WORTHINGTON — If you follow Worthington Community Football Club on Facebook, you will find some truly remarkable photos from their home and away games being shared. The sports photographer behind those images is Jason Morales Ortiz, a Worthington High School alumni.

Morales got started in photography under the guidance of his older brother. His first camera was a Canon EOS RP, which he said taught him how to work the basics of a camera and also within a camera’s limitations. He has since upgraded to the new Canon EOS R6 Mark II, which has more utility.

Morales said he appreciated learning about photography on a more limited camera. It taught him how to make quality shots through his expertise and not just through operating the best camera.

Morales grew up loving sports. To combine sports with photography just made sense.

He likes his photos to tell a story, saying, “Celebrations are a big part of it, seeing the emotion, the joy of the players — even losing, you see how frustrated the players get. That just tells a big part of the story, you know.”

Throughout the summer he has taken more than just photos of the Toros. He has also worked for the United Premier Soccer League to take photos of other Midwest West Division teams as a freelancer, and with Women’s Premier Soccer League teams Sioux Falls City and Mankato United.

“I am just happy to go out there and shoot, I am just trying to push myself to get better shots every time,” Morales said. “People around the community tell me I do a good job, that really means a lot. It just pushes me to go out there and get better and better.”

Morales takes more than just soccer photos. He also enjoys baseball. He also makes it a point to stay active in the community. He works for ISD518 in the community education office. He also is involved with Nobles County Integration Collaborative.

With a high work drive, he was a mainstay not just at Toros’ games, but at practices as well. He works on angles and getting his best shot. His goals in photography include buying a longer range lens more suited for the sport of soccer. His dream camera is the Canon EOS R3, but with a near $6,000 price tag, he says it will have to wait a little bit.

His advice to prospective sports photographers is to keep shooting.

“That is the only way to get better. You are not going to get better just sitting at home not doing anything. You have got to go out there and push yourself. That is the only way to learn. So if you have a passion you should go for it.

Morales also creates video, with submitted work that can be viewed in this week’s drill when you visit

dglobe.com

.

Dominic Burns is a reporter at the Globe who covers general news and sports.