Barrows Featured Artist of April: Owen Ziegler Captures The Moments

At just 16, Owen Ziegler is already carving out a name for himself in the world of sports photography. A sophomore at Westwood High School, he has spent the past several months capturing the raw energy and emotion of high school sports, transforming a passion into a promising pursuit.
 
Owen’s love for photography first sparked during his freshman year, but it wasn’t until he spotted an ad in the Hometown Weekly seeking sports writers that everything clicked.
 
“This could be my gateway into photography,” he thought, jumping at the opportunity. Since October, he’s been a fixture on the sidelines, freezing electrifying moments in time while crafting compelling stories for the paper.
 
“I really enjoy photography and writing about the games,” Owen shares. “It’s been awesome.”
 
And he covers it all – football, soccer, basketball, and soon, lacrosse and track and field. The impressive part? He juggles this packed schedule without even having a driver’s license, relying on creativity, persistence, and a few well-timed favors for rides. He hustles to multiple games each week, snapping action-packed shots and writing sharp, engaging stories, all while keeping up with school. Somehow, he even finds ways to weave classroom lessons into his craft, proving that for him, learning and passion go hand in hand.
 
Though still in high school, Owen is already thinking big. Journalism and photography fuel his ambition, even if the exact path ahead isn’t set in stone. Maybe it’s in his blood – his grandfather dabbles in photography – but for Owen, competition has always been the spark. Now, he’s turning that passion into something bigger, one shot at a time.
 
“I love sports, especially basketball. I didn’t play this year or last year, but going to games, watching them, and taking photos is a great way to stay involved without being on a team,” he explains.
 
Beyond photography, Owen has a deep passion for music. A guitarist for the past two years, he seamlessly blends his love for both arts by curating Instagram photo posts with carefully chosen songs – infusing each image with an extra layer of emotion and storytelling.
 
While sports photography remains his primary focus, Owen isn’t afraid to explore new styles. Whether it’s portraits or nature shots, he embraces the challenge of capturing different perspectives. With no formal training, he’s mastered the art of trial and error, constantly tweaking settings, experimenting with shots, and refining his edits in Adobe Lightroom.
 
“Editing can make a photo shine – or totally wreck it,” he admits with a laugh. Still, he’s determined to keep leveling up.
 
For now, Owen wields a Canon Rebel T6 but is eagerly awaiting to unwrap a Sony A73 – an upgrade that will open the door to videography. He’s also considering stepping into a leadership role in Westwood High School’s Photography Club next year, looking to further immerse himself in the craft and connect with other young photographers.
 
Owen’s talent is already earning well-deserved recognition. His work has been featured multiple times in The Boston Globe’s prestigious high school photography section, a platform showcasing the best young photographers across Massachusetts. In just a few weeks of submitting, he’s been highlighted five or six times – an impressive feat cementing his growing reputation.
 
“It’s really great to see my photos in The Boston Globe,” he says. “They get so many submissions, so it’s an honor to be featured.”
 
Owen will continue to refine his skills, build his portfolio, and gain as much exposure as possible. Whether through local newspapers, social media, or high-profile competitions, he is steadily establishing himself as a rising talent in sports photography. With his relentless dedication, passion, and natural eye for the perfect shot, the future looks bright for this young photographer.
 
Be sure to follow Owen’s popular Instagram page at @ozigphotos
 
If you’d like to nominate an artist of any sort to be featured—music, acting, painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.—please email dbezdedeanu@bestversionmedia.com.