Behind the Lanes & Lens: A Historic USBC Open Championship in Baton Rouge, LA

One night, while doing a mundane chore, my phone rang. To my surprise, it was Bowlers Journal International Magazine. They wanted to schedule a photo shoot during the USBC Open Championships in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I was thrilled—I had just landed a feature spread in an international magazine!

I did some research on the magazine and discovered that Bowlers Journal International is the oldest monthly sports publication in the world and the only print publication dedicated to bowling today. I also learned that Baton Rouge has a rich history with the United States Bowling Congress Open Championship (USBC Open). The Baton Rouge River Center hosted the event in 2005, 2012, and now again in 2025. This year, the tournament breaks a USBC Open record with more than 11,600 five-player teams registered to compete, surpassing the 2012 USBC Open. You can read all about the event and even register (it spans 150 consecutive days) here

I know I sound like a complete bowling nerd, but I promise I’m not! I barely know how to set up the bumpers for my kids! To say I was nervous about this shoot is an understatement. So, as usual, I prepared thoroughly but remained open to anything. The magazine couldn’t disclose much more about the subject, but I was put in contact with Mike, whom I wouldn’t meet until the day of the shoot.

Upon entering the River Center in Baton Rouge, I was greeted by the creative director for the entire USBC Open and Bowl.com. He had designed the masks over the lanes and all the graphics too! I was impressed by how he captured the culture of Baton Rouge, even incorporating the Spanish Town parade—how fun!

It turns out the USBC takes over the River Center for an entire six months! The tournament lasts 150 consecutive days, not including setup and teardown. I’m talking about 54 lanes of bowling glory on the same floor where I once saw my boys jump inside dinosaur inflatables!

As I entered the office, I spotted the subject of the article, Mike Donavan. I stepped into a scene that felt all too familiar: technology supplies, wiring, computers, cameras, monitors, and printers everywhere. I knew nothing about Mike except that he created “brackets” for the championship, and they needed him to be the hero of the entire session, so I quickly looked around and sparked up a conversation.

It turns out Mike is an IT programmer who invented the very first bowling scoring system using a personal computer. This is the same technology used in local bowling alleys like Main Event, Rock n’ Bowl, or All Star Lanes in Baton Rouge. Being an IT professional myself for years, I felt they couldn’t have picked a better photographer for the job.

We immediately hit it off, and when I saw he had a drink cup from Bergeron’s Boudin, it sealed the deal—we were both reluctant to move it, but did figuring the magazine wouldn’t want a feature on Cajun food!

Mike travels with the USBC crew to get everything set up, ensuring the scoring system and brackets are tournament-ready. His partner has been by his side for decades while he developed and implemented this incredible software that’s still in use today.

One of my favorite photos from the shoot was taken by accident—or at least sort of. I knew I wanted to highlight Mike's software, capture the real environment he works in, and make him the hero of the shot.

I started walking around, and as soon as I saw this frame, I knew it was the shot I wanted, though I had no idea what my strobe settings would do. It turned out to be exactly what I needed! This low-key shot, with the hard side light, gives the image a timeless look. In the foreground is his friend and colleague, and in the background is the creative director, who beautifully puts everything together.

Mike also brought along one of his old pamphlets that he designed and printed himself in 1987—the same year I was born! I love the story this photo tells, featuring the old software brochure on the 54th lane of the USBC Open alongside his new version of the software!

I am honored to be a small part of this historic event here in Baton Rouge, as the USBC Open is not scheduled to return to the River Center in the foreseeable future. Look for the spread featuring Mike in the April Edition of Bowlers Journal International!

This experience reignited my passion for what I do—capturing not just faces, but profound stories, histories, and the passion behind every moment. Whether it’s a historic championship, a pivotal career milestone, or a personal achievement, your narrative deserves to be celebrated in a way that resonates for years to come. If you seek more than just a photo—if you desire images that truly reflect your unique journey—let’s come together to create something extraordinary.

Book your session today, and let’s transform your fleeting moments into cherished memories.