Sarjo Baldeh “Passion and talent have no gender.”

With CAFOnline continuing with its recognition and celebration of Women’s Month, the spotlight is being shone on Gambian photographer, Sarjo Baldeh who is one of the bright shining stars for the future of football photography in Africa.

At just 23-years-old, Baldeh is on an exciting rise in a craft that has previously been male dominated across the world. 

Baldeh embodies the hope of a new generation that is passionate, ambitious and hard-working.  

Can you tell us about your journey and what inspired you to get into photography, especially football?

I’ve always been a photographer since high school. In 2020, I graduated, and my family gave me my first camera. After that, I decided to go solo because I had worked with my mentor in his studio before. That same year, I started exploring photography independently, walking around and taking pictures with my friends. By observing social media, I realized that clubs like Real Madrid had their own photographers, and international footballers were well covered.

But this was something I had never seen in my country. So, I decided to venture into sports photography, without any knowledge of the sport or the field.

Everything I learned about sports photography, I discovered through YouTube and with the help of mentors who noticed my work and understood that I was a sports photographer. My first sports project started with the Gambia national team, during the 2021 AFCON qualifiers, in Senegal, against South Sudan. I decided to apply for accreditation, I was accepted, and we travelled to Senegal by bus with Gambian sports journalists.

Once there, I saw many male photographers with long lenses, and I didn’t even know what they were. I decided to go in the opposite direction and sit elsewhere. That day marked the emergence of the first female sports photographer in The Gambia.

The event was actually sponsored by a teacher, and while I was taking photos and posting them on social media, people began to notice that someone was updating the match information with images of the goal scorers. They took pictures of me working and posted them on Twitter. That’s how the name “Baldeh, sports photographer” started circulating.

After the AFCON, I was also hired by WAFU A. They asked me to send my CV, and I was hired as an official photographer. I covered men’s tournaments, U-17 and U-20 competitions, and the African School Football Tournament in Senegal and Sierra Leone. I was also invited as a young photojournalist to the “All Young Reporters AIPS” program in Saudi Arabia.

What specifically attracts you to football and how does your female perspective influence your work?

What attracts me to football is that I believe our Gambian footballers deserve to be recognized internationally.

In the beginning, it was very difficult, especially as a woman. I had to convince everyone of the importance of sports photography and fight for opportunities to cover international tournaments, despite unfulfilled promises and many disappointments.

Being a woman in sports photography has had a huge impact. Today, many women in The Gambia are getting into the field. Many tell me: "Sarjo, thanks to you, others have dared to pick up a camera." But for me, anyone can take a photo; what makes the difference is the reason why we choose this profession.

I chose sports photography because no one was doing it, and I love undertaking unique projects. I also wanted people abroad to know that Gambia has sports photographers.

When I went to the Africa Cup of Nations, I was the first Gambian photographer to participate. 

How do you manage the pressure and tight deadlines during major tournaments like the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations?

The biggest challenge is financial. How do I fund my trips to the various stadiums, which are sometimes three or four hours away? 

Then there is the difficulty of being underestimated. Many people didn’t take me seriously at first. But I turned these remarks into motivation.

On the field, when we take the team photo before kick-off, it’s a real competition between photographers. I use my advantage: my small size. I slip quickly to take my shot and step aside.

Some told me my project was unrealistic and that I’d better focus on something else. Today, I prove that anything is possible with determination and hard work.

What has been your biggest challenge as a female sports photographer?

The main challenge was convincing people that sports photography is a real profession.

This field is 100% male-dominated, and at first, no one understood my project. Many men told me it was impossible. I also met influential people who made unfulfilled promises, claiming that I was young and ambitious.

Fortunately, my family has always supported my work, but I saw many young women give up due to a lack of parental support. I received messages from young girls telling me their parents forbade them from pursuing it, thinking the profession was not suitable for women and financially unprofitable.

