Blog Post - My Life as a Sports Shooter (Part1)

Interesting read. Just shows the dedication needed, so its a big well done from me!
 
Interesting read and it varies quite away from what I do. It works for you though and thats what matters

Interesting how you get to grounds 3 hrs before kick off. I usually leave for Boro at 12:30 (3pm KO) and have a 50 mile drive
 
I guess if I'm covering a lower league then the 3 hours before KO isn't really necessarily, although if it's a ground I've never been too then that still counts. For Premiership it's needed if you stand any chance of securing a decent spot - although the term decent I guess is questionable as of course that 'decent' spot is so called due to the other big agencies sitting there also .. which means it's unlikely anything of yours will get used .... there was actually a discussion last weekend with some taking the p*** folks showing up to the Norwich v Liverpool game at 7.30am (12pm KO) ... I was one of those and by 8am there were 30 others .... My feeling here is given I've not been doing this long so I need to give myself every opportunity to succeed and if that means being the first to grounds (which quite often happens) then so be it ....
 
Very Interesting Read,

How did you start out may i ask?
 
monkeyleader said:
I guess if I'm covering a lower league then the 3 hours before KO isn't really necessarily, although if it's a ground I've never been too then that still counts. For Premiership it's needed if you stand any chance of securing a decent spot - although the term decent I guess is questionable as of course that 'decent' spot is so called due to the other big agencies sitting there also .. which means it's unlikely anything of yours will get used .... there was actually a discussion last weekend with some taking the p*** folks showing up to the Norwich v Liverpool game at 7.30am (12pm KO) ... I was one of those and by 8am there were 30 others .... My feeling here is given I've not been doing this long so I need to give myself every opportunity to succeed and if that means being the first to grounds (which quite often happens) then so be it ....
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All photographers are like German tourists, they mark their pitch with their Monopods long before KO and then go do other things until KO in the feint hope their gear is still in the same place when they return
 
3hrs before KO hahaha I can be doign other jobs earning money in that time.. I cant remember the last time I had 3hrs hrs to spare...
 
@sean.hinks like many around and on here I'm sure starting with the local parks football ... I had played football for my village team and then started doing their photography. About 5 years ago I sent email to Cambridge United asking them could I come down and shoot their games ... at the time I didn't have a license but still managed to get in - I basically gave the club all the shots. At the end of that first season they asked if I wanted to make it a bit more official as their club man of many years was retiring .. so for the next two years I shot CUFC (along with keeping with up parks stuff) ... The CUFC stuff led to stuff being used in the local papers quite consistently as well as of course for the club itself (programs etc) ... Actually I was back there earlier in the season to shoot their FA Cup first round game .. was nice to see they had used some of my stuff as large format prints along the players tunnel :) ...From then it was a case of using the experience from the past few years to speak to a few agencies about freelance stuff and go from there .. Never discount doing the local stuff would be my number 1 advice .. even if you are already working on some higher level stuff .. not only will it keep your eye in and allow you to practice (without the pressures of actual paid work) but you may also find there is a gap in the local market where you can make a few bob too ... In fact I still keep in touch with various clubs in and around the local villages (football, rugby, cricket, athletics etc) to see what there is ...
 
@KIPAX I guess it's horses for courses .. I can't remember the last time I was able to fly transatlantic only arriving to the airport 30 minutes before and yet I can dander down to Cambridge airfield with less than that to fly to Amsterdam ...
 
I think we must be luckier up here in the North East as I can still walk out at NUFC / SAFC 30 mins before kick off and get a spot in one of the corners without issue. that said I know its not possible at all others grounds due to restrictions they have in place.

I know what you mean about everyone going to games. I had planned on covering Liverpool vs Newcastle all season and got a rejected request yesterday. victims of their own success
 
Certainly the way to approach it, it seems. I photograph Borehamwood Fc currently but can only get to midweek games because of another job i have on the weekends which isn't photography related but i aim to photograph most of their games either next season or the season after and see where it leads. Due to working on the weekends it means i cant really get to any local park football, although i would be doing so if i hadn't of got the weekend job. I also photograph cricket when i can as well but again most of the sports are played on the weekend. I'll definitely look into local clubs and see whats around.
 
