Hats Off To You! - Clemson vs Miami Football 2026

Clemson defensive end Jahiem Lawson loses his helmet while taking down Miami running back Javian Mallory during action in Clemson on Saturday. ©TRAVIS BELL PHOTOGRAPHY

Laura Rutledge Leaving SEC Nation - Charlotte Portrait Session

It's been interesting watching ESPN's Laura Rutledge's career over the last 10+ years. She joined the SEC Network in 2014 and began hosting SEC Nation in 2017. The network recently announced she is leaving SEC Nation to expand her NFL coverage, continue to host NFL Live and serve as a sideline reporter or Monday Night Football. 

This image is from a portrait session in Charlotte I did for ESPN when it was announced she was joining SEC Nation as the host. She was an absolute joy to work with and we laughed so much it hurt. This image is one of those fun moments. 

(Photo by Travis Bell/ESPN Images) ©Copyright Protected Image

 

Podcast Interview

Many thanks to Jeff Blake with the new Underexposed Podcast for having me on his show today!

I talk about behind-the-scenes moments with sports figures like Coach K, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Dawn Staley. I also take you behind the scenes of ESPN broadcasts. 

If you're a sports fan, a photographer or both, you'll enjoy it. 

He also asked me to share some of my favorite images over the years. For photographers, I share multiple techniques about how photographs were created for college and pro sports. 

Video below. 

If you'd like to watch on your TV, launch the YouTube app on your streaming device and search for @UnderexposedPhotographyPodcast

The Invisible Lineman

Headed to Clemson this weekend to cover Clemson - Duke Football.

In '95 Duke's James Kirkland collided with a Clemson lineman. When he stood up, the lineman's facemask had locked on to his facemask. Photo seen in LIFE magazine, SI for Kids magazine and on Fox Sports TV.

(Photo by Travis Bell)

For more of my sports images, visit my website.

TJ Moore's One Handed Touchdown Catch vs SMU

Saturday's assignment took me to Clemson to cover the Tigers' conference game against SMU. 

It's amazing the influence that NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham's one-handed catch in 2014 has had on receivers at the college and pro level. More receivers at both levels are practicing making one-handed catches

Here, TJ Moore stretches out for a jaw-dropping, touchdown catch during the second half. (Photo by Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA) 

For more of my sports portfolio, including the Tigers and Gamecocks, visit my website. 

James Taylor and The Emanuel 9

Remembering The Emanuel 9, who died ten years ago today in a mass shooting in Charleston.

The next month in July, I received a call from recording artist James Taylor's publicist, asking me if I could photograph Taylor's concert in Columbia on July 29th. 

It's one of my favorite assignments all time as James invited the Charleston choir Lowcountry Voices to join him on stage at Colonial Life Arena. They sang "Shed a Little Light" in memory of the nine who died a month earlier. 

I get chills just writing about it. 

Afterwards, James invited all the victims' family members to the green room where he spoke to all of them and thanked them for coming. 

For more of my events images, visit my website. 

Image ©travis bell / creative

Light Show in The Capital City

Chased down some of God's light at sunset today. Columbia, SC skyline with the statehouse at right. 

For more of my South Carolinas scenes, visit my website. 

Let It Snow!

Could the statehouse look like this later today? I certainly hope so! (Photo by Travis Bell) 

View more from my portfolio on the website. 

LSU Fights Back To Upset Gamecocks

LSU's Hunter Dean dunks over South Carolina during second-half action in Columbia Saturday. (Photo by Travis Bell) 

For more of my sports action images, visit my website. 

Columbia Skyline

 A favorite from 2023. 

It was an amazing year. In the spring I was commissioned by USC to travel the state, capturing iconic scenes in almost every county. 

Wishing you A Happy New Year! 

For more images from the USC project, visit my website. 

Good Morning From The Pee Dee

The summer is usually a slow time for me as a photographer. Especially since I stepped away from the wedding business a few years ago. 

USC contacted me in May about traveling to every region of the state this summer to create new photographs, capturing the landscapes and iconic places that are part of the Palmetto state. 

The amazing part is that they trusted me to make the shot list! They said "Travis you grew up in SC. Go do your thing. See you in August!" 

So I hit the road in June and in 2 months, traveled over 2,500 miles inside South Carolina to The Upstate, Pee Dee, Lowcountry and any towns that had interesting places to photograph. 

more......

This is one of my favorite images for many reasons. I'm not an early riser but glad I got up early for this one, which was made in Clio, SC. Clio is between Bennettsville and Dillon. 

Just over the right tree line is where I married my wife, Beth, 10 years ago beside a pond and it's where her family has farmed for decades. 

Every tree line in this image represents another crop or farm in a region that is prime for producing corn, peanuts and more. 5 million acres of the Palmetto State is used for farming. 

(Photo by Travis Bell) ©Copyright Protected Image

For more of my South Carolina images visit this link on my website. 

APSE Award

Excited to find out today I won in the Sports Feature category of the Associated Press Sports Editors Annual Photo Contest. 

