Sports photography for beginners | 5 things to know!

Sports photography is the most enjoyable and exciting discipline of photography that exists. Well, in my opinion it is. I’ve been pitch side shooting professional football (soccer) here in the UK for 10 years now and remember my journey well. The people that helped me, the equipment I purchased, but most of all, the useful information and tips I was given along the way.

In this video, I wanted to share five sports photography for beginners tips that people may not tell you, or that you may not think about! It’s not all goal celebrations, trophy lifts and glorious sunshine. Quite the opposite, in fact!

[turnipmadras]

One comment about being an amateur and shooting where there are professional photographers at events. At some sport events, like show jumping, they actual pay a fee to be able to take photos of the competitors and to sell photos either at the event or online. It is their source of income, so best to approach them and just say you are an amateur and not looking to sell photos (or even give them away) to competitors. Always good to respect someone who is trying to make a living while you are just there for the fun of taking photos.

[PhotoSportiv]

another cracking vid Temu, decent advice. Cheers for sharing!

[tommy]

We all had to start somewhere. My answer to the snobbery point.

[echelon-thepanamanian_papi]

What aspect ratio are you shooting in btw? I’m still pretty new to shooting I have a Sony A7R v

[leschase]

On insurance, one other thing I could recommend would be Legal Expenses, as if someone tries to sue you when it is Not your fault, you should have help with the legal expense side. I know photographing Wessex League football in the New Forest area, no photography is allowed pitchside due to a player being injured after running into a photographer. Neither had insurance for the player's injury. If the injury was not the photographers fault i.e. full hivise and far enough away from the touchline, then the legal expense insurance would help clear the photographer.

[fasttracksportsphotography]

Wonderful that you mention the costs and access. Why not mention how much you actually make? No one seems to want to discuss this. Hmmm. I'd love to hear how you get paid and how much you get paid working for an agency (Not just AP or Getty)

[tonywhiston]

As an individual who owns the photograph is it you the photographer or the club that you are taking photographs of ?
(Not receiving money from club)

[NikCan]

Knowing how to use your equipment instinctively is equally important as KYS aka Know YOUR Sport

[lanapatterson]

This made me so mad I thought he was gonna give tips for real