Selling Your Soul for Free

I often run into photographers who will sell their souls for a media credential.  What do I mean about selling their souls?  Well they will make a deal with a University’s Sports Information Director (SID) or an event director to give them images that they shoot for a sideline pass for free.  Some do it by sheer ignorance, but others do it for the sake of just being on the field or at an event shooting pictures.  Some photographers will also solicit their services at a ridiculous reduced rate for a chance at shooting that event.   These practices are very bad for the photography business.

When you obtain media credentials with promises of giving images you shoot during that event for free, you are not only hurting yourself but the entire photography business as a whole.  We as photographers will never make any money if promoters have options to get images for free or at a reduced rate.  I got into the photography business for the sole purpose of making as much money as I can.  This is not a hobby for me and should not be for you either.

Every photographer should have this mind set every time they take their camera out of the bag, that camera equipment isn’t cheap and repair cost is very expensive too.  Each time you press that shutter release button on your camera you are putting wear and tear on your equipment.  Free is not helping you with equipment upgrade or equipment repairs.  Never reduce the value of your services for a media credential.

These same photographers when questioned often talk about working on their portfolio as their main reason for selling their souls.  My answer to that is most editors or potential clients don’t care if you have images of Joe Montana throwing a pass or the local high school quarterback throwing that same pass in your portfolio.  They want to see things like image quality, clean back grounds, peak action, emotion and if you can do it more than once.  You don’t need the Redskins or the University of Maryland to get this when you can get those same types of images at your local high school or Little League field.

Image quality is a must.  You as a photographer should never submit any images that are soft or out of focus.  Always edit your photos and never submit substandard photographs.  Learn how to shoot tight or crop tight and never submit images with cutoff limbs.  Also a rule of thumb, never submit an image if you can’t see the players face.  I always say if you can read their name on the back of their jersey, then don’t submit it.
Clean backgrounds are also an essential part of shooting and you must always pay attention to what is in your background.  Whether it’s cheerleaders, parents, vendors, distracting signs, cars or lighting fixtures you should always take the time to look at the backgrounds and if it cluttered?  Move around and find another shooting position that will eliminate or limit the clutter and present you with a cleaner background.

Cluttered Background Image

Cluttered Background Image (the car in the background)

Your portfolio should also consist of images that have captured peak action in it.  These images don’t have to be touchdowns, homeruns, diving catches or dunks; they just have to be images that capture peak performances.  My favorite magazine for the past 40 years has been Sports Illustrated and the images you see when you open this magazine is always a tight action image shot horizontal.  This image usually takes up both pages, which are referred to as a “double truck”.

Tight Horizontal Image "Double Truck"

Peak Action Image

You should also pay attention to your surroundings when shooting to capture emotion during an event you are shooting.  In sports the sidelines of a football game, the dugouts of a baseball game always presents you with the perfect opportunity to capture some emotion.  I love getting to the field early to shoot pregame warm-ups, which is also a good place to get emotional shots.  Moments after made baskets or first downs are also good times to capture emotion.  Be creative too.  Shots of helmets sitting on the bench, end zone pylons and footballs can also show your creativity.

Emotional image after a tuff loss

Emotional image after a great play

Looking for that creative edge

Creative shot of writing on player's sneaker

You don’t need to be at a professional or college event to get images for your portfolio.  You also don’t have to give images away to gain access to an event to build your portfolio either.  The examples I just presented to you can be captured at your local high school, Pop Warner football game or Little League game.  My first portfolio consisted of images shot at my daughter’s AAU basketball games, the local high school baseball and basketball games and a friend’s son’s youth football games.  I had a variety because editors or potential clients want to make sure you aren’t a one hit wonder or very lucky.

Also learn to shoot all sports and display them in your portfolio too.  Never be considered just a particular photographer or you will miss out on work as well.  If you are only considered a baseball photographer and a client is looking for someone to shoot their volleyball match they won’t call you because all you shoot is baseball.

These are a few tips to keep in mind before you step out in this world of photography.  There is lots of money to be made if you keep in mind you are only hurting the business if you decide to give your images away.

Thanks for reading my blog and keep shooting.

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