| Sign in: |
| Members log in here with your user name and password to access the your admin page and other special features. |
|
|
|
|
|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Help/suggestions for breaking into the next level
Dawn Poole, Photographer
 |
Pflugerville | TX | USA | Posted: 9:23 AM on 09.16.10 |
->> I really starting shooting sports when my daughter was in middle school, then high school , at that point more the band/football. I was the band photographer so that helped me get into alot. Shortly after the local paper kept me on a regualr basis to shoot a lot of the local sports. Well now she's graduated and moved on to college, playing in the band and I'd love to move on too. I've tried several avenues but at this point I don't think I've gotten anywhere. Maybe it will take a while.
Watching from the stands is just a killer. It's ok for now because I'm watching what the other photogs are doing and looking for pointers but I'm open to any help anyone would offer. I respect everyone here and would appreciate any suggestions I can get or work on. I'm just making sure I didn't miss something that I could be doing to get to the next level. Thanks in advance for any help that is suggested. |
|
Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 11:21 AM on 09.16.10 |
->> Dawn, simply put, wanting to be on the sidelines and needing to be on the sidelines become two very different things at the collegiate level.
Granted its going to depend to a degree on the individual school and division but overall you've got to have a legitimate reason on why you need to be there and in most cases just because you want to won't cut it. Most every parent and I'm sure most every fan want to be there as well.
What you need is a reason that someone else wants you to be there because in most cases (and again I'm speaking in generalities, its going to depend on your school/division more than anything) that's who is going to have to put your credential application in.
Now sports photographers are a dime a dozen these days so what you've got to do is find a way to offer a value to a client that your competition doesn't.
You've been the band photographer for example so your going to know a lot more about the band stuff that many photographers.
I don't know a darn thing about marching band, or what instrument is what. When they are on the field I'm either transmitting or maybe hitting the restroom. So, that means you'd probably do a better job on that type of assignment than me. You probably know the type of shots band directors like to see for example of formations and the best places to shoot them.
That is a strength and competitive advantage you have and need to play up. I'm not knocking HS sports in the slightest here, I think they are just as challenging if not more so than college sports. Thing is though that if a client wants someone to shoot a game and its a choice between someone who's done it before and someone who hasn't, who do you think most would pick ?
When I have a school call me up for lets say volleyball, they ask if I've shot volleyball right off the bat. Do I know the game at that level ? Sometimes even if I could send them some work. When I tell them that no, I haven't shot at that level but here is some high school work I've done they may lose interest. That is not set in stone of course, but, generally they'd rather hear how you've shot it for the university for past 7 years, have covered the past 5 MIVA tournaments so on and so forth. Catch my drift ?
Sports photography is one of the most over saturated markets you could possibility want to go into these days. The industry as a whole is pretty darn saturated overall but wedding, portrait, architectural etc shooters just don't have the GWC issues like sports does. No one wants to do corporate headshots for fun really. Being on the sidelines of a NCAA game ? Hmmm, that sounds like fun to anyone who's a sports fan and has a camera though.
Anyways, (way too long)long story short, find your niche, because right now your just one of many who want to shoot.
Figure out what you can offer a client, be it the school or some publication that they aren't getting right now for anyone else. That sounds like the band photography to me so thats where I'd start.
Value your work and charge accordingly. Don't go giving away your work just because you think its the only way to the sidelines or that they will start paying for it later.
Don't stop trying and don't give up on the high school market. There are far more high school games each week and you've already got clients who like your work. Work is work after all and few if any of us can be choosey and say we only shoot NFL, just doesn't pay the bills these days. Remember too that a cool image is a cool image, doesn't matter if its a NFL superstar or a DIII high school kid.
Cheers. |
|
Nick Doan, Photographer, Assistant
|
Scottsdale | AZ | USA | Posted: 11:35 AM on 09.16.10 |
->> Dawn,
not to be mean, but I would have someone proofread anything you write before sending it to an SID or an editor. Good communication is important, and I had some trouble deciphering your original post. |
|
Scott Evans, Photographer
|
Bay Village | OH | USA | Posted: 12:53 PM on 09.16.10 |
->> Jeff, I want to say thanks for providing an articulate and helpful response. When I read the title and first few lines of the post, I literally cringed thinking of the explosion that was likely to occur. Your response was great.
