Completed Event: Women's Basketball at Eastern Kentucky on March 19, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 72
Final Score
Women's Basketball
58
at Eastern Kentucky
72
The University of Utah Athletics
Erika Bean: Behind The Camera
6/12/2018 10:22 AM | Women's Basketball
Fans already know Erika Bean as an assist artist on the court with her dazzling dishes and quick release, but in 2018, Bean took on a new type of artistry in her passion for photography.
Famous photographer Ansel Adams once said, "You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved." Â It is that passion on and off the court that Bean has already been able to show through her photos.
Bean, a senior out of Sacramento, Calif., started her own photography Instagram and Facebook account this year. While her photography journey is just starting, her interest in the hobby was discovered at a young age.
"My mom always carried her camera around to church events, family gatherings, sporting events, everywhere," Bean said. "She would take pictures to capture all the special moments. When I came to college, my mom gave me one of her cameras. For a while, the camera was just sitting and collecting dust and I figured, she gave it to me, I need to put it to good use."
"I enrolled in a photography class at the U that was a general education requirement that was interesting, but it was at the conclusion of the class that I realized I wanted to learn more. I credit my beginning and a lot of my development to my mom. My parents have invested so much into me on and off the court."
While Bean still considers herself a beginner in the business, she has quickly been able to develop a skill set that she uses for portraits, lifestyle, street and urban photography along with some landscape. Although she is focused on basketball and earning her degree in Kinesiology right now, the possibility that her photography could turn into a career opportunity is there.
"I enjoy observing the world around me, capturing the beauty and all of creation, capturing the real and authentic nature of my subjects," Bean said. "Also the joy and emotional response of the people I take pictures of. I like to tell stories through photography."
Professionals in the business have said photography is all about finding subjects that inspire. Through her social media accounts, it is evident that Bean has already found a lot in the world that inspires her and has opened up avenues for her to learn from the best.
"I really enjoy Peter McKinnon's work," she said. "He is a modern photographer with some awesome art. I have learned a lot from his YouTube channel and his creativity is unmatched. Also, India Earl is a well-known wedding and engagement photographer based in Utah that I admire. Her ability to evoke and capture emotions of her clients is absolutely remarkable and are definitely things I try to emulate."
With her photos being shared on her social media accounts, Bean has already gained an audience for her work. While her followers range from photography fans to Utah basketball fans, she has also gained the approval of head coach Lynne Roberts.
"Photography kind of fits her personality," Roberts said. "She is strong in who she is, but she's not going to walk into a room and announce her presence, so the ability to be behind the camera fits her. She is good and has a really good eye. I love it when players are multi-dimensional. I think it is important when a player has a creative outlet besides just playing basketball. That is what life is about."
As Bean enters her senior season with Utah women's basketball, she has a lot on her plate with school, practice, games and travel, but that won't stop her from pursuing her new found passion. Whether it is friends, family, teammates or something she sees driving through Salt Lake City, Bean has quickly found out that it isn't her camera that makes the image.
"As much as I may do in-camera and post-processing, it is the people and the things in front of the lens that can make the image really come to life."
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Famous photographer Ansel Adams once said, "You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved." Â It is that passion on and off the court that Bean has already been able to show through her photos.
Bean, a senior out of Sacramento, Calif., started her own photography Instagram and Facebook account this year. While her photography journey is just starting, her interest in the hobby was discovered at a young age.
"My mom always carried her camera around to church events, family gatherings, sporting events, everywhere," Bean said. "She would take pictures to capture all the special moments. When I came to college, my mom gave me one of her cameras. For a while, the camera was just sitting and collecting dust and I figured, she gave it to me, I need to put it to good use."
"I enrolled in a photography class at the U that was a general education requirement that was interesting, but it was at the conclusion of the class that I realized I wanted to learn more. I credit my beginning and a lot of my development to my mom. My parents have invested so much into me on and off the court."
While Bean still considers herself a beginner in the business, she has quickly been able to develop a skill set that she uses for portraits, lifestyle, street and urban photography along with some landscape. Although she is focused on basketball and earning her degree in Kinesiology right now, the possibility that her photography could turn into a career opportunity is there.
"I enjoy observing the world around me, capturing the beauty and all of creation, capturing the real and authentic nature of my subjects," Bean said. "Also the joy and emotional response of the people I take pictures of. I like to tell stories through photography."
Professionals in the business have said photography is all about finding subjects that inspire. Through her social media accounts, it is evident that Bean has already found a lot in the world that inspires her and has opened up avenues for her to learn from the best.
"I really enjoy Peter McKinnon's work," she said. "He is a modern photographer with some awesome art. I have learned a lot from his YouTube channel and his creativity is unmatched. Also, India Earl is a well-known wedding and engagement photographer based in Utah that I admire. Her ability to evoke and capture emotions of her clients is absolutely remarkable and are definitely things I try to emulate."
With her photos being shared on her social media accounts, Bean has already gained an audience for her work. While her followers range from photography fans to Utah basketball fans, she has also gained the approval of head coach Lynne Roberts.
"Photography kind of fits her personality," Roberts said. "She is strong in who she is, but she's not going to walk into a room and announce her presence, so the ability to be behind the camera fits her. She is good and has a really good eye. I love it when players are multi-dimensional. I think it is important when a player has a creative outlet besides just playing basketball. That is what life is about."
As Bean enters her senior season with Utah women's basketball, she has a lot on her plate with school, practice, games and travel, but that won't stop her from pursuing her new found passion. Whether it is friends, family, teammates or something she sees driving through Salt Lake City, Bean has quickly found out that it isn't her camera that makes the image.
"As much as I may do in-camera and post-processing, it is the people and the things in front of the lens that can make the image really come to life."
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Players Mentioned
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