Soccer Photo Season Begins
Written by Mike Cheliak on April 24, 2009 – 12:03 pm -Tomorrow marks the earliest date I have ever started my spring/summer league photography. I usually go through most of my Dance Studio photography sessions first but this year the leagues really want a head start on everything which is why we are starting in April.
I am shooting the first part of a travel league division from a local Soccer club. I will have 6 teams done in under an hour. There are just over 100 kids and the balance will be done on the following Wednesday evening (same amount, same time). For a shoot like this, I have a very rigid method to keep the flow going. Group first, any single shots second.
Being organized in advance and keeping the flow of things going is important. I always double book time slots to ensure I have a complete team to do. More often than not, one team will have someone coming late. You have to get used to that and prepare at some point to take the shot without the absent person.
If you are shooting league photos, always ask for a team roster from them. You can convert their rosters into a database in MS Access or an Excel Spreadsheet. From there, you print and list every photo number from the camera as you take it. You take Johnny Smith’s photo, turn to your assistant and tell them the Photo ID from the camera. That will be their reference number for any additional photo orders and will make your life a lot easier when indexing your photos and orders.
For posing the players, you have to assess the basics of the players. Younger ones (5 and under) are more apt to enjoy either standing with their foot on the ball and their hands on their hips or sitting with the ball in front of them. Either pose can be made to look really nice. For players a little older; you can start using some alternative poses. I like the kids kneeling on one knee with the ball just in front of them or standing with the ball tucked under the arm. For that shot, you need to take the photo from the hips up and actually crop in quite close.
The key as always is to make sure you are organized, make sure your equipment is ready and that you have a back-up ready to go. The final thing before you shoot is to ensure you have a decent background, the correct lighting and the correct settings for your camera. Take a number of test shots in advance to bracket your exposure and use a fill flash if needed.
If you are getting into sports league photography, make sure you are doing it because you like working with kids. If not; DO WEDDINGS!. Kids and parents are very intuitive and if you are not comfortable working with little munchkins and you don’t have a lot of patience (and a sense of humour), move on to a different type of photography.
Providing sports leagues with photography services is all about delivery and service. Put together some simple products and packages (trading cards, magazine covers, posters and prints) and make sure you deliver WHAT you say WHEN you said you would have it. It can be a very rewarding business financially but you have to work your A** off when the time comes. Be prepared for it and you’ll do great!
If you are just starting in the Sports Photography business, feel free to email me at info@mikecheliak.com and I would be happy to provide you with some basic advice and point you in the right direction!
In happiness and health as always!
Mike C.
Posted in Mike's Posts | No Comments »
