411's MMA Interview 8.12.08: A Few Rounds with Tracy Lee...

Posted by Bren Oliver on 08.12.2008

Never before has Mixed Martial Arts represented as significant a place in the public conscious as it currently does, with as much interest from people in the fighters themselves as the sport they excel at. Read ahead as Tracy Lee - photographer, blogger, and confidant to some of the most recognizable athletes in MMA - sits down with 411Mania to discuss her life, her work, her friends, and a pair of Underoos!

Ask an average fan to define "Mixed Martial Arts" and he or she will likely tell you it is a sport, though probably in more-specific terms. In truth, MMA has become much bigger than simply two combatants testing their skills against each other inside a ring or cage. It is a form of entertainment, and it represents a rapidly growing subculture in mainstream America. Regular gyms are starting to teach jiujitsu classes. Training centers are springing up left and right. Clothing associated with MMA is now as likely to be seen on your run of the mill 18-34 year old male as it is on a sponsored fighter. Athletes who could once walk around without turning a single head are now celebrities fending off autograph seekers, groupies, and the watchful eye of the media - drawing tens-of-thousands of dollars to party at particular nightclubs. Without a doubt, the "MMA Fighter" is fast-becoming the new "Rock Star". It is at this intersection of Mixed Martial Arts and pop culture - the athletic endeavor and the lifestyle associated with it - where we meet the subject of this interview.

If you don't recognize her name, chances are you will recognize her face and the work she's produced. And, if you're still at a loss, ask Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Urijah Faber, Dan Henderson, Arianny Celeste, Ken Pavia, or any number of other fighters and folk associated with the sport who she is. They will tell you Ms. Lee is one of the hardest working individuals you'll find behind the proverbial curtain of PPV broadcasts and live events across the globe. You'll hear about her dedication to following the sport, camera constantly in hand whether ringside or out and about, in order to bring fans a look at the world of Mixed Martial Arts from the eyes of the fighters themselves. And, most likely, a good portion of the conversation will focus on her upbeat personality, sweet disposition, sense of humor, and genuine emotional investment in the well-being of others. There is a reason so many world-class competitors wholeheartedly trust her alone in a landscape filled with beautiful faces, and not-so-beautiful journalists, who would give anything to have her access. Read ahead and you'll likely have a much better understanding as to why...




"(Being sober) has to do with being a strong person with goals and needing to be productive every day...I feel that if I drink, it lessens my productivity."


411Mania: You were conceived in Jamaica, born in Grand Cayman, moved to Houston, TX as an infant, and eventually landed in California. Is it safe to say you were destined for a career involving high amounts of travel?


Tracy Lee: *laughs* I never thought of it that way, but I guess it was always a part of my life... some day I'll be involved in international espionage...a female James Bond, if you will...


411: Before moving along, I wanted to touch on a significant moment in your life and how it impacted who you are today. You've spoken before about your estranged father's alcoholism and his role in a fatal car accident. I believe I read you also choose not to drink and remain sober in every regard. Is this a direct result of witnessing the effect alcohol had on your life and the lives of others close to you? Do you have any thoughts you'd like to offer on "drunk driving" in general?


Lee: Wow, you really did your research on me! *laughs* My choice to not drink doens't have to do with my father's issues.. It has to do with being a strong person with goals and needing to be productive every day.. I feel that if I drink, it lessens my productivity.. I also HATE the feeling of being drunk and the way that alcohol tastes.. My father's issues have caused me to be absolutely against drinking and driving. You can ask friends, there are certain ones that I have almost broken off friendships over it.


411: The above situation led to you being raised by a very strong, loving mother. What can you tell readers about your Mom and her role in your life? What does she think about MMA? Has she ever attended an event with you? Where along the way did you first discover your love of photography?


Lee: My mother and I no longer have a relationship with each other; I'd rather not go into the "why" of it.. But I do credit her with being an awesome role model growing up and pushing me to be anything I wanted to be. Because of her, I do not know the meaning of the words "I can't".

