How a top Getty Images sports photographer captured some of the most stunning sports photos of 2021

Meredith CashDec 23, 2021, 22:35 IST

The Las Vegas Raiders' Alec Ingold hurdles the New York Giants' Adoree' Jackson.Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Sarah Stier is one of the youngest and most talented sports photographers at Getty Images.
In her first year on staff, Stier captured some of the most stunning sports images of 2021.

Sarah Stier is already one of the most talented sports photographers in the game.

And she's just getting started.

In 2021 — her first year on staff with Getty Images — Stier masterfully immortalized the highs and lows of competition across professional and college athletics. The young artist captured moments across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLB, PGA, LPGA, NASCAR, March Madness, Women's College World Series, horse racing, and more.

Through it all, Stier solidified herself as one of the best in her business, producing some of the most stunning sports photos of the year in the process. She picked her favorite photos of 2021 for Insider and explained the stories behind each shot.

Now check out Stier's top 21 favorite photos of the year — and their backstories — below:

March 20: Joe Bryant Jr. of the Norfolk State Spartans reacts after losing to the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

March 22: Chandler Lawson of the Oregon Ducks dunks against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

March 22: Chandler Lawson of the Oregon Ducks dunks against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

April 30: Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard Search Results (right) congratulates jockey John Velazquez aboard Malathaat for winning the 147th Running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

April 30: Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard Search Results (right) congratulates jockey John Velazquez aboard Malathaat for winning the 147th Running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

May 23: New York Yankees star Aaron Judge reacts after a walk-off during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

May 27: Alek Manoah of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches to New York Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier during the first game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

June 2: A group of horses and exercise riders train on the track during a morning workout prior to the 153rd running of the Belmont Stakes.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

June 7: Elissa Brown of the Alabama Crimson Tide (right) runs to second as Florida State Seminoles infielder Elizabeth Mason defends during the fifth inning of the Women's College World Series.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

June 7: Elissa Brown of the Alabama Crimson Tide (right) runs to second as Florida State Seminoles infielder Elizabeth Mason defends during the fifth inning of the Women's College World Series.

June 7: Oklahoma celebrates their 7-1 win in Game 13 of the Women's College World Series against James Madison.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

June 19: Kyle Busch, driver of the #54 M&M's Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville Superspeedway.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

June 19: Kyle Busch, driver of the #54 M&M's Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville Superspeedway.

June 23: The New York Islanders celebrate after their 3-2 overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

June 30: New York Yankees pitcher Luis Cessa winds up in the rain against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

September 11: Emma Raducanu celebrates winning the 2021 US Open.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

September 2: Alexander Zverev serves the ball against Albert Ramos-Vinolas during his Men's Singles second round match at the 2021 US Open.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

September 9: Canada's Leylah Fernandez celebrates winning match point to defeat Aryna Sabalenka and advance to the 2021 US Open final.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

October 2: Jennifer Chang hits her tee shot on the 1st hole during the second round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic at Seaview Golf Club in Galloway, New Jersey.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

October 10: Gabby Lopez of Mexico (right) and Brooke M. Henderson of Canada (left) pour champagne on Korea's Jin Young Ko (center) after her win during the final round of the Cognizant Founders Cup at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

October 10: Gabby Lopez of Mexico (right) and Brooke M. Henderson of Canada (left) pour champagne on Korea's Jin Young Ko (center) after her win during the final round of the Cognizant Founders Cup at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey.

October 17: New York Giants receiver Kyle Rudolph looks to run past Jordan Fuller of the Los Angeles Rams during their Week 6 matchup.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

October 31: New York Jets quarterback Mike White celebrates after catching the ball for a two point conversion during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

October 31: New York Jets receiver Keelan Cole hauls in a touchdown catch that was later overturned during the against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

November 26: Gabe Kalscheur of the Iowa State Cyclones reacts with teammates after making a three-point shot against the Memphis Tigers in the NIT Season Tip-Off tournament at Barclays Center.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

November 26: Gabe Kalscheur of the Iowa State Cyclones reacts with teammates after making a three-point shot against the Memphis Tigers in the NIT Season Tip-Off tournament at Barclays Center.

December 3: Vincent Kriechmayr of Team Austria competes in the Men's Super G during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup at Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

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How a top Getty Images sports photographer captured some of the most stunning sports photos of 2021

March 20: Joe Bryant Jr. of the Norfolk State Spartans reacts after losing to the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

March 22: Chandler Lawson of the Oregon Ducks dunks against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

April 30: Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard Search Results (right) congratulates jockey John Velazquez aboard Malathaat for winning the 147th Running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

May 23: New York Yankees star Aaron Judge reacts after a walk-off during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium.

May 27: Alek Manoah of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches to New York Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier during the first game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.

June 2: A group of horses and exercise riders train on the track during a morning workout prior to the 153rd running of the Belmont Stakes.

June 7: Elissa Brown of the Alabama Crimson Tide (right) runs to second as Florida State Seminoles infielder Elizabeth Mason defends during the fifth inning of the Women's College World Series.

June 7: Oklahoma celebrates their 7-1 win in Game 13 of the Women's College World Series against James Madison.

June 19: Kyle Busch, driver of the #54 M&M's Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville Superspeedway.

June 23: The New York Islanders celebrate after their 3-2 overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals.

June 30: New York Yankees pitcher Luis Cessa winds up in the rain against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium.

September 11: Emma Raducanu celebrates winning the 2021 US Open.

September 2: Alexander Zverev serves the ball against Albert Ramos-Vinolas during his Men's Singles second round match at the 2021 US Open.

September 9: Canada's Leylah Fernandez celebrates winning match point to defeat Aryna Sabalenka and advance to the 2021 US Open final.

October 2: Jennifer Chang hits her tee shot on the 1st hole during the second round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic at Seaview Golf Club in Galloway, New Jersey.

October 10: Gabby Lopez of Mexico (right) and Brooke M. Henderson of Canada (left) pour champagne on Korea's Jin Young Ko (center) after her win during the final round of the Cognizant Founders Cup at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey.

October 17: New York Giants receiver Kyle Rudolph looks to run past Jordan Fuller of the Los Angeles Rams during their Week 6 matchup.

October 31: New York Jets quarterback Mike White celebrates after catching the ball for a two point conversion during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals.

October 31: New York Jets receiver Keelan Cole hauls in a touchdown catch that was later overturned during the against the Cincinnati Bengals.

November 26: Gabe Kalscheur of the Iowa State Cyclones reacts with teammates after making a three-point shot against the Memphis Tigers in the NIT Season Tip-Off tournament at Barclays Center.

December 3: Vincent Kriechmayr of Team Austria competes in the Men's Super G during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup at Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado.