SailorsxSeahawks - Parading Colors
In a historic first for Trident Refit Facility, Bangor (TRFB), a team of Sailors paraded the colors at a Seattle Seahawks game, marking the command’s debut on the NFL stage. This opportunity was part of a larger military appreciation effort, providing TRFB a platform to boost visibility in the greater Seattle area, a key market for civilian recruitment , while also strengthening TRFB’s community relations footprint.
For TRFB, which is vital to the Navy’s submarine maintenance mission but relatively unknown outside the Kitsap area, this was a chance to introduce the command to new audiences, including potential future employees. For the participating Sailors, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to represent the Navy in front of thousands of fans.
Scope:
The project required both event coordination and real-time visual storytelling, including:
Coordinating between TRFB leadership, Seahawks representatives, and the participating Sailors to ensure smooth execution of the color guard ceremony.
Capturing event photography that balanced formal ceremony coverage with authentic, behind-the-scenes storytelling.
Editing photos on tight turnaround for internal distribution, external media use, and immediate social media publication.
Crafting visuals that supported TRFB’s recruitment and community awareness goals, tying the Navy’s presence at the game to opportunities for civilian employment at TRFB.
Process:
I worked independently as the sole photographer for TRFB, tasked with both shooting and editing the imagery. Leading up to the event, I collaborated with NFL event representatives to understand timing, positioning, and restrictions, ensuring the Sailors’ movements aligned with both Navy protocol and NFL game-day logistics.
On the day of the event, I used a Nikon D6 to capture a mix of:
Formal color guard moments on the field.
Candid interactions between Sailors and fans.
Behind-the-scenes preparation as Sailors experienced the stadium environment.
Wide-angle stadium shots to emphasize the scale and significance of the moment.
Immediately following the event, I edited and delivered the images under tight deadlines, ensuring they were available for both TRFB internal communications and external social media publication within hours.
Challenges & Solutions:
Working a high-profile, fast-paced live event meant balancing technical precision with on-the-fly adaptability. Coordinating directly with NFL staff, who work with strict timing down to the second, required flexibility and clear communication.
Additionally, the stadium’s mixed lighting posed a creative challenge in editing, which I overcame by leaning into a clean, journalistic editing style that preserved authenticity while ensuring clarity and color balance.
Outcomes & Lessons Learned:
The photos were published across TRFB’s internal and external platforms, including social media channels, generating:
Nearly 200 new followers across TRFB’s social platforms.
Increased engagement and visibility within the Seattle community.
Positive feedback from TRFB leadership, who praised the coverage for capturing both the professionalism of the Sailors and the excitement of the experience.
This project reinforced my ability to wear multiple hats, blending event coordination, public affairs strategy, and photography into a seamless product. It sharpened my real-time photography and editing workflow, proving I can deliver polished content under tight deadlines. Most importantly, it highlighted the power of pairing visual storytelling with community relations goals, turning a moment of ceremony into a lasting recruitment and brand awareness asset for TRFB.