As for my love of photography, I was the girl who always was taking pictures of all my friends. I had a friend that worked at the CostCo photo department and he developed 8-10 rolls of film for me a week for five dollars. *laughs* He's a manager there now and I see him sometimes when I go back to Sacramento.


411: You've also done modeling work of your own. Are you more comfortable in front of the camera or behind it? How would you compare the two experiences?


Lee: I am more comfortable behind it. There was a time when I wanted to model, and I was involved in the Import Car industry as both a model, and part of a female car club. Now, I am super critical when other photographers take my photos to the point that it makes me uncomfortable to have my photos done. Unless I REALLY trust the photographer and their work, I just stay away from having my pictures taken professionally.


411: People reading this are most likely familiar with your role in the Mixed Martial Arts world. However, you've also snapped shots of nature, celebrities/musicians, for commercial work, and even for purely artistic purposes. What is it about photography that suits you so well? Was MMA always at the forefront? How did you first get into the sport and its culture?


Lee: My mother is an artist, and I grew up being surrounded by her creativity. I always thought that I wasn't artistically inclined, more musically having played the violin for seven years. When I first picked up a point and shoot camera, there was no artistic talent to it. It's something I learned after years and years of taking pictures. Event photography was a huge part of that for the last seven years of my life. I did skate and snowboard photography and that taught me how to tell a story with my photos. I did my first portrait shoot with an Olympus pocket digital camera and a reflector having no clue if I could make the photos come out good. They came out great and within weeks I was buying my first SLR. I've been shooting fight afterparties for years; MMA photography was the natural progression.




"I do hear all the time that I must be dating Urijah Faber, Roger Huerta or Quinton Jackson. Rampage texted me yesterday and said,"I hear you and I are dating now? lol"


411: Critics might argue (from their Moms' basements) that you've have an unfair advantage when it comes to fighter-access due to your physical appearance. From your perspective, do you feel being someone many people would consider attractive to actually help or hurt you when it comes to your line of work? Do you ever feel you have to prove yourself moreso than other professional sports-photographers?


Lee: I feel that in some ways it has helped, and in many ways it has hindered. It has helped because people remember me. When people remember you, they remember your work, and what you are doing. It has hindered because people make negative assumptions about me, or underestimate me. There are many that hate on me and think I get in the clubs and into places because my looks. They fail to know that I have built up relationships and a great reputation with clubs and promoters across this country for the last 7+ years that makes it possible for me to call the clubs ahead of time, sight unseen, and get in to get my photos. I work my ass off, and I feel thats what has made me successful in what I am doing.


411: You seem to be found cageside, camera in hand, at every significant Mixed Martial Arts event. Is there really only one Tracy Lee or do you perhaps have an identical twin sister? A cloning machine? In all seriousness, how do you manage all the travel and does it ever put a strain on your life outside MMA? What was the last major event you missed (inside the United States) and what kept you from being there?


Lee: There's life outside of MMA? *laughs* I have always wanted to donate to cloning research. I feel that If there were more of me, I could build an empire! All the travel and work makes it difficult to maintain personal relationships in my life. Lucky for me that a lot of my closest friends are involved in the industry. My love life is almost nonexistant. Most guys can't understand my lifestyle. I used to stress on it, but at this point I love my life and really no longer care. I missed Elite XC up in Stockton. I sent Esther (My other photographer) to shoot it. I am the official photographer for The Groove Cruise. This is a party cruise to Mexico and it was the same weekend. I was not only the photographer, but one of the hosts of the event, so I couldn't miss out. It was a blast and if you have a ton of time, you can check out the pics here.


411: We live in a society that loves instant information, gossip, and the "spoiler". Do fans constantly ask you about the personal lives of fighters and their time outside of the cage/ring? What is the strangest question you've ever received pertaining to a specific fighter? On a side note, what does Urijah Faber's hair smell like, and would you like to re-evaluate your previous answer? Kidding, kidding...


