Sports Photographer Question....

ShannonHeat · May 30, 2007

I am new in the area of sports photography (normally shoot weddings). However, my town is opting to make me their new youth sports photographer. Does anyone have any suggestions about the type of contract needed. and WHERE DO YOU PURCHASE your prints and coach/sponsor plaques?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

ShannonHeat · May 30, 2007

Anyone? Please

jbr13 · May 30, 2007

You may want to try http://www.sportsshooter.com They may be able to help if you don't get an answer here.

J

ShannonHeat · May 30, 2007

Thanks for the tip, but they are no help. they want you to pay to join their forum :cry . I appreciate your response:D

jbr13 wrote:

You may want to try http://www.sportsshooter.com They may be able to help if you don't get an answer here.

J

gsgary · May 30, 2007

ShannonHeat wrote:

Thanks for the tip, but they are no help. they want you to pay to join their forum :cry . I appreciate your response:D

Can't help but your going to need some long fast glass

ShannonHeat · May 30, 2007

Thanks:D I'm just doing the sports portrature for now, but have a 70-200f2.8L on order now:D is that sufficiant?

gsgary wrote:

Can't help but your going to need some long fast glass

Ann McRae · May 30, 2007

Hi Shannon

Look around the Mind Your Own Business group too.

I shoot sports T & I, and did a pile of reading on Fred Miranda before really getting involved. I currently do not do the medals/plaques etc, but might start. I have previous experience ordering give aways for businesses and would use one of those local companies as a resource.

For T & I, I charge $10 per player on the assumption that the whole team participates. I use Costco to print, and buy folios locally for about $1.10 each. As I expand I will be eligible for discounts on these.

You can review my info and pricing on my smugmug gallery.

As well, look here, here and here for more discussion.

Let me know if you need anything further. HTH

ann

gsgary · May 30, 2007

ShannonHeat wrote:

Thanks:D I'm just doing the sports portrature for now, but have a 70-200f2.8L on order now:D is that sufficiant?

Not if you wait for the action to come to you

ShannonHeat · May 30, 2007

Thanks Ann,
I appreciate your help. I was considering using Mpix.com for my printing, and an accessory company for the plaque and novelties. Unfortunately, there's no Costco around me (and the don't really offer what I need). Your website looks great! I'll keep you posted on my little adventure.

Ann McRae wrote:

Hi Shannon

Look around the Mind Your Own Business group too.

I shoot sports T & I, and did a pile of reading on Fred Miranda before really getting involved. I currently do not do the medals/plaques etc, but might start. I have previous experience ordering give aways for businesses and would use one of those local companies as a resource.

For T & I, I charge $10 per player on the assumption that the whole team participates. I use Costco to print, and buy folios locally for about $1.10 each. As I expand I will be eligible for discounts on these.

You can review my info and pricing on my smugmug gallery.

As well, look here, here and here for more discussion.

Let me know if you need anything further. HTH

ann

ShannonHeat · May 30, 2007

In case I decide to dabble a little in the action photography, what lens would you suggest?

gsgary wrote:

Not if you wait for the action to come to you

Ann McRae · May 30, 2007

Hi Shannon

For outdoor youth soccer I use the 70 - 200 mm f2.8L with great results.

Indoor soccer & volleyball I use the 85mm f1.8 or the 135mm f2.

I covet a 300mm for outdoor soccer, and for birding....

and I have the 20d so it is a 1.6 crop.

ShannonHeat wrote:

In case I decide to dabble a little in the action photography, what lens would you suggest?

dbaker1221 · May 30, 2007

I use my bigma 500mm alot. you need good light as it is a F6.3 & you might need a monopod it is heavy. when the light gets low I use 200mm 2.8.. If your shooting baseball/softball it is only really good for shooting the infielders.

I can't tell you where to get them printed & that though. I did alot of internet searching when I was thinking of doing it.
I went with smugmug printing myself. I ordered them all shipped to me & handed them out. It was easier for me. This was not a big group though.
Good Luck.

Shane422 · May 30, 2007

I like this company for their sports emphasis.
http://proshooterdirect.com/Index.html

HoofClix · May 30, 2007

Smugmug For Prints!
I can state emphatically that you will not get better prints anyone than you will get from Smugmug. If you correct it properly, upload it to Smugmug, then just dropship it to the customer, you will never here a complaint from anyone. .

All of those lense suggestions are great, but you might look at the investment and consider a teleconverter for your brand on camera. Especially at long lengths, is will work for you. If you really make a lot of money, go ahead and buy something beyond 200mm.

As for placques, I generally take one of my photos and have a local artist paint it onto a plate for a grand award at the larger shows. It costs about $75, and it's a lot classier than a placque!

Onward!

