Dominic Stone

Heat check 😮‍💨

Going into @wser , I wanted to do something different. It was my first time shooting the event, and I knew that there were loads of talented photographers scattered around the course, many of whom had a better grasp than I did on the logistics of the day, or who had stronger relationships with some of the athletes and their crews; unsurprisingly there’s been a flood of captivating imagery rising to the surface in the wake of the race. I don’t know how many times over the past few days I’ve seen a photo and thought “man I wish I shot that!” I didn’t really know what I could do differently, given the number of lenses out there, and the creative eyes behind them, all of the angles being explored— not just on Saturday, either, but throughout the entire history of the race. Then, I received my assignment to shoot the river crossing at Rucky Chucky. You better believe that I immediately decided to bring my water housing along for the ride. With surf photography as my other focus, it only made sense. Honestly it would’ve been weird to stand in the river with a camera and not be able to take my camera for a swim. Still, I debated it. I wasn’t just shooting for me, after all. Maybe it would be better to play it safe, get a clean shot, and leave the creative stuff for another time. I could feel that wasn’t the way, but my mind likes to overcomplicate things. Fortunately I had @ryanthrower ’s voice ringing in my head — “full creative freedom.” Multiple times in the 18 hours leading up to that moment, Ryan had been sure to tell me clearly that he trusted my vision for the day; that ultimately might’ve made the difference. While there are many moments that I wish I captured, and many moments that I wish I captured differently, I’d like to think I accomplished my creative goal with these photos— bringing life to something fresh, something new, something different. And for me, it only makes sense that it’s the direct result of spending time below the surface 🙏🏽 ✌🏽

Sky’s the limit 🌬️

Just out here trying to build my dream tour as a creative event photographer 💭 Cooking up some ideas and aiming to get to as many of these events as possible over the next few months, whatever it takes. There’s a lot of overlap between the Track & Trail world and that just means more opportunity to have a pretty insane summer behind the lens. I’m stoked for it- for the community, the creativity, and the chance to help shape how these stories are told. I’ve never wanted to be just a finish line photographer, or play the game of “who’s going to post the first graphic?”; I’m so much more invested in capturing the energy, the feeling, and all the unseen aspects of these races. In celebrating the individual and the collective pursuits that create this ecosystem. More and more I realize how finding your fullest expression, becoming your best self, and creating your own masterpiece is an art that tends to get overlooked with how we typically talk about athletics & sport. I would argue that some of the greatest artists in the world are athletes. and I’m deeply curious about what that reveals about the human condition. Any athletes, brands, or publications who want to work together this season, just say the word. I got you covered for all your aura, marketing, and editorial needs. I’ll see you out there🫡

This is a tough one. I have many mixed feelings as @mexilogfest approaches and I find myself still in California just trying to make ends meet. Barring some miracle, this will be the first year since I picked up a camera that I won’t be at MexiLog. In a way it’s a small thing, and in a way it’s everything. I likely never would have taken a 180-degree turn in life to build a career in photography if it wasn’t for this event and everyone involved with it. Each year it stands as a milestone, a checkpoint where I am reminded why I began this journey in the first place. The community gave me a sense of belonging, and I found a sense of purpose in being able to serve behind the lens; I’m not exaggerating to say that this two-week period fills me with inspiration for the rest of the year. I’m filled with questions now— questions about my capability, about my decisions, about my direction and about my life. I’m nervous to face the rest of the year without this lynchpin of my creative identity. I guess I just never imagined myself here and I’m scared about what that means. I also just miss swimming around all day with my friends, getting creative, celebrating into early morning, doing it all over again with just a few hours of sleep, being myself & feeling fully alive. Of course, I have enough perspective to know that blessings often come in disguise, and a door closed is a door opened. I have enough faith in my life to believe that I’m on the right path, even if that’s hard to accept in my body. I have some cool opportunities coming up in California that I wouldn’t be able to entertain if I was in Mexico for the next two weeks, and I’m hopeful that will set me up for international travel later this year. I still feel blessed to have this life, and this day, and I’ll use this as inspiration to build more resiliency for myself as I navigate the extreme tidal shifts of freelance photography. Still, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. Anyway, I suppose I didn’t want anyone to think I had given up, or didn’t try, or didn’t care enough to go this year (I’m still trying 😂). Deepest gratitude to everyone who tried to help me make it. Have fun, mis amigos 🫶🏼 🙏🏽

