Olympic Sports Photography: Behind the Lens with Outex
Jan 03, 2025
Olympic-Level Sports Photography, Starting with Its Founder
Company Origin
Outex was started by two outdoor enthusiast photographers, including Olympic swimmer JR deSouza, who competed at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in three events. JR and his cousin Roberto — a mechanical engineer — set out to solve a real problem: a better waterproof imaging solution for cameras that delivers professional optical results, complete functional control over camera and lens, modular design to support accessories like tripod mounts, triggers, lights, and tether cables, in a compact and lightweight package at an affordable price.
Photo credit: @Brett Stanley. Learn more about JR's Olympic story here.
JR grew up swimming, surfing, and water skiing. Roberto loved hiking and camping. Roberto developed the original Outex concept in his garage out of necessity — the desire to build a better outdoor and underwater housing system for camera gear. Together, they patented several inventions associated with the product, and Outex's intellectual property portfolio has been growing ever since, along with its global following.
Olympic Spirit
Because of its athletic background and connections, Outex has been actively involved with Olympic athletes and sports photographers looking to push their imaging capabilities in any environmental condition. Outex is lightweight, compact, and travel-friendly — ideal for the demands of sports photography at the highest level. Its universal compatibility means a photographer can use the same Outex Pro Kit across multiple cameras and lenses for different situations.
As a result, Outex has been used by professionals from around the world at the Olympic Games, Tour de France, World Championships, and other world-class sporting events — helping make historic athletic moments unforgettable.
@Jonne Roriz
"Outex was in part inspired by my Olympic swimming background and experiences. Watching the games is exciting enough for the jaw-dropping performances by the athletes themselves. Many of my old friends and acquaintances have become coaches, administrators, or now have kids competing at that level — some of my coaches are still coaching today's top athletes. Adding the photography dimension has been increasingly rewarding, as the number of Outex-equipped sports photographers lending their skills to Olympic storytelling continues to grow. Their perspective makes it that much more fun to watch." — JR deSouza, Outex co-founder
@Satiro Sodre
Used by Olympic-Caliber Professionals
Several world-class sports photographers have become Outex friends over the years. They work for top publications across multiple countries in sports photography and photojournalism, covering swimming, diving, sailing, triathlon, athletics, and more. They include Jonne Roriz, Olivier Morin, Bryan Keane, Satiro Sodre, Jack Spitzer, and Mike Lewis — representing Brazil, France, Ireland, the UK, and the United States. Their input, feedback, and constructive criticism has helped shape Outex's innovation and patented design. You can visit their profiles on our Ambassadors page.
@Olivier Morin
@Olivier Morin
Many of these professionals have fascinating stories of their own. Jack Spitzer was a collegiate swimmer. Bryan Keane competed as a triathlete for Ireland at the Rio Olympics before switching to the other side of the camera.
@Bryan Keane
@Bryan Keane
@Bryan Keane
@Bryan Keane
In addition to ambassador profiles, we've featured many of these stories in our Community Blog and Outdoor Photo Series (OPS). A 45-minute interview with Bryan Keane is available on the OPS page, where he shares his path from athletics into sports photojournalism. The distinct advantages of a former athlete turned photographer include:
- An inherent trust from past relationships with current competitors and coaching staff
- Insight and access to backstories and behind-the-scenes details
- Foresight into points of interest, routines, or moments likely to produce decisive, game-changing images
Those perspectives carry across multiple sports in both obvious and sometimes unexpected ways. A triathlete naturally has sharp instincts for swimming, biking, and running — but they also bring a deep appreciation for the preparation and sacrifice behind virtually every athlete competing at this level.
@Cameron Spencer
Conversely, the same insider perspective that gives former athletes creative instincts can also create blind spots to the raw beauty and emotion that makes Olympic imagery resonate with a general audience. The most memorable images often need no context, explanation, or backstory — precisely because they capture the essence of the Olympic spirit on their own.
@Jonne Roriz
@Jonne Roriz — visit the full Ambassadors page to see more.
The Outex system that these photographers trust at the Olympics is available for any photographer ready to push their imaging into new environments.