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Sports Photographers

Experience, Skills, and Personality Traits

The best way to obtain experience in the field is to work as an assistant to a sports photographer. Contact photographers in your area to inquire about opportunities.

In addition to knowing the ins and outs of photography, sports photographers need to know their game and photo subjects in order to be successful. For example, a football player who is known for a post-touchdown victory dance would make a good subject for a post-touchdown photo. Other players might be known for facial expressions, special moves, or other qualities that would be good to get on film. If possible, photographers should study individual athletes or teams for possible photo opportunities.

Sports photographers need to be thorough and patient when shooting pictures because even the smallest detail could make or wreck a photo. A photographer might shoot a hundred photos in the course of a game, but might only get a few good photos—so photographers needs plenty of patience.

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