Some assignments stay with you long after the camera is put away. Photographing Suni Lee is one of those experiences.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing Suni multiple times for The New York Times. Each time, I walk away in awe not just of her talent, which is undeniable, but of her work ethic and dedication to her sport. There is an intensity to how she approaches her craft, paired with a calm focus that is rare to witness up close. You can feel how much the work matters to her.

As a photographer, one of the things I value most is building genuine rapport with the people I photograph, no matter who they are or how well known they might be. Trust and comfort are what allow honest moments to surface, and that connection is always the goal for me.

That is what made one particular moment especially meaningful. After working together, Suni asked me to photograph her high school senior graduation photos. It was a reminder that beyond the headlines and accolades, she is also just a person moving through important milestones, moments that deserve to be documented with care and respect.

Those quieter sessions, away from competition floors and bright lights, are often the most grounding. They reinforce why I love this work being invited into someone’s life, even briefly, and helping preserve a moment that matters to them.

Photographing Suni over the years has been an honor. Not just because of who she is as an athlete, but because of who she is as a person focused, hardworking, and gracious. It is a reminder that at the heart of every assignment is a human story, and it is a privilege to help tell it.