It’s always about the picture, but in this case, it’s about the person who took the picture. Alex Campuzano, former 2020 Ganado graduate, snapped the final shot of the Ganado Indians State Championship win, when senior Bryce Ullman got vertical and brought in the game-winning interception. In the moment, Campuzano could only hope the picture he took wasn’t blurry, and still quickly trying to capture the faces of others steeped deep in the Ganado win.
Due to working for Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, Campuzano was able to submit his iconic picture to the magazine, in the hopes of winning the 2024 Photo of the Year. Now, he must wait until the 2025 summer edition is released to check out the cover and cross his fingers that the picture printed will be his.
“I was more caught up in the moment, celebrating with everyone and trying to get photos of that,” he said. “Then once I had a chance to look at the photo, I was like, oh…this is the one. This is it.”
Campuzano shared a moment he had with Ullman when they were younger: Campuzano was a senior, and Ullman, was in seventh grade and a water boy. The two posed for a nostalgic picture they ended up recreating after the state win.
The photographer began studying his craft during his freshman year of high school and joined the yearbook crew for the rest of his four years. Campuzano, a former football player, found himself focusing on taking sports pictures, while still conducting family sessions every now and then.
“I’ve found that one wants to relive former memories after the playing is done, so the best way you can do it is with videos or photos you have to look back on,” he said.
While reflecting, Campuzano said the picture is the best he’s taken thus far, and the best action shot that came out clearly. He’s had a good amount of feedback and the photography groups he’s a part of have been supportive and voting for him.
The voting ended on January 22, so all there is, is waiting.
Anyone can find Campuzano’s football pictures and more, on his. website, acz73photos.pixieset. com. He can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, calling him at 361-7716880, or emailing him at [email protected].
There’s no doubt the picture has gone down in Jackson County history, and whether or not he wins, Campuzano and Ullman are both legends for executing and capturing that lightingbolt- in-a-bottle moment.