sean.hinks said:
Certainly the way to approach it, it seems. I photograph Borehamwood Fc currently but can only get to midweek games because of another job i have on the weekends which isn't photography related but i aim to photograph most of their games either next season or the season after and see where it leads. Due to working on the weekends it means i cant really get to any local park football, although i would be doing so if i hadn't of got the weekend job. I also photograph cricket when i can as well but again most of the sports are played on the weekend. I'll definitely look into local clubs and see whats around.
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sports photogrpahy.. I do a fair bit midweek but its mostly weekend.. bit limiting if you work weekends I guess. over summer you should be OK for midweek stuff..winter not so much.. so nows the time to be sorting :)
 
KIPAX said:
sports photogrpahy.. I do a fair bit midweek but its mostly weekend.. bit limiting if you work weekends I guess. over summer you should be OK for midweek stuff..winter not so much.. so nows the time to be sorting :)
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Definitely will start looking into local clubs and events going on locally :)
 
Nice read Nigel, I certainly took a few useful bits form it regarding preparation that I hadn't been doing but make perfect sense to do so. I recently joined an agency but have been stuck at League 2 (with the occasional League 1 game) level on account of only having a 70-200 at the moment.

I look forward to reading part 2!
 
Nigel, thanks for the post.
My first post, so treat me gently.
My first time on here, and it's good to hear what some of the issues are within the industry.
Looking forward to part 2
 
helloimkev said:
Nice read Nigel, I certainly took a few useful bits form it regarding preparation that I hadn't been doing but make perfect sense to do so. I recently joined an agency but have been stuck at League 2 (with the occasional League 1 game) level on account of only having a 70-200 at the moment.

I look forward to reading part 2!
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Don't discount the lower league stuff ... I think a couple of key reasons here (at least my own thoughts) ..

1. Whatever the level it's the same game so all of the work at the lower league stuff prepares for anything. If I'm going to shoot Cambridge non-league or a Champions League game my preparation is pretty much the same (well apart from having to take my own food to Cambridge ;)
2. Shooting lower league certainly tests you (lighting, wiring etc .. ) .. and the more prepared you are at lower league the better this will reflect across all your shooting
3. I actually find some better shooting opportunities at lower leagues as the players like to thunder into proper challenges more than at the top level .. this can result in some great pictures.
4. More chance of being picked up - okay the bigger papers may not run a full double spread on Cambridge United's recent victory but if you play your cards right and are working with an agency who can work those local papers then your chances are increased (due to the lack of the Big agencies at these lower games)

Glad you enjoyed the post - once the football season is over I'll complete with part 2 ..

Good luck going forward.

Nige
 
One or two questions / talking points and [i level this at most who work for agency's on the normal 70/30 split no sale no fee but i will stand corrected]
if you are doing cambridge and below why have you not set about getting you own DataCo liecence and from a cost point of view for evey hour you are away from your base you are reducing the hourly rate
Also what is your useage rate 1 per game ?
 
monkeyleader said:
Don't discount the lower league stuff ... I think a couple of key reasons here (at least my own thoughts) ..

1. Whatever the level it's the same game so all of the work at the lower league stuff prepares for anything. If I'm going to shoot Cambridge non-league or a Champions League game my preparation is pretty much the same (well apart from having to take my own food to Cambridge ;)
2. Shooting lower league certainly tests you (lighting, wiring etc .. ) .. and the more prepared you are at lower league the better this will reflect across all your shooting
3. I actually find some better shooting opportunities at lower leagues as the players like to thunder into proper challenges more than at the top level .. this can result in some great pictures.
4. More chance of being picked up - okay the bigger papers may not run a full double spread on Cambridge United's recent victory but if you play your cards right and are working with an agency who can work those local papers then your chances are increased (due to the lack of the Big agencies at these lower games)

Glad you enjoyed the post - once the football season is over I'll complete with part 2 ..

Good luck going forward.

Nige
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Agree with all of your points Nigel & have witnessed myself. Sadly the local paper here is tight as a ducks arse so we've had no joy with them despite me following Newport County to some places too far for them to send staff photographers. I've learnt a lot this season & I'm hoping to step up and do a few Championship games next season with Cardiff City's relegation, but time will tell. The 6 months I've had so far have certainly given me a good grounding, I look forward to maybe meeting you at a game some day!
 
Great read but only kids footy for me but some good pointers cheers
 
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