Last night, the Whidbey Island Roller Girls hosted the “Super Brawl” in Oak Harbor – The Big Hair Bandits vs. The Red Lipstick Mafia. Julia, a.k.a. Effin’ Magic, (a.k.a. Andy’s sister) asked if I’d take pictures. Well, of course!
Roller Derby seems to be growing in popularity here. I originally became interested in it when I learned of the Bellingham Roller Betties. They do a great job of explaining how the derby works, if you’d like to visit their website.
I tossed the idea of joining the Betties, but ultimately I didn’t have the time to invest, and my skating skills would have probably killed me or someone else. I skate fast – but stopping has always been a challenge.
Anyway – I have a lot of pictures to edit, and will be working on them throughout the week. Here are a few I’ve worked on so far. The lighting was awful, and of course people were moving fast, so not the easiest task!
It’s not good to land on your own team mate…
Neval has one of the most famous backsides in the derby!
Sometimes the competition talks a little trash.
Effin’ Magic tries to thrwart the Red Lipstick Mafia’s plans.
Things are gonna get ugly…fast!
Direct hit to the face.
Nana Nana Bruise You!
Jolene's Life in Focus 
Looks like a lot of fun and I love roller skating though I don’t think I have the competitive aggression to withstand these tough looking women. You did a nice job shooting them considering the condition you had to work with.
Thanks, Emily! Despite it being difficult, I loved it because it challenged me to learn more about what the camera could do and think of things to do differently next time. Events are a lot of fun to photograph.
Wow! That looks like tons of fun! I dont think I would have the guts to join. You did fantastic btw!
Thank you, Morgan! Joining an actual derby is a little intimidating, but we have a roller rink by where I work, and this has inspired us on occassion to just go over and skate. It’s a good work out!
I was on the “black team” and am also a professional photographer and the roller barn is one of the hardest places to get great pictures! The photos above are some of the best we have ever gotten of the team in action so thank you very much! Can’t wait to see the rest!
Hey, thanks for your feedback “Rezza Wrecked-Her”! I’d love to come back and take more photos for you…once these are all done. They’ll be all done by the weekend. There were a couple of hundred (talk about a lot of red eye to edit out!)
Great shots! Jon and Sofia represented since I had to work(Sofia has been to more bouts than I have!). Now I know what I missed! Can’t wait to see more.
Thanks, Sherry! I even got a shot of Sofia…who could resist that sweet little face? 🙂
I agree with Mike good shots considering the lighting challenges. Sorry you couldn’t borrow the flash, next time eh? Let me know when you go next, I think Dev would wanna go!
Yeah – let’s definitely make a plan to go together next time. Your kids would love it. Who knows…Cait might be a future roller girl…
Good shots in challenging conditions. And it looks like a lot of fun.
It was sooo much fun! It’s not everyday you get to sit inches from a roller derby track and risk your life for a few photos! 🙂
Wow, it looks like a tough bunch of ladies! 🙂 I’m not surprised you didn’t join them . . .
They are a tough bunch! You gotta be able to take a hit or fall down and still get up. Not sure if that’s for me…I like it behind the lens. 🙂