Sports Photography

Hi there, readers!
Todays subject for my long written speech is: Sports Photography.

Throughout the last 4-6 months, I have been affiliated with X Flag Football here in San Diego, CA. I have been photographing their games and players multiple days of the week, every week, for months. I want to let you know my experience, what I've learned and also my take away from going from an "unexperienced" sports photographer to a "semi professional" sports photographer.

(P. A)

Photo taken of X Flag Football
San Diego, CA (2018)

When I first started, this was my very first photo (P. A). I had no clue what it took to photograph these large and fast men hurdling right towards my 5' 1" body. In a word, I was petrified! For one, I am not a socialite by any means. I am a sufferer of social anxiety and sometimes depression to the point that I don't leave my home for days at a time. So, this was a complete jump out of my comfort zone. For two, I was brand new to digital photography (I bought this specific camera - https://amzn.to/2LzYqkb ) and I didn't know manual mode from Automatic mode. Aperture? What is that, right? So, as you can see from the photo, I had a rough and bumpy start. I didn't understand that lighting is literally everything because I just bought a camera one day and started shooting. I found out very quickly, during my shoot, that I needed to start doing my research and *learn my camera. So, I started studying what makes a camera work and how I can use lighting to my advantage. Soon, I was setting up at the games and tournaments, feeling confident in my ability to capture the shots I came for. I started feeling so confident that I became more social with the players. I began to surface from this dark space where I had been hiding for so long, hiding from people. There I was. Shooting for hours at a time with no worries that I was not adequate enough for the position I began to hold.

After weeks of photographing these same men. I started to tell them about my photography business and show them their photos; They were more excited than I could have ever imagined. I would capture a "jump shot" at the perfect moment and they would go crazy with happiness. Seeing this excitement got my blood pumping in only a way I can describe as a high or an adrenaline rush. It truly made me want to get in the action and get on the field. I'm talking, ON THE FIELD. Have you ever stepped so far out of your comfort zone that you started to question your very own sanity? I did. To some people it is sky diving, to my husband it is, in his words, "teaching". To me it is stepping on the turf and getting in the action.

(P. B)
My very first action shot that
truly gave me chills.
San Diego, CA (2018)

Don't get me wrong, I heavily depended on the referees for my safety and although it was not their job, they really did look out for me. They made it possible for me to capture photos like this (P. B)  which is by far one of my absolute favorite photos that I have ever taken. When I looked down at my camera it was astonishing what was captured at such a close range! At the time I was using just an 18-55mm canon stock lens (You can see it here - https://amzn.to/2LB7FR0 ). I have since upgraded to a 75-300mm Canon Telephoto lens (see it here - https://amzn.to/2MXs3R3) and I am excited to say that it has been  an absolute enjoyment so far. Not only does it provide me with extremely detailed shots, it keeps me in the safe zone off of the field while still being in the action.

It's sincerely breathtaking looking at the differences between these two photos above. It gives me confidence in the future for my photography and my skills.

I have enjoyed my time being a sports photographer for X Flag Football and I hope you find delight in some of the photos included below as well. You can check out Mike Zimmerman and his nationally known flag football leagues here.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and please subscribe to stay up to date with D&R Photography and my adventures.

Stock Photography by Samantha Molett