How to break into the field of Sports Photography

[_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?

[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.

[_robbo_]

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.

[gstark]

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?

[_robbo_]

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.

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

[andy]

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!

$ $
\_/

[Shorty]

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.

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

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



Shorty

[gstark]

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.

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

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

Exactly.

[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.

[_robbo_]

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.

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

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



Shorty

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

[_robbo_]

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