Qatar-bound Allison is a very happy snapper

This image earned Joe Allison a nomination for best young photographer at the AIPS Sport Media Awards. Southern Steel shooters George Fisher (front right) and Tiana Metuarau watch Fisher’s shot go into the net during the ANZ Premiership netball game in Invercargill last year. The Pulse defenders are Kelly Jury (under net) and Paris Lokotui. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Joe Allison has his eyes on the ball — and the prize.

The Dunedin photographer leaves for Qatar tomorrow to attend the "Oscars of sports photography", followed by the massive World Cup qualifier between the All Whites and Costa Rica.

Victory at both would be nice, but Allison is just happy to be a part of it.

He is a finalist in the young photographer category at the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) awards, which attracted 1732 entries in 133 categories.

Allison (24) is the only New Zealander named as a finalist.

"I’m pretty happy to be one of the top three," he said yesterday.

"I’m not too sure what to expect, but it’s cool to be on this sort of playing field with some great photographers.

"Just getting this trip feels like I’ve won already. Anything more is the icing on the cake."

The other junior finalists are Brazilian photographer Moraes Luiza, whose entry is a stunning shot of football megastar Lionel Messi being hoisted aloft by team-mates after winning the Copa America, and the intriguingly titled "human catapult" by Iranian snapper Zeinali Alirez.

Allison’s entry — "eyes on the ball" — is from a netball game between the Southern Steel and the Central Pulse at Stadium Southland last year.

Allison on duty at the Cricket World Cup game between the White Ferns and Bangladesh at the University Oval in March. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH

He had been allowed up on the catwalk for a limited spell to take a bird’s-eye image, and captured the moment all four circle players — one directly under the net — were gazing skywards at a shot.

"You’re right above the net and you’ve got the camera around your neck, so it can be quite tricky, and I wasn’t up there for long.

"I’m also a little bit scared of heights, so I had sweaty palms.

"I knew there was an opportunity to get an interesting perspective but there’s always a factor of luck with any good sports shot."

It was not until he processed his images and showed experienced colleague Dianne Manson the photo that he realised it was quite special.

Allison has been doing some casual marketing work for Cooke Howlison, but is nearly back to being a fulltime photographer after a Covid lull.

His main role is with Getty Images, for which he took the netball photo, but he runs his own business and covers everything from sport to fashion.

This will be his first photography gig overseas and his first All Whites game.

A wise head will be alongside him — Allison will be joined in Qatar by his father, radio broadcaster Paul Allison.