Behind the Lens at the National Tertiary 3x3 Championships

Behind the Lens at the National Tertiary 3x3 Championships

Student Photographers Capture More Than Just the Action at the National Tertiary 3x3 Championships

When the National Tertiary 3x3 Championships tipped off in May, the athletes weren't the only students gaining valuable experience.

Among the team behind the scenes were AUT students A Q Shuddho Huq and Dhon Lao, and University of Auckland student James Pambid, who volunteered as event photographers through the Team UTSNZ Workforce Development Programme. Their role was to capture the energy, emotion and atmosphere of one of New Zealand's premier tertiary sporting events while developing skills that could help shape their own future careers.

Team UTSNZ was established to provide students with practical experiences, professional connections and opportunities to develop transferable skills through sport. From event management and media to governance and leadership, the programme helps students gain real-world experience while contributing to the delivery of tertiary sport.

For all three photographers, the Championships offered more than just an opportunity to take great photos.

Finding Opportunity Through Sport

For Huq, a Master of Business Management student at AUT, photography began as a hobby during travel and exploration before evolving into a passion for storytelling.

"I've always enjoyed taking photos, especially when travelling or exploring new places. Over time I became more interested in photography as a way of telling stories and capturing moments that people might otherwise overlook."

When the opportunity to join the UTSNZ event team arose, he saw it as a chance to test himself in a new environment.

"I was keen to gain more experience in sports photography and work in a real event environment. It seemed like a great opportunity to challenge myself, build my portfolio, and contribute to an event that brings students together from around the country."

For third-year AUT student Dhon Lao, photography and sport have always gone hand in hand.

"I first got interested in photography through sports. I grew up playing and being involved in basketball and volleyball, and at one of my brother's basketball games, my dad brought his old DSLR. What started as taking photos at local games quickly became something I genuinely enjoyed and wanted to improve at."

Now running his own sports photography platform, HanzVisuals, Dhon was excited by the opportunity to work at a national-level event.

"The opportunity appealed to me because it gave me the chance to work at a national-level event, and to test my skills as a business creative."

James Pambid also found his way into photography through basketball.

"I used to play basketball, but when I couldn't keep up with the competition, I still wanted to stay involved in the sport. My coach ran a basketball highlights page and gave me the opportunity to film games. From there I started creating my own sports content and built a platform around it."

Having attended the National Tertiary 3x3 Championships previously, James was keen to experience the event from behind the lens.

"The energy at tertiary basketball is different. It's intense, fast-paced, and exciting to capture. I wanted the opportunity to be part of that this year."

Learning Beyond the Classroom

While all three students arrived with photography experience, the fast-paced nature of 3x3 basketball presented new challenges.

Huq said the tournament strengthened his ability to anticipate moments and work confidently under pressure.

"The event helped me improve my ability to anticipate moments and react quickly. It also strengthened my confidence working in a fast-paced environment where there are lots of things happening at once."

One of his biggest learnings was understanding the difference between photographing for himself and photographing for an organisation.

"I was not just shooting for myself. I was thinking about what UTSNZ might need, what would represent the athletes well, and what would tell the story of the event."

Dhon experienced something similar.

"The biggest difference was the scale of the event and the responsibility that came with it. When photographing for an organisation, I realised that I'm not only taking photos that I think look good, but also thinking about capturing photos that would be good for UTSNZ and individual universities well."

The experience also provided a unique insight into the work that happens behind the scenes to deliver a national championship.

"It was really cool to watch the staff working behind the scenes and see everything that goes into running a UTSNZ tournament successfully," Dhon said.

For James, one of the highlights was having the freedom to experiment creatively.

"Because this wasn't a paid shoot, I was able to try different things and capture images that were a bit different from what I might normally do. It gave me the chance to be creative and test new ideas."

The fast pace of the tournament also reinforced the importance of time management, particularly when moving between multiple games and moments throughout the day.

Building the Future Sports Workforce

The Workforce Development Programme is designed to help students develop career-ready skills, expand professional networks and gain practical experience in real-world sporting environments.

All three photographers believe opportunities like these are valuable regardless of a student's field of study.

"They are valuable because they connect students with people, events, and experiences they might not normally access. You learn how to work with others, manage pressure, and contribute to something bigger than yourself," said Huq.

Dhon agreed, adding:

"Opportunities like this allow students to build relationships, explore interests within and outside their degree and gain experiences that can be valuable in future careers."

James believes the programme also provides an important platform for emerging creatives.

"It's a chance to showcase your creativity and build your profile. For students who want to take photography further, opportunities like this help you stand out and gain experience that can open doors in the future."

Perhaps most importantly, the photographers left the Championships with increased confidence and a clearer vision for their future.

"Before the tournament I was still exploring whether sports photography was something I wanted to pursue further. The experience showed me that I really enjoy it," said Huq.

Dhon added that the event reinforced his passion for working in sport and motivated him to continue pursuing opportunities in the industry.

For James, whose long-term goal is to photograph elite-level basketball, experiences like the National Tertiary 3x3 Championships provide valuable stepping stones while helping build connections within the sporting community.

More Than a Volunteer Programme

From photographers and videographers to event crew, commentators, designers and student leaders, Team UTSNZ provides opportunities for students to contribute to tertiary sport while developing skills that will benefit them long after graduation.

As Dhon puts it:

"Whether you're an athlete, volunteer, photographer, or helping in another role, there is a lot to learn and take away from the experience."

James agrees.

"I'd do it again. To all the other photographers out there: keep chasing that one shot."

For UTSNZ, programmes like Team UTSNZ are about more than delivering successful events. They are about creating pathways, building capability and helping develop the next generation of professionals who will contribute to New Zealand's sport sector in the years ahead.

Keep up with their work by following them on Instagram:

To learn more about 'Team UTSNZ' or to volunteer, visit https://www.utsnz.co.nz/volunteer/ 

Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2026

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