From the sidelines: OHIO graduate shares defining moments of his budding career in sports cinematography

As football season kicks off, one Bobcat and football fanatic continues to define himself in the cinematography and photography space. Jack Cowman, B.S. ‘22, makes the most of his experience as an integrated media major to pursue freelance work.

Cowman reflects on his biggest achievements thus far, reminisces about the OHIO experiences that got him here and gives advice to aspiring students. 

[This interview has been edited for length and clarity.]

Q: You list various freelance opportunities on your page: ESPN, Big Ten Network and NFL — can you talk about how you got connected to each one?

A: I grew up glued to those channels, studying the way they told stories, the way they captured emotion and the way they made every moment feel bigger than life.

My path to each of them started in the same place: my time as a production assistant with the Cincinnati Bengals. That role gave me the chance to shoot NFL games with professional cinema cameras, and that’s where I fell in love with shooting football. Every week, what pulled me through the long hours was knowing that on Sunday I’d be standing on an NFL sideline, looking through my viewfinder and capturing moments that only happen once.

By the end of the season, I had a huge archive of footage. I pulled together my strongest shots, cut them into a reel and sent it to anyone who might give me a chance. That reel opened the door as NFL Films and Big Ten Network both offered me tryouts after seeing it.

Q: Can you talk about some of the games you’ve covered so far? 

A: The one that stands out the most is Ohio State vs. Michigan this past fall. Growing up [as] an Ohio State fan, being on the sideline for "The Game" was something I could never have imagined as a kid. It snowed from kickoff to the final whistle.

I also had the opportunity to cover the Orange Bowl in Miami, the Peach Bowl in Atlanta and Wild Card Weekend in New England for the Chargers-Patriots matchup. Each of those environments had its own energy and different stakes, but the same electric feeling of being trusted to capture moments that matter.

One day, I hope to be on the sidelines for the College Football Playoff National Championship and the Super Bowl… I’m working every day to earn my way there.

Q: Do you have a favorite memory or moment working?

A: My favorite memory so far came right after I wrapped shooting the Chargers-Patriots playoff game for NFL Films this past season. When the final whistle blew and we headed inside to break down our gear, something about that moment hit me. The crew was shaking hands, hugging, and congratulating each other on another playoff game in the books. It was simple, quiet and honestly pretty ordinary for them, but for me, it meant everything. That moment afterward was the realization that hard work had carried me into the room with my heroes.

Q: What is something somebody may not know about being a freelance cinematographer? 

A: The shooting days are the part everyone sees — the stadiums, the sidelines, the big moments, but so much of the career is built in the quiet hours in between. You’re constantly networking, sending emails, building reels, staying ready for last‑minute calls and trusting that the work you’ve already done will open the next door.

You don’t always know when the next job is coming, or what city you’ll be in next week. But that uncertainty is also what makes the wins feel so meaningful.

Q: What are you looking forward to as the fall football season approaches? 

A: What I’m looking forward to most this fall is the chance to chase moments that matter. Football gives you these tiny windows where something unforgettable can happen — a look in the quarterback’s eyes before a big play, a sideline reaction that says everything or tracking the ball all the way into a touchdown.

Q: How do you think OHIO prepared you for this line of work?

A: I would not be where I am today without my time at Ohio University. Two professors in particular, Evan Shaw and Frederick Lewis, were instrumental in shaping the way I shoot, edit and think about storytelling. I took sports cinematography with Evan and several documentary courses with Frederick, and both of them took me under their wing. They challenged me constantly [and] pushed me to refine my craft… Their mentorship is a huge reason I’m able to do what I do now.

Being an integrated media student at [OHIO] also gave me the creative freedom to take risks and pursue projects I cared deeply about.

Q: What advice do you have for students interested in the field?

A: I’d just say this to anyone in college who dreams of working in sports: keep going. Get as many reps as you can, take advantage of every opportunity your school gives you and don’t be afraid to reach out to people already in the industry.

Four years ago, I was a nervous college graduate who had no idea what was ahead of me. Now I am getting opportunities that I used to dream about. If I can help someone who’s standing where I once stood, that’s a privilege I don’t take lightly.