03-JULY-2014
VOLLEYBALL CAUGHT
ON SOPHIE’S CAMERA

Unknown to most but acquainted with Portugal National Volleyball Team, Sophie Labusch was born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany 20 years ago. Daughter of volleyball, she started playing the sport at the age of 6 by her father and brother’s influence. However her true passion is photography, which she applies very well to capture the best moments of the Portuguese players.

– How this passion for volleyball and especially for the Portuguese National Team was born?
“Volleyball played a significant role in my life since I was born, as my family is somehow connected with it so I grew up around the sport, spending most of my weekends in sporting facilities. My dad was a setter and my brother also plays that role in Regionaliga (Germany) so it’s quite natural for me to love volleyball. Regarding the Portuguese volleyball team, I remember that a few years ago, João José was playing for VfB Friedrichshafen and he was idolized in Germany, because he’s an outstanding player, in fact even now he is remembered there. Then other Portuguese players went to play in Germany like Valdir Sequeira (Generali Unterhachingen) and more recently Marcel Keller Gil (RWE Volleys Bottrop). I think Portugal has a different style of play, different than the one I was acquainted with, which caught my attention and interest. A short time after I met some players who were always very kind to me and today some of them are my friends”.

– You usually take pictures of three players, Marcel, Valdir and Alex. In your opinion, which is the most impressive player? And the easiest to photograph?
“It’s very hard to say, because they are all good players who have different roles (laugh)…but maybe I relate best with Valdir Sequeira. He’s an amazing player, very fast, very strong with a great vertical. I don’t prefer anyone in special, however I can make better pictures of Valdir and Alex because they play in positions that I can relate to, and therefore, I can anticipate their movements in order to focus better and take quality pictures”.

– Do you keep count on how many pictures have you taken to Portuguese players?
“(Laugh) No… but certainly a lot. Usually and depending on the match, I take about 900-2000 pictures. Then after my selection and editing, the number descends to 70 -200 photos per match. That’s the ones I send to whoever I’m working with and keep for my personal portfolio”.

– What do you like to capture best?
“Without any doubt volleyball. But I like to shot some other sports as well. Last year I had the opportunity to photograph basketball at Trento, Italy and I enjoy take pictures of extreme sports as well. For me the most important thing is to capture the emotion and dynamics of the sport. By the way I love sports. I play volleyball (not at a high level) but I also enjoy skiing, longboard, climbing and watch football”.

– What it means to you FIVB World League?
“It’s an outstanding competition which integrates the world’s top teams and a great opportunity for the fans to see them in action in their own countries as well as the great athletes from around the globe, which is pretty exciting. Regarding the winner, it’s very difficult to say as the teams are very balanced. I would like to Germany, Portugal and Cuba reach the Finals. Cuba because I’m a fan of Leonnel Marshall (laugh), but attending history and recent results I would say that Italy has a good chance to at least take the bronze medal, as they are very strong and they play at Firenze”.

– The cameras also spotted you at FIVB World League matches where Portugal was involved, both away and home. What do you think about our country and our countrymen?
“I like Portugal very much. It’s such a nice country, with lots of beaches, sun, and in this aspect very different from Germany, as it is warmer. The people are very kind and warm welcoming, they make me feel very good and therefore this year I’m coming back for Portugal x Korea (5-6 July)”.

– Do you know any Portuguese words?
“Well, I do know some but I struggle on their pronunciation. Words like “bem, obrigada, sim, olá, bom dia, tudo bem”, which are fundamental for any traveller”.

– Is photography only a hobby or something you wish to pursuit? Tell us more about your future.
“I don’t considerer to be a hobby but a career prospect. I always try to make good pictures to be able to work with websites, online magazines or newspapers. In a near future, I should return to Italy to study Communication Science and Culture at Bolzano. I’ve been in this country last year where I tried to perfect my skills by taking photos of Alexandre Ferreira’s Diatec Trentino and others while working as “au pair”. So, I hope to continue evolving and hopefully to work with organisations which would be interested in my work. And, I wish to continue playing volleyball as well of course”.