This AAPI Month, the White Sox welcome Nikko Tan to the ballpark to help capture the gameday experience from behind his own lens.
Tan, who is a vital part of the Chicago Bulls digital content creation team, added photography to his broad range of digital skills during the pandemic. He developed his talents by taking photos at high school football games in Florida, learning how to work with natural light, constant movement and shooting from a distance.
One of his favorite photo moments was taken in February at the NBA All-Star Game when he snapped an image of guard Stephen Curry turning around as the ball was passing through the net — depicting Curry’s incredible confidence on the court.
Today, Tan is making his parents, who left their lives in Calamba, Laguna in the Philippines for more opportunity here in the U.S., very proud. He often reflects on what would have been a “completely different version” of his life if not for his parents’ sacrifices.
When asked about AAPI representation in sports, Tan replied, “It always makes me smile when I see other Asian/Asian American content creators because there are a few of us out here in professional sports. Any time you can bring together people from different backgrounds with different experiences, it makes the [working] environment better.”
In his current role, he serves as the day-to-day publisher for the Bulls social media platforms. Prior to joining the Bulls, he was a social media specialist for the Atlanta Falcons. Tan is a graduate of the University of Florida where he studied telecommunications production. He grew up in Florida and currently resides in Chicago, Illinois.
Tan recently tried the popular Filipino-American breakfast spot in West Town, Uncle Mike’s Place, and liked it. You can follow Tan’s work, including checking out his favorite shot of Stephen Curry, on Instagram at @photo.nikko.
***Check back later to see Tan’s photos from today’s game.
AAPI Featured Photographer: Nikko Tan was originally published in Inside the White Sox on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.