Hi Bob,


Here are some random thoughts in no particular order:


If you are going to make a go of this then perhaps you should revamp your website to better represent your sports photography interest and then transfer the other photos in their folders into a portfolio gallery. Afterall, you have to peak the interest of the young boys and girls that visit your site.


I would password protect the galleries, but I would choose a password that everyone who attends the school can easily guess, with a password hint. This way they don't have to e-mail you for the password, which I think is an extra roadblock that you don't need, and it will probably inhibit sales. I think that will represent reasonable protection. Lets also realize that anyone who really wants to get into the gallery can just e-mail you for the password by picking up your card off of the ground and saying I would like to check out my kids photos so what is the password?


A lot of sports photographers have liability insurance in case someone gets injured because of you, especially if you ever set-up strobes indoors, on clamps or on light stands that can fall on someone or if someone tripped over any of your wires.


A monopod is a must. I also have a Gitzo big-foot on the bottom of mine, so that it doesn't dig into a soft field or mud.


Kneepads are also a must for shooting low, especially with kids. Try some knee pads on while in the store and test them out. Don't get pads that are too round in the front, because they tend to rock side to side.


The 500mm on a 7D is pretty long for shooting routine plays, but it's probably perfect for isolation shots of individual kids. Try to shoot all of the players if you can. You could copy down all of the jersey numbers before the game and then check them off with a mark when you have captured them. Once you have become fully acquainted with the coaches, maybe they can get you a roster, but I wouldn't be asking for too much when you're just starting out, because you should really stay out of the way.


You should only shoot from the 30 yard line to the goal line on all 4 corners of the field. Look at the Sun to determine where you start and where you end up. Try to keep the Sun at your back and avoid shooting into it if possible. You should leave most of the space in between the 30 yard lines for the players, coaches and refs. You can also comfortably shoot behind the end-zone, especially with that big bazooka of yours. You will get very clear passing and running lanes with nice clean backgrounds. Keep one eye on the field if you can, and always have an escape route if you are about to get run over by a a player. You should practice getting up and out of the way quickly while lifting all of your gear out of the way.


Don't post any embarassing shots of anyone. Don't post any wardrobe malfunctions or compromising shots of the cheerleaders. I would also avoid linking a kids name to their photo. Don't post any injuries.


Just because someone didn't buy photos after the game, doesn't mean they want buy them later. However, your best bet is to have them buy them as quickly as possible. You may want to consider a coupon that expires in a couple of days. Zenfolio has this capability, but I have never used it. If you could get the photos up the same day, then that is always the best, but it's a lot of work. I'm not crazy about splitting up the teams. It also sounds like a lot of extra work. I would post the photos by the game.


I always give the coaches free shots of themselves. Show some shots of the previous week to the parents if you can. I would probably avoid showing the shots to the kids right before the game, because the coaches have enough of a hard time to get everyone focused on the game and I wouldn't want you to detract from that.


Bring rain gear (pants and a hooded jacket), waterproof boots and a rain cover for your camera and lens. I leave all of that stuff in my car, even if it looks nice out.


If you get a shot of a play that the ref called incorrectly, then don't show it to anyone. You will definitely at least aggravate one of the coaches and the ref.


If you want to post some shots, then I will do my best to provide some C&C.





Rich