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How to break into the field of Sports Photography

PostPosted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 6:48 pm
by _robbo_
hey guys. I've recently started up a photography business and i'm trying to specialise in Sports stuff. I've played many different sports for at least the last 15 years of my life and now using those experiences, to take photographs of many different sports. I've been doing alot of Volleyball so far, and have gained work for a 1 week tournament coming up in July (purely through talking to others who i play volleyball with), but i want to know how to break into magazines and papers with sports stuff. I've emailed a few places and they haven't even acknowledged me with any type oif response....

Anyone have any good pointers about the best way to go about it?

Re: How to break into the field of Sports Photography

PostPosted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:51 pm
by Matt. K
I'd be looking at putting together a portfolio of about 20 prints representing the different sports that you cover. Then I'd cold shoot some sports and send unsolicited work to magazines and papers etc. I'd also make an appointment to drop in and show the portfolio. It can be very tough getting a start but you need to keep knockin on those doors. Oh...and you also need to be good at sports photography, so ensure you put the time in and gain the skills.

Re: How to break into the field of Sports Photography

PostPosted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:22 pm
by _robbo_
Matt. K wrote:I'd be looking at putting together a portfolio of about 20 prints representing the different sports that you cover. Then I'd cold shoot some sports and send unsolicited work to magazines and papers etc. I'd also make an appointment to drop in and show the portfolio. It can be very tough getting a start but you need to keep knockin on those doors. Oh...and you also need to be good at sports photography, so ensure you put the time in and gain the skills.

thanks for the info matt. Funny about that last sentence... i thought i'd just jump out there being terrible at sports and expect lots of money hahah j/k. What kind of events are you talking about as unsolicited work?
I guess i need to research the legalities of photographing many sporting events, especially jumiors, that being a very touchy subject at the moment.

if you want to see some of my volleyball work already, have a look at http://www.mjrphoto.com.au
C&C welcome.

Re: How to break into the field of Sports Photography

PostPosted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:44 pm
by gstark
_robbo_ wrote: especially jumiors, that being a very touchy subject


Not the wisest choice of words, I suspect. :) BTW, wanna know how to make a small fortune in the photographic industry?

Re: How to break into the field of Sports Photography

PostPosted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:54 pm
by _robbo_
gstark wrote:
_robbo_ wrote: especially jumiors, that being a very touchy subject


Not the wisest choice of words, I suspect. :) BTW, wanna know how to make a small fortune in the photographic industry?

Juniors is purely used in terms of the sporting world here, photographing sports involving juniors....

but yes looking back on it now, probably not the best choice of words. :oops:

and sure, i'd love to know how to make a small fortune.. who wouldn't :P

Re: How to break into the field of Sports Photography

PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:03 am
by andy
gstark wrote:wanna know how to make a small fortune in the photographic industry?


I'm looking for any smilies with dollar signs for eyes but cant see one!

$ $
\_/

Re: How to break into the field of Sports Photography

PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:19 am
by Shorty
_robbo_ wrote:
gstark wrote:
_robbo_ wrote: especially jumiors, that being a very touchy subject


Not the wisest choice of words, I suspect. :) BTW, wanna know how to make a small fortune in the photographic industry?

Juniors is purely used in terms of the sporting world here, photographing sports involving juniors....

but yes looking back on it now, probably not the best choice of words. :oops:

and sure, i'd love to know how to make a small fortune.. who wouldn't :P

... start out with a large fortune...!!

:D

Shorty

Re: How to break into the field of Sports Photography

PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:01 am
by gstark
Shorty wrote:
_robbo_ wrote:
gstark wrote:
_robbo_ wrote: especially jumiors, that being a very touchy subject


Not the wisest choice of words, I suspect. :) BTW, wanna know how to make a small fortune in the photographic industry?

Juniors is purely used in terms of the sporting world here, photographing sports involving juniors....

but yes looking back on it now, probably not the best choice of words. :oops:

and sure, i'd love to know how to make a small fortune.. who wouldn't :P

... start out with a large fortune...!!



Exactly.

:)

Re: How to break into the field of Sports Photography

PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:53 pm
by Big V
Good luck on your venture, the golden rule that sports illustrated demand from shooters - sports shots will sell more if shot tighter and show the faces, no one is going to look/buy a photo of the back of someones head.

Re: How to break into the field of Sports Photography

PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:03 pm
by _robbo_
Shorty wrote:
_robbo_ wrote:
gstark wrote:
_robbo_ wrote: especially jumiors, that being a very touchy subject


Not the wisest choice of words, I suspect. :) BTW, wanna know how to make a small fortune in the photographic industry?

Juniors is purely used in terms of the sporting world here, photographing sports involving juniors....

but yes looking back on it now, probably not the best choice of words. :oops:

and sure, i'd love to know how to make a small fortune.. who wouldn't :P

... start out with a large fortune...!!

:D

Shorty

haha fair enough :P yes i've started to experience this effect already

Re: How to break into the field of Sports Photography

PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:07 pm
by _robbo_
Big V wrote:Good luck on your venture, the golden rule that sports illustrated demand from shooters - sports shots will sell more if shot tighter and show the faces, no one is going to look/buy a photo of the back of someones head.

yeah i've been doin gmy best to crop nice and tight. Also picking the best spots aroung the volleyball court to get facial expressions included..

and btw, maybe someone from the AFL has been reading this thread. They called me today about my email i sent about a month ago :D