Dakota Fox Graf is a photographer with one of the less conventional routes into the industry, having swapped the front line of combat for the side lines of Major League Soccer.

With a big interest in health and fitness and little interest or involvement in the game beyond the odd kindergarten kick about and a few World Cup games on TV whilst serving in Afghanistan, the path he’s on could not have been on his radar.

But indifference towards the game evolved into infatuation when landing a performance coach internship at Columbus Crew.

Working with the Academy teams, he spotted an opportunity to document their games and, in a few short years, finds himself pitch side shooting the stars MLS.

Dakota shares his experiences in the military, evolving love for the game and the pride he feels as he again finds himself serving his country, this time as a Performance Coach with US Soccer’s youth teams.

With that full-time role, a burgeoning photography career and raising a young family, Dakota is a guy who thrives with a full plate.

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