West Texas is home for Maci Johnson—but her work reaches far beyond it. A Midland Legacy High School graduate, Johnson has used her camera to tell the stories of UTPB Athletics, sharing moments that travel well beyond the Permian Basin. 

Now a junior majoring in marketing, Johnson has spent the past year and a half building her craft as a sports photographer and content creator for UTPB Athletics. What began as a creative outlet has quickly evolved into a passion-driven role that blends storytelling, athletics, and media in fast-paced environments. 

Johnson's interest in sports photography grew naturally from her background. As a former softball player, she always loved athletics, and photography became a way to stay connected to the games she grew up around. 

"I've always loved taking pictures of everything around me," Johnson said. "And I played softball growing up so I've always loved sports, so I found that sports photography combined my two passions." 

That realization led her to UTPB Athletics, where she first began working primarily with softball before expanding into nearly every corner of the department. 

This past season, Johnson's role expanded to the football sidelines, bringing with it long, demanding game days that began well before kickoff and stretched long after the final whistle. She arrived early to set up her gear and capture warmups and pregame moments, then shifted her focus once the game began—anticipating plays, tracking emotion, and positioning herself to capture defining moments as they unfolded.  

During halftime, Johnson selected and uploaded photos in real time for social media graphics. When the game ended, her work continued as she documented postgame celebrations and emotions before moving into post-production, sorting, editing, and delivering images for social media, the athletics website, and athletes' personal use. 

"My favorite part about being a UTPB sports photographer is being able to highlight the hard work that athletes put in on and off the field," said Johnson. "I also love capturing major moments in an athlete's journey and being able to provide them with photos of memories they can look back on for years to come." 

Since her first year, Johnson's role has grown significantly. What started with softball coverage has expanded to include basketball, soccer, baseball, and football.  

"I adjust my style to each sport by observing and learning the pace and environment of each game. Every sport moves differently, so I focus on positioning myself where I'm able to capture the best shot," said Johnson. "I also take into consideration lighting, arena, and the atmosphere to make sure the content fits both the sport and the platform it will be used on." 

Along the way, Johnson has taken on more responsibility and stepped into content creation beyond photography. Johnson now assists with social media reels, graphics, and posts, helps film the UTPB Athletics podcast, and contributes to football recruiting photoshoots and special projects. Each new opportunity has sharpened her versatility and confidence. 

Working in athletics has challenged Johnson to trust herself in high-pressure, fast-moving environments. Over time, she's seen growth not only in her photography and editing skills, but also in her communication and people skills. 

"I've also been able to develop stronger communication and people skills through working with athletes, staff, and fellow photographers, which has helped me build connections and relationships within my career path," said Johnson. 

That growth has translated directly into increased confidence behind the camera, as working in fast-paced athletic environments has pushed her to trust her instincts, make quick decisions, and adapt in real time. With each new opportunity and expanded responsibility, Johnson has continued to grow more confident in her ability to perform under pressure and consistently deliver high-quality work. Among the many games and events, she's covered, one moment stands above the rest. 

"I've had a lot of memorable moments, but my favorite moment I've captured at UTPB is when I got to record football's reaction to making to the playoffs this past season," said Johnson. "Getting to see the excitement on all the athletes face will always be a memorable moment for me." 

Johnson got to capture another memorable and historical moment the following week, as she got to cover an intense matchup as the UTPB football team battled CSU Pueblo in the NCAA Playoffs.  

"The football team was fighting for their first playoff win in school history, and it was a very emotionally intense game," said Johnson. "The celebration afterwards our win was unforgettable, and I'll never forget the traveling experience I got with the team." 
While capturing moments if one of Johnson's favorite things, she also enjoys the feedback that comes when people connect with her work.  

"Whether it's an athlete posting my pictures and tagging me, using them as their profile pictures on social media, or even asking me to take pictures for them outside of sports for things like graduation and birthdays, it's super rewarding to know that my work is valued," said Johnson. "I also love when coaches and staff trust me with separate projects or opportunities, it shows that my contributions to the athletics department is making a difference." 

Johnson has taken time to reflect on how far she's come since first joining the athletics department—a journey that's shaped not only her skills, but her perspective.  

"Something I wish I would've known when I first started is that everyone starts somewhere, and being a beginner doesn't make you any less. If I could go back, I would tell myself that it's ok to try new things even with no experience, because that's ultimately how we grow and learn," said Johnson. "Most importantly I would've said you're never behind because everyone has their own path and timing, and it's important not to compare yourself to others especially when starting out."  

For students interested in athletic creative roles, Johnson keeps her advice simple. 

"Go for it," she said. "Don't ever let anyone tell you that your dreams are too big or that the field is too competitive. If you believe in yourself and your skills, shoot for the stars. Anything is possible with the right amount of dedication and persistence." 

With graduation a year away – Spring 2027 – Johnson has her sights set on the next level. She hopes to secure sports media internships with major universities or professional teams, continuing to grow her skills and expand her network. 

Being part of UTPB Athletics has prepared her for that next step—equipping her with experience, confidence, and a portfolio that reflects her growth. 

"I've had the chance to meet people within the athletics industry, building a network of professionals I can lean on for guidance and opportunities," said Johnson. "I've been able to grow my photography portfolio tremendously and I can use it for future job applications. This experience has taught me how to navigate the sports media world with confidence and professionalism." 

Through dedication, persistence, and a passion for storytelling, Maci Johnson continues to capture moments that define UTPB Athletics—one frame at a time.