Story and Photos by Alan Ashley
Over the years, I’ve been asked about being a freelance sports photographer. Everyone is surprised that it takes more than just looking through the lens and taking pictures. So I thought I’d give a little insight to the job of a sports photographer.
When you want to photograph a game or event, the process starts 1-2 months before it. The photo editor, or someone who is in charge of photographic assignments, contacts the media relations department for the team or event about press credentials. Credentials are only given to magazines, newspapers, or other media outlets approved by the media department. Once the credential is approved, the photographer’s job begins.
A sports photographer wears many hats than just photographer. They are also part scout/part coach/part writer. A few days beforehand, they not only make sure their photo equipment is packed (batteries charged, memory cards cleared, etc.) but put on the scouting hat and start doing research. Besides knowing the top players, they make notes on who might be on a hot streak, have a local connection, or subject of trade rumors.
On the day of the event, you arrive at the venue a couple hours early. This is to get the latest news, set up your laptop in media room, and take some photos during warmups or behind the scenes. Once the game begins, you put on your coaching hat and start thinking about strategy (plays that might be called or what player might be used). After the event is over, time to put the writer’s hat on. After editing photos, now the photographer needs to add captions to the photos he’s chosen to send to the photo editor. Sometimes, you might be doing double duty as writer/photographer and have to write an article to accompany the photos.
So, it takes more than clicking a shutter to be a sports photographer. It can be a harder job than it appears, but sometimes you achieve the dream of every sports photographer and see one of your photos in Sports Illustrated/SI.com (3 times for me).
(Alan Ashley has been photographing sports for years. His first assignment was in 1989 covering Detroit Lions home games. He has photographed several local college and pro teams and other sporting events, including the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four at Ford Field.)
