Elijah Porter’s Lens Turns NYC Soccer Into Living Art
Elijah Porter didn’t grow up chasing soccer dreams. He grew up chasing creation itself. From painting sneakers in Long Island to shooting school projects, Porter was the kid who always needed to make something. That instinct eventually pushed him toward a sport he never expected to fall for, and now at 20, the founder of iStopTime LLC has become one of the sharpest young visual storytellers documenting New York’s grassroots soccer world.
Finding the game through the lens
His entry into the sport didn’t begin on a field. It began behind a lens. In high school, Porter traveled with his varsity soccer team, learning systems, tracking patterns and sharpening a portfolio one bus ride at a time. He shook hands with anyone offering opportunity and built a following rooted in authenticity. After his freshman year of college he went all-in, launching iStopTime LLC to turn passion into purpose. He set out to make people smile, add value and contribute to a community bigger than himself.
Realizing New York doesn’t just play — it lives the game
Porter said he first understood New York’s soccer identity during a summer pickup run. He arrived at his local park expecting a casual night and instead stepped into a melting pot of uncles, kids, newcomers and veteran ballers. Skill didn’t separate anyone. Language didn’t divide anyone. “Everyone is an equal on the pitch,” he said. That sense of belonging, the city’s ability to turn any space into a shared culture, became a defining force in his work.
What “only in NYC” looks like through the viewfinder
Saturday morning youth games in the Bronx and late-night men’s league matches in Queens carry the same electric current in his photos. A concrete game between buildings in Brooklyn plays with Champions League intensity. Fans appear from nowhere. Jerseys from nations across the world collide in one frame. Families lean against fences. Kids mimic the older players. The noise and the unity never stop. That’s what Porter hunts for. The details that say this city treats every scrap of pitch like a global stage.
Capturing the hustle that defines New York players and families
New Yorkers don’t do anything halfway. Immigrant families cling to soccer as a connection to home. Kids turn that fire into ambition. Players train like every rep is a contract on the line. Porter said that drive is the core of his photography. His favorite shots reveal grit — collisions, body language, clenched fists after big goals. That urgency is what makes the city feel raw, alive and impossible to fake.
Three favorite photos selected by Elijah Porter
Porter curated three images that he believes best represent the heartbeat of the city he documents. They reflect the intensity, diversity and communal spirit he continues to chase across boroughs.
Celebration Meets Collapse
This photo was taken during a high school playoff match at Farmingdale State College. I love how this photo shows the full context of the shot. You see the excitement from the white team after a goal, running towards the stands for a celebration. On the contrary, you see the distressed team in green as their 2-1 lead has been met with an equalizer. Another addition is the referee’s hand signaling a goal, which ties the whole story of the shot together.
Showcase Action
This photo was taken during the AndGo Sports Annual Executive Cup. One of my favorite aspects of the game to capture is the athleticism from an athlete. What makes this photo great to me is not only the quality but the setting as well. The blurred background with fans watching adds a bit of context to what would otherwise be simply an isolated shot. In my opinion, the best time to photograph an athlete is during peak action.
Warriors in the Rain
This photo was taken during a regular season high school match. This is a favorite of mine due to the emotions. Celebrations are a close second to peak action for me, as it allows us as viewers to almost feel the same emotions the athletes are in the photograph. Another element of this photo that stands out to me is the environment, specifically the weather. The cloudy sky along with the wet hair from the rain gives me a warrior in battle kind of vibe.
