An apparatus (100) and method (200) that detects the position of media (116) in a media path is disclosed. The apparatus may include a media transport (110) configured to transport media and an optical transmitter (140) coupled to the media transport, where the optical transmitter can be configured to transmit light (122). The apparatus may also include a concave reflector (130) coupled to the media transport and optically coupled to the optical transmitter, where the concave reflector can be configured to reflect light from the optical transmitter. The apparatus may further include an optical receiver (140) coupled to the media transport, the optical receiver configured to receive light (132) from the optical transmitter reflected off the concave reflector. The apparatus may additionally include a controller (160) configured to determine a position of the media based on the received light from the optical transmitter reflected off the concave reflector.