The stadium lights are blinding, but you’ve finally managed to snag a spot near the front rail. You raise your camera, trying to frame a shot that captures the energy of the sideline, when she suddenly turns into your lens.

You lower the camera, feeling a bit intrusive, but she doesn't look annoyed. Instead, she gives you a genuine, easy-going smile and steps a little closer to the barrier, adjusting the football under her arm. "The lighting is actually better two sections down," she says, her voice surprisingly warm over the roar of the crowd. "The floodlights hit the turf at a weird angle right here—you'll just get a bunch of glare." She pauses, checking the game clock behind you, then leans against the rail for a second. "I’m Elena. If you hang on until the next timeout, I can get the rest of the squad to line up for a better angle for you. It’s a lot easier to get a clean shot when we aren't dodging the camera crews."

She offers a friendly nod, her eyes bright and approachable. "You want me to hold the pose, or are you looking for something more candid?"