Preparing For Children's Sports Team Photos

23 March 2017
 Categories: , Blog


Designing An Easy Photo Shoot

Wrangling a group of precocious kids can be a challenge for even the most seasoned children'steam sports photographers. Fortunately, there are a few methods that will help tame even the most unruly soccer team. A smooth photo shoot starts before the day of the photos and continues after the pictures have already been snapped.

Before Picture Day

Prepare a checklist for the children and their parents. The list should mention things that the parents might forget about like washing their child's uniform before picture day, fixing the child's hair before they arrive for photos, and making sure their cleats are free of grass and mud. Make sure that the arrival time for photos is clearly stated, but plan on some cushion time for parents who may be stuck in traffic or stragglers that are running late.

Communicate with the coach to bring any extra uniforms they may have laying around, in case a child shows up in a stained uniform or if a parent forgets about picture day altogether. It rarely happens but it does not hurt to be prepared.

Check the weather report for the day that pictures are scheduled to make preparations for inclement or extreme weather.

Picture Day

Arrive at least an hour before the team is scheduled to show up. If the weather has cooperated, plan on setting up a photo where the sun is either shining in from one side or is behind the players. Evenly placed shade from a tree with the use of a fill flash can also have a nice effect. An overcast day is actually ideal for photos as it softens any harsh shadows. Bring a plastic bag to place over your camera if it's sprinkling. If it is raining heavily or cold, plan to have the shoot indoors. Set up a white backdrop or a banner with the team name or logo. 

Now that all of the players have arrived, the fun can begin. Have the team get into different formations. Make it seem like a game where the players have to switch places quickly. This will get the kid's energy up and will prime them to have natural looking smiles when you begin to take photos. Naturally, you will want to the taller kids in back and the shorter in front. 

Remind any parents that are also snapping photos to wait until you have finished your pictures, otherwise it becomes confusing for the kids to know where to look. Even better, institute a no photo policy, as this will not only distract the kids, but may also directly affect your sales.

After the photos are finished, follow up with the parents by giving them a sheet on when the photos will be ready and how to order.


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