With the ability to capture the feelings, emotions and excitement of a sporting event, a sports team photographer can cover just about any sport. From pee-wee baseball to high school football, Olympic swimming to the NBA, the sports photography business can be a tough one to enter, and maintaining a high level of education and awareness in the industry is a must.

Because it is an ever-evolving business, those in the sports photography industry need to stay current with any changes in training. If there is a better camera out there, then they need to know about it. If there is a better angle to take a shot, then they should take advantage. Consider the following when investigating ideal sports photographers education and training options:

1. Obtain a college degree that can give you experience with becoming an athletics photographer.

2. Seek out internships as a youth sports photographer to learn hands-on training tips.

3. Attend conferences or seminars hosted by those in the sports team photography business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Secure a degree in photography that focuses on the sports photo industry

Technically there is no rule that states you need to have a photography degree to obtain a job as a sports photographer. That being said, it does not hurt to learn how to properly use and take precise photographs, especially if you plan to earn a living by taking pictures.

I recommend: Brown College offers a bachelor of science degree with its digital photography program. Enrolling in its courses, allows you to learn the art of photography by using computer software and print-making technology. The Brooks Institute is a well-known educational facility that offers a professional photography program. Its students can go on to work in the film industry or more specialized fields, such as becoming a photojournalist or sports photographer.

Locate an internship to learn about more about sports photography information

Learning through hands-on experiences is an ideal way to gain more training and education about the sports photography business. Many news outlets provide this type of opportunity to those starting off in the field. You may find yourself shadowing a member of its staff to learn about the best light to use, the best angles to shoot or the best cameras to purchase.

I recommend: The New York Times Company offers 10-week summer internships to college students seeking to learn more about the journalism profession. Its photography interns work with all departments of the paper, including sports. SportsStockPhotography.com offers an internship in Utah, mainly during the warmer months. Interns can expect to work two or three days per week, assisting with shoot planning and set-up.

Attend seminars or conferences to learn about sports event photography

Some of the industry's leaders either host or attend sports photography seminars or conferences to network with those in the industry. Oftentimes these multi-day meetings feature speakers, on-site demonstrations and the ability for participants to ask any questions they may have.

I recommend: Try to attend the Sports Photography Workshop hosted annually. As one of the most popular workshops in the country, you can network with sports photographers and editors who have hired some of the participants to go on and work for the top sports publications. The Sports Photographers Association of America has an annual conference where attendees can learn through tutorials, participate in educational sessions and network with others in the industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't be afraid to gain vast experience and knowledge by working your way up with sports photography services. By starting off in an entry-level job, you can fine-tune your skills, gaining knowledge from everyone around you, and then moving on to a bigger and better opportunity.

The field of sports photography includes sports team photography, athletics photography, adventure sports photography, and creative sports photography. Sports photographers may specialize in a certain location, certain sport, certain gender, prefer black and white over color, or be a generalist and have experience photographing a variety of sporting events from tee ball to polo, from high school swimming to winter X-Games.

Sports photography is an exciting but stressful field since the best shots are generally those that catch live action at its peak. When seeking a professional to capture shots of your sporting event, prior experience is key. Before you get started, consider the following pointers:

1. Know the type of sports photography you need so you can focus on finding an athletics photographer with the applicable background.

2. Calculate your budget and know your deadline, since photographers can be quite expensive and their schedules can be quite full.

3. Decide whether you want to be involved in the shoot, or if you will let the photographer have free rein based on your stated requirements.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get off the bench and search through lists of sports photographers

Sports photography is a specialized but large field of work, so narrowing down your options should be the first goal. Professional sports photography services can assist you in your search but contract rates may be higher than finding a photographer on your own.

I recommend: You can search region, state, and international listings for sports photographers at PhotoLinks. Look through Y-Coach's listing of sports teams photographers for a professional youth sports photographer. The Photography Pros directory has national and international listings of sports photographers seeking work.

Use professional associations to find professional sports photographers

An experienced sports photographer will have a sizable portfolio, come highly recommended, and will be attached to a fee ranging from hundreds of dollars to thousands. A well-known sports photographer specializing adventure or extreme sports will charge more than the local youth athletic team photographer.

I recommend: The member listing of sports photographers through the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) can be narrowed down to those willing to travel to your specific location. Use the free search tool through the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) to be referred to sports photographers fitting your criteria.

Select a freelance sports photographer for your small budget team

Freelance photographers abound and can be found through word of mouth, local sporting events, and even through freelance job boards. Use all avenues to find potential candidates. Make sure to check out their websites and look through any portfolios you can find.

