What does a sports photographer do?

I've been thinking about becoming a sports photographer after high school, but I'm not entirely sure what the job entails. Can anyone share what a typical day looks like and what skills or equipment are recommended?

A sports photographer primarily captures high-quality photos of sporting events, athletes, and games. It's an exciting profession that often occurs in dynamic, high-energy environments, so the ability to adapt quickly is crucial.

A typical day might start with checking your gear which could include a digital camera, multiple lenses for different types of shots (like a telephoto lens for close-ups from a distance or a wide-angle lens for capturing larger scenes), flash units, tripods, and possibly a laptop for editing on-site. Despite the move towards digital formats, having knowledge of both digital and film photography can be useful.

You would then arrive at the sporting event, typically before it starts, to set up your equipment and scope out the location. You might have specific shots you're aiming to capture, such as particular athletes or key moments in the game. Through the event, you'll constantly be on the move, searching for the best angles and shots. After the event, you can anticipate a significant amount of time editing and selecting the best pictures to deliver to a client or press agency.

Being a sports photographer requires a comprehensive skill set, including a firm grasp of photographic techniques and principles, the ability to work well under pressure, and excellent hand-eye coordination. You'll need to have an understanding of the sports you're photographing to anticipate key moments, as well as the stamina to be on your feet for the duration of events. Familiarity with photo-editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, is also useful for post-production work.

While it can be a demanding career, many find sports photography rewarding as it combines a love of sports with a passion for photography. It's an opportunity to create powerful images that capture the drama, action, and emotion of the sporting world.