With a background in photojournalism and news, New Zealand photographer Fiona Goodall now works freelance shooting a variety of sports, predominantly rugby, and brings a storytelling approach to her work. Taken on a Canon EOS-1D X Mark III with a Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x lens at 400mm, 1/1600 sec, f/4 and ISO400. © Fiona Goodall/Getty Images
"There's so much rugby in New Zealand; if you are shooting sport, you're shooting rugby," says Fiona Goodall. Over the years, the freelance photographer has amassed a stunning portfolio of striking shots which often feature a rugby ball in the frame. In 2022, she brought her storytelling style to the delayed Rugby World Cup 2021 in her homeland, covering the event for Getty Images.
"The best part is capturing the emotion," she says. "That's the key. That's everyone's goal. The action is one thing, but the emotion around it, whether good or bad, is what I enjoy photographing."
With a career spanning three decades, the talented and versatile photographer has covered everything: from royal visits and the America's Cup in the sport of sailing, to the devastation of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and the widespread impact of Covid-19. But sport, and in particular rugby, has been evident throughout.
After 15 years' shooting for one of New Zealand's largest media companies, Fiona branched out on her own and she hasn't looked back. More than a decade later, she can offer some sage advice to those thinking of making a similar leap. "While it was a fairly scary transition, I felt I had enough of a reputation that it was going to be OK," she says. "But you've got to be a certain type of person; you've got to trust yourself that there's more work coming and not panic when there's a bit of a lull."