Lee: I walk a very fine line in what I do. The fighters trust me. I see way more than any one person probably does in this industry so therefore have the ability to tell everyone. But, I am often held in cofindence and release what they allow me to, and keep the rest to myself. I would never burn bridges just to get traffic to my site. I have pretty high morals when it comes to this. As for strangest question, I don't have one off the top of my head. But I do hear all the time that I must be dating Urijah Faber, Roger Huerta or Quinton Jackson. Rampage texted me yesterday and said,"I hear you and I are dating now? lol". Urijah's hair always comes up smelling like roses...Kidding...




"Dan Henderson (is the grillmaster), hands down. You may think you're eating a BEEF burger but instead it's elk. And the steak? Deer. That guy goes hunting and then cooks for everyone.. "


411: Without being specific, have you ever experienced a situation where you felt your personal integrity might be compromised? For example, witnessing something at an afterparty involving a fighter that might could damage his career but was also "newsworthy".


Lee: I kinda answered that in my last question I think. But yes, it happens often enough. The guys (and girls) trust me. I don't want to damage their trust in me.


411: What do you think is the biggest misconception the public has when it comes to Mixed Martial Artists?


Lee: I think that the public's biggest misconception on MMA is many think that the fighters are just fighters. Many of these guys have full time jobs, are college graduates, and run businesses. Being a fighter is a business in itself. And, above all, they are athletes. This is a sport that takes a ton of skill and athleticism. I think because it involves fighting, people assume that it's something that anyone can do and that it's brutal. To me it's more like an intense game of chess; there is a plan and there are many very calculated moves.


411: How was UFC 86? Any memorable moments before/during/after the show that you can share with the public?


Lee: Which one was 86? *laughs* I spent that night with a crew of my girlfriends in tow, going from club to club. I think we hit 5 events that night.. The next day was the pool party at Green Valley Ranch. That was a blast and a TON of the fighters came out to that.


411: You've been to multiple fighter-oriented barbeques and parties. Who grills the best burgers? Who throws the best shindig?


Lee: Dan Henderson, hands down.. You may think you're eating a BEEF burger but instead it's elk. And the steak? Deer. That guy goes hunting and then cooks for everyone.. He has another one coming up in about a month. Stay tuned for the pics and story!




"Thanks to everyone who has been super supportive of me and what I'm doing... Especially Rara, Krista, Melissa, Drea, Arianny, Jamie, and Lexxi.. All my hot ass bitches!"


Quick Hits...

411: What is your favorite sport other than MMA?


Lee: Snowboarding.. Been boarding for about 15 years.. I never have time to go anymore it seems. I used to compete, and was rep sponsored by K2 at one point.


411: If you were a fighter, what would your entrance music be?


Lee: Thats a tough one.. My music taste is all over the board. "I Kissed a Girl" seems to be my favorite song right now, but doesn't seem appropriate for a fight. Maybe Break My Stride, by Matthew Wilder? Seems a bit mellow still. Be like Me, by Steve Smooth... if you wanna hear it, go to his MySpace page.


411: Do you still own your Wonder Woman Underoos?


Lee: Oh my god!! I can't believe you called me out on that! *laughs* I wish. I would frame them and hang them over my bed.


411: Who wins in an arm-wrestling match - you or Arianny Celeste?


Lee: Me, for sure... She would out do me in many other areas I'm sure..


Lee: Thanks to everyone who has been super supportive of me and what I'm doing... Especially Rara, Krista, Melissa, Drea, Arianny, Jamie, and Lexxi.. All my hot ass bitches!


411: Thanks for your time Tracy!


Make sure to check out Tracy's personalized glimpse of fighters' lives outside of the ring by heading over to Combat Lifestyle. or keep up with her wild schedule blog-style.



* - Credit to Combat Lifestyle for the pictures...