Kori Evans Loc: Illinois

Good morning! Posting today in search of some helpful tips. I'v been asked to take some team pictures/individual photos, and I have never done this before. I don't want to turn it down because 1. Its a "beer league" football team 2. I'd like to have the experience. I am going to create an order form as well. Does anyone have some helpful tips so that I can make sure this runs smoothly. I was told there is an estimated 30 people (give or take) on the team.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Sounds like a rowdy bunch. You might want a set of shoulder pads for yourself!

Pretty much just like shooting Little League, just older subjects is all.

dasloaf

what ever you do, check the background out before you take the pictures. Someone once took a team picture and the graffitti in the background was for the cross town rival. too funny. We also now have a sports section to the board, ask some of the pros who post in there for help?

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

I'd recommend 1-2 beers prior to the actual shot (depending on your sensitivity) then have a great time - try out whatever you can think of
and if you are having fun chances are the others are too and really thats the point isn't it?

Kori Evans Loc: Illinois

Thanks!
MT: You might be right! LOL!
dasloaf: Thanks! And yes, I know what you mean! My daughter's t-ball pics from last year have other teams in the back ground just randomly walking around :(.
docrob: You are correct! Its most likely going to be fairly cold (next weekend) so I might just make a thermos of Rumple Minz/hot chocolate :)!

Opus Loc: South East Michigan

If it's a beer league try to take the picture while they are still sober!!!!!

Upnorth Imagez Loc: Bemidji Minnesota

KJFPhotos: I just finished a shoot of 60 highschool choir members. Since you are dealing with "beer league" players this will probably be simillar to highschoolers... Chaos. First and formost bring an assistant if at all possible. Have this person write down everyones name in the order you will shoot them and take their orders. This person should feed the people to you as you take them. Set camera on a tripod in front of whatever background you choose and have all of them stand/sit in the exact same place. The pose can be different just keep them in the same general place/distance from you. The only change you will make may be in height adjustments. This keeps their heads the same size relatively. On your order form include the tax in your prices if this is applicable. It's been my experience that people can't figure out tax rates and apply them to your prices correctly. If possible, keep your rates in round numbers. Done correctly, this can not only be fun but efficient and profitable. Take more than one exposure of each individual too. Good luck!
:thumbup: :thumbup:

BKP33701 Loc: St. Pete Florida

My only tip on this is to take a photo of each person holding up a piece of paper with their name on it and their team name etc. if there are different teams. It is much easier when you are at home editing and need to know who is who. Good Luck !!!!!!

photosbysexton Loc: Knoxville, TN

and don't yell "cheese". try "strip" instead. You'll get some great candids that way.

Dun1 Loc: Atlanta, GA

Organizing the shoot will make it much easier on you of course. Depending on how much beer they have consumed and a before the game shoot might be a great idea since after some beer and the game has been played might be taxing on your patience.
You mentioned order form and that is a great idea, rather than multiple guess order process. You might want to elect the coach or manager to help you get the forms filled out.
I would try to shoot each player at bat, playing their position in the field. For group shots you may have to use the stands or the ever so lovely aluminum bleachers. If you do shoot group shots use f/8-16 depending lighting. Those f/stops will allow you
enough depth of field to get clear shots of all the players in the frame.
You can also try using some templates to customize the team photos, so take a look at Easy Digitals, Kim Kunkel has some great sports templates to add some zing and further customize your sports photos, http://easydigitals.com/. She does have freebies. She also has tutorials on YouTube to help you use the templates.
Select an clean a background as you can find at the field where the photos will be taken. That way you don't get somebody on the second row in conversation with the spectators or fans. If the shoot takes place somewhere other than a field you have more control over the background.
Good luck on the shoot and after it's over you can savor a cold adult beverage as your reward.
Give some consideration on how you wish to make the photos available for viewing.

Kori Evans Loc: Illinois

Thank you so much everyone for your comments/advice! I will keep all of it mind and let ya know how it goes!!

Kori Evans Loc: Illinois

I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice an opinions. And I wanted to report back that Sunday's shoot went...well. But could have been much better. I do know now what I would have done differently. My order forms may not have been so clear? Though I thought I made them as simple as possible. All in all, it was a great experience. And I must correct my description of the league. I was under the impression that this was a "beer league" type. I was VERY wrong. It is a semi pro football league. I only got a handful of individual photo orders. Mainly due to a certian team player not getting the order forms to the rest of the team in a timly manner. No blame on him, I should have been in contact with the coach. But This player was in charge of getting in contact with me and setting everything up. Hopefully I will make up for that loss with all the action shots I got.... over 1300 photos to go through! That was only up until half time! The plus side, I have been invited back to next weeks game and they are tossing around the idea of having me as their personal game photog.
I will be uploading a few tonight to my smugmug acct and will share with this group. I'm not used to football action shots...more so fashion show action....so I will acctept all the CC you can give me!!!! :)