Sports are back! If you're the parent of an athlete in Pekin, Peoria, or anywhere in Illinois, then you know the biggest news this week was the announcement of the return of winter and spring sports.
One of my favorite things to photograph is my kids playing sports, so here are 3 tips for taking better sports pictures of your child. (Sorry, I don't have a football player, so I'll focus here on basketball, volleyball, softball, and baseball, but the same concepts will apply to any sport you want to photograph.
Tip 1. ANTICIPATE THE ACTION.
Normally, as a parent, we are going to watch our own child. But sometimes you'll want to capture pictures of other players, too. My tip is to focus on one athlete at a time, and anticipate every play. If you know your child's sport, you know where the next potential play will probably be. If you're photographing baseball or softball and your student athlete plays shortshop and there's a runner on first base, you know there's a good chance for a great play at second base as the runner tries to steal second. Or if your child is a catcher, you know s/he is going to throw down to second base for a play. So focus on WHERE you think the next play will be and wait. If you're watching your student athlete play basketball and you want to get a good picture of him/her running down the court, or running up for the layup, anticipate that shot by focusing on where you believe that play will be and then wait and be ready when it happens. If your child plays volleyball, instead of watching the ball, watch your child, focus on her, and be ready for the picture when the ball gets to her. Sometimes the best action is RIGHT BEFORE they make contact with the ball, or RIGHT BEFORE they actually make the shot. The key is to anticipate and be ready.
Tip 2. CAPTURE THE EMOTION.
Many times, the emotion comes right after a play. My daughter's habit after any good play is a fist pump. So I watch for it.
Sometimes the emotion comes right after a play when you're watching a sport in Central Illinois. Sometimes the emotion comes during a play, with a facial expression, or the devastation of a missed play. And sometimes the best emotion comes from capturing the interaction between teammates showing their love and respect for each other. Holding hands. A team group hug. A sharing of a favorite pre-game routine. The excitement of a great play. Even the goofiness on the bench.
Tip 3. WATCH THE WATCHERS.
Let's face it, the bench is important. And sometimes you'll capture some of the greatest emotive pictures from focusing your attention on the kids on the bench. When a great play is made on the field, just take a look at the bench. Sometimes the emotion is excitement and cheering and high fives; other times the emotion is devastating sadness as a game slips away; and sometimes the emotion on the bench is studious concentration. I love to watch the watchers and capture their raw emotions during a game.
The overall thing to remember when taking better pictures of your child playing sports is to always be ready. You may miss a "big play" while focusing on someone else's emotion during that play, but sometimes, those are the best shots.
I'd love to answer any questions you have about taking better pictures of your child playing sports. Just comment below.
xo,
Lisa
(Did you know you can hire me to attend and photograph one of your child's games? I'd LOVE to chat with you about how that works -- when COVID restrictions are gone. Get in touch with me for details.)
Lisa Pallardy Photography is a family and senior portrait photographer located in Pekin, Illinois, photographing families and seniors from around the Central Illinois area. http://www.lisapallardyphotography.com
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