Part-time sports photography

Mikee_j

Mikee_j

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Mikael
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Hi all, first post.

Great forum and about time i started contributing.

I have a full time job in London (9-5'er) and do most of my shooting when travelling, on holiday or when i go out specifically to shoot something (which is few and far between at the moment). I always dream of taking photography more seriously on a part-time basis sitting alongside my main full time job, and being a huge sports fan, the dream continue into shooting sports (mainly football).

So my questions is this, how many of you are 'part-time' photographers juggling a separate full time job with more than just amateur photography on the side? Really interested to hear your stories and gather some inspiration.

Additionally, what did you guys do to take the first steps into this world? Again, really interested in hearing stories and experiences rather than advice on what i should potentially do (as i know its a dream at the moment)

Thanks all,

Mikael
 
I fell into it by accident really. I did a lot of photography as a hobby covering mainly motorsport (BTCC and BSB) and was asked by a mate if I would be interested in helping out at NUFC as a press runner for a few games. I jumped at the chance and whilst watching everything decided it was something I quite fancied the look of.

Having sat on it for a few days I emailed a few local non league clubs (Northern League level) and the first team to come back to me was Whitley Bay. I covered Whitley from the Jan and was lucky enough to get involved when they won the FA Vase and had a trip to Wembley (Didn't think things would get much better after 5 months).

After that season I moved up through the leagues and assisted with Blyth Spartans (Conference North at the time) and that season they were relegated (complete opposite to the season before).

When Blyth played away I had spare weekends and got involved with Gateshead (Conference Premier) and followed them the following season having moved on from Blyth. I covered Gateshead for around 18 months before being given a chance to do some agency work. That involved Hartlepool United, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle United so naturally I jumped at the chance. Going into my third season now and i've not looked back.

So much so I am working for Newcastle United this weekend in a NUFC XI game against Gateshead.

Keep at it, things may get though at times but stick to your guns, do what you do best and most of all enjoy it. I may not enjoy it as much doing PL/Championship games as I did when I covered Gateshead (Made some friends for life there) and miss banter amongst players but the buzz is still there.

Theres no better feeling than a goal and celebration in your corner or something that makes a news story and thats what keeps us going
 
I started out approaching a guy who was club photographer for Hull City, in the Championship at the time, and Hull FC, in the Super League. He got me a press pass to go with him to a few games (unpaid), mainly the rugby. I remember my first game was Hull Fc vs Leeds Rhinos, I was hooked straight away and I'm not really the biggest rugby fan. (Though I have got quite keen on Rugby League since, especially living in Australia!). I got the shot below, which I'm still quite chuffed with to this day.

Mod Edit: photo removed due to RL Conditions

As he (Lofty), trusted me a bit more he used to give small jobs to me that he couldn't make (paid!), I went to cover a Touch Rugby 6's charity event for Hull FC, did some promo shots of Seyi Olofinjana for Hull City, photographed East Hull vs West Hull and got a shot in League Weekly. I was totally hooked, I loved the atmosphere at games, the pressure of getting the shots and the satisfaction when I did get them!

I then tried to broaden my horizons, going to do golf days and running events, anything I could get to really. As I studied photography at Uni I had experience of studio work though I was working full time as manager of a cocktail bar at the time! I decided enough was enough, I went part time with work and begged studios in my area to let me assist when I could, driving 130 mile round trips in a day to Leeds to earn £70 minus £20 petrol per day quite a lot. As I didn't have a mortgage / kids / wife etc it wasn't such a big risk for me. So for a while I got by with part time bar work, part time studio assisting and as much sport as I could get too.

To cut a long story a little bit shorter, last year I took a full time job in a commercial studio based in Leeds, I was living in York and approached York City FC eventually being asked to be the club photographer for last season. I loved it, I loved the closeness you can get at League 2 level, York had a great season (in the end!), I got a shed load of great shots and experience, but then I packed it all for a woman, and now I live in Brisbane, Australia where I'm desperately trying to find work!

Starting from square 1 again, trying to build contacts etc. I have a meeting with an Action Images photographer who is based here in a couple of weeks hopefully so who knows what will happen! I'm currently unable to work legally due to my visa so I'm lining up a few events to go shoot for free to keep my eye in!

So that's me, though I've been banging my head against the brick wall that sometimes can be 'sports photography' for a while, I love it too much to give up. I consider myself still at the start of my sports career, I think there's always more to learn and I've not been ground down by the industry yet! (As some have!)

Kit wise, I am always trying to keep up, I have probably the bare minimum requirements at the moment but I find it hard to shell out the cash without the work at the moment. Though from my studio work and stuff at York City, I have seen terrible photographers with the best kit make some awful photography and I have seen the best photographers with minimal kit make amazing stuff. Obviously my 70-200mm isn't going to capture a goal celebration at the other end of the pitch but it is more than capable of helping me get some good stuff.

I have set myself the target of being at the next World Cup to photograph.

