate with different departments, take on new responsibilities when needed, and better understand how I fit into the team culture at the Chicago Sky.