Dawn, Jeff is right on the money. Here's one additional thought in terms of doing something "a little" different. Shoot more sports candids. Action is really oversaturated but some of the very best "action" occurs away from the field. Perhaps it's another way to fill a niche and find an opportunity. There are lots of shooters who do capture candid moments but it's often not their sole focus when on the sidelines. Perhaps leaving the big glass in the bag and shooting sideline action is a step towards getting your foot in the door.
Best of luck.
Scott |
|
Max Waugh, Photographer
|
Bothell | WA | USA | Posted: 1:51 PM on 09.16.10 |
->> Dawn, I got my break as the "band photographer" a decade ago, which ultimately led to a good five years as the athletic department's lead sports photographer. So it's possible to make in-roads that way as your work improves, if you're serious about it.
However, when I started the university band (which I was previously a member of) already had a main photographer that would cover all home games and "road trip" away games when the full band would travel. So my only in was to fill in when he wasn't around, usually at other away games when they'd only send a pep band.
This may not be a cost-effective solution. Traveling to away games was primarily an out-of-pocket expense, and I wasn't in the mindset of running a photo business at the time.
So if you're interested in pursuing this in some form, whether as a passion, business or hobby, the best solution may be to approach the college director and find out where and when they might be able to use a photographer when their primary photographer isn't around.
btw- since it's the band, I wouldn't expect them to pay (most college bands are part of the penny-pinching music department, rather than the athletic department). We all know the prevailing philosophy about getting paid for your time and earning your keep, and this is a good time to start putting that into practice. However, it's also a viable "training ground" IMO, so if you're committed to improving your photography and see this as an educational opportunity, the benefits from it may not always be in the form of a check.
Max |
|
Dawn Poole, Photographer
|
Pflugerville | TX | USA | Posted: 3:12 PM on 09.16.10 |
| ->> Thank you Jeff,Scott and Max. I've been working on the band angle so I'm working in the right direction, I just need to be patient. All of your information is both informative and encouraging. |
|
Keith Tharp, Photographer
|
Londonderry | NH | usa | Posted: 10:21 PM on 09.16.10 |
| ->> Jeff I'll agree with you on architectural, but I think there are just as many GWC issues with wedding and portraiture. |
|
Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 10:55 PM on 09.16.10 |
->> Keith, I certainly agree there are a ton of people now offering weddings (such as tons of sports guys who have realized they can't keep a roof over their head just shooting sports) and it seems nearly everyone has a friend of the family who "has a nice camera" and that can do some senior portraits.
Difference with those type of fields though in my mind is that they are usually done, even by the GWC types either as a service to a family member/friend, or with hopes of making some money, usually to help fund some gear purchase.
No one really wants to go shoot a wedding just for fun, or as an excuse to get them into the wedding. Even if they did, after one crazy 8 eight day doing it I'm sure they won't be doing it for fun again!
Sports though, thats a different story. Why watch the game at home or pay good money for a ticket, when the best seat in the stadium is on the sidelines. What are a lot of peoples favorite pastimes ? Watching sports and photography. Well its only natural to want to combine those two things for a lot of people. Thus thats why the GWC types are always asking how to get onto the sidelines and/or giving their work away for free because it gets them onto the sidelines. Usually they don't even care because its just a hobby, not a career. They've got the 9-5 during the week to keep a roof over the families head and food on the table. They've got the disposable income to buy some nice equipment. For some its golf, other its guns or maybe a motorcycle, in this case its photography. So who cares if they are giving their images away, they just want to be there.
Is what it is, and its been debated to death, but point still remains that only in sports, and maybe the concert field, are there a large number of people who admittedly shoot just for fun. |
|
Chuck Liddy, Photographer
|
Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 11:56 PM on 09.16.10 |
| ->> Hell, the only reason I do this is for fun. It sure as hell ain't for the money. |
|
Mike Anzaldi, Photographer
|
Oak Park | IL | USA | Posted: 12:24 AM on 09.17.10 |
| ->> the only reason i do it is because chuck told me once that i suck. |
|
Nick Morris, Photographer
|
San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 2:59 AM on 09.17.10 |
| ->> Mike, be happy Chuck only told you ONCE! |
|
Return to --> Message Board Main Index
|