Frame the Ride: see NICA’s 2025 Regional event through athletes’ eyes

January 30, 2026

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Written by: Em Meier

At the heart of NICA is a commitment to support not just athletes, but well-rounded individuals. At NICA’s latest Eastern Regional event, the organization partnered with FujiFilm to offer a unique opportunity for student-athletes to explore their passion for photography and visual storytelling.

Five NICA athletes and alumni, each with a keen interest in photography, sports media, or storytelling, were selected to document the race weekend like pros. Armed with a X-T5 camera (provided free of charge by Fujifilm) they set out to capture the energy, emotion, and excitement of the event. Before they began, they received expert guidance during an exclusive mountain bike photography clinic led by pro photographer, videographer, and outdoor action-sports enthusiast Korey Hopkins. Hopkins, who is an outdoor sports enthusiast and avid mountain biker and skier, also happens to serve on the NICA board of directors. Hopkins has been heavily involved in NICA’s Maryland league for several years.

The Frame the Ride experience wasn’t just about technical skills and flashy gear; it was about seeing the world through a new lens — literally and figuratively. Participants learned how to frame the perfect shot, tell a story through images, and capture the essence of what makes NICA events so special: the camaraderie, the fun, the nerves of race day, and the joy of riding. Regionals set the perfect stage: athletes were able to capture images and videos of their peers from 11 different leagues, a once-a-year opportunity.

Korey Hopkins is an outdoor sports photographer and videographer, Maryland league photographer, NICA board member, avid mountain biker, and mentor to aspiring photographers. Hopkins hosted the 2-day “Frame the Ride” experience with help from Fujifilm to source professional-level photography equipment for student-athletes. Read Korey’s reflections on the weekend.

“I’ve been able to watch student-athletes explore tangential interests to riding, and have enjoyed watching some explore photography – something that I am very passionate about. I felt it was important to empower the next generation of storytellers and documentarians to get out there and make art happen at an event that they were clearly interested in.” said Hopkins

Athletes like Valentina Fonseca reflected on the event. The dialed, pro-quality equipment was a highlight, of course, but many athletes had takeaways that transcended beyond their gear. “I got to go out of my comfort zone, by capturing more than the action,” said Fonseca, who rides in NICA’s South Carolina league. “I had the chance to try videography and not only photography…and also taking pictures of people who I don't know since I usually only take pictures for my team.”

“Going into it, I was mostly focused on learning how to capture the "story" of an event,” said Nathan Brannock, a rider from Virginia. “And while I did achieve that goal, I simultaneously learned other lessons which came as more of a surprise.” The biggest takeaway for Brannock? “Being closer to the riders revealed a new perspective, unattainable with a zoom lens from fifty feet away.”

The experience also provided an opportunity for like-minded athletes to meet peers from across the country in a smaller group setting. “It was great to connect with and learn from all the other photographers,” said Maryland’s Andrew Diefendrof. “I especially enjoyed seeing everyone's different style and view of the same event.”

Five student-athletes from Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia had the opportunity to step off the bike and behind the lens at NICA’s latest Eastern Regional Event.

The Frame the Ride project with FujiFilm underscores NICA’s belief that cycling is more than a sport – it’s a pathway to personal growth that helps kids discover their interests while surrounded by a supportive community. Whether a young athlete’s passion lies in racing, photography, or another creative outlet, NICA creates connections and opportunities that help kids find confidence and community both on and off the bike.

Keep a lookout for more athlete perspectives as the sport (and NICA) grows: “This season alone I have seen at least five racers pick up a camera when not racing…Frame the Ride came at the perfect time for many of us,” concluded Brannock. “I enjoyed knowing that there was support for photographers [like me] as it has become a growing art in the mountain biking and NICA world.”

“When I first started shooting, some mentors loaned me some gear that helped me focus on capturing the moment and not fight with my tools,” said Hopkins. “ I want to thank FujiFilm for helping me give these student-athletes that same sort of experience.”

Hopkins teaches athletes from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and South Carolina at a morning photography clinic. Five students spent the weekend capturing their peers and the experience of NICA Regionals through their own lens.