Capturing the moments between the moments with the Sony A1 II
Introduction
As a wildlife photographer, I'm used to chasing moments that happen in a fraction of a second—a bald eagle diving, an orca surfacing, or a hummingbird frozen in flight. But every once in a while, I enjoy photographing something completely different.
The FIFA World Cup in Vancouver gave me that opportunity.
Rather than focusing on the match itself, I spent the day documenting everything surrounding it. From the streets of downtown Vancouver to Granville Street, the pre-game celebrations, the fan parade, and the sea of supporters walking toward BC Place, I wanted to tell the story of what the World Cup feels like before a single whistle is blown.
It wasn't about the goals.
It was about the people.
What I Saw
The first thing that struck me was just how many different cultures were represented.
Walking through Vancouver felt like walking through the world. Canadian supporters draped in maple leaf flags crossed paths with Colombian fans singing at the top of their lungs. Brazilian jerseys mixed with Swiss colours, while conversations happened in dozens of different languages.
Despite everyone supporting different teams, there was an overwhelming feeling of respect and excitement. Strangers laughed together, traded scarves, posed for photos, and shared predictions for the match ahead.
The streets weren't divided by competition.
They were united by football.
Every corner had something happening. Smoke flares filled the air during the Canadian supporters' march, fans packed the patios along Granville Street, and nearly every restaurant or pub had a crowd gathered around a television.
For a photographer, it felt like every block offered another story waiting to unfold.
What I Felt
One of my favourite parts of photography is witnessing moments I'll probably never experience the same way again.
The World Cup atmosphere reminded me why.
There was this constant energy that never seemed to fade. You could feel anticipation building with every step toward BC Place. Families walked together wearing matching jerseys. Kids carried soccer balls hoping for a kick-around with strangers. Fans who had travelled halfway across the world celebrated alongside people attending their very first international match.
It didn't matter where anyone came from.
For a few hours, everyone shared the same excitement.
As someone behind the camera, that's exactly the kind of emotion I love documenting—real expressions, genuine celebration, and moments that can't be recreated.
What I Photographed
Instead of chasing action on the field, I found myself drawn to everything happening around it.
A lone Canadian supporter overlooking BC Place before the crowds arrived.
The explosion of colour as fans marched through downtown with flags, chants, and red smoke drifting into the sky.
Supporters erupting after a goal while watching from patios on Granville Street.
Friends laughing around tables packed with jerseys from every corner of the globe.
Even simple moments—someone juggling a football in the street while strangers stopped to watch—became photographs that captured what the tournament is really about.
Some of my favourite images weren't planned at all.
They happened because I kept walking, stayed curious, and let the atmosphere unfold in front of me.
The World Cup Is More Than Football
I've photographed wildlife across Canada for years, and one thing I've learned is that the best photographs often come from emotion rather than perfection.
The World Cup reminded me of that.
Yes, it's one of the biggest sporting events on Earth.
But it's also one of the biggest celebrations of humanity.
People travel thousands of kilometres simply to be part of the experience. Some may never even get inside the stadium, yet they still leave with memories that will last a lifetime.
The excitement starts long before kickoff and continues long after the final whistle.
Sometimes, the most memorable photographs happen nowhere near the game itself.
The Equipment I Used
For this day, I kept my gear simple but incredibly versatile.
Sony A1 II
The Sony A1 II was the perfect camera for documenting constantly changing scenes. One moment I was photographing a quiet cityscape overlooking BC Place, and seconds later I was surrounded by fast-moving supporters celebrating in the streets.
Its autofocus never missed a beat, and having a high-resolution sensor meant I could crop tighter when needed without sacrificing image quality.
Sony FE 16mm f/1.8 G
The 16mm became my storytelling lens.
It allowed me to get right into the middle of the celebrations while still showing the scale of everything around me. Whether I was photographing fans celebrating beneath towering buildings or capturing the energy packed into Granville Street patios, the ultra-wide perspective helped place viewers directly in the scene.
Sony FE 70–200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II
When I wanted to isolate emotion, I reached for the 70–200mm.
This lens let me pick out individual reactions from across the street—the roar after a goal, the clenched fists, the smiles, and the quiet anticipation before kickoff. It compressed busy scenes beautifully while keeping the focus exactly where I wanted it.
The combination of these two lenses meant I was prepared for virtually every moment throughout the day.
Conclusion
The World Cup reminded me that photography isn't always about documenting the main event.
Sometimes it's about everything happening around it.
The conversations between strangers.
The excitement before kickoff.
The colours fill the streets.
The pride people have for their countries.
And the shared understanding that, for one day, everyone is simply there to celebrate the beautiful game.
Vancouver provided an incredible stage for those moments, and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to experience it through the viewfinder of my camera.
While I'll always feel most at home photographing wildlife, days like this are a reminder that great photography is really about one thing—telling stories. Whether it's a bear in the Canadian wilderness or thousands of football supporters celebrating together in downtown Vancouver, the goal remains the same.
To capture moments that people can feel long after they've passed.
– Jared VanderMeer