Jesse Pickett captures one of best photos of AFL Indigenous All Stars clash

During last weekend's Australian Football League (AFL) Indigenous All-Stars match against the Fremantle Dockers, a self-taught photographer from Geraldton captured a striking photograph that became a highlight of the game. This image resonated with fans and critics alike, showcasing the raw emotion and athleticism of the sport.

Jesse Pickett, the Indigenous photographer, is 31 years old and began taking up the camera in 2021, inspired by the work of his uncle, professional photographer Tamati Smith. "(My uncle) helped me out, he gave me a camera, and ever since I picked up that camera, I've fallen in love with it," he said. This initial spark ignited a passion that quickly transformed into a burgeoning career.

Mr. Pickett successfully captured a wonderful moment in the game. "I got a photo of Bobby Hill celebrating the first goal of the game, the photo was full of energy, and I managed to capture that moment." The image perfectly encapsulated the excitement and jubilation of the team's early success.

Mr. Pickett initially caught the attention of AFL photography producer Sarah Morton when he participated in last year's "Footy Focus" competition, submitting a stunning photo of a player taking a high-flying mark. Ms. Morton said, "I really liked the work that Jesse was doing in his community, so I invited him to the inaugural 'Footy Focus' masterclass and game experience in Melbourne last October." This opportunity provided him with invaluable mentorship and exposure to the professional sports photography world.

"To my surprise, he traveled all the way to Melbourne to attend the event. His friendly personality and ability to quickly adapt to a large stage impressed our team." Ms. Morton said that to coincide with the Indigenous All-Stars match in Perth, they also held a separate competition and invited photographers from across Western Australia to sign up. Mr. Pickett made it to the final 20 and, as a result, received an invitation to shoot the game. "Jesse performed extremely well and captured one of the best photos of the match," she said.

Prior to attending the recent masterclass, Mr. Pickett had not received any formal training, learning as much as possible by browsing online videos and tutorials. He had also taken thousands of photos at sporting events in Geraldton, including the Great Northern Football League. He said, "I did my first professional work in Geraldton, and since then... everything has gone crazy, eventually leading to the AFL." This dedication to self-improvement and relentless pursuit of experience proved instrumental in his rapid ascent.

During the off-season, the photographer turns his lens to local wildlife. "When there's no football, wildlife is my go-to," he said. "I've fallen in love with bird photography and wildlife photography in general." This diversification of his portfolio showcases his versatility and passion for capturing the beauty of the natural world.

Mr. Pickett says capturing images of his culture and community is very important to him. "Our community and culture are beautiful, and I want to show that to the world," he said. "I love that a photo can tell a thousand stories. It can create all sorts of emotions and can really get people talking. It's an art form that creates lifelong memories." His work serves as a powerful testament to the importance of representation and cultural preservation through visual storytelling.