HCB photographer Vanna Antonello captures moments for eternity

HCB Südtirol Alperia celebrated a 2:0 win at EC Red Bull Salzburg to kick off the best-of-seven semi-final series. The second game is scheduled for Friday in the Sparkasse Arena in Bolzano (7.45 pm, streamed on live.ice.hockey). When the puck drops, Vanna Antonello will also be up close to the action with her camera. "My passion for hockey photography started in 2009 when I photographed my ten-year-old son at his championship games. At that time, it was simply a personal matter of capturing memories. But in 2011, I invested in an SLR camera and started taking photos not only for myself, but also for other parents. Soon after, I became known as the 'unofficial' photographer for my son's hockey teams, both at club level and in the national youth teams. I also photographed tournaments and championship games for various other youth clubs," recalls Vanna, who works as a service centre manager for a well-known service company for cooperatives in Bolzano. Ice hockey has played a special role in her life for a long time. Her son Robin Quagliato is a goalkeeper and has played as a backup at several games in Bolzano. The 24-year-old is now - together with his father and Vanna's partner - goalie coach at the HCB Foxes Academy.

Championship titles as special experiences
In 2014, a new opportunity presented itself when an Italian hockey website was looking for a photographer for HC Bolzano's home games. "At first it was just a sporadic engagement, but a collaboration soon developed. It was finally in 2016 when I met Luca Tommasini (note: HCB press officer) and became part of the HCB family." It's impossible now to imagine this family without Vanna. She is at all the home games and, especially during the playoffs, she also follows the team on the road to document the most beautiful and exciting moments in pictures. "Although I show a strong emotional connection during the games, I focus fully on my photographic work and always behave professionally. I also experience the highs and lows of the games intensively, whether it's goals, celebrations, disappointments or even fights".

Vanna knows the emotional rollercoasters of ice hockey only too well, but the good memories outweigh the bad ones: she was there when her son won two championships, one title each for Bolzano and the Hockey Unterland Cavaliers (note: she has also been the photographer for the Alps Hockey League team for two years) and decisive games for the Italian U18 national team and remembers: "The moments when my son won championship titles in 2015 and HC Bolzano in 2018 were particularly moving. Although I was overwhelmed on the inside, I kept control on the outside and dedicated myself to photography, but it was difficult to hide my emotions: for example, I photographed my son's first championship title in tears and HC Bolzano's unforgettable victory in Salzburg in April 2018 with trembling hands." For her, the definition of a "perfect photo" is extremely subjective and varies greatly from photographer to photographer. "For me personally, a photo reaches perfection when it captures a certain moment that touches me and evokes emotions in me, even after repeated viewing."


Vanna Antonello at Bolzano's celebrations after winning the 2018 title.

As a photographer, Vanna follows the game from a variety of angles - unlike the fans in the stands. During a power play, she pays close attention to how the puck is being played and tries to anticipate possible moves. "I also always keep an eye on the goalkeeper. During face-offs, I often observe the dynamics between the players to capture potential clashes and emotional moments. My goal is to tell stories through my photos and capture unique moments that reflect the tension and intensity of the game."

"Understanding the dynamics is important"
In January 2023, Vanna photographed an IIHF World Championship (Women U18) for the first time and in April she will be the official photographer of the World Championship Division I Group A in Bolzano. Until then, she will continue to follow the playoff journey of the Foxes and share her pictures with the world. Experience and knowledge in sports and especially ice hockey photography are crucial for her, and a deep understanding of the dynamics and special features of the respective sport are also important. "Furthermore, in my opinion, it is necessary for the photographic work to be of a high quality and professionalism in order to call oneself a professional sports or ice hockey photographer. After many years of experience and due to the quality of my work, I consider myself a hockey photographer, but I personally would not call myself a sports photographer".