it's about if you want the publication
Why is this useful for you? To take a look at the list of preferred motifs is useful in several ways. This article is not about editing. About this topic you can find more information in our Know How section.
- it keeps our quality high and we want to get to the state where we get booked because of our special skills. So each of us should try to improve him-/herself day by day.
- to be fast is one of the keys to good sales and lots of publications. But it also includes to start with the important stuff. It’s already a gamechanger to upload high attention shots first.
- Of course you need to imagine a media editorial needs to scroll through thousands of images. If your image catches attention, it might be because it’s just great and because you are super fast. (or both).
The thing with the story telling
It’s what you hear from all these “modern” content creators. And yes, it’s important that your photo tells a story… but most creators have some strange interpretations. If the story in your photo is told because you still have the scene in your memory, it means maybe, that someone who hasn’t been there can’t put it together. For example: You take a shot from a Runningback carrying the ball to the endzone for the game winning touchdown. You got him from behind. Sure, a super intense and important scene. But if you don’t know it was that, you see a guy running away from you. No ball, no face, no connection to the story.
You need to emotionally detach yourself from your photo.
Exceptions
As usual it’s not a 100% rule .. so if there is a stunning shot from behind or something comparable. You will realize when you got it. It’s like the following shot from Roberto.
Example
Of course, not a real exception because you see the ball. But yes, it’s from behind. But there is no explanation needed.That photo was published pretty often and it was submitted from home like the day after the game.
Prio 1 - Action shots
This should be the first thing you should look for. You should have several action shots from both teams if possible. We don’t need to catch every play in American Football. But we should have them from both teams. Even if you are a fan of one team or team photographer, just try to capture some shots from the other team as well.
Usually they should have players frontal and the ball should be at the photo.
That includes: 1vs1 fights, Handoff, “group” fights, touchdowns, catches, runs and also isolated single actions.
If there is a showrunner in the photo, just label it/ tag him. The media is going to look for it.
2.- Quarerbacks
Try to get a typical QB shot from each QB on both sides. They are picked pretty often and should be somewhere up on the bucket list. With typical i mean a QB prepare to throw the ball or throwing it. It’s also a good idea to have him running with the ball. It’s nothing you need to run for. Sometimes it’s easier to let them come to you. But these shots are definatley worth making them.
If you wait at around the 10yards dash, you will have a easy shot. Right after kickoff they usually start there and you can get your shot. Of course you can also try to get it from the front but you should have some decent zoom for it.
3. Celebrations
They are defintely really important as well. They didn’t sell in the mass like the action shots but they sell in the “better paid” formats because they transport emotions. So news like “BILD” and others love to use emotions. So try to get the touchdown celebrations from both sides or the ones after a win.
Some of these shots have been sold pretty good and to some real good media. For example the BILD, Stuttgarter Zeitung, etc. AND they are nice memories. STAY IN FOKUS after the touchdown! The shots right after are maybe more important than checking if you fot the td.
4. Sideline and VIP
Don’t underestimate the relevance of the people at the sideline or in the stands. Especially the coaches in action with emotions and the VIPs. These days a lot franchises have connection to NFL Teams, to VIPs and whatever. For example also TV stations or better to say their employees are usually VIP. Just keep your eyes open. AND we have a lot of former NFL Coaches at the sideline or just injured players, whatever.
If you are not sure who it is but he is behaving like a VIP and people treat him like a VIP, take the photo! You can ask in our groups later and will get an answer or not (maybe not that VIP then 😉 )
5. General emotions
Of course they are important but regarding our sales i would not place them before this rank. Sure, the celebrations from winning and touchdowns are important emotions .. but the general emotions … you don’t have to hurry too much. As an exception i’d say for example a playoff game and a crying player etc.
Stay there after a win or loss and see if you can catch some hugging, tears, players saying thank you or for example the Vikings doing the vikings thing after a win.
6. Entrance
When the teams enter the arena it’s a mix between emotions and symbolism. This photos are often taken as illustration for the team itself. Especially with smoke and flags they might look impressive.
To achive this kind of photos you need to be a bit careful about not violating the guidelines of the place/hosting team. You need to see what other photographers do as well. So if you are the only one in the middle … you are wrong! You can also ask the media team if it’s ok to place yourself besides them.
7. The place
As trivial it sounds but the place is not that unimportant. You should try to get at least some clean shots (preferred with wideangle) from the stadium, place, field or gym. And this photos are used sometimes for game previews or just if there are news about the place (for example Berlin).
Use the tags “place interior view/stadion innenansicht” on top for labeling these shots.
If you are on site with one of our orher photographers, one of you can move up the stands, just the opposing corner of the entrance and take some shots when the teams entering the arena … with pyro, smoke, etc.
8. Posing and portraits
You can edit and upload this images later. They don’t need to be prio1. Of course, if a player is posing in a touchdown celebration this shot might be more important. And keep in mind: you don’t need many of them… they aren’t sold too much and if so, usually just from the showrunners.
If you want a portrait and/or a player posing for you like pregame or after the game, try to catch their attention a little bit so that they are looking at your camera. Don’t be too bothering .. let it be a smile or something.
9. The fans
You need to be sure that you aren’t violating the rights of the individual. Therefore you can rrely on the following:
To stay on the safe side, photograph people in groups, from a wide angle, or with obscured faces—or those who clearly pose for the camera, especially since heavily costumed or painted individuals are generally not considered identifiable under image rights law.
10. Other and symbolic
The symbolic photos are used a lot as well. They are usually not time critical except they are symbolic for a franchise or a Team. Anyway … you can usually take your time to edit and upload things like balls on the grass.
A typical motif is for example the helmet on the grass, the hammer of thunder, a flag waving and balls on the ground. Just take them when you see them .. they might be interesting especially for editorial. Use tags like “symbolic” to make it obvious.
