In today’s digital and social media age, the issue of wrestlers being sexualized in images and on video has become more significant and requires vigilant policing by the wrestling community to protect athletes and the integrity of the sport.
To avoid contributing to this issue, photographers can take four main steps: action selection, editing, masking, and image selection for social media.
1. Action Selection (When Shooting)
This is the moment when a photographer chooses to press the shutter. Certain situations, such as when no faces are visible (only backsides), when athletes are in awkward or compromising positions, or when physical contact could be misconstrued as sexualized, should not be photographed. While photographers can’t always anticipate these moments, many are obvious and should be avoided. For example, there’s no reason to capture a “checking the oil” situation unless the photographer intends to highlight that specific moment, which raises questions about their intent. Some photographers even set their cameras aside during prolonged situations like this to demonstrate they are actively avoiding inappropriate shots.
2. Editing
During the editing process, photographers have an opportunity to remove problematic images they may not have noticed during the shoot. This is the time to delete photos of athletes in compromising positions or those that cannot be corrected through masking (see below). Editing shapes the tone and story the photographer wants to tell. Any photographer who consistently posts images that sexualize athletes is doing so deliberately—not accidentally.
3. Masking
It is every photographer’s responsibility to ensure student-athletes are not sexualized in any way. For example, if a wrestler has a noticeable "bulge" due to the nature of the sport, simple masking tools should be used to minimize it. Masking is a common practice in wrestling photography because of the sport’s inherent challenges. While it’s possible for some images to slip through unnoticed, photographers should make every effort to catch and address these issues before publishing. If an image cannot be sufficiently masked, it should be deleted.
4. Posting Online and Hero Images
Photographers must be intentional about the images they post online, as these selections set the tone for how their work—and the athletes—are perceived. Images that could be interpreted as sexualizing athletes should be excluded from the final set. Similarly, hero images – or images used for gallery covers or video thumbnails - for YouTube, TikTok, or other platforms should not use thumbnails designed to entice viewers in a sexual way. The responsibility lies with the photographer to ensure that their content respects the athletes and upholds the integrity of the sport.
