Photos by Travis Tapley
You may not know his name but you have probably seen his work . Travis Tapley is a freelance photographer who captures the excitement of East Texas sporting events for the Athens Daily Review and other area publications .
Tapley was born and raised in the small town of Wetumpka , Alabama , where he began working for CSX Railway as a locomotive engineer . Already a passionate amateur photographer , when his job took him to New Orleans , it played a significant role in developing the artistic skill that would become so important in Tapley ’ s future .
The ever-changing backdrop against which his train traveled , along with the images and experiences of living in a large , distinctive
“... coming at you tells more of a story .” metropolitan area helped him develop the practiced eye of a mature photographer .
A return to Alabama ultimately led to major life changes . After his marriage ended in divorce and a debilitating injury ended his career , he began to seriously pursue the hobby he had casually enjoyed for so many years . As time went by , his life changed again when a childhood friend reconnected with Tapley through social media and they began a long-distance relationship . That relationship led to their marriage and Tapley ’ s move to East Texas in 2014 .
Tapley credits former Trinity Valley Community College head football coach Brad Smiley and TVCC Sports Information Officer
Greater Athens Magazine | May 2022 | 31