What steps to take for photoging kids sports?

First off what equipment would you recommend (camera and lenses) to photograph sports like soccer, lacrosse, and football? I have a digital rebel and I'm thinking of getting the Canon 100-400. I'm not sure if this is the lense I should get? I'm also not sure if my rebel is fast enough for sports photography (might get a 20D).

My other question is what printer do you use at the event to print with? I have the computers to use but I do not know of a good fast printer (within a reasonable price).

Also has anyone tried to take photos at private school events? Before I do any I will of course talk with the school or league.

And also I have to say the advise so far has been very good!

Thanks!!

While the rebel is slow, you should be able to make it work with the right camera settings. I sugest a 70-200 2.8. Yes, its pricy but in the end its worth it. I shot for years wiht fstops of 3.5 or higher. There is a HUGE differance with the 70-200 2.8. The lense is also faster.
For printing, I sugets the soney or kodak lines of dye sub printers. and most of all, i sugest a good workflow program. While sports and event has problems, it does help workflow. There are other programs out there. I would look into them befor i would consider sports and event by exspress digital.
It also might be wise to spend some time working with other sports and event photographers. You can save your self alot of hassel if you have an idea what you are doing. Its really easy to think you know how to do it but when u get to the feild you relize its a lot of extra work. Not to anger any one on the forums, but if photography is a part time job or more of a hoby, leave the shooting to the professionals. We make ALL of our living at this. When some one comes in and undercuts us becuse they are just trying to make extra cash hurts us all. I once had a problem with a hockey assocation that sais well this photographer last year could sell this for xamount of dollars. but his pictures were not any good. your pictures are great, but why cant you sell for that price.
I simply said that people pay for knowledge. If you want cheep prints higher some one that does not have my knowlege of photography.

Thanks for the advice. I have actually just started looking into this because I was taking pictures for my family of their kids playing sports and they really think I should look into doing this in my area where no one is in the market (as far as I know). I know that I missed pictures last time because of the cheap Sigma lense I had (some where fuzzy also) which is the reason for the upgrade.

I'll have to check about the dye sub printers since I haven't looked those up before.

I also plan on charging a premium for pictures and that all. Before I do anything though I will have to talk with the Private schools in my area and the leagues to see if they will allow me to shoot (don't want to be sued). Right now I think I will stick with taking pics of my cousin for more practice (plus my Uncle buys a lot of the pics to send out to family).

Thanks again for the advice!!

I think he was more talking about those that just want to do this for fun on the side and are not looking to move up at all. If you are looking to become a pro sports shoter I think starting it as a side business until you can live off of it should be fine after all most people don't just jump in to see if they can make it.

I was thinking about weddings but after seeing some of the pictures the photographer took at my wedding I just think I lack the creativity for some of the shots he took. I also talked to the photographer at my cousins wedding (really nice guy) and he gave me some advice about some of the shots I was taking and even was jumping over my shoulder to get some shots that I had setup. But anything artistic I would need some help with.

I find sports to be of more a capturing the right moment since you really can't take it again if the shot didn't come out right. Part of the reason I was looking at getting a 20D so that I can get shot of a catch from the jump to the grab to the landing and see which one fits better. Its not spray and pray its just a matter of getting the shot you are looking for.

the 20 d is a good choice, its much faster then the rebel.
As far as being creative. In part thats what photography is all about. Being creative with lighting, posing, angels, and camera. Not every one can be a sports shooter, not every one can be a wedding or portrait photographer.
now, as far as the coment: As for becoming a sports shooter, I'm still not sure if that's the area I want to get into. That's what I enjoy the most, but I get the impression it's far more easy to make a living at portraiture and weddings.(?) If your only in photography for money, I sugest you stick it IT tech. That coment shows you have more interist in cash then being a good photographer. I dont shoot to live, I live to shoot. Stop Looking at how much you can make and start looking to how you can Create. And, for your information, I make at least 90% of my income shooting sports.
( I know the post I am replying to is the the person who said half of what i just wrote)

First, I pay a mortgage, not rent.
Second, if I did not speak some truth, you would not be so defensive. You have to think what nervous I struck, and why it angers you.
By threatening to lock me out of the forum just tells me that again, I have struck a nerve with you, and your way of dealing with it is to block it out. Is the truth that hard to deal with?
Next, this is also a second career for me. The first being a Circus performer. Like photography you do things like that for the art, not for money.
The point I am trying to make is simple. In order to be successful in anything, you have to have feeling for what you do. Once you start doing things just for the money, then you loose site of the real reason you even started. I make a living at photography because I love what I do. Because I love what I do, it pushes me to learn more. Try more, and to be better. I am getting to a point where I can price my work with in reason because people want my work. They want it because of my creativity. Not because of price. Now this can only happen because it goes right back to, I love what I do. Because I love what I do, I constantly strive to be better. My goal right now is when I am 6 feet under, to of been considered a master photographer. Not some guy with a camera that made lots of money.

Your posts only indicates that you are driven by financial issues. Yes we all must make a living. But if you are to make a living with something that you love or enjoy, you first must make sacrifices to get there. I have paid my dues.

I have to say first off I think what Biker is saying is from a logical point of view he wants to make sure he can make money through his art to be able to live. Also DFK for those just starting it is a little hard to just purchase all the equipment you need so you start small and slowley build up your equipment and your clientel so that you can afford to stop working. I bet before you jumped in you checked to make sure you could make money since you invest a lot of money in equipment.

I know quite a few artists some of which are rather wealthy and some that are not. The ones that already have a foothold in the field have an easy time saying "you should only do what you like" then those that can barely afford the rent and food in the same month.

Also making money off of something is not always something that cheapens what you enjoy in fact it is proven to make it more rewarding. Ever think that most people evaluate how good a picture is by the demand for it or how much it costs.

Saying what I just said I also believe that those that are just motivated by money will not do a good job since they don't care about the product as much and will drop out of the market.

I don't know Biker personally so I don't know what he is motivated by and I think assuming things about some one you don't is a bad thing to do.


Now lets get this back on the topic of pictures and off of the discussion about reasons.

To All
Let me start of by saying, sending me a message full of cussing and putting down my spelling errors or my 1st carear will only make you look more and more like a wanna be.
2nd. I am sure some of you have been there, and have paid your dues.
The title of Photographer is one that is earned. If your trying to become better then listen to what I am saying. With any carear this is more then the tech or creative aspect to it. Its also a frame of mind. Speaking from some exsperance, when your photography is ruled over by how much you can make, you loose site of being a photographer. When you say i dont think i (can because i am not creative enough) or it's easier (to do portratis and weddings) only shows that you do not want to try hard enough to be the best.
When was the last time any of you went out and created a photograph? Been a while? If so, jump in the car and take a drive. Spend 15 minuts walking around your house or apt. Go for a walk. Take your camera. Be a photographer. Be creative.
Finaly, this is the last post I will do on this subject, if you wish u may contact me privetly.