I started photographing sports when my kids joined competitive clubs in middle school. Now I work for a large firm that covers hundreds of high schools and have done so for 6 years. My sports photography has improved significantly, but I am now interested in earning a living covering sports full-time.
Offered free images to the high school my son played football at, improved my portfolio to show the local paper (10 years now) and that lead to shooting for the local college. The pro venues are 150+ miles one way. I haven't committed to trying to shoot those, but I'm interested in how to get on a wire service, how they work, differences between them and if you can really pay for those trips to shoot the big schools and pro events. Maybe in a future video? This one was good, just like your others. Thank you and I'm looking forward to the next.
Thanks for the information from the video! I really want to break away from family/pet photography and do sports photography. Only thing is my lens for night time have to high of an F stop. And my photos either don’t come out or look like crap. Wish some of this stuff was cheaper! But I can only do what I can with what I got for now. My end goal would to be a photographer in the NFL. I am a U.S. Army Veteran, so I know I can push through the challenges ahead of me. Just got to get to where I can get better light in a local high school game with what I have
Got into it by going through my local paper, that then got me passes to most motor racing tracks. Soon I was shooting for other papers and Mags, but never forgot the original paper and continue to supply them with shots. I also cover BMX/Mountain bike/Motox/ Football(soccer)Rugby /Cricket but will and have shot most sports. P.s nice one Jerry.
I got my start in motor sport photography because I wanted to be closer to the action and see the rigs up close. I have a late start being 50 yrs old but it’s one those things that has been very fulfilling. One way to get involved is to learn and work with the smaller race teams who are just getting started and shoot for them specifically. From there you can request for media credentials and generally that will get you started. Also, look at the requirements needed to get those credentials and follow up with that person. Note: I shoot Ultra4 and NorCal Rock Races
It's important to knock on lots of doors, so to speak, and don't be afraid of rejection. Sometimes you need to work for free to get people to see your work. I love shooting sports and although supporting myself financially isn't my main goal, I have some major events I'd like to shoot one day.
Hi, thank you for your videos! I'm passionate of sport photography, since I like being close to the action and capture all these emotions. I live in Italy, do you have any specific advice about how to be a sport photographer here in Italy/ Europe?
Great video Jerry... am very interested in Sports Photography too... but at the moment due PKP have to be patient till it clears a bit.. been doing a lot of corporate, advertising, event stuff but hopefully to hone in on Sports soonest.. keep the videos coming and all the best in Tokyo.... cheers...
Do you have a video on necessary equipment. I know each sport is different but some examples would be great. Keep the great and helpful videos coming. Thanks.
Thank you for your testimony. I live in Lisbon, Portugal, and I usually shoot soccer games but on an amateur basis. I would like to pursue a professional career but really, it is a very restricted and closed area. Anyway, I'm shooting for pleasure and watching your videos that I like a lot. A hug.
Hi Pedro, thanks for watching from Portugal! Yes, sports photography is a very small and difficult profession to break into, especially with so many arenas closing down to spectators and even media in 2020 and 2021. Hopefully the tips I share will help give you a bit of an advantage when things begin to open again.
Keep going you never know when the door will open . Keep shooting but never forget have fun doing it, challenge your self by shooting a sport/ subject that you would not normally shoot.
Jerry. LOVE your content and intent. Your desire to help others is appreciated. I am afraid, however, that your message may be lost in the medium. Your jump cuts and script delivery make your videos almost unwatchable. I soldier through because I know that the content is good. I'm sure you would increase your views if you worked with a videogeapher and polished up your RUclips videos. Keep up the good work and thanks for all the advice! - Eric
Hi Eric, appreciate the candid comments. This channel has been a bit of a pandemic project, so I do know there is quite a lot of rounding out of the edges required. I do take viewer comments on the production into future consideration (for example the music disappeared after the first few videos), so maybe I'll work on at least in the short term just shooting more B-Roll or adding more photos to the videos. Thanks for watching, but more importantly thank you for the feedback!
Hi Luke, it indeed does takes some luck and persistence because it's such a competitive industry. Technology has also made it easier for "regular" people to break in, and the pandemic has eliminated many opportunities as well. Hopefully things will open up a bit more in 2021 for everybody.
Thank you Jerry for your kind response and I deeply agree with what you said previously, let’s just hope for a brighter 2021, unfortunately things in Italy haven’t been much better than last year but there is always hope. Love your work!
Thanks! My office has very uneven lighting so I'd have to invest in some studio lights if I want to shoot in there. Maybe eventually but for now, I do unfortunately have to just keep continue to film in front of my kitchen lol. Hope you still stick around anyways!
Hello sir.... I hope you will help me... I am searching for such photographer. I would like to become a sports photographer. But how? How do I enter a stadium with a camara? Who gave us the permission? Or can everyone do it? Need any licences? ...Can I work as a photographer for famous sporting events such as FIFA or the World Cup without having any ties to the club?Will they allow me? I hope you will give me valuable advice. I am twenty years old Indian.
I started photographing sports when my kids joined competitive clubs in middle school. Now I work for a large firm that covers hundreds of high schools and have done so for 6 years. My sports photography has improved significantly, but I am now interested in earning a living covering sports full-time.
Offered free images to the high school my son played football at, improved my portfolio to show the local paper (10 years now) and that lead to shooting for the local college. The pro venues are 150+ miles one way. I haven't committed to trying to shoot those, but I'm interested in how to get on a wire service, how they work, differences between them and if you can really pay for those trips to shoot the big schools and pro events. Maybe in a future video? This one was good, just like your others. Thank you and I'm looking forward to the next.
