Youth Sports Photography

[bob williams]

Richard, Wow, thanks for the "random thoughts" very informative and I really appreciate the time you took to offer your insights

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.

You are absolutely correct. Infact, I have a four day weekend coming up and hope to make timeto design a new look to the website. My only problem is that youth football is over now and I don't have time to collect neccessary permissions for the school system events before thier season is over-----Perhaps some indoor sports on the horizon----Hmmm, do I have the glass for indoor stuff?

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?

I am still contemplating that---I am convinced that passwords are a needed and reasonable protection, but getting the password to the right people is the challenge. I had also thought about a "registration" process in order to gain access similar to what websites do when you need to retrieve a lost password---this serves two purposes: 1st, I can track who is getting the password and also, I have an email list I can send info to on new games/shoots/products---is this to spammy? I fully understand that anyone can make up a name and email, but would this process be considered "reasonable protection"

A lot of sports photographers have liability insurance

Good idea, I'll call around for prices.

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.

Gotem both----But I bought the cheap knee pads---now I know why they are cheap----going with the flat bottom, non-marking gels next time

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.

I have been shooting from the endzone---(the light determines which one) The 500 seems to be great when shooting daytime beyond the 50 yard line for isolation or maybe a couple of player shots.But I am starting to understand why the pros choosed the 400 f2.8. I desparetly need to get something shorter--say a 70-200, maybe even wider for those redzone plays on the near end.---figuring out a way to track the kids name and numbers is still a challenge, but I have been thinking about it and will continue to do so.

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.

Actually, So far I have only shot from the endzone to 15 or 20 yards behind the endzone because the 500 seems to close for anything else---and I choose the endzone that has the best light advantage. I am currently shooting on the principal that from one endzone, I can get both teams coming towards me--one team in he first half and theother team in the second half. Generally, that works but I know Iam missing some plays. Keeping and eye on the field and following the play is probably my biggest shooting challenge. This last weekend, I had my wife call outright or left to let me know which way the play was moving---especially on the passing plays (this is very difficult to tell when your looking through the eyepiece.).

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.

Got it, infact, this last weekend, I had to decline posting an otherwise decent shot, because in the background I realized a mom's blouse flew up while she was cheering.----Gotta watch those backgrounds too.

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.

Great advice, I hadn't thought about giving the coaches free prints----what a great idea.--Thanks


I do keep raingear in my truck and a large plastic bag in my back pocket for just such occasions.


Got point on the bad call recommendation----another one I hadn't thought about.


Thanks again for the great tips, they are very much appreciated. If you think of anymore, please do share.


I'll get some more shots up for yours and others critique.