Sports Editors at print and online new sites from around the country submit their favorite images from the previous year to the contest. 

A feature image captures a moment that happens away from the action on the field. 

(Photo by Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA) ©2021

 

 

Celebrating 20 Years of Images - Part 1 of 2

 

20 years ago, I took a leap of faith and launched my photography business, which was exciting and terrifying at the same time. This is Part 1 of 2 of my favorite images from from those 20 years, including Clemson and UofSC athletics, NASCAR, NBA, NFL, ESPN broadcasts, portraits and weddings. 

 

Celebrating 20 Years of Images - Part 2 of 2

Below is Part 2.

Columbia SC Photographer-Winning University of South Carolina Basketball Image

Was thrilled to come away with a second-place finish in sports action from the South Carolina News Photographers Association's annual Pictures of the Year contest held this past weekend. 


The image shows Gamecock Ashley Bruner battling LSU for a rebound during an SEC matchup in Columbia. 

The Gamecocks are having an amazing season and will host Georgia tonight.

If you're looking for wedding images, visit my website at: http://www.travisbellphotographers.com/
If you'd like to see more of my Gamecock portfolio images, visit  http://travisbellphotographers.com/?pageID=246563

2013 Year in Pictures

After getting married in November and getting through the holidays, I'm finally getting some time to publish my best images of 2013.

The gallery includes work from photographing weddings, South Carolina and Clemson sports, the NFL, ESPN production stills and NBA. I really enjoy the diversity with my job. Each event is different but many techniques used from one event can be used to photograph another.

Many thanks for visiting my blog and I hope you enjoy the images.

All images by Travis Bell, ©2013

Samie Garcia is introduced during Gamecock softball. 

Gamecock basketball vs LSU

Queen Latifah served as a coach during the NBA Celebrity Game in Houston. 

Tajh Boyd celebrates a TD against Boston College. 

The Gamecock dance team performs. 

The NBA All-Star Game gets underway in Houston. 

Kobe blocks Lebron during the NBA All-Star Game. 

Kate Haley perform's on the beam. 

Amanda and Matt's engagement session

Sarah is greeted by her father after he saw her for the first time in her dress. 

Kelley Dillon rips a double. 

Chelsea Hawkins hauls in a big catch. 

Gamecock Tennis

Megan's bridal portrait

Duke Chapel is quite impressive. 

Megan and Sabino in Duke Chapel. 

Clemson opens the season against Georgia. 

Amanda's bridal portrait in the statehouse.

Otto, the Syracuse mascot and the deacon from Wake Forest have some fun during ACC Media Day at ESPN in Charlotte. 

Jim Boeheim, Coach K and Coach Williams share a light moment during a broadcast at ESPN in Charlotte. 

Mascots pose outside ESPN's studio during ACC Media Day. 

Amanda and Matt's wedding on Lake Murray. 

Cam Newton helped turn the Panthers' season around. 

Newton gives the ball to a fan after scoring a TD against the Jets. 

Gamecock softball. 

Steve Spurrier Jr Family at Williams-Brice

Whitehurst makes a TD catch against UNC. 

Ric Flair and his girlfriend Wendy tape an episode of ABC's Celebrity Housewife Swap at his home in Charlotte. 

Gamecock Band

The Gamecock student section during Sandstorm against Kentucky. 

Eric celebrates as he kisses Kristen after being pronounced husband and wife at 701 Whaley. 

180 degree view of Williams-Brice during the Kentucky game. 

Actor/Comedian Kevin Hart has some fun with the NBA Celebrity game trophy in Houston. 

Gamecock Soccer. 

Gamecock Mike Davis. 

"Sandstorm" at Williams-Brice

Jadeveon Clowney sacks Florida. 

Gamecock Rory Anderson makes  a spectacular catch against Florida. 

Bruce Ellington leaves Coastal Carolina behind. 

Damiere Byrd dives towards the endzone against Coastal. 

Clemson's Robert Smith breaks up a pass intended for Boston College. 

A fan reaches out for Clowney during the Gamecock Walk before the Clemson game. 

Darius Rucker performs before the Clemson game. 

Ellington hangs on to a big catch. 

Beyonce' watches the NBA All-Star Game in Houston. 

Spurrier gets splashed after Clemson victory. 

Shaking off the Gatorade. 

Ben Barnette returns a serve for the Gamecocks. 

Aleishsa Welch flies over Winthrop at Colonial Life Arena. 

ESPN's Stephen A Smith and the rapper 'Common' broadcast live from The House of Blues in Houston. 

NBA All-Star fashion

Gamecock Volleyball

Connor Shaw looks for a receiver against Miss. St. 

Gamecock Basketball

Gamecock Softball

Cocky greets fans before the Gamecock walk. 

The Tiger Walk gets underway in Clemson before the Georgia game. 

The Gamecock Walk is seen outside Williams-Brice before the Vanderbilt game. 

Clowney is greeted by fans during the walk. 

Gurley says hi to a fan as he exits. 

Amanda and Matt leave for their honeymoon.