Thanks for the information from the video! I really want to break away from family/pet photography and do sports photography. Only thing is my lens for night time have to high of an F stop. And my photos either don’t come out or look like crap. Wish some of this stuff was cheaper! But I can only do what I can with what I got for now. My end goal would to be a photographer in the NFL. I am a U.S. Army Veteran, so I know I can push through the challenges ahead of me. Just got to get to where I can get better light in a local high school game with what I have
Got into it by going through my local paper, that then got me passes to most motor racing tracks. Soon I was shooting for other papers and Mags, but never forgot the original paper and continue to supply them with shots. I also cover BMX/Mountain bike/Motox/ Football(soccer)Rugby /Cricket but will and have shot most sports. P.s nice one Jerry.
Nice story! I am certainly grateful to those who gave me my first chances as well, and the opportunities that they led me to!
I got my start in motor sport photography because I wanted to be closer to the action and see the rigs up close. I have a late start being 50 yrs old but it’s one those things that has been very fulfilling. One way to get involved is to learn and work with the smaller race teams who are just getting started and shoot for them specifically. From there you can request for media credentials and generally that will get you started. Also, look at the requirements needed to get those credentials and follow up with that person.
Note: I shoot Ultra4 and NorCal Rock Races
Id really like to see a video about how money works in this industry.
Excellent tips and it applies to any industry you want to be a part of.
It's important to knock on lots of doors, so to speak, and don't be afraid of rejection. Sometimes you need to work for free to get people to see your work. I love shooting sports and although supporting myself financially isn't my main goal, I have some major events I'd like to shoot one day.
Nothing to gain if you don't ask!
Hi, thank you for your videos! I'm passionate of sport photography, since I like being close to the action and capture all these emotions. I live in Italy, do you have any specific advice about how to be a sport photographer here in Italy/ Europe?
Great video Jerry... am very interested in Sports Photography too... but at the moment due PKP have to be patient till it clears a bit.. been doing a lot of corporate, advertising, event stuff but hopefully to hone in on Sports soonest.. keep the videos coming and all the best in Tokyo.... cheers...
Thank you for your story.
Good job Jerry… Hoep you are doing well; long time, no see!
Paul! It has been a long time! Man, I was a young'en who didn't know s**t back when I worked with you regularly :-) Hope you've been well!
Do you have a video on necessary equipment. I know each sport is different but some examples would be great. Keep the great and helpful videos coming. Thanks.
This is a good idea... gear recommendations for specific sports. I'll work on this in the near future.
Thank you for this video and sharing your stories.
Hi Ronald, thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed this video!
Thank you for your testimony. I live in Lisbon, Portugal, and I usually shoot soccer games but on an amateur basis. I would like to pursue a professional career but really, it is a very restricted and closed area. Anyway, I'm shooting for pleasure and watching your videos that I like a lot. A hug.
Hi Pedro, thanks for watching from Portugal! Yes, sports photography is a very small and difficult profession to break into, especially with so many arenas closing down to spectators and even media in 2020 and 2021. Hopefully the tips I share will help give you a bit of an advantage when things begin to open again.
Keep going you never know when the door will open . Keep shooting but never forget have fun doing it, challenge your self by shooting a sport/ subject that you would not normally shoot.
@@JerryTLai your tips are very good and I really like your videos. Thanks.
@@paultrunfull3324 Yes, it is true, very true, we never know tomorrow.
Great video, thank you!
Hi DP, thanks for watching!
great story!
I will admit a lot of it came down to 'right place / right time' but it definitely hasn't always been easy. Thanks for watching!
Jerry. LOVE your content and intent. Your desire to help others is appreciated. I am afraid, however, that your message may be lost in the medium. Your jump cuts and script delivery make your videos almost unwatchable. I soldier through because I know that the content is good. I'm sure you would increase your views if you worked with a videogeapher and polished up your RUclips videos. Keep up the good work and thanks for all the advice! - Eric
Hi Eric, appreciate the candid comments. This channel has been a bit of a pandemic project, so I do know there is quite a lot of rounding out of the edges required. I do take viewer comments on the production into future consideration (for example the music disappeared after the first few videos), so maybe I'll work on at least in the short term just shooting more B-Roll or adding more photos to the videos. Thanks for watching, but more importantly thank you for the feedback!
Photography look like an impossible job possibility, like only a few lucky people get to do this as a job. I’m starting to give up on it. Great video.
Hi Luke, it indeed does takes some luck and persistence because it's such a competitive industry. Technology has also made it easier for "regular" people to break in, and the pandemic has eliminated many opportunities as well. Hopefully things will open up a bit more in 2021 for everybody.
Thank you Jerry for your kind response and I deeply agree with what you said previously, let’s just hope for a brighter 2021, unfortunately things in Italy haven’t been much better than last year but there is always hope. Love your work!
Don't give up. Tough times right now but just make contacts and offer to shoot. You will get some no answers but also some yes.
Thank you Robert for the encouragement, stay safe.
I'm sad 😥 sir jerry lai
I used canon kiss x2
My lens is ef-s 55-250mm
Great video....try sitting behind a desk, have a cup of coffee!
Thanks! My office has very uneven lighting so I'd have to invest in some studio lights if I want to shoot in there. Maybe eventually but for now, I do unfortunately have to just keep continue to film in front of my kitchen lol. Hope you still stick around anyways!
I'm sad sir jerry lai 😥
Hello sir.... I hope you will help me...
I am searching for such photographer. I would like to become a sports photographer. But how? How do I enter a stadium with a camara? Who gave us the permission? Or can everyone do it? Need any licences? ...Can I work as a photographer for famous sporting events such as FIFA or the World Cup without having any ties to the club?Will they allow me? I hope you will give me valuable advice. I am twenty years old Indian.