Meet Ben Abergel! Armed with a camera and a passion for storytelling, this Churchill student entrepreneur photographs games, conducts post-game interviews, and runs his own growing media business, Offense Media, all while balancing school and student leadership.

Ben has been the head photographer for varsity boys soccer for the past two years and has run their social media account. He has also photographed varsity boys football, boys JV football, girls flag football, and boys lacrosse. Outside of school, he's a photographer for the University of Maryland women’s basketball team and works with basketball organizations around DC such as Capital Hoops and Capital City National Showcase.

Meet the student leader helping bring Bulldog athletics to life!

How did you first get involved in Covering Churchill sports?

I first got involved in Churchill sports through my brother, who played varsity soccer. At the time, I was in eighth grade and volunteered to be the team’s cameraman. I was using a very old camera from around 2007, which was far from ideal, but it carried me through my first few years as a photographer. Over time, I saved up enough money on my own to invest in one of the best camera setups available today, which made that early grind especially meaningful.

What's your approach to capturing the energy of a game through photos or videos?

When it comes to capturing the energy of a game through photos or videos, I try not to rely on the standard angles that everyone else uses. I like to move around, experiment, and look for creative perspectives that showcase moments people might not usually see. 

What's your go-to first question when interviewing a student athlete?

For interviews, my go-to first question with a student-athlete is often asking what was going through their mind during a big moment. I feel that question really highlights the intention behind the play and what that moment truly meant to them.

What's been your most memorable post-game interview so far?

One of my most memorable post-game interview experiences was after my first time photographing a University of Maryland women’s basketball practice. At the end, the team came over to talk with me, and I had the chance to spend time speaking with student-athletes competing at such a high level in one of the top-ranked programs in the country. That experience was incredibly rewarding and memorable

What inspired you to start your own photography and videography business?

What inspired me to start my own photography and videography business was the desire to be independent. I had been doing a lot of work under other programs and organizations, and I began thinking about how that experience would benefit me long-term. That led me to create my own business, Offense Media. Through that opportunity, I’ve been able to work with brands and organizations such as the University of Miami in collaboration with Umbro, Capital Hoops, the University of Maryland basketball programs, and the Capital City National Showcase.

What's been your most memorable Bulldog sports moment to photograph or film?

My most memorable Bulldog sports moment to photograph was last year’s boys varsity soccer playoff game against BCC, when the team won in penalty kicks. The players ran into the stands, there was cheering, and plenty of tears of joy. I later created a mini-documentary capturing the team’s journey to that moment, and it remains one of my favorite projects to this day.

Rapid Fire 🔥

Favorite sport to shoot: Soccer - it’s where I started, and it’s still my favorite.

Go-to camera setup: My Sony a7S III paired with a 24–70mm f/2.8 G Master II lens, which I purchased with savings from years of work.

Harder job, editing photos or interviewing athletes: Editing photos. I believe editing makes up about 50% of the final image, especially with today’s technology.

Dream athlete to photograph or interview: Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers. He’s Israeli, like my dad, and has set an incredible standard as the most accomplished Israeli basketball player, recently becoming the first Israeli NBA All-Star.

Favorite place to shoot at Churchill: The main stadium field, especially during the day or around sunset.

One word to describe Bulldog spirit: Developing. There is already a strong sense of spirit, and it continues to grow as more students become engaged.

Photo or video: Photo, because a single image can capture emotion and tell a powerful story in a unique way.

Ben is also family and event photographer/videographer! Find him at Potomac Portraits on Instagram and Facebook!

Check out one of his action shots below!