This season, the Chicago White Sox introduced the content creator program, an initiative to allow content creators the opportunity to experience working in a live professional sports setting. The program’s goal is to feature a unique perspective of the team, ballpark, and fan experience at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Melissa Ferrara, is a proud Midwesterner, and creator of Chicago-based, Melissa Ferrara Photography. While she boasts a versatile portfolio that includes magical wedding scenes as well as stunning depictions of architecture across both Chicago and numerous European destinations, the content creator program offers Ferrara the unique opportunity to dive into professional sports.
“I got started in photography when I was in college,” said Ferrara. She went on to say that years later she got into sports after “shooting a few events for different basketball teams and local fitness centers.”
While it isn’t her everyday job, Ferrara has a passion for sports photography, and it was only a matter of time before she began working in sports again.
“One day the team reached out to me about doing a portrait session for them, which got me onto the field,” said the photographer. “After that, I was asked if I wanted to come by and take a few more photos when there was snow in the stadium and then they asked if I wanted to be a part of the content creator program. The content creator program really helped me get my foot in the door when it comes to professional sports photography, it’s been awesome.”
For Ferrara, the content creator program has been a full circle experience.
“I grew up playing softball and have been a White Sox fan my whole life,” Ferrara said. “My entire family goes to Opening Day each year. I had my wedding shower in a Diamond Suite at Guaranteed Rate last year. So needless to say, photographing for the White Sox has been a lifelong dream come true.”
The White Sox will continue the content creator program going forward with the continued goal of empowering individuals and allowing them the opportunity to capture a game by telling a different story from their perspective and helping them find their way into the sports photography field.
Take a look below at some of Melissa’s best shots from around the ballpark and make sure to check out the rest of her work on Instagram.
Visit whitesox.com to learn more and follow the Chicago White Sox on Facebook and Twitter.
White Sox Content Creator Program Spotlight: Melissa Ferrara was originally published in Inside the White Sox on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.