It’s that time of year again! Time for FOOTBALL! For a girl that went to a state championship high school football team and then to Penn State when they won the Rose Bowl and became national champions, it’s safe to say that football is in my blood! Some would say I bleed blue and white ;-)

Although I haven’t had any luck getting my boys to be on the field….yet….I get to photograph Taylor High School Mustang’s football games for the last three seasons. I LOVE it! I love being on the sidelines. I love the energy of the game and the fans and the coaches and the team and the band and the cheerleaders- all of it. It makes me feel like I’m back in high school taking photos again feeling all cool because I am on the sidelines. Of course, the day after I feel everyone of my 43 years, but Friday night lights are for promises and hope.

Many times parents come up to me and ask how they can take better photos of their kids playing sports, especially football.

Here are some tips

1. Find a location in the stands with an unobstructed views, a long lens and good light.

2. Try to photograph with the light behind you even if you have to go to the other side of the field.

3. Zoom in as close as possible. And if you are far away, you can always crop in on the action in post production. (see example below)

4. Keep the image as clean as possible from background activity. Try to separate the action from the herd of clusters of players. This will highlight your player as much as possible. It may often be before or after the "action" has passed them.

5. Try to get sideline photos of your players as well as a posed shot before the game.

6. Get photos of friends and details of the game: cheerleaders, moms in the stands, band, the sunset. The memories that fill in the experience and tell the story.

But most importantly don't forget to watch the games and cheer. You're the parent and their biggest fans. You can always hire us to capture your photos for you so you can cheer your loudest for their victories and teach them to hold their heads high in their defeats!

Go TEAM!