Benny Rogers with opening the door to East Texas sports photography for him . The opportunities they provided and the campus fellowship he experienced made Tapley a devoted Cardinal .
“ It is really my home . I love everyone there . They have treated me like family from day one ,” Tapley said .
He now serves as the principal photographer for TVCC sports programs , as well as Brownsboro ISD sports programs , but his enthusiasm for pursuing the next great photograph may take him to any school in the area .
Contemporary journalism typically includes both words and photographs . When asked if he believes the photograph informs the writing or the writing informs the photograph , Tapley responds , “ I think the photograph influences the writing .”
He said he tries to position himself where the action is coming directly toward him because , “... coming at you tells more of a story .”
Although Tapley ’ s sports photography is what East Texans see most , the breadth of his body of work is extensive and includes
32 | Greater Athens Magazine | May 2022