Last weekend I had the honor of attending Jake’s flag football game.  Imagine, if you will, total chaos.  Kids running helter skelter, willy nilly, this way and that way, round and round all while their parents, coaches, siblings, and friends cheer them on.

And photograph them.

The average, I’d guess, was 10 cameras per kid.

Of course, I was also there with my own camera.  My own camera and my own two kids for whom I was the sole responsible adult.  And although my camera is a fancy one, I don’t have a zoom lens- I have portrait lenses, so it wasn’t as if having a fancy camera alone was going to produce better pictures (Side note- having a fancy camera alone NEVER guarantees better pictures.  If you don’t learn how to use your fancy camera, you should save your money and stick with a point and shoot.  Point and shoots are actually excellent cameras and super small, so you’ll always have them with you.  And a point and shoot maximized might actually perform a fancy camera that has gone un-maximized.  And now on with the show).

So although Jake isn’t actually my kid, I definitely had the “photograph my kid whilst watching my other kids with an inadequate camera” experience.

I thought I’d pass on my tips.

#1- Get down to their level.  Remember this Starting Out Post?  Yeah, it’s no less true with sports events.  Don’t tower over them.  Kneel down, get at their eye level and start photographing.

#2- Position yourself in the good light and wait for them to come to you.  Henry was STRAPPED TO MY CHEST.  And I had to keep Benjy in my line of sight on the sidelines.  There was no way I was going to be able to run around, chasing the action.  Plus, by the time that I would be able to find the right light, adjust my settings, and then take the shot, the action would have long been over.  So, I simply walked over to the good light (in this case , they needed to be backlit.  Remember how unflattering direct sunlight is…), knelt down and waited.  It didn’t take long before they were running willy nilly in my direction.

#3- Get close.  You’re not going to be able to see anyone’s face in the photo if you sit waaaay back in your folding chair.  Get as close to the action as you’re allowed.

#4- Quit while you’re ahead.  Seriously?  Five minutes of photos will do it.  It’s enough time to get the idea- kids running around, having NO CLUE what they’re supposed to be doing, all while being ridiculously adorable.  Twenty frames’ll do it.  Then sit back, grab a Capri Sun and enjoy the rest of the game.

To book you’re own Starting Out Seminar, email me at sarah (at) pikkuarkki.com .  There are still spots available for this Saturday’s Starting Out Seminar in Chandler, Arizona.  

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Tags: Arizona, Chandler, children's photography, event photographer, family photography, lasten valokuvaus, photography tips, professional photographer