Axe Thrower (Slash Photographer) Interview: Matt Traino

For this interview, I wanted to get a perspective I hadn't yet encountered: the photographer. Now, obviously chances are fairly high that any photographer hired for an axe throwing tourney (in this case, Choptober) would have some background in axe throwing - and Matt was no different. We discussed what it's like to shoot a sport that is, if we're honest, sometimes pretty boring to watch. We also discussed his thought process and experience as an axe thrower/photographer. Here's what we talked about during this axe thrower interview.

Image courtesy of Matt Traino

You're the photographer for this whole shindig - how long have you been into this sort of work?

I’ve been doing photography on and off for about 10 years now and photographed Choptober 2023/2024 and Countess Cup 2024. I started axe throwing late March of 2023 so I’ve been throwing a little over a 1.5 years now.

Image courtesy of Matt Traino

And you did this kind of photography before - sports photography?

Yeah - in college I did sports photography for my school. I love hockey, so I did hockey photography for my school’s  inaugural season as well as covered Men and Womens D2 lacrosse, so that's where I got my sports background. I also used to ride and show horses and do photos for shows as well. I also do portraits and family photography - I do a bit of everything, but I've always gravitated towards sports.

I mean, I love axe throwing, and people love seeing pictures of themselves axe throwing. Events don't usually have a dedicated photographer, so having someone to do that - who enjoys doing that work - AND who actually does the sport and knows what throwers like to see - that's huge.

Having the ability [to know what throwers want to see] means I'm able to capture better photos, and not waste a bunch of time going through thousands of photos to pick ten of them. I know what angles to catch, and what moments just before action to get. People want that photo of the axe of just before they’re about to throw or just as it leaves their hand, not just standing around waiting, you know?

When I did Choptober last year, I learned a lot as it’s very different and challenging from any other sport with lighting and angles. I then applied what I learned from Choptober to Countess Cup the following year. From Countess Cup, I tried some new things as well as things that worked out really well from Choptober, and was able to streamline a lot of my processes. That brings me here, today.

Image courtesy of Matt Traino

Axe throwing is boring to look at, if you're not into it. How do you as a photographer make it exciting? Are you thinking about that, or are you thinking "this is more for axe throwers to enjoy, not for people outside of axe throwing?

You’re right that it's two different audiences. And it's a balancing act. There are those pictures of just axe throwers throwing, but there are also those emotional photos, those winning photos. The photos of someone hitting a premier clutch to win, or a thrower getting swarmed by the community. Those are the kinds of photos that break the barrier between what's just for the thrower and what's for the outside community.

With a good photo, you can sorta tell what an important moment is. When you capture the crowd all focused in on that one last throw you can feel that tension, the suspense, that’s what helps draw out that well composed photo that helps break through the community.

Photo courtesy of Matt Traino

You mentioned this earlier - but professional photographers aren't always available for tourneys, especially smaller tourneys. Why do you think it's important that they are?

The simple aspect of people loving to have their photos taken, and it's a rare thing in this sport right now, except for the super biggest events. Having quality photos helps build those memories for throwers to look back on for years to come even after they stop throwing, those photos will always exist.

But the cost or coordination is too much for smaller venues or too challenging for large ones to arrange. IATC for example is running across 4 different venues that’s 4 photographers on payroll if you want to cover every venue for the day, or you pick and choose which venue and miss the other ones. Photography isn't cheap, you pay for what you get.

Anyone you wanna shout out?

Firstly, I wanna shout of my amazing Fiancé Marley, for all your love and support!  Secondly, the community y’all are the reason I’m able to capture these events. Finally, Choppers for giving me the chance at Choptober 2023 to capture that event and bringing me back for every event so far after that. So thank you to everyone!