it was years ago. How some aspect of my experiences can change others’ outlook in a positive way has been amazing for me to experience.
� What are you most proud of when it comes to DI’ s involvement in the sport?
How wide and diverse DI is in covering the sport of drag racing. DI makes every racer feel important. From top NHRA drivers to local bracket racers, DI has given a platform for them all, showing no discrimination of racer or sanctioning body. DI always makes you feel like the cool kid in school. Passion and excitement and amazing people fuel this incredible group and I am very proud to be a part of it!
TARA BOWKER
Staff Photographer
� How and when did you join DI?
I joined Drag IllustrateD in 2017 after walking up to Wes Buck and introducing myself. I explained what I was already doing in the sport and told him I wanted to contribute. At the time, I was heavily covering the PDRA, so I was able to immediately provide content from those events. From there, it grew into an ongoing working relationship built on consistency, trust, and being where the action is.
� BOWKER
� Do you have a favorite or most memorable issue?
My favorite issue is Women of Power. It highlights how important women are in a sport that’ s traditionally male-dominated from the women racers leading the charge, to the wives and girlfriends, crew members, and photographers like myself. It shines a light on the roles we play behind the scenes and on the front lines, and how much of the sport’ s foundation is built on that presence.
� What’ s your favorite memory of working with DI?
My favorite memories are always the in-between moments. The ones that don’ t make the headline. Late nights in the pits, teams
DI prides itself on having team members at races throughout the year and across the country, from the core team to contributing photographers and writers.
“ I DON’ T JUST WANT TO TAKE PICTURES. I WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL WHAT IT’ S LIKE TO BE THERE.”
thrashing to make the next round, the quiet conversations, and the trust these racers have with their crew. One that stands out is a team gathered around their car, holding hands and praying with the chaplain. I captured it in the moment, and then saw it in print the next issue. That full-circle feeling never gets old. Seeing the people in those photos light up because their moment was captured … that’ s what means the most to me.
� What are you most proud of when you think about your own involvement with DI?
I’ m most proud that I’ ve stayed true to how I see the sport. I don’ t just want to take pictures. I want people to feel what it’ s like to be there. To feel the intensity, and the emotion. Knowing that my work helps tell that story and represents the people in this sport the way they deserve means everything to me.
� What are you most proud of when it comes to DI’ s involvement in the sport?
What I’ m most proud of is how Drag IllustrateD shows up for the sport across the
142 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 200