Experiencing the NYC Marathon with Paul Seibert & Alex Geiger of Back Left Media

There are no second takes at the New York City Marathon. Twenty-six miles, five boroughs, and one shot at making the race count. In this week’s podcast, Paul Seibert and Alex Geiger of Back Left Media take us up in the air—hot off their 2026 coverage—to describe what it takes to plan for the story while staying ready for whatever the day throws at you.

Above Photograph © Back Left Media

Along the way, they explain why a helicopter is often a better choice than a drone, especially in New York. We also get into how they met, the factors fueling Alex’s decision to go freelance, and the many challenges involved in planning complex assignments—from initial creative discussions to converting clients to landing the deal.

Paul & Alex also share details about their multi-year partnership with New York Road Runners, and the high level of buy-in and trust that allows them to build out a multi-dimensional image library over time.

As Alex notes, “They’re really great at letting us be the experts in that area and letting us go after what we think would be good.” By way of illustration, he adds, “How many times do we head out with a shot in mind, and then maybe the weather or the light isn’t playing right, or we’re a couple of minutes off here and there? And we just add it to the next year. So, it’s an always flowing and moving shot list.”

If you’ve enjoyed this podcast, please follow us @bhpodcastnetwork and be on the lookout for more inspiring conversations in our new format.

Guests: Paul Seibert & Alex Geiger

Episode Timeline

• 0:00: Experiencing the NYC Marathon with Paul Seibert & Alex Geiger
• 2:21: Derek’s first 5K with his dad taught him the importance of pacing.
• 4:22: Where did Paul first develop his passion for photography?
• 5:45: Alex’s switch from engineering to marketing in college and producing videos for college sports.
• 8:06: Paul credits Instagram and the New York photo community with helping flatten his learning curve.
• 11:29: How Paul met Alex during his summer internship in New York.
• 13:37: Alex’s decision to leave full-time employment for a large freelance assignment shooting photos and video with Paul.
• 16:00: The excitement of learning how to bring a concept in your mind to life for a client.
• 17:52: Dealing with no’s and the process of converting clients and closing a deal.  
• 19:57: Fighting a lack of understanding between creative foresight and the empirical evidence of numbers.
• 20:58: Aerials from a helicopter vs a drone, and the ease of access when shooting from a helicopter, especially in New York.
• 24:32: Covering the entire NYC Marathon from a helicopter rather than a drone.
• 28:31: The partnership between Back Left Media and New York Roadrunners.
• 32:48: Experiencing the marathon inside the helicopter with Paul & Alex.
• 40:26: Figuring out the stories to tell about the marathon while also adapting to the moment.
• 45:53: Paul describes his aerial photography: Simultaneously hands-off and intimate.
• 48:38: Alex on the division of labor between him and Paul in the business.
• 53:44: The insights Alex brings to the table as a marathon runner himself.
• 1:00:38: The time Paul discovered his camera had shifted to single shot mode from high-speed burst during a wire-to-wire finish.
• 1:07:36: A wild Rocky Mountains helicopter ride that forced them to ask the pilot to bring the flight back down.
• 1:14:40: Paul and Alex consider themselves weather men first when it comes to planning.
• 1:15:50: Describing the extra footage to set the tone for the 2026 marathon coverage.

Guest Bios

Paul Seibert, Back Left Media’s lead photographer, possesses a rare talent for capturing the essence of our world from above. As author of the book New York From The Air, and through his wider portfolio spanning breathtaking landscapes to iconic landmarks, Paul's work showcases a keen eye for detail and composition that sets him apart in the field of aerial photography. Having lived in the New York metropolitan area for most of his life, Paul’s inspiration comes from the energy, pace, and unexpected elements that such a large, diverse environment provides. His goal is to pass that inspiration along through his images, offering the viewer a window into the awe and appreciation for beauty he finds in each moment.

Alex Geiger, Back Left Media’s chief cinematographer, brings stories to life through video, photography, and motion graphics. He thrives when capturing live content in fast-paced environments where there are no second takes, as demonstrated through more than seven years in the sports industry. Current clients include brands such as the NFL, ATP, LIV Golf, NBA Summer League, Canon USA Imaging, Syracuse University Football, and multiple University basketball teams. His mission is to help such businesses succeed by capturing visual stories that will engage audiences and communicate in ways that can't be explained in just words alone.

Host: Derek Fahsbender
Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman
Technical Producer: Peter Maziarz
Editor:Dave Moncion
Social Media: Grace Massara
Music: Gabriel Richards
Executive Producer: Dana Glidden