reflect + respond = now 🌬️💥

@servitetrackandfield_xc 🤝🏾 @rosarytrackandfield There’s something special going on here. Thanks to the team for hanging tight while @lophiet and I did our thing. This portrait was taken after both squads set California state records in the 4x100 at Arcadia, and after the ensuing bombardment of photo ops and interviews. That means that after setting the state record the Rosary girls hung around for 30+ minutes to cheer on the boys and celebrate with them afterwards (not to mention how Servite ran around the track before their race, celebrating with Rosary…and still set a state record a few minutes later). We knew they’d be ready to get out of there and get some rest but Ivan pulled them aside at the last minute. They easily could have said no (I think someone did 😂) and I’m deeply appreciative of y’alls trust 🙏🏽 Just all around impressive student athletes…most of us only hear about the times but the times are just evidence of all the character, hard work & intangibles that lay the foundation. And it’s not even championship season yet 💥

Arcadia…this meet is special to me. Last year it really opened the doors for my creative vision around track and field. Met a lot of people who care deeply about this sport and everything it offers. The energy is unreal. I wanted to do something different this time, find some new perspectives, come with more intention and try new ideas. Ended up with such a powerful collection that I’m not sure how to sum it up. In the past I’ve held back from sharing until I feel like I’ve put together the perfect collection, but I’ve let go of that attachment. So consider this just an appetizer. This weekend really reminded me how much joy photography brings me, and how passionately I want to honor everything that’s going on here. It also proved to me that I’m getting pretty good at this. There’s so much that can’t be seen and I’m determined to portray that, not only to invite all of you in but also to celebrate the sheer humanity that falls in front of my lens. The sacrifice & dedication & passion, the heartache and the joy, the competition and camaraderie…it all comes together to create something incredible, something that (call me crazy) just might save the world. Thanks to everyone who’s a part of this. In deep gratitude🙏🏽

It’s really like that 😮‍💨

At the heart of it 🌬️ @arcadia_invite , Day 1 ☀️

While overt whispers of the silent eulogy of a community in transformations persist, community remains a constant. Encroaching forces of gentrification and the loss of local soul seem evident — and change is expectant. But on the pavement of the historic Crenshaw District in Los Angeles, a different kind of movement is taking root. Ahead of the distant lights of the 2028 Olympics, The Crenshaw Mile returned for a second tour last weekend, establishing a new legacy of performance running near the soil that nurtured John Singleton’s cinematic grit, Nipsey Hussle’s entrepreneurial blueprint and jazz legends of Leimert Park. It serves as a lens of peering into what it means to move through a city. But it’s also part commentary that has been broadcast in places like London, where run crews took what began as a small group meetings after work into a force at the intersection of running, music and Black British culture. New York City saw its own run awaken reborn and transferred through generations, where crews reclaimed bridges, boroughs and public space — turning the city itself into a canvas for movement and connection. Meanwhile, Paris, Johannesburg, in Tokyo and in different languages, the different goals have the same underlying shift: running as a tool for authorship. On race day back in L.A., music spilled into the street folding into the rhythm of footsteps striking pavement. Runners gathered in clusters, stretching, laughing, some were lacing up for the first time. The route inched past restaurants, bookstores and front porches where neighbors watched it unfold. The district endures, remains and has a means of getting faster. View the full gallery and the best photography in the sport at amileaminute.com

A few portraits from THE @crenshawmile 🪞