RandySmugMug · May 31, 2007

HoofClix wrote:

I can state emphatically that you will not get better prints anyone than you will get from Smugmug. If you correct it properly, upload it to Smugmug, then just dropship it to the customer, you will never here a complaint from anyone. .

All of those lense suggestions are great, but you might look at the investment and consider a teleconverter for your brand on camera. Especially at long lengths, is will work for you. If you really make a lot of money, go ahead and buy something beyond 200mm.

As for placques, I generally take one of my photos and have a local artist paint it onto a plate for a grand award at the larger shows. It costs about $75, and it's a lot classier than a placque!

Onward!

i 2nd the smugmug comments
I have sold 750+ pics in 6 months w/o a single complaint.

RandySmugMug · May 31, 2007

ShannonHeat wrote:

In case I decide to dabble a little in the action photography, what lens would you suggest?

the 70-200 is a fine choice.
w/ a long prime u miss the close action and w/ the 70-200 u miss the long action so it all works out.
and the 2.8 will come in handy if the backgrounds are messy. I sometimes shoot w/ a 300/4 or a 300/2.8 but i prefer the 70-200

Phyxius · June 1, 2007

I too sell through SmugMug, you pay them a bit of the profit if you sell through your site, but you can also elect to do drop shipping if you prefer. The print quality is great and the customer service is terrific!

I usually use the 70-200 2.8.

Have fun!!

mercphoto · June 1, 2007

ShannonHeat wrote:

In case I decide to dabble a little in the action photography, what lens would you suggest?

Depends entirely on the type of sport. Field sports (football, soccer, etc.) practically demand a 300mm, even a 400mm. You can do football with a 200mm but its just not the same as a 300mm. Basketball wants an 85mm/1.8. And the shots will look more professional at 2.8 than 4.0. Much shorter depth of field.

Don't go around trying to take and sell photos that look like Mom and Dad could get on their own because you are using the same equipment they would be using as well.

As per Sports Shooter wanting you to pay to join their forums, its a very valuable asset. Its worth every penny, and its not even that many pennies to begin with.

mercphoto · June 1, 2007

Check out this thread with photos of flag football with a 400/2.8 lens and a 20D: http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=61710
Very crisp color, tight focus, very blurred backgrounds. Those are some very good football photos and you won't results that good with a 4.0 lens nor crops that tight with a 200mm lens.

ShannonHeat · June 1, 2007

Hey Bill,
I'm just outside of Austin! Are there any photographers that meet regularly? I love doing this, and can't get enough of it! Do you only shoot sports? Maybe you could give me some pointers?

mercphoto wrote:

Check out this thread with photos of flag football with a 400/2.8 lens and a 20D: http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=61710
Very crisp color, tight focus, very blurred backgrounds. Those are some very good football photos and you won't results that good with a 4.0 lens nor crops that tight with a 200mm lens.

mercphoto · June 1, 2007

Shannon, I got bored quickly with field sports so I stopped that. Used to do amatuer racing but the demands of the day job late last year and early this year put a damper on that. I don't know of any meetings of area photographers either but doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

ShannonHeat · June 1, 2007

I mostly shoot weddings, and absolutely love that, but also love sports, I know, strange for a girl, right? Anyway I can't seem to get enough of it...haha.

mercphoto wrote:

Shannon, I got bored quickly with field sports so I stopped that. Used to do amatuer racing but the demands of the day job late last year and early this year put a damper on that. I don't know of any meetings of area photographers either but doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

hesaias · June 1, 2007

I used a 70-200 f/2.7 EF L and a speedlite 580 last year for HS sports. Shot Football (night, so f2.8 is a have too) basketball, soccer, track, tennis softball the whole gamut.

I just bought a 50mm f1.8 prime and the 20-135 EF IS 3.5-3.6 and I am gonna do some experimentation. My body is a Rebel XT. I want the 2.0 Teleconverter for my 70-200.

The 70-200 is tough to use for basketball on the baseline, so I am looking at the 28-135 or the 50 for that.

I like action shots. I shoot cameo shots before the snap (football) foul shots, batting, etc.

Its all what you like. I am still very small, so I print my own. Lots of folks do not have computer access, and I have never been swamped, yet.

mercphoto · June 1, 2007

hesaias wrote:

The 70-200 is tough to use for basketball on the baseline, so I am looking at the 28-135 or the 50 for that.

Do the experimentation but I'm 99% confident you will find the 28-135 inadequate for basketball. The aperture is too small and your shutter speeds will hurt because of that. Its also not a terribly fast focuser. The 50/1.8 will let in enough light but its very, very slow at focusing. The primo basketball lens is the 85/1.8. Fast glass, very fast focuser, tack sharp.

I'd also like to give the advice to ditch the idea of the 2.0 teleconverter for the 70-200 for use during football, etc. I think it will really cripple your focus speed. Plus it turns your fast 2.8 into a slow 5.6. This will crater your shutter speeds, and worse, will put way too much of your backgrounds into focus. Save your pennies for a 300/2.8. If you can't save enough pennies, raise your prices.

