If you have ever seen me around campus, you have probably seen me carrying bulky camera gear, shouting “3, 2, 1,” hunching over my laptop attentively, and, of course, standing behind the camera during sports games, ceremonies, and campus events. However, my life was not always this lively, nor did I always feel connected to or seen by others.

Columbia University Ballet Ensemble brought a production of “The Sleeping Beauty” to life at the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center on Nov. 16, 2025.

Football played its annual Homecoming game on Oct. 18, facing Penn. Coming into the game, questions about the Light Blue’s ability to defend its Ivy League title circulated. Those questions remained unanswered as the Lions fell to the Quakers 35-21. Spectator’s photographers captured the game and its surrounding festivities.

This spring break, Spectator staff photographers, like many other Columbia students, took a break from the office to explore—both throughout New York City and abroad. Despite being outside of their natural habitat, scurrying around campus taking stock pictures, they still produced amazing photos. See a collection of our photographers’ adventures over break.

Women’s basketball captured its first outright Ivy League championship in program history on Saturday, following two consecutive seasons ending in ties at the top of the conference.

Always on the other side of the camera, you might wonder what a day in the life of a Spectator photographer looks like. Who are they? Do they only take stock images of Alma? Do they exist outside of Spec? Seven photographers take you behind the scenes and share what a typical week looks like, whether they are in or out of the office.

With winter games under way, the men’s basketball team is beginning its battle for a spot in the Ivy League tournament. Here are three things you should know about their 2024-25 season.