Kind of a surprise shot & huddles done tastefully

[SJH Foto]

One picture that a lot of parents want to buy at a volleyball game is their kids in a "time-out" huddle with the coach. I try to make sure that I have several with each team per game. This was taken during a time-out, but #22 and her friend decided to turn around and wave & smile at me. This surprise shot was well-received. But it was an accident. Does the focus and exposure look good on it? I feel it could be strengthened with more focus on #22, since she is in the foreground. Of course, I had half a second to compose this.

Also, about huddles. I need to do them, but I always feel as if it looks like I'm shooting the players backsides when I'm taking them. What would be a good way to take them where it is definitely seen as a tasteful shot?

Ok, the EXIF on this shot is Canon 300d 18mm f/4 1/60sec ISO 100 with flash.

To see more of my work, go to www.sjhfoto.com

[Mr Guy]

Are you worried about the result or feeling creepy while you take them?


If it's the result, that's easy, just make sure you don't compose with their bums on a thirds line!

If it's feeling creepy taking them, all you really need to do is be known to those people you're taking pictures of, and then just don't worry about it. Just make sure you're being obviously above board and welcome curiosity (when they aren't distracting you from taking the shots!) and I wouldn't think about it twice.

A lot of the difference between guilty and professional is just confidence!

[HockeyFan]

Just take them from the waist up, which makes the players more prominent in the photo anyway.

[SJH Foto]

Mr. Guy, I'm worried about how I am perceived. I know how not to take a suggestive picture. At the big tournaments, my teams parents know me, but there are as many as 20 teams playing. And sadly, in this and age, a lot of wackos are out there. i just want to do my job, and not be thought of as one. That hardly has happened, but sometimes the directors are approached. And not even that, but any negative thoughts on the parents part will translate into fewer sales, the kiss of death for any photographer.

[Mr Guy]

I could definitely see that as being a problem. I've not taken pictures at events like that, but the same general concepts still apply. When I was in high school, I did tournaments and such for the yearbook, but that's not exactly the same thing. All you REALLY need to do is introduce yourself to the coaches, a ref or two (and of course any security that may cause problems), and be prominent and confident. Have business cards and a portfolio if you can make it convenient to carry one, and be willing to show them the shots you just took between plays.

The biggest thing in most situations is to be upfront and center and noticeable. If you're noticeable enough, people won't see you at all in that sort of environment, especially once they see you talking to the officials and coaches.

And, of course, offer to take pictures of them with their kids and get THEIR contact info for proofs!

[SJH Foto]

Oh, I do all that. Like I said, it's the 200+ parents that I worry about. i can't approach them all! of course, when they ask the coachs, refs, or director, I am cleared. But many times people just assume, or wonder and don't say anything.

Believe me, not just for that reason, but so that my sales increase, I make myself well-known to all employees there (coaches, officials, refs, etc)

[Mr Guy]

Oh, I do all that. Like I said, it's the 200+ parents that I worry about. i can't approach them all! of course, when they ask the coachs, refs, or director, I am cleared. But many times people just assume, or wonder and don't say anything.

Believe me, not just for that reason, but so that my sales increase, I make myself well-known to all employees there (coaches, officials, refs, etc)

Yeah, that's why I say be SEEN talking to the refs. Like in breaks in the actions when you've already gotten some decent shots, talk to the refs THEN while the parents are visible. It's just not just doing the right things, it's being deliberately highly visible while doing them.

All you need to do, in my opinion, is be exactly what they expect a professional to be. Friendly, engaging, and maybe even a little in the way. Heck, go all out and get the prototypical khaki photographer's vest and hat!

[SJH Foto]

Thank you all for your kind help. By the way, what about the focus in this picture? Does this picture jump out, or is it mundane in it's composition and focus?

[Mr Guy]

That particular picture strikes me as something they'd love for a vignette in their yearbook. She's a bit out of focus, seems to me the real focus is on the smiling girl behind her, even though the hands girl is so dominant in the frame.

[SJH Foto]

GOOD CALL! It's a bit late for the yearbook, but a scrapbooking parent ate it up!