CAPTURING EXCELLENCE
COLUMBIANA, OH- Photography is an art that freezes moments, allowing us to revisit the tenderness, the ecstasy, and the triumph of times past. In this week’s podcast episode, we are thrilled to introduce a man who has harnessed this art to celebrate the athletic feats and passionate endeavors of young sports talents. Charles Marsh, the visionary behind Mahoning Valley Sports, joined DJ Yokley on YSN Profile to discuss his journey, his mission, and his unwavering commitment to capturing and uplifting the local sports scene.
It all began with family, as Charles explained, “- it really came down to my kids. You know, I was following my kids around, they’re playing sports, and I really wanted to capture some of those cool, awesome sports action pictures of them as they’re growing up.” This parental impulse resonated with others in the community, who began seeking Charles’s unique talent to immortalize their own children’s achievements.
2018 marked a pivotal year for Charles with the start of his LLC, an enterprise born from necessity and ambition. The entrepreneurial photographer observed a clear gap, “- a lot of bad photography out there, and I felt like that was an opportunity to kind of maybe help highlight, you know, our student athletes being awesome.” Little did he know, a global pandemic would serve as the unexpected catalyst for his budding business. When COVID-19 restrictions limited access to the sidelines, it was a partnership with YSN that propelled Mahoning Valley Sports forward.
During the podcast, Charles recounted a pivotal moment, drawing from the echoes of resilience, “- I’m the guy you want on the sidelines. I shouldn’t be the guy that you want that you’re trying to, you know, keep out.” His tenacity paid off, as his venture began to thrive, amassing a team that shared his vision for excellence.
Apart from his own expertise, Charles has cultivated a remarkable team, remarkable for their shared conviction in their craft. He spoke highly of his colleagues, but remained humble about his central role in the success of Mahoning Valley Sports, “- It’s more than just me. It’s way bigger than just one guy.”
With a focus that stretches beyond the mainstream sports, Charles and his team aim to shine a light on the lesser-covered, yet equally deserving, athletic activities, “- those student-athletes in every single sport working just as hard and doing just…have just as many accomplishments on the field as football players do.”
One can’t discuss Charles Marsh’s work without appreciating the near-instantaneous speed with which his team delivers these visual treasures, “- the turnaround has been phenomenal.” It’s part of the impeccable process Charles has developed, which he believes gives schools, parents, and children a superior service that is unmatched in the industry.
Looking ahead, Charles envisions a bright future, full of aspirations and horizon-stretching goals. His ten-year plan speaks volumes about his enduring ambition: “- to be the number one school photographer in Mahoning County, Trumbull County.” Yet, the essence of his advice remains timeless and clear, a call to …keep fighting it for what you believe in. Others will follow.”
For those eager to embrace the excellence that Mahoning Valley Sports provides, Charles warmly invites them to connect, “- Check out our website at mahoneyvalleysports.com,” or shoot an email directly to [email protected]. Whether it’s immortalizing a game night victory or creating masterful memories of athletic endeavors, one thing is for certain – the team at Mahoning Valley Sports is ready to frame your moments of glory, one snapshot at a time.
