FeMMA: Through The Lens of Tracy Lee

Written by Jacob Nuesser

Courtesy of fightchix.com

If you have attended a major mixed martial arts event in the last four years, you have no doubt seen Tracy Lee. She is the pretty face ringside in designer jeans and MMA-branded top, wielding her digital SLR and backpack with laptop and lenses.

What sets Lee apart is that she is a self-made success story who has gained the trust of the fighters. That trust has lead to some of the most candid looks into fighters’ lives that have ever been documented.

Lee started off with a website called napkinnights.com. Living in Las Vegas, there is always a party going on, and that is where the photos started.

Lee would shoot fighter after-parties and then started going to the fights. She enjoyed the fights, but since going to EVERY fight can be expensive, she started to shoot them so she could gain press access.

As Lee’s photography talents grew, her contacts and passion for the sport allowed her to branch out within the industry. She shoots a lot of the major clothing lines in the MMA industry, as well as outside the industry.

She will also take on projects by performers and DJs. In the near future, she will be working as the on set photographer for an upcoming movie.

When asked how she has earned the trust of so many fighters Lee responds, “I’m not quite sure how it happened, but I don’t question it too much.

The guys trust me, and it seems because one fighter does, that trust is often handed on to the next, and then the next. I appreciate that they do so that I can continue to bring unique content.”

While some fighters remain a bit elusive due to management, Lee understands, and finds it harder to find the time to go between training camps and hit all the fights she attends.

Lee has gained access to some of the biggest names in the sport, in some of the most personal times. “They have been some of the most memorable times of my life. I shot BJ, Urijah and crew as they ran up an active volcano. I shot Rampage as he finished his training camp in Liverpool.

"I went to Harajuku and Roppongi with Denis Kang. I shot Randy Couture’s Christmas party and Dan Henderson’s celebratory BBQ and Annual Pig Roast.

"Each and every one of the experiences has been amazing. I am thankful that I started blogging in ‘08 because I have a diary to look back on for the rest of my life,” Lee said.

When asked if she has any favorites, Lee responds, “I love working with Dan, Urijah and Rampage although it’s not limited to those guys. That’s the awesome thing about being in this industry. So many are really down to earth and fun to be around.”

Lee is solo on most of her fight journeys, but is always up for the adventure. She says the whole industry is a lot like a family.

Her last trip to the UFC in Montréal included several after parties with MMA celebrities and she also introduced “Fighting” star, Channing Tatum, to Chuck Liddell. On the way to the introduction Tatum said “I’m gonna geek out,” starstruck by his favorite fighter.

Tracy Lee has done a lot to capture private moments in the lives of several of the industries top MMA fighters, but her accomplishments extend beyond combatlifestyle.com. Her photos have appeared on yahoo.com, espn.com and several MMA sites, but Lee takes it all in stride.

“You know, I have to admit that people enjoying my photos is one of my favorite things...I get emails and people coming up to me telling me that they enjoy what I am bringing to the table, so it drives me to keep doing it and continue improving on it.”

With the recent passing of Charles “Mask” Lewis, Lee masterfully captured the emotion at the memorial service. She has, over the years, developed a friendship with the founders of Tapout. It was a personal favor to them that she was on location for the memorial, to document the event.

She knew Lewis, but not as well as she would have liked, but feels fortunate to have spent as much time with him as she did. She has had a closer friendship with “Punkass” and says, “I can’t explain how awesome and down to earth they are.”

With as busy as Lee’s life is, one often wonders if and when she has any downtime -or even time for sleep. She has some breaks in between major fights, but often works on her blog and gears up for the next training camp or fight event.

She used to train BJJ with Sergio Pehna in Las Vegas, but has been limited to workouts in hotel gyms, such is life, living on the road.

Tracy Lee is one of the hardest working women in the mixed martial arts industry. She has developed friendships that have allowed the general public access to the private lives of the sports brightest stars. She also appreciates other women in the industry.

“There are a number of female photographers (Esther Lin, Daisy Rojas), Miss Rara from IMMAE, as well as Joanne from MMA Girls, and Melissa from the WEC. They are as passionate about the sport as I am, and I’m lucky to be friends with them.”

The next time you are at a fight event in Vegas or a major promotion like the UFC or Strikeforce, be sure to look for Tracy Lee.

She will be easy to find rushing around to get the best shot. Just make sure you follow her, because adventure and MMA’s A-list are sure to appear.

For more information on Tracy Lee, visit http://www.combatlifestyle.com

Jacob Nuesser is a certified Jeet Kune Do instructor and trains at Hackneys Combat and FLO MMA. He is also the co-founder of FIGHT CHIX Apparel and more of his writing can be found at MMAMadness.com.