At Tennessee Tech University, you’ll find Emily Armstrong, a senior marketing major, making a name for herself not only as a dedicated student but as a passionate photographer. 

Originally from Cookeville, Tennessee, Armstrong chose Tech because it aligned perfectly with her academic interests and was close to home.  

“I chose Tech because it’s my hometown, and it offered the program for what I wanted to study,” she said

Before college, she was deeply involved in archery, having started the sport at the age of 15.

“I competed on a national level, consistently ranking in the top 10 for the United States,” she said.

While archery was her initial passion, Armstrong discovered another love – photography. Her journey into photography began with a straightforward desire. 

“I started because I wanted to take photos of my bow and equipment. I was inspired by others on social media who did the same,” she said. 

This hobby eventually transformed into a profession as companies recognized her talent, sending her equipment to create captivating visual content. This marked the start of her six-year photography career.

Photography became an integral part of her life, aiding in documenting her archery journey and allowing her to shoot archery tournaments, including the world’s largest indoor tournament in Las Vegas.

Some of her most thrilling experiences were working for the National Field Archery Association and World Archery, the international governing body for the sport, where she photographed events like the Para World Archery Championships in the Czech Republic and the World Archery Championship in Berlin. Her roles ranged from capturing main event photography to assisting the social media team with artsy shots.

When she’s not focused on archery, you can find her on the sidelines of Tech football games, capturing action shots of athletes or documenting the vibrant campus life. Currently, she helps take photos for Tech Athletics and works as a student photographer for the Office of Communication and Marketing. 

“Sports photography is my current passion,” she shared. “I’d say sports hold a special place in my heart, but there’s a unique joy in capturing student life, interacting with people, and embracing their stories.” 

Looking ahead, Armstrong envisions a career centered around photography, where she can use her marketing skills to create tailored content for advertising and social media.

“Photography is my ultimate goal, whether it’s in a university setting, within a sports team, or as a freelance photographer,” she voiced.