For lifelong Odessan Taylor Ramirez, sports have always been a defining part of her journey. Born and raised in the Permian Basin, she grew up surrounded by athletics, competing as a collegiate athlete before discovering a new passion behind the lens: sports photography. 

A proud graduate of Permian High School — "Go MOJO!", Ramirez says her transition into photography began about a year ago. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a new way of connecting with the game she's always loved. 

"I grew up playing sports and was a collegiate athlete, so I got to see things from behind the scenes. I've always loved photography, whether it was being in front of the camera or behind it," said Ramirez.  "I want to capture the love for the game that I felt as an athlete and give other athletes those moments to keep. I know how much I loved sharing my own pictures with my family, and I want to provide that for others." 

Now a junior at The University of Texas Permian Basin, Ramirez is majoring in Communications with a minor in Psychology. Her role as a sports photographer for UTPB Athletics has given her the opportunity to combine her creative eye with her passion for sports. 

"What I love most is the sense of community," she said. "Working alongside teams and getting content is a lot of fun. The athletes and everyone I work with are all helpful and supportive. UTPB really feels like a big family, and I'm blessed to be a part of it." 

While she enjoys capturing all Falcon athletics, basketball and football hold a special place as her favorite sports to shoot. Each game provides an opportunity to freeze moments of intensity, joy, and competition that athletes and fans can cherish. 

Looking ahead, Ramirez hopes to build a career in sports marketing. Whether through photography, content creation, or social media management, her goal is to keep telling the stories of athletes and teams in ways that bring fans closer to the action. 
For Ramirez, photography is more than just images—it's about capturing the heart of the game.