Aim high!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Steve, you need to remove that photo, it breaks the RFLs terms and conditions by posting it on here
 
One thing you should be aware of.. You will be hated by a lot of pro sports photogrpahers who have a real downer on whats termed Weekend Warriors..
 
KIPAX said:
One thing you should be aware of.. You will be hated by a lot of pro sports photogrpahers who have a real downer on whats termed Weekend Warriors..
Click to expand...

I didn't mean in here.. I meant out there at games :) No primadonnas here .
 
With myself and historic car road racing, the right person saw some of my photographs taken from the spectator areas and I was invited to shoot trackside.
I am retired so time isn't a major problem however there is a fair commitment in gear (including backup bodies and lenses), and because you now have "clients", even as hobbyst, you have to deliver no matter what the weather or shooting conditions are like.
There is a fair commitment in post processing time as I normally shoot up to 2000 photographs (depending on the action) per day so they add up over a 2 day (basically 16 hours shooting) event.
There is one downside in that you may see somethings that you wished never to have see, let alone photograph them.
 
I started with sport because that was the one genre of photography that didn't seem to get much input in local competitions and exhibitions. So I started with motocross, a bit of rugby league then found myself shooting the local footie club. I had a full-time job, wasn't about to forgo that and a pension and too old to want to traipse around other clubs wasting diesel and time shooting for an agency for small returns (which is what seems to happen from what I've gathered from other snappers). Am I good enough? Well, I'd like to think I meet the 'standard' judging by the stuff in the papers. When I see a multitude of snappers at major events like the World Cup I first think, "wouldn't that be great!", then I think "nah!". All that jostling, elbowing, shoving. No thanks. I have a bit of fun, travel around with the team to away games, enjoy the friendly atmosphere, feel involved. 'Nuff said.
Weekend warrior label! Do I care. Nah. Just be aware that I feel you should NEVER submit your work to the press for nothing. That's what would really upset me if I were trying to earn a living from sports photography. I make it a rule that no fee, no pic.
 
KIPAX said:
I didn't mean in here.. I meant out there at games :) No primadonnas here .
Click to expand...

haha I have met that tosser. His favourite words are 'you'll spoil it for everyone'.

The guy is a complete toss pot.

But be courteous and follow the rules and if anyone thinks they are above anyone else then tough titty...
 
I saw an ad here on TP from agency that was looking to expand and was willing to take on novices.

I must say I didn't realise how crap I was. But he stuck with me and guided me and told me when images weren't up to scratch.

He made me reduce my pics from about 30-40 a game down to 15 max, to make me really concentrate on only the best images. At the time I couldn't see it, but it worked and after 1 and 1/2 seasons I have moved on from crap to average.

I now need to keep on trying my best, trying to eliminate so many errors, slow down and keep focussing quality.
 
KIPAX said:
One thing you should be aware of.. You will be hated by a lot of pro sports photogrpahers who have a real downer on whats termed Weekend Warriors..
Click to expand...

When I was doing the press running I had a lot of encouragement from the pro's and when I rocked up with my gear not many changed, a few did but not all. Maybe different if I'm not around however when chatting but I didn't notice a huge difference. Maybe it goes off area I guess
 
whitey said:
When I was doing the press running I had a lot of encouragement from the pro's and when I rocked up with my gear not many changed, a few did but not all. Maybe different if I'm not around however when chatting but I didn't notice a huge difference. Maybe it goes off area I guess
Click to expand...


I ahve been full time for 6 yrs.. I always try to encourage and help anyone.. I dont even ask the situation.. i dont care what hrs or what else they do... none of my business..... but that animosity does exist.. seen it.. many times..
 
KIPAX said:
I ahve been full time for 6 yrs.. I always try to encourage and help anyone.. I dont even ask the situation.. i dont care what hrs or what else they do... none of my business..... but that animosity does exist.. seen it.. many times..
Click to expand...

I've had a couple ask who I work for but nothing arsey back (again, if there has been its behind y back(.

Good on you for that approach though, thats the way it should be. at the end of the day we are all there doing a job so who does it matter who you are there for
 
I've been part time for some time now. I think of myself as a professional weekend warrior i.e. I put as much dedication & effort into it as any of the full timers out there. Saying that, for the last 6 weeks I've been full time at it in Brazil as you probably know.

For getting started, begin by building up a portfolio in less popular sports that are easy to get into to show that you can shoot sport action plus other important feature-like pictures, portraits etc. I started with polo (the horse kind) but you could go for anything that takes your fancy. Keep an eye on the best photographers' websites & personal blogs to see how they shoot an event and work initially on replicating their style and approach as you build up your own.

Once you've got a decent portfolio, approach some of the smaller agencies that will take you on as a "spec" shooter i.e. shooting on spec where you cover a match and only get paid if your pictures sell. Then you get more stuff in your portfolio and you're on your way.
 
KIPAX said:
I ahve been full time for 6 yrs.. I always try to encourage and help anyone.. I dont even ask the situation.. i dont care what hrs or what else they do... none of my business..... but that animosity does exist.. seen it.. many times..
Click to expand...

What a refreshing attitude, good on you :)
 
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