At the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, participants aren’t the only ones covering miles each day. For the past 10 years, Mike D. has been right there alongside them — camera in hand, capturing the moments that define the Pink Bubble.
Year after year, Mike travels from his home base in San Francisco thousands of miles from one 3-Day city to the next. He is tasked with taking thousands of photos in hopes of capturing the moments that matter the most.
Along the way, he’s often invited into some of the most personal and emotional parts of the event.
“The 3-Day has really helped me understand participants’ perspectives and gain a sense of empathy for what they’re going through,” Mike said. “At Memorial Mile, people have asked me to take their photo while they are remembering a loved one. Even in the middle of a moment like that, they welcome me in.”
His journey to becoming such a trusted presence at the 3-Day didn’t start with a personal connection to breast cancer. Instead, it began with a willingness to step into something new.
“I have no personal connection to breast cancer,” Mike said. “I felt like maybe Komen should hire someone who has a deeper connection to it. But I’m grateful for whatever reason they chose me.”
Getting the Job Done
Working solo at the 3-Day, Mike walks each day alongside participants and logs close to 10 miles daily while carrying nearly 30 pounds of equipment.
“I usually have about five different lenses, two camera bodies and some external lighting just in case I need it,” he explained. “I’d honestly bring more if I could. I’m always thinking of ideas and ways to capture walkers in the best light.”
Traveling from city to city, Mike also has to be prepared for the unexpected, including lost luggage.
“I can lose all of my clothing and my toiletries and still do the job,” Mike said with a chuckle. “But everything I need like my hard drives, card readers, memory cards, cameras and lenses stay with me at all times.”
Beyond the Lens
For Mike, capturing the 3-Day is as much about logistics as it is about storytelling.
“I have to keep moving to follow the story of the day,” he said. “I’m shooting for the people who are there, for the people that don’t know the event exists and for the story itself. I’m balancing all these motivations at the same time.”
The constant movement and the emotional energy of the participants make the 3-Day unlike anything else he’s photographed.
“At the end of the event, my battery is depleted,” Mike said.” “But it’s such a blessing to be around the Pink Bubble energy. I’ve made friendships and connections at the 3-Day that just happened organically.”
Those connections are what stay with him long after the events end.
“People share their stories with me, even when they don’t have to,” Mike said. “It’s something I never take for granted, and it’s truly an honor to be at the 3-Day for them.”
Since 2015, Mike has photographed more than 40 3-Day events. And what started as a freelance job has grown into something much more meaningful.
“The 3-Day has provided me the opportunity to grow,” he said. “I’m naturally an introvert, but this experience has pushed me in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve learned how to connect with people, even if it’s just in small moments.”
Mike photographs a wide range of events, including obstacle course races, 5Ks, marathons, weddings and portrait sessions. But he says there is nothing quite like the 3-Day.
For more information on the 3-Day, visit the3day.org.
