In Conversation with Jay Bendlin

Behind every unforgettable Falcons moment is a team dedicated to capturing the heart of the game — and few know that better than team photographer Jay Bendlin. From his early days photographing college track meets to documenting the intensity and emotion of the NFL, Jay’s journey has been fueled by a love of storytelling and a commitment to growth. We caught up with him to learn more about how he got his start, what inspires his work, and how his path led him to the sidelines of Mercedes-Benz Stadium:

Hey Jay, thanks for speaking with us! For those who don’t know, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your role with the Atlanta Falcons?

Absolutely – thank you for the opportunity to share my story! My name is Jay Bendlin, and I’m a team photographer for the Atlanta Falcons. Day to day, our team captures the organization through practices, games, studio shoots, and events — all with the goal of telling the story of our players and staff in the most compelling way. I report to Brandon Magnus, Director of Photography, and work alongside fellow team photographer Taylor McLaughlin. Our photo team travels to games and collaborates with an incredibly talented digital team to tell stories across the organization.

When did you first pick up a camera? Was sports photography always what you wanted to do, or did you find your way to it over time?

I’ve always been fascinated by photography. Back in college at the University at Albany, I was studying homeland security, cybersecurity, and emergency preparedness while running cross country and track & field. Unfortunately, I had to medically retire after three semesters due to bilateral Achilles tendonitis. Wanting to stay close to the sport and my teammates, I picked up a camera and began traveling to meets to take photos. I quickly fell in love with the idea of capturing a single moment in time — and from there, I started pursuing photography more seriously. I interned with the sports media department, photographing all 16 of our athletic programs, with the dream of becoming an NFL team photographer one day.

How did you land the position with the Falcons? What was that journey like?
I originally moved to Atlanta for a part-time, seasonal role as a photography assistant for AMBSE. I came down from New York knowing only one person, my future colleague and friend, Mitch Martin, but no one else. While primarily working with Atlanta United 2, I had opportunities to photograph a wide range of events at the stadium, including college football games, concerts, and more. In the time I wasn’t shooting, I would help organize our backend DAM, assist our team on studio shoots, and do anything that could help our photo team succeed. As team roles shifted, I was offered a full-time staff photographer position with AMBSE. In that role, I traveled with the Falcons in season and continued photographing Atlanta United home games. I grew so much as a photographer and professional in that role, because while both sports were in season simultaneously, I would need to pivot from shooting football to soccer. Now, as the full-time team photographer, I’m based at the Falcons’ training facility and focus exclusively on covering the Falcons and the broader organization.

Last year, KEH supported the Atlanta Falcons by helping the team trade in their gear and upgrade. How has the new gear shaped your workflow, and what made that transition the right move for where you are now?

Switching to the Sony Alpha system has been a game changer. The amazing frames-per-second capabilities of the A9 III help us capture every moment without skipping a beat. And when paired with Sony transmitters, we can deliver high-quality images to our editors within seconds. Also — my back is very happy with how much lighter the gear is!

And here’s the real question — is it safe to say that pre-owned is better than new?
1000%! I’ve always bought used equipment for my personal gear. My first camera (besides my dad’s Canon Rebel T3i) was a Canon 7D, along with a pre-owned 70-200mm lens. Even when I upgraded to full frame with some 1Dx’s, I bought used — doing my research on the best models, checking shutter counts, etc. With our most recent trade-in, we were able to get our old Nikon gear into the hands of other creatives like me when I was looking to make the jump to full frame.

Walk us through a typical game day. From prep and camera setup to post-game edits, what does your workflow look like?
We usually start the day capturing scene-setting images and setting up remote cameras around the concourse or on the roof. Then, we run ethernet hardlines around the field so our team can transmit images live during the game via FTP. After testing connections and syncing camera times, we head to the players’ lot to capture arrivals. From there, our team of six or seven photographers follows the pregame flow — warmups, locker room moments, and team introductions — each from different angles. Throughout the game, we send JPEGs to our talented editors, Emily Hendrix and Serena Brown, who edit and pass them along to the social team in real time. Their quick turnaround is essential for our digital team to post timely stories, videos, and content as the action unfolds.

Sports photography moves at lightning speed, but the moments that stick are often the emotional ones. How do you stay on top of the action while still capturing those human stories?

Thankfully, we plan thoroughly for every scenario, so we’re ready for anything. As Brandon Magnus says, “when you properly prepare, you prevent poor performance.” I always enter a game with three or four shots in mind for pregame. That preparation makes it easier to focus on storytelling because you’re not stressing about what to capture. At the end of the day, we’re storytellers — win or lose — and our job is to reflect that through our images. I try to look for moments that best capture and reflect what our players are feeling.

Looking back on your time with the Falcons, is there one image or moment that defines your experience behind the lens?

It’s tough to choose one image that defines my time with the Falcons, but one that stands out emotionally is a celebratory shot of Younghoe Koo being lifted by his teammates after hitting a game-winning field goal in Tampa back in 2023. In moments like that, you’re emotionally invested in the outcome, and when I captured their raw joy lifting their hero, I felt that joy too.

For photographers hoping to break into professional sports, what’s one lesson or piece of advice that’s helped you the most?
Shoot everything. And I mean everything. I learned so much in college because I photographed so many different sports — each with its own challenges. That variety forced me to adapt and helped me understand my camera settings quickly. Your camera should become an extension of your creative mind. Once you can walk into any situation and dial in your settings without thinking, that’s when you can truly focus on creativity and storytelling.

And follow the golden rule — treat others how you want to be treated. The sports creative community is small, and relationships go a long way! Be genuine in your interactions and treat everyone on the sidelines, stands, and press box with respect.

About Jay Bendlin

Jay Bendlin is an Atlanta-based, moment-driven sports photographer currently working as Team Photographer for the Atlanta Falcons. After freelancing for brands, colleges, and professional running teams, he moved to Atlanta in 2022 to join AMB Sports and Entertainment. In his current role, Jay covers home and away games, practices, studio shoots, events, and more — capturing the energy and emotion that define every moment on and off the field.

No matter the sport or conditions, Jay can always be found on the sidelines or in the workroom with a smile, ready to work. Building relationships and learning from fellow creatives has been a cornerstone of his career, helping him grow both as a photographer and as a storyteller.

Want to see more of Jay’s work? Check him out on Instagram or visit his website.