Nathaniel Stickney
Sometimes playing sports doesn't work out for a kid, and that
was my greatest blessing.
Sure, I was bummed when I didn’t make the basketball team in 9th grade, but it forced me to find another way to stay connected to the
game and the people around it.
My media journey began in the spring of 2019, filming on my buddy’s iPhone and editing on my own with iMovie. The quality and flow weren't there yet, but the desire to capture moments for others to see was real.
Later that year, I got my first camera, a Panasonic Lumix G7, and began to find my touch while filming. The editing still lagged behind, but I was just happy to be creating. I started to see shots differently, and the edits began to flow a little more.
Then COVID hit, and the momentum I’d found stopped dead in its tracks. With no games to film, I had to find a new outlet.
Graphic design.
With an iPad and PicsArt, I began making graphics for athletes across New York. It kept me busy and sharpened my eye in a different way, but it wasn’t the same. By the spring of 2021, opportunities were slowly returning, yet the fire I’d
once felt had dimmed.
Heading to Binghamton, I had no intentions of continuing my creative journey. I mentioned my work during high school in an assignment for a summer class, and a professor suggested I get connected with the Athletics department, but I thought nothing of it. I was focused on getting by academically and enjoying college life.
My love for basketball was still very alive. There was nothing I enjoyed more than being in the student section, feeding off the energy, and being a part of game atmospheres. At Binghamton's 2021 home opener, that’s exactly where I was—fully locked in, celebrating every run for Bing and doing our best to rattle the other team, especially when they stepped to the line. It was exciting, but it
felt different than I expected.
As it turned out, that would be my only time in the student section at Binghamton. After I tweeted about a ridiculous play the point guard made, he saw some of my work from high school and reached out to ask if I’d come film the team. It started slowly, with plenty of practice and learning still ahead, but the
momentum was back.
That spring, seven of my nine closest friends set their sights on joining a fraternity. One of the two who didn’t was also into digital creation, and we found our own lane. Something clicked. I became engulfed in improving my craft, and for the first time, it felt like there was endless time to do so.
was my greatest blessing.
Sure, I was bummed when I didn’t make the basketball team in 9th grade, but it forced me to find another way to stay connected to the
game and the people around it.
My media journey began in the spring of 2019, filming on my buddy’s iPhone and editing on my own with iMovie. The quality and flow weren't there yet, but the desire to capture moments for others to see was real.
Later that year, I got my first camera, a Panasonic Lumix G7, and began to find my touch while filming. The editing still lagged behind, but I was just happy to be creating. I started to see shots differently, and the edits began to flow a little more.
Then COVID hit, and the momentum I’d found stopped dead in its tracks. With no games to film, I had to find a new outlet.
Graphic design.
With an iPad and PicsArt, I began making graphics for athletes across New York. It kept me busy and sharpened my eye in a different way, but it wasn’t the same. By the spring of 2021, opportunities were slowly returning, yet the fire I’d
once felt had dimmed.
Heading to Binghamton, I had no intentions of continuing my creative journey. I mentioned my work during high school in an assignment for a summer class, and a professor suggested I get connected with the Athletics department, but I thought nothing of it. I was focused on getting by academically and enjoying college life.
My love for basketball was still very alive. There was nothing I enjoyed more than being in the student section, feeding off the energy, and being a part of game atmospheres. At Binghamton's 2021 home opener, that’s exactly where I was—fully locked in, celebrating every run for Bing and doing our best to rattle the other team, especially when they stepped to the line. It was exciting, but it
felt different than I expected.
As it turned out, that would be my only time in the student section at Binghamton. After I tweeted about a ridiculous play the point guard made, he saw some of my work from high school and reached out to ask if I’d come film the team. It started slowly, with plenty of practice and learning still ahead, but the
momentum was back.
That spring, seven of my nine closest friends set their sights on joining a fraternity. One of the two who didn’t was also into digital creation, and we found our own lane. Something clicked. I became engulfed in improving my craft, and for the first time, it felt like there was endless time to do so.
From there on, the focus shifted to the details. I began to truly understand the camera and how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together. My hands grew steadier. Tracking the ball and anticipating moments became second nature, and flowing visuals with music started to feel natural. I see it all differently now, yet I know there is still a long way to go, and that is what I love most about the process.
Binghamton gave me space, not just creatively, but personally. It challenged assumptions I’d carried, helped me work past mental barriers, and connected me with people who shaped my experience. Putting this portfolio together has allowed me to relive moments I was present for and see clearly how I experienced them at the time. Shooting so many different sports, and being around moments full of life is something I’ll always be grateful for.
Binghamton gave me space, not just creatively, but personally. It challenged assumptions I’d carried, helped me work past mental barriers, and connected me with people who shaped my experience. Putting this portfolio together has allowed me to relive moments I was present for and see clearly how I experienced them at the time. Shooting so many different sports, and being around moments full of life is something I’ll always be grateful for.
In awe of where this journey has taken me so far, and at peace knowing there’s so much more to come.