I recommend: Post your project requirements and receive bids, or do your own search on iFreelance from sports photographers who would like your business. You can locate a sports photographer through FreelanceDesigners. The International Freelance Photographers Organization (IFPO) maintains a list of freelance sports photographers by last name and location.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find sport photographer information in magazines you enjoy reading. Just look at the photo credits and perform a Web search or contact the magazine's editorial staff for the photographer's contact information.
• •  Follow up with a sports team photographer if you see a sports photo on display that captures your attention. The contact information should be on the front or back of the photo.

With such a versatile career, sports photographers need to be knowledgeable about their equipment as well as the sports that they shoot. The best way to do that is to attend classes through a school or secure an internship where you shadow someone in the profession. It's best to learn some terms, though, before you get near the field, court, pool or other site for the sport. Keep these important terms in mind, and you will be on your way to a successful sports photography career.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Digital single lens reflex camera

A digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera is essential if you plan on shooting games in a gymnasium. The gym usually has bad lighting, but if you own a higher-end DSLR camera, you have a better chance of capturing the scene without worrying about the poor lighting.

I recommend: Learn more about when to use a DSLR camera, as well as what to do if a flash isn't allowed indoors, through MalekTips.

Peak action

Knowing the sport's peak action is essential in capturing the best shot. Peak action occurs at the point of impact for a specific sport, whether it's when the bat connects with the ball in baseball or at the height of a jump in basketball. This skill requires timing and knowledge about the sport; both of which can make you a pro in the sports photography field.

I recommend: Learn more about peak action at MediaCollege.com.

Camera pre-focus

This is a technique used to shoot many photos in a row, and is used in conjuncture with peak action. You focus on where the bulk of the action will be, whether home plate for baseball or the basketball rim for basketball. This step can increase your chances of capturing a great shot.

I recommend: Check out camera tips, including one on pre-focusing your camera, at PhotographyREVIEW.com.

Panning

Panning involves following the action horizontally. You keep your eye on the sporting activity from side-to-side, never removing your camera. You should also use a slower shutter speed for this technique, as you want to focus on the activity and not the background.

I recommend: Find out more about panning from Picture Correct.

Aperture

This is an important part of photography in general, not just sports photography. This is the size of the opening in the camera lens where the light enters. By adjusting the aperture, you can allow the correct amount of light to reach the camera's sensors. Some cameras feature an automatic function, while others cater to the manual option. Either way, it's best to know about aperture when you're a professional photographer.

I recommend: Visit Illustrated Photography to learn more about adjusting the aperture.

Color balance

Adjusting the color balance is important if you're shooting sporting events indoors. Once you adjust your aperture, you may need to fix the colors, especially if you aren't allowed to use a flash. This is a step needed only for those who operate a manual camera.

I recommend: Read about adjusting the color balance at Catching the Light.

Sports photography services provide a great way for teams and individuals to have photographs taken while they are on the field. Many sport photography services also provide professional team photographs to commemorate the season. Sports photographers have a lot of choices when it comes to cameras and equipment. The best equipment for the job will depend on the type of sporting event and the photographer's preference for either digital or film.

Sports photographers supplies and equipment will vary depending on the type of sports photography needed. All photographers need to have the same basic supplies, which include the camera, lighting and film. Photographers need to choose supplies based on:

1. The selection of camera for action sports photography;

2. Supplies for team and individual photography;

3. The right type of film for sports event photography.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose the right type of camera and lenses for sports photography

The best camera for any athletics photographer is one that can go from one sport to another and still take great shots. Professional cameras can either be digital or film. Most photographers use a combination of digital and film shots at a sporting event to get a range of quality. Digital works just as well as film by most photo composition standards.

I recommend: Sports Pictures provides a guide for choosing the best type of camera for sports photography. Catching the Light also provides information on camera selection as well as other equipment necessary for sports photography.

Explore the equipment needed for sports team photography

Team sports photographers need different equipment compared to the action sports photographer. Team photographers will need the right equipment for taking group and individual pictures for the season. Team photographers need plenty of lighting equipment to achieve studio quality inside gyms or out on the field. A sturdy tripod is also essential equipment for team photographers to have.

I recommend: Adorama provides a guide on what type of replacement tripod head is best suited for the job. Camera Shops provides information about different types of lighting equipment used for indoor and outdoor settings.

Consider film types when working with athletics photography

Many sports photographers have already switched over to using digital cameras, but there are many out there that still find 35mm film the best medium for sports photography. Film for cameras comes in a range of speeds. The most common speeds are 200, 400 and 800. The faster the speed, the better the film is for action sports photography.

I recommend: Better Photo provides a question and answer section that discusses the type and speed of film best for action photography. Geoff Lawrence's Photography and Tutorial Tips provides information on when to use a faster film speed and how film speed affects the sharpness of the picture.