First time doing league photos

Hello everyone.

Had my first official league photo shoot tonight - individual and team photos for a U12 softball team. Some things I learned, somethings I will improve next time, some things I will do the same next time:

- Flash - I didn't think that a flash would make much of a difference, but I went out last night and bought a 430ex for my rebel just to try it out (see what the "hype" was about) and WOW this thing made a HUUGE difference in the OUTDOOR photos today! SUCH a differnce. I took some photos back to back - one with flash, one without, and the ones without looked like GARBAGE. Definetly happy I got the flash - will keep this next time
- Next time, I will make notes as to what I am producing for the team, and exactly what photos I need that way I can organize it better.
- Next time, I will make sure, before I organize a team into a group shot, that I am not shooting into a really bright sky - overexposure = bad!
- Next time, when I hand out the order forms a few weeks before the shoot (like I did this time), I will include a flyer explaining what we are doing and some samples so the people are not confused what is what - even though I only had like 2 options.
- Next time, like this time, I will print my order forms on an envelope - keeps everything organized, so the player puts the money in the envelope - no need for change or for cashboxes or crazy stuff like that.

If anyone feels they can contribute, it woudl be great. As I am still learning and could DEFINETLY learn from you guys!

I will post some of the pics once I have done some PP.

Bryan

A couple of shooting hints from someone who has made all the mistakes.
Take a step ladder (stool), sometimes shooting down at the group makes it easier to get all the faces in the picture and allows you to control the background more.
Don't be afraid to make them get together tightly. A lot of space between the members doesn't look good.
Don't always put the tall players in the back, it does the short guys good to be in the back row, and you may be able to group them together more efficiently(sp) if you have the big guys kneeling or sitting in the front.
Find open shade to shoot in.
Mark the ground with your cropping parameters, it prevents problems when you print.
Let them have fun, sometimes the players like to have thier gloves and bats in the photo.