Why Professional Sports Photography Is More Than Just a Picture
Sports pictures have come a long way since I was a student athlete. A very long way… and I am here for it. Gone are the days of sitting on the bleachers with a ball in your hand… now we need ATMOSPHERE as I like to call out during a session. There needs too be something special that makes yours student feel like a million bucks.
As a mom with student athletes, I get it — sports photography can feel like “just another expense.” Every parent has a phone in their pocket, and sometimes a mom or dad brings a camera to the game and shares a few snapshots online. I’ve even had parents tell me, “My friend can Photoshop some fog into the background later.”
But here’s the truth: when it comes to celebrating your athlete, those quick photos don’t tell the whole story. Your kids put in the time, the sweat, and the late nights practicing. They deserve photos that make them feel proud, confident, and part of something bigger than themselves. That’s where professional sports photography comes in.
Here is the other truth…we go all in. Did we make it snow in Kansas on a football field at night in August when it was a billion degrees?. Yes we did. Was it cool as crap… yes. Are we always looking for ways to make a session cool? Yes. Because we know that while athletes are seeing these images on line and think they are very cool…they also want something unique and cool for themselves. Our session are a bit about what we bring (and we bring a lot of cool things)…but more about the “drip” and the swagger that your athlete brings. This is one time that I say bring the attitude, the cockiness, the cool, the imagination, and the props! Bring it all….just bring it with a LEVEL 10 ATTITUDE.
More Than a Snapshot: What a Professional Sports Photographer Brings
When we first started offering media day photography in Holton it wasn’t because parents needed another picture. It was because athletes wanted something more.
In fact, my own son was the first to ask for a fog machine at his photoshoot. He had seen other athletes doing it online and said, “Mom, I want something cool like that.” His favorite photos ended up being the ones with his team — and the ones where he looked tough, showing off his muscles and “drip” (as the kids call it).
Professional sports photography is about:
Lighting that makes your athlete look powerful.
Posing that highlights their strength and confidence.
Editing that enhances the image without looking fake.
A session experience that feels exciting, not awkward.
This isn’t about just getting a picture for grandma’s fridge. It’s about giving your athlete an experience that makes them feel like the star of their own highlight reel.
Why Parents Say It’s Worth the Cost
I know one of the biggest hurdles for parents is cost. But here’s the way I see it: you’ve already invested in uniforms, travel fees, equipment, and countless hours supporting your athlete. Photos are one of the only investments that last beyond the season.
Years from now, your athlete won’t remember the gas receipts from weekend tournaments. But they will remember the photos where they looked like the strongest version of themselves. Those images will be framed, posted, and shared for decades.
And compared to the price of most sports seasons, professional photos are surprisingly affordable — especially when you consider the quality, time, and care that goes into each session.
Team Pride Starts With the Right Photos
Another big reason to choose professional media day photography is the sense of team pride it brings. When every athlete has a polished, powerful portrait, the whole group looks united. Coaches can use the photos for programs, banners, and social media. Parents have keepsakes to share. And athletes get to feel proud when they see themselves represented well.
Plus they all did it together. Even if we are crafting a composite image where were put individual shots together into a group photo…they all had the same fun experience.
The opposite? A blurry snapshot where half the kids are blinking and the other half are cut out. That doesn’t honor the work they’ve put in.
Capture Their Confidence and Attitude
The thing I hear most from athletes after media day is and it is the best part of the entire photoshoot…the reaction! Not only do they get excited but the want everyone else to see it to!
““That’s the coolest I’ve ever looked.” or “Tha’t’s me???” ”
These sessions aren’t just about capturing their uniform. They’re about capturing their attitude — the toughness, the confidence, the strength, the swagger. That’s why I bring in lighting, fog, and creative setups. Athletes want to look like the best version of themselves, and that’s exactly what professional sports photography delivers.
Ready to Book Your Media Day Session?
Here’s how to get started:
Visit our Media Day page.
Have a parent or coach reach out with the “contact form”
We will chat and schedule a session that works before for you team. We are moms who know how crazy getting teams together. Even if you are just gathering. information… let’s chat!
Sit back and let the magic happen.
Have amazing images to post and share about upcoming games, exciting accomplishments, or just bragging on how cool your kid is!
Just like my son… your athlete deserves more than a quick snapshot. Let’s capture their strength, confidence, and team spirit with photos that will last long after the season ends.
So why does a branding and headshot photographer shoot sports? Well while it is fun and cool it is also marketing. You are marketing your team for your booster club, alumni, for your sponsors, or to grow your teams! Great photos can take you a long way to your team goals on and off the field and court! Plus, it is a lot fun to do!
READ MORE about media days and getting the whole team on board.