ShannonHeat · June 1, 2007

Great advice Bill! Thank you

.

mercphoto wrote:

Do the experimentation but I'm 99% confident you will find the 28-135 inadequate for basketball. The aperture is too small and your shutter speeds will hurt because of that. Its also not a terribly fast focuser. The 50/1.8 will let in enough light but its very, very slow at focusing. The primo basketball lens is the 85/1.8. Fast glass, very fast focuser, tack sharp.

I'd also like to give the advice to ditch the idea of the 2.0 teleconverter for the 70-200 for use during football, etc. I think it will really cripple your focus speed. Plus it turns your fast 2.8 into a slow 5.6. This will crater your shutter speeds, and worse, will put way too much of your backgrounds into focus. Save your pennies for a 300/2.8. If you can't save enough pennies, raise your prices.

Hinson · June 1, 2007

ShannonHeat wrote:

I am new in the area of sports photography (normally shoot weddings). However, my town is opting to make me their new youth sports photographer. Does anyone have any suggestions about the type of contract needed. and WHERE DO YOU PURCHASE your prints and coach/sponsor plaques?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Shannon;
Before health issues sidelined me, I shot hundreds of sports teams/leagues each year for a local company. I'll check and see if I can find one of our old contracts that you could modify.
Also, I would strongly suggest a ROES sports lab if you are going to be shooting more than two or three teams. Makes the order process much, much easier. To check it out, go to http://www.bayphoto.com/bayweb/pro_sports.htm. Click on the 'Lauanch Bay ROES button on the bottom, and it will bring up their ROES screen. It takes a minute or two so be patient. Once launched, you will have a number of windows on your screen. Close the big one in front, then click on the 'folder' button on the bottom. Select any folder where you have photos.

Now click on the 'sizes' button in the lower left corner and select number six (sports, events, etc.) From here you can select products, type of sport etc. Once you have selected the template/sport you simply drag the image from your folder on the right to the proper position on the template. Change the type to suit your need (optins button at bottom will allow you to change font color style, etc.) You can practice all you want and just close the window when you are finished. As long as you don't press the 'send all' button nothing gets sent to Bay.

We didn't use Bay Photo but they did have a much larger selection of templates than our lab did. They don't appear to have double sided traders though. One lab that I have used is United Promotions. No complaints at all but they did not have ROES when I used them. They do now. http://www.upilab.com

Check it out.

Hinson

Art Scott · June 1, 2007

HERE (PROFESSIONAL STUDIO SUPPLY) is a place to start for photo supplies....as for the plaques...check prices at the local trophy shops

ShannonHeat · June 1, 2007

I never expected to get so many replies off of one teeny little question. Thank you so much....EVEYONE!

SDJames · June 1, 2007

WOW, what a great thread
Thanks, Shannon!

I shoot my son's sports and have been asked to shoot another team. I'm migrating from the 70-300 f/4-5.6 to the 70-200 f/2.8, but have failed to properly use the new narrow depth of field. I love the 70-200, big difference. My humble shots are here.

Thanks to all the suggestions for printing options, good stuff. The collective information in this thread alone is awesome. I look forward to seeing if there are contract suggestions.

I also use a 400 f/5.6 for surfing shots, but worry about changing lenses. I suppose I should continue to feed my habit and get a second body, huh?

Thank you all for your advice!

ShannonHeat · June 1, 2007

Haha, yeah I need a second body too! I'm am so thankful for all the responses I have gotten here as well. The information posted is very valuable. I bookmark everything...lol!

SDJames wrote:

Thanks, Shannon!

I shoot my son's sports and have been asked to shoot another team. I'm migrating from the 70-300 f/4-5.6 to the 70-200 f/2.8, but have failed to properly use the new narrow depth of field. I love the 70-200, big difference. My humble shots are here.

Thanks to all the suggestions for printing options, good stuff. The collective information in this thread alone is awesome. I look forward to seeing if there are contract suggestions.

I also use a 400 f/5.6 for surfing shots, but worry about changing lenses. I suppose I should continue to feed my habit and get a second body, huh?

Thank you all for your advice!

jimbloomfield · June 16, 2007

Lens Choice
I have shot High school Football for a few years The 70-200 2.8 is the one lens you will need all the time. I also have a Sigma 120-300 2.8. What I found is the photos that I like are usually taken with the Sigma at 300mm.
I have used a Canon 300 2.8 before (rent) These take great photos. But limit not having a zoom and not having the ability to foot zoom on the sidelines. You can look at some of my photos. Very average but the players like seeing themselves play.
http://jimbloomfield.smugmug.com/Saugus%20Football/254461

Sports Photographer Question....

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