Sports photographer and Sony Artisan Jean Fruth is on a mission to tell the most complete story of women’s hockey. What began as a personal project at the professional level – covering game action, reactions, scene setters, portraits, fan energy, bench moments and life in the locker room – now steps onto a global stage in Milan.
“I’m most looking forward to seeing Women’s Hockey at its highest level and documenting it on a truly global stage,” Jean says. “Watching the best players in the world compete for their countries brings a unique intensity and pride to the sport. These athletes have trained their whole lives for this, and I’m excited to see it all unfold on the world’s biggest stage.”
Below, Jean opens up her bag to share the cameras and lenses she relies on under the pressure of fast hockey action, plus that shot list that guides her to cover all her bases.
Jean Fruth’s Photography Gear For Hockey
Cameras
Alpha 1 II (x2): These will be my primary handheld cameras, used to capture game action, reactions, and celebrations from ice level and around the rink.
Photo by Jean Fruth. Alpha 1 II. 50-150mm f/2 G Master. 1/1600-sec., f/2, ISO 1000
Alpha 1 (x2): These bodies will be used for remote camera setups if possible, allowing me to capture unique angles such as behind-the-net moments, overhead views, and unexpected perspectives during play.
Photo by Jean Fruth. Alpha 1.
RX1R III: This camera will be used outside of competition to document the atmosphere of the games and the city of Milan, capturing street scenes, daily life, and the sights and sounds that surround the Games.
Lenses
70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II (x2): Used both handheld and for remotes, this lens will help capture game action, reactions on the ice, and celebrations after key moments.
Photo by Jean Fruth. Alpha 1. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/1600-sec., f/2.8, ISO 1250
50-150mm f/2 G Master: Used handheld from glass level when possible, this lens will allow me to photograph game action, emotional reactions, and goal celebrations with strong subject isolation.
Photo by Jean Fruth. Alpha 1 II. 50-150mm f/2 G Master. 1/1600-sec., f/2, ISO 1250
12-24mm f/4 G: Used for wide scene setters in and around the arenas to establish location, scale, and the overall environment.
Photo by Jean Fruth. Alpha 1 II. 12-24mm f/4 G. 1/500-sec., f/5, ISO 4000
16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II: Used for wider fan shots, environmental portraits, and behind-the-scenes moments inside and around the arena.
Photo by Jean Fruth. Alpha 1 II. 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/500-sec., f/2.8, ISO 3200
28-70mm f/2 G Master: Used for portraits of players and fans, capturing personality, emotion, and moments away from the ice.
Photo by Jean Fruth. Alpha 1 II. 28-70mm f/2 G Master. 1/500-sec., f/6.3, ISO 1600
300mm f/2.8 G Master: Used from elevated shooting positions to capture game action, reactions, and celebrations from across the ice.
400mm f/2.8 G Master: Also used from up positions, this lens will help isolate critical moments, emotional reactions, and decisive plays from longer distances.
135mm f/1.8 G Master: A possible option for remote setups if there is an opportunity, intended for tight, emotional moments and unique perspectives during gameplay.
Jean Fruth's Shot List For Hockey
I always have a “shot list” in mind when photographing Women’s Hockey. Preparation before each game is key, it allows me to be more focused and intentional once the puck drops, and ultimately gives me a better chance of coming away with the images I’m looking for.
Photo by Jean Fruth. Alpha 1 II. 50-150mm f/2 G Master. 1/1250-sec., f/2, ISO 1000
Game action is always part of my shoots, but I go into every game with a plan beyond just what’s happening on the ice. Sometimes that means focusing on a specific player and staying with her throughout the game to try to create something more personal and meaningful. Other times, the plan might include shooting in the locker room to tell more of the behind-the-scenes story, or shifting attention to the fans to capture their energy and connection to the game.
Photo by Jean Fruth. Alpha 1 II. 50-150mm f/2 G Master. 1/500-sec., f/2, ISO 1250
Photo by Jean Fruth. Alpha 1 II. 50-150mm f/2 G Master. 1/1600-sec., f/2, ISO 1600
In general, I’m looking to tell a complete story. That includes scene setters, action, reactions from the player who made the play, the bench, the opposing team, and the fans, along with celebrations, details of the game, behind-the-scenes moments, and portraits. Having that mental shot list helps guide my decisions during the game while still leaving room for unexpected moments to unfold.
Photo by Jean Fruth. Alpha 1. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/1250-sec., f/5.6, ISO 5000
Photographing Sports At The Highest Level
What gives me confidence in relying on Sony gear at the highest level of sports photography is how effortlessly it keeps up with the speed and intensity of the game, especially hockey. Hockey is one of the fastest sports to photograph, and Sony’s autofocus performance is a huge advantage. The subject tracking is incredibly accurate and responsive, locking onto players instantly and staying with them through sudden direction changes, traffic in front of the net, and chaotic moments along the boards.
Photo by Jean Fruth. Alpha 1 II. 50-150mm f/2 G Master. 1/1600-sec., f/2, ISO 1250
The high frames-per-second shooting with no viewfinder blackout is another game-changer. Being able to see the action continuously while firing at full speed allows me to anticipate plays instead of reacting to them, which is critical when everything happens in a split second. That combination of speed and reliability helps me capture peak moments consistently.
Sony’s sensors also deliver a fast-paced, cinematic look that I love, sharp where it matters, with beautiful color and dynamic range that brings the intensity of the game to life. Pairing the cameras with f/2 and f/2.8 lenses makes a huge difference in low-light arenas. Those fast apertures let me keep shutter speeds high to freeze action while still producing clean files and strong subject separation from the background.
Photo by Jean Fruth. Alpha 1 II. 50-150mm f/2 G Master. 1/1600-sec., f/2, ISO 1000
Beyond performance, the system is dependable. The gear is lightweight, well-balanced, and built to handle long games and back-to-back shoots without missing a beat. Knowing my equipment can perform under pressure lets me focus completely on storytelling, timing, and capturing the emotion of the game.
Follow Jean Fruth’s coverage of the games on Instagram @jeanfruthimages.
