Starting out or chicken/egg

Lardyc7

Lardyc7

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Name
Lee Parker
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Is there an accepted way of approaching agencies?

I don't think I'm good enough to do it yet, but wanted to get an idea of how it all works, and the last thing I want to do is be a pain in the arse!

Do any agencies take on staff as second shooters ie getting shots of the home team keeper, while the main shooters getting the goals and glory?

I presume that having different sports shots would be an advantage?

I had a search around the net but keep coming up with US based advice.

Cheers Lardy
 
Depends on what type of agency.. If your looking for guranteed paid work.. shifts.. from agencies then you need a really strong portfolio to show them and should be a range of sports.. just email them and ask.... most agencies though work on a 70/30 cut basis.. so any pics that sell you get 70% but no sale no pay.. these agencies vary from picky (need a strong portfolio) to not so choosy just need a camera...

Before contacting any agency you would need as mentioned a good portfolio.. the ability to send pics from pitchside and know how to caption pics correctly (in IPTC)
 
Ramalama said:
Is there a tutorial for this to include what content the agencies require?
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For a portfolio or from a match? theres plenty of articles about for portfolios... tack sharp peak of action shots .... from the match its peak action or pics that tell a story and out of the box pictures (something different)

Ramalama said:
Can you set up PS to do most of it automatically so you just have to fill in a description pitch side?
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No idea.. I use photomechanic for captions and PS to edit

Ramalama said:
Do you do all this while trying to keep up with the action?
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Look at the photogrphers on the telly today.. matches at 12.15 and 5.15 and you will see they mostly have there noses in there laptops... gets some pics.. download. edit. caption, send by email or ftp (depends on agency) .. get some more.. but be repared to interupt in case of goals..

you need to know how to do all that correecty and quickly before going anywhere near an agency..
 
Ramalama said:
From the match, I've watched them at Derby games, some have a laptop next to them, some don't, I didn't realise they typed in all that while keeping an eye on the game and holding a huge lens with the other hand.
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I will be at the preston v rotherham game 5.15 today and I wil have laptop and be emailing pics to newspapers as i get the action... other photogrpahers without laptops could be clubs or local newspapers with later deadlines..
 
I guess it depends on the game as well, for lower leagues you'd be trying to get pictures of each player on the ball to sell them to the player, but you wouldn't bother with those shots For Prem and Championship games, do they have their own photographer taking pics for the website and programme? If so then I guess it's just newsworthy shots your after, which would be 5 6 a game if you're lucky.
 
I think part of it is getting your work seen by people already with agencies. I was shooting Newport County & was lucky enough to be approached by a local agency on the basis of continuing shooting for Newport whilst being tutored through the result of my shoots & being introduced to other sports.

On the other hand, another shooter at Newport has been actively approaching agencies and has found some require 2 pro bodies plus 70-200 & 300 or 400 2.8, others are almost open doors and don't seem to have any quality control.

I'd say work out what you want to shoot, what level you want to shoot it at, then research the agencies that cover that & follow their photographers' work. Really look at what's being put online & sold and ask yourself seriously if you can match that quality consistently.

Personally I'd recommend trying to shoot for a club (in whatever sport) and build up a portfolio whilst learning, and just network with other photographers at games, you never know where it'll take you, and you'll hopefully gain a good insight into what's expected that way as well.
 
Gents, thanks very much for your replies. As I said I think I'm a way off being good enough, but that gives me some goals to aim for.
 
Bigrob, thanks for that. Lots of very very useful stuff. helloimkev and kipax ta also……may just stick to the day job :cool:
 
I write a blog that describes many of the things you are asking about. It's here: http://tobinators.com

Enjoy.

Oops just saw someone already linked above. Thanks for that.
 
Tobers, already all over it!!
Loads of helpful stuff on there, thanks.
PS Nice KTM.....has it broken down yet? Mate had loads of problems with his.
 
Best blog out there it is.
 
I'd love that bike = 'well jel''
 
Nice bike, one of my mates had one of those.....but he goes through bikes quicker than pants!!
I get to ride a Pan at work, nice bikes as well, recommend them if you need something bullet proof.
 
Ramalama said:
I guess it depends on the game as well, for lower leagues you'd be trying to get pictures of each player on the ball to sell them to the player, but you wouldn't bother with those shots For Prem and Championship games, do they have their own photographer taking pics for the website and programme? If so then I guess it's just newsworthy shots your after, which would be 5 6 a game if you're lucky.
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Is that 5 or 6 or 56 per game ?

My agency look for about 40 different images from a game. Of course that expectation varies depending on the number of cards, goals etc but you'd be looking for significantly more than 5 or 6 from a game.
 
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