The Players Tribune - NFL Draft, The Players Spot

April 2025

On the eve of the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, WI, The Players Spot was an exclusive party put on by The Players’ Tribune, overlooking Lambeau Field. Taking a cue from the Vanity Fair Oscar party, Sam Maller at The Players’ Tribune contacted me about creating a portrait studio for the athletes who attended the party. Sam was able to bring a hand-painted Schmidli backdrop from NYC to help set a warm, worn feel for the set. A chair from the location, along with some apple boxes and cubes from my own collection, gave us options to create a variety of poses and images in the small studio space. Images were sent directly to the athletes just minutes after they were on set—toned and ready with The Players’ Tribune cover lockup. It was super fun to work with a mix of veteran players and the latest NFL Draft class.

Athletes:
Randall Cobb - Retired NFL
Mark Ingram - Retired NFL
Barryn Sorrell - NFL Draftee
Will Johnson - NFL Draftee
Xavier McKinney - Current Green Bay Packers NFL Player
Darrius Miles - Retired NBA


Editor: Sam Maller
Assistant: Steel Brooks