Rules of Sports Photography

emilybethemilybeth Registered Users Posts: 36 Big grins
edited August 7, 2011 in Sports
I'm not sure if this is actually where this belongs, so I'm sorry if it's in the wrong place.

What are the rules and legal aspects of sports photography. If I go somewhere to shoot a sporting event, what kind of contract(if any) should I expect to have with the facility owner? Would they get a cut of photo sales? Do I charge them a fee for being there?

I'm lost! Help!

Comments

  • pipsterpipster Registered Users Posts: 39 Big grins
    edited August 4, 2011
    If I go somewhere to shoot a sporting event, what kind of contract(if any) should I expect to have with the facility owner?
    Depends on what type of facility and sport. Real short answer is that all you might need is either a sideline access pass or a Media pass. It could also be that if you show up to photograph you will be not allowed to to take photographs or even have a camera in the facility.
    Would they get a cut of photo sales?
    Again depends on the facility and sport. Whoever is putting on the event will have control of the end result on allowing photography and whether they will allow you to take photos and then sell them.
    Do I charge them a fee for being there?
    Depends. Did they get in touch with you to shoot or did you get in touch with them. If the first then maybe if the latter then probably not.

    For a more specific answer more details would need to be known. What you would need at a Major League Baseball game would be dramatically different than what you would need for a pick up baseball game at the local park. With all kinds of different requirements for anything between these two extremes.
  • johngjohng Registered Users Posts: 1,658 Major grins
    edited August 4, 2011
    yes, your question is simply too broad in nature. Can you be more specific as to the sport you want to shoot and the level of play involved? The answer to your question can vary by the sport/level of play.
  • emilybethemilybeth Registered Users Posts: 36 Big grins
    edited August 4, 2011
    I will be shooting horse shows. Some facilities will be privately owned and some will be public. At this point I am going to contact some of the facility owners to see if they need a photographer for their event. In which case, I would not expect a fee to be paid. Where I'd be shooting would be open to spectators, so I don't think a media pass would be required.
  • pipsterpipster Registered Users Posts: 39 Big grins
    edited August 4, 2011
    Some facilities will be privately owned and some will be public.
    The important thing to know is that no matter whether the facility is public or private the event promoter (which in the case of a private facility may be the owner of the facility) is who you need to get in contact with. Even if the facility is open to the public there is still probably some type of contract with the event promoter and the public entity that owns the facility. Basically what that means is that during the event it is not a public facility and the event promoter is in charge and that will be who you need to get in contact with to take photos.
    At this point I am going to contact some of the facility owners to see if they need a photographer for their event. In which case, I would not expect a fee to be paid.
    Again a lot of variables can be involved here. For instance.Do you want to put up a banner, a booth, pass out flyers etc. The amount of involvement will probably determine on whether or not a fee is required.
    Where I'd be shooting would be open to spectators, so I don't think a media pass would be required
    You should also realize that while taking photos from the stands might be allowed in almost all cases it would be frowned upon if you interfered with the fans enjoyment of the event. Which is one of the reasons that photographers have or need media access so that they know where they can or cannot be to take photos.
  • jheftijhefti Registered Users Posts: 734 Major grins
    edited August 5, 2011
    What you intend to do with the photographs also needs to be factored into the legal aspects. I regularly get press passes to shoot sports events (soccer exclusively), and there is a contract I have to sign that limits what I can do with the pictures. In practice, I just let the teams use the shots as they see fit, and consider it a bargain to see a game for free and get a good spot for shooting the game. Once money starts changing hands, though, things get more difficult. One funny aspect about copyright law, however, is that is it actually rather hard to give away one's work. There have been cases where a verbal release had been given, then the erstwhile copyright holder comes back to sue when the organisation granted the verbal release uses the copyrighted work.
    http://johnhefti.com/
  • jonh68jonh68 Registered Users Posts: 2,711 Major grins
    edited August 7, 2011
    jhefti wrote: »
    What you intend to do with the photographs also needs to be factored into the legal aspects. I regularly get press passes to shoot sports events (soccer exclusively), and there is a contract I have to sign that limits what I can do with the pictures. In practice, I just let the teams use the shots as they see fit, and consider it a bargain to see a game for free and get a good spot for shooting the game. Once money starts changing hands, though, things get more difficult. One funny aspect about copyright law, however, is that is it actually rather hard to give away one's work. There have been cases where a verbal release had been given, then the erstwhile copyright holder comes back to sue when the organisation granted the verbal release uses the copyrighted work.

    You should really charge the teams. Getting a good spot to see the games and giving pics away is not a good deal. If you get paid by third party for those pictures then great. If you don't care for compensation with the team, then get something like free concessions, t-shirts, or season tickets you can give to friends and family. Your pics and time are worth more than what you are getting.
    www.jonimages.com
  • jheftijhefti Registered Users Posts: 734 Major grins
    edited August 7, 2011
    jonh68 wrote: »
    . Your pics and time are worth more than what you are getting.

    Hehe...you haven't seen my pix!
    http://johnhefti.com/
  • jonh68jonh68 Registered Users Posts: 2,711 Major grins
    edited August 7, 2011
    jhefti wrote: »
    Hehe...you haven't seen my pix!

    That isn't the point. I'm sure you will get a few that are worth the organization to use for promotional purposes. I am assuming this is a higher organization than high school. Regardless of what you FEEL like your pics are worth, the organization is getting free pictures they would otherwise have to pay a pro to get.
    www.jonimages.com
  • jheftijhefti Registered Users Posts: 734 Major grins
    edited August 7, 2011
    jonh68 wrote: »
    That isn't the point. I'm sure you will get a few that are worth the organization to use for promotional purposes. I am assuming this is a higher organization than high school. Regardless of what you FEEL like your pics are worth, the organization is getting free pictures they would otherwise have to pay a pro to get.

    Yeah, I understood; I was just kidding. One of these days I'll start charging...
    http://johnhefti.com/
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