For example, a young Tanzanian contacted me. She is Muslim and wears the veil. Many of her friends advised her not to enter a male-dominated field, and her parents disapproved of her choice.

I suggested she show my photos to her family and explain that I was the first Gambian photographer to cover the Africa Cup of Nations. She did, and she came back to me saying, “I told them I want to do even better than her and go to the Africa Cup of Nations one day.”

Have there been moments when you’ve been particularly proud to be a woman in this field?

Yes, there have been several. One of the most striking moments was when I covered my first match with the Gambia national team in 2020. I was the only female photographer on the field, and seeing my photos used by local media and fans gave me immense satisfaction.

Another moment I’m proud of is my participation in the AFCON 2023. Being the first accredited female photographer from Gambia for this event was an honour. 

I am also very proud to have inspired other young girls to get into sports photography. 

Finally, a highlight was my invitation to the "All Young Reporters AIPS" program in Saudi Arabia. It was international recognition of my work and an incredible opportunity to train alongside other young talents in sports journalism.

How do you see the evolution of the sports photography profession in football?

The profession is evolving a lot, especially with advancements in technology. Today, cameras are more powerful, and drones and artificial intelligence are beginning to play an important role in capturing images. This requires photographers to constantly adapt, learn new techniques, and master increasingly advanced digital tools.

Social media has also transformed our profession. Before, photos were mainly for newspapers and magazines, but today, they need to be instant and adapted to digital platforms. You need to capture the emotion of a match in one impactful image and publish it quickly. This demands great responsiveness and a good understanding of digital trends.

Another evolving aspect is the recognition of photographers' work. Clubs and players are increasingly valuing imagery and visual storytelling. 

Finally, I believe the diversity in the profession will continue to grow. More and more women are making their mark in sports photography, and that’s a very good thing. 

Which players or teams do you prefer to photograph?

Gambia. Yes, because I’ve already lived this experience with my players, and it was a wonderful moment. These are people I admired on TV and at the Africa Cup of Nations, and there I was, just next to them.

So, dreams come true. I love Cote d’Ivoire because the number of people who come to support them is impressive; it’s immense. The stadium is filled with such passion.

You can see so much love and enthusiasm in them, how much they want their country to win this tournament. And yes, that motivates the footballers, and I love photographing them. I only had 30 minutes to do it with them.

I also love Nigeria for its fan base and the type of show they offer. It’s not just the footballers; if you go see the supporters, there’s so much content to capture with the Nigerians, and I love photographing them too.

What are your future projects?

I have several ambitions. First, I want to continue perfecting my craft and explore new ways to tell the story of football through my images. I would also like to cover even more prestigious competitions and expand my international portfolio.

I also want to share my experience. I’d love to mentor young photographers, especially women, to help them get started in this profession. Organizing workshops, sharing my knowledge, and encouraging those who hesitate to start is important to me.

Finally, I’d love to publish a photo book, a collection of the most significant moments I’ve captured in my career. Football is a story of emotions, and I’d love to leave a trace of those unique moments.

The most important thing for me is to continue living my passion every day and capturing the essence of football through my lens.

What advice would you give to young women who want to get into sports photography?

First, I’d tell them to believe in themselves and not be discouraged by obstacles. It’s not an easy field, but with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

I’d tell them to never let go of their passion. This profession requires a lot of patience, hard work, and resilience. You need to be curious, always learning, and most importantly, not afraid to take the plunge. Today, with social media and new technologies, it’s easier to get known and share your work. But you also need to remain authentic and find your own visual signature.

Then, I’d recommend they train, experiment, and practice as much as possible. Photography is a field where experience counts a lot. 

Finally, I would recommend surrounding themselves with supportive people and seeking mentors. Having role models and support in this field can make all the difference.

And most importantly, they should never doubt their legitimacy! Passion and talent have no gender.

Football is a sport of emotions, and a photographer's role is to capture those intense moments that tell a story. If you love it and are willing to devote time and energy to it, then go for it! The football world always needs new perspectives and passionate talent.