Sports Photography

[kflow11]

Hi Guys,

Just wondering if you can give any advice on how to get started working in Sports Photography or how to get involved on an entry level and then eventually getting paid for the two things I really love (Sports & Photography).

[sedonaaz]

pmed

[Jrzyphoto]

i would like to know the same info please

[DC Fan]

Originally Posted by kflow11

Just wondering if you can give any advice on how to get started working in Sports Photography or how to get involved on an entry level and then eventually getting paid for the two things I really love (Sports & Photography).

1. Find small-time events where you will be allowed to take pictures.

2. Spend the next three or four years learning what you're doing.

3. Find experienced photographers who can tell you if you're doing something right or wrong.

4. Don't expect to get paid until you can show you know what you're doing and can meet deadlines and satisfy clients.

You're going to be learning from - and competing against - photographers who likely will have decades of experience, who have been using cameras since the film era. Learn and don't be impatient.

[elrey2375]

Originally Posted by DC Fan

1. Find small-time events where you will be allowed to take pictures.

2. Spend the next three or four years learning what you're doing.

3. Find experienced photographers who can tell you if you're doing something right or wrong.

4. Don't expect to get paid until you can show you know what you're doing and can meet deadlines and satisfy clients.

You're going to be learning from - and competing against - photographers who likely will have decades of experience, who have been using cameras since the film era. Learn and don't be impatient.

This. I started out doing stuff for my university (which I still do LOL) but it got my name out there in the sports community especially and then the state's largest daily contacted one of my professors asking if he had any photography students who could freelance and the rest is history. You've got to start somewhere and I didn't get paid for a long time as I built my portfolio. It was also great experience because I got to shoot alongside experienced guys, including wire photo guys and guys who have numerous SI covers to their credit, so that experience was something that you couldn't even really pay for. It allowed me to build up my portfolio to the point where I was confident it was good enough to secure paid work. You will be competing against tons of photogs out there. All you can do is your best. It sounds cheesy but anything less won't get you where you want to go.

[Brian_R]

Originally Posted by DC Fan

1. Find small-time events where you will be allowed to take pictures.

2. Spend the next three or four years learning what you're doing.

3. Find experienced photographers who can tell you if you're doing something right or wrong.

4. Don't expect to get paid until you can show you know what you're doing and can meet deadlines and satisfy clients.

You're going to be learning from - and competing against - photographers who likely will have decades of experience, who have been using cameras since the film era. Learn and don't be impatient.

THAT and this addition

5. Don't expect it to be easy, and expect many ups and downs as you learn. Also, sports are frustrating once you work your way up to higher levels. As your equipment grows and you rely on more gear that also provides more things that can go wrong while you are on the job. Be prepared to have to work hard and improvise when obstacles come your way.

[elrey2375]

Originally Posted by Brian_R

THAT and this addition

5. Don't expect it to be easy, and expect many ups and downs as you learn. Also, sports are frustrating once you work your way up to higher levels. As your equipment grows and you rely on more gear that also provides more things that can go wrong while you are on the job. Be prepared to have to work hard and improvise when obstacles come your way.

Exactly. It can become expensive, especially if you're not doing it for a living.

[arich]

Originally Posted by elrey2375

Exactly. It can become expensive, especially if you're not doing it for a living.

And the likelihood of doing it for a living is extremely slim. Doing it covering collegiate and professional sports? Almost nonexistent. You have a better chance of making money doing youth sports sales than trying to cover high level athletics.

[elrey2375]

Originally Posted by arich

And the likelihood of doing it for a living is extremely slim. Doing it covering collegiate and professional sports? Almost nonexistent. You have a better chance of making money doing youth sports sales than trying to cover high level athletics.

True, it's slim, but possible. It takes more than talent though. Most of the time it's right place, right time, just like most great opportunities that come along.

[arich]

Originally Posted by elrey2375

True, it's slim, but possible. It takes more than talent though. Most of the time it's right place, right time, just like most great opportunities that come along.

Exactly, I would almost say it takes more timing and interpersonal skills than it does actual photography skills. The camera does 90% of the work for you in sports, its what you do with the other 10% that makes the difference.

[Tim S]

Originally Posted by MT Stringer

Don't quit your day job! Some day you will thank me for that!

"This is like deja vu all over again."-Yogi Berra

Originally Posted by arich

Exactly, I would almost say it takes more timing and interpersonal skills than it does actual photography skills. The camera does 90% of the work for you in sports, its what you do with the other 10% that makes the difference.

"Sports photography is 90% equipment -- the other half is who you know" (paraphrased) Yogi Berra

[arich]

hahahahahaha

[arich]

Originally Posted by arich

hahahahahaha

not trolling btw, it just sounds like you have some very harsh realities that you're going to have to come to grips with

[MT Stringer]

Don't quit your day job! Some day you will thank me for that!

[burnet44]

good points agree
my people skills and marketing skills suck