DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Professional Photographers
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 9 of 9, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 04/08/2004 01:28:44 AM · #1
Im 14 and wondering. What do you need to become a professional sports photographer? Do you need college courses? Who do you need to meet with to become a sports photog for sports illustrated, or a lesser magazine, espn magazine, or whatever. What do you need to do?

EDIT: I forgot, do you get paid salary, or by the shot? How much?

Message edited by author 2004-04-08 01:29:31.
 04/08/2004 02:10:49 AM · #2
Im 39 and wondering. What do you need to become a professional sports photographer? Do you need college courses? Who do you need to meet with to become a sports photog for sports illustrated, or a lesser magazine, espn magazine, or whatever. What do you need to do?

EDIT: I forgot, do you get paid salary, or by the shot? How much?

LOL Just kidding.... OK (hanging head low) not really. Hey the kid asked a good coupla questions!
TC

Message edited by author 2004-04-08 02:11:22.
 04/08/2004 05:55:54 AM · #3
I know Brent (//www.dpchallenge.com/profile.php?USER_ID=10397) is a professional photog and I think there are some others here who make their full-time career being photogs but you might want to also try out FredMiranda's Professional forum (//www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/27). There is a recent topic that deals with turning pro although it is not just about sports (Topic - Average Income for Professional Photog).
It sounds like you need to be a hustler, make good contacts and deliver decent shots that capture compelling action if you want to shoot sports. I'd also suggest taking a look at Ben Horne's photos if you want to see very high quality sports shots that the shooter can sell to wire services and Div IA colleges (//www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/84947).

Then again, what do I know.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I'm betting great lenses, too. Fast glass with long legs. Hey, wasn't that a Rod Stewart song?

2nd EDIT: Holy junk. Try SportsShooter.com, too. That's a place to view some good shots and you could talk with people who do some of what you're looking into.

Message edited by author 2004-04-08 06:11:09.
 04/08/2004 09:18:00 AM · #4
Definitely not the easiest gig to get into. Hard work and talent, bust most importantly contacts and luck.
 04/08/2004 09:38:30 AM · #5
What do you need? The answer is simple: experience. Take every opportunity to shoot whatever events you can to build up a portfolio.

If it's sports you're interested in, start shooting high school games. You'll likely have no trouble getting close to the action simply by asking a coach if you can stand on the sidelines (compared to the work that goes into getting credentials for pro events), and this will help you learn the best techniques. It would certainly be helpful to have a mentor who can help you develop skills from these outings.

You can take as many college classes as you want, but if your photos still reek of amateur quality, you're still never going to get a job in the field. You can know every formula for calculating depth of field, or whatever, but that's not going to help you get a job.

I shoot Steelers games for a newspaper, primarily for fun and the experience. Seek out whatever opportunities you can to practice your technique, and don't expect that your first job is going to put you on easy street. Expect that your first "real" job will be with a small newspaper (for very little pay), and work your way up! :)

Good luck!

PS -- Someday you might even get a lucky shot into People magazine! <- shameless plug... ;)

Message edited by author 2004-04-08 09:41:38.
 04/08/2004 11:18:21 AM · #6
Lots of info specific to sports photography at SportsShooter.com

It appears you might have to wade through a bit of junk to dig out the information you're looking for, but I found a couple of good articles just cruising the site.
 04/08/2004 11:51:39 AM · #7
Originally posted by alansfreed:
PS -- Someday you might even get a lucky shot into People magazine! <- shameless plug... ;)


And with a shot that they tracked you down for you should be shameless. Heck, I'd think anyone here would be proud to be published in such a periodical.

Kev
 04/08/2004 12:01:25 PM · #8
Originally posted by KevinRiggs:

It sounds like you need to be a hustler, make good contacts and deliver decent shots that capture compelling action if you want to shoot sports.
EDIT: Oh yeah, I'm betting great lenses, too. Fast glass with long legs. Hey, wasn't that a Rod Stewart song?



Assuming photography as a free lancer, or at least you'll likely start that way, you'll need a portfolio - a binder type book of the best shots you have taken. a web site would help too - you'l have to show prospective clients what you can do - it will also help you learn what youcan do and what you like to do.

And you will hustle - likley having more work this month than time to do it, and no work for 2 months. You will spend 1/2 your money on equipment, the other half on advertising/promotion. 1/2 of your work will be something you'd rather not do, but will pay the bills (wedding photography, JC penny/wal mart portrait studio type of thing). 3/4 of your time will be chasing jobs, 1/4 of your time actually doing the photography work.

If you get a job at a paper, magazine or other publication with assignments, the paychecks will be steadier, but the work will more boring, less creative but not necessarily less challenging.

Are you a salesman? You'll have to be a decent one or better to make a living as a freelance photographer.
 04/08/2004 12:33:22 PM · #9
I'm not a pro photographer so take this for what it's worth:

I believe that in order for you to take meaningful photographs it would be a huge benefit to be genuinely interested and knowledgeable in the field(s) you are photographing so you know what people want to see and what is really worth capturing etc.

I.e. if you're a sports freak, try to start with sports. Or, if you're an avid fisherman or hiker, start with nature photography. Maybe you can contribute to a calendar or website in your local club of your favorite hobby?

Once you master dealing with things you know real well, it may be easier to take quality shots in fields that are not as known to you.

"Only half the people I know are above average"
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 09/03/2025 02:27:24 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/03/2025 02:27:24 PM EDT.