MMA, sponsor work

[gavin3]

so I am total noob in the photography world.

However, that said, I was recently approached by the husbands sponsor to photograph the 'team' in their logo-ed gear. Now this would include posed (you know those super fierce menacing pics) and perhaps some action. I feel relatively comfortable with the action, but am always open to pointers (specifically when handling the cage.) I am really feeling like I am treading in deep water with the posed work. any suggestions?~ speak slow...I am a little dim :)

[zelseman]

You would have to tell us what gear you have and an example of what the sponsor is looking for. You simply have not given enough information.

[gavin3]

Frankly, it is all a little vague.

Right now I have the XTI and some ancient lenses. However, it appears (this next week) he is coming to town credit card in hand to 'amp' me up. My wish list is either the 50d or the 7d(going back and forth), 50mm 1.8, 70-200 IS 2.8, wide angle 16-3. on top of my old canon EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6 III, Sigma 28-200mm 1:3.8-5.6, Canon efs 18-55mm, Sigma AF 50mm 1:28.

Apparently this man has faith in me...:/

He works with several sponsors and about 30 fighters so it would be a wide variety with the majority left to my creativity. I know he wants some "day in a life"/ photo journalistic style. As well as the token promo clothing poses. They will be used primary on the web, from my understanding.

I want to do this right; it will open up many doors. I have spent the past few days reviewing all possible techniques and what not. However some one with experience under their belt would be so helpful in brainstorming. Though my experience in this particular venue is limited I have worked as an art buyer for several so have a basic understanding (very basic.)

Tomorrow I go to get a feel for it at my husbands BJJ...so we will see.

I guess the basic question is how would you do it? :)

[SwiftFootTim]

The 7D isn't out right now so I don't think that'll be a possibility for you. How much money is the guy willing to spend for equipment? Many people not in the "know" don't realize how expensive equipment is, so with that in mind I'd recommend having two mindsets to a "wishlist". The tempered one where you can expect at best a few hundred dollars, perhaps enough to buy something like the 85 1.8 or such and the high expectations where I would expect maybe a 70-200.

However, with shooting 30 fighters, this sounds like it may be a big, long gig so you may be getting paid well for it.

For MMA photography, PM snaplocally, and check out some of his posts, he does a lot of MMA work.

As for lenses, the 70-200 would be a good choice for all around usefullness, as in using it for the staged portraits as well as the action shots, although I don't have any experience shooting MMA, I use mine for night football and indoor basketball.

If it's only a few hundred, say $300-$500, I'd keep the XTi, and possibly go for something like the 85 f/1.8 or possibly one of the sigma 24-70 f/2.8's or comparable lens in that focal length. My mine concern/advice would be to make sure you don't miss focus with the XTi in lowlight in the arena as my XTi sometimes missed focus in low light circumstances.

[gavin3]

yeah I know that he 7d is not quite out, but I can order it. I have decided either way I just going to go with that. If he doesn't pay for I will. Luckily he is aware of the cost of good equipment.

I am hoping this a long haul kind of job. I just got another today with a website so apparently there is a market for it, who knew.

I am going to have to PM him. Thanks. I didn't realize he was out of MN, we lived there before we moved to CO.

Thank you for the knowledgeable advice. It is very helpful!