My Faith in Action: From Gymnast to Storyteller
Published: February 01, 2026
Author: Liz Dowell
When Andres Esquivel-Garza arrived at Greenville University in 2023, he expected his story to be written on the mat. A lifelong gymnast, he carried dreams of competing at a high level while pursuing his studies. But an unexpected turn in his athletic journey opened a new chapter—one written through the lens of a camera.
Esquivel-Garza had high expectations for his first year as a part of the gymnastics team. One of those expectations was for him to be a consistent contributor to the team, which didn’t work out that way.
“In that moment of disappointment, frustration, and embarrassment, I questioned whether I had made a mistake in choosing to continue my gymnastics journey and coming here,” he said. However, he always carried his camera with him, and from that hobby, a new path emerged.
Photo by Andres Esquivel-Garza
Instead of being on the mat, Esquivel-Garza was able to support the team by capturing them through photos. “ I had more and more intention behind each press of the shutter. I found a new peace outside of academics and athletics. I concluded that my journey wasn't a mistake, but simply a new direction guided by my faith.”
This summer, Esquivel-Garza stepped onto the floor of the Xfinity USA Gymnastics Championships in New Orleans, Louisiana, but not as an athlete but as an official photographer for the USA Gymnastics Creator Program. Selected from a national pool of applicants, he was tasked with documenting one of the most prestigious events in the sport.
"I felt fortunate and grateful," he said. "It was truly an honor to cover such an important event in the gymnastics community."
Armed with his Nikon Zf mirrorless digital camera and a 1970s Canon film camera, Esquivel-Garza captured both the precision of competition and the quiet, candid moments between athletes and coaches.
His eye for detail caught the attention of professional photographers at the event—some with Olympic Games on their résumés—who offered encouragement and praise for his work. For a young artist often critical of his own photographs, that validation was priceless.
As a member of the men's gymnastics team, Esquivel-Garza began bringing his camera to practices and meets. His photos quickly found an audience.
Coaches used them for team graphics, athletes shared them online, and parents sent messages of thanks. What began as a hobby soon became a calling.
“Without GU, I wouldn’t have had the platform to learn and develop my skills,” he reflected. “Our gymnastics program gave me access to high-level meets and the support of a community that believed in me.”
Photo by Andres Esquivel-Garza
His photography Instagram account, @shots.aeg, was launched just before his freshman year and has become a portfolio documenting his growth.
What started with snapshots of friends and campus life evolved into a showcase of athletic storytelling that caught the attention of national selectors.
Yet the deeper thread running through his journey is faith. “My first year didn’t go the way I expected,” he admitted. “I questioned whether I had made a mistake. But my camera became an escape, then a passion. I realized this was God’s plan—His timing, not mine.”
Esquivel-Garza now views his photography as a way of honoring creation itself. “When I go on a photo walk, it’s my way of appreciating the world God made. My art is my way of thanking Him.”
That perspective shapes how he approaches each assignment. For him, documenting gymnastics is more than capturing athletic skill—it’s about preserving human stories, moments of grace, resilience, and joy.
Looking ahead, he carries a lesson learned on the USA Gymnastics competition floor in August: keep an open mind, and listen to people’s stories. “Everyone has something important to share,” he said. “There’s always something to learn from others.”
For Esquivel-Garza, this summer’s experience stands as a career highlight and a reminder of how faith can redirect dreams. What began as disappointment in athletics became a new platform for leadership, creativity, and service.
Sports photography, he explained, gave him a new way to see gymnastics. “It helped me fall back in love with the sport,” he said. “It gave me a different perspective on what it means to be a gymnast, and it motivated me to keep working on my craft and putting myself out there. This journey has been truly unforgettable.”
Photo by Andres Esquivel-Garza
