The Complete Guide to Sports Media Day Photography in Kansas

A resource for coaches, athletic directors and parents who want strong, professional images that work for banners, graphics and team marketing.

Sports photos have come a long way. Teams want photos that look sharp, bold and confident. Parents want images that feel proud and polished. Schools want photos that can be used across websites, social media, athlete features, programs and gym banners.

That is what Media Day is built for.
Professional portraits with purpose.
Images that get used.
Photos that work in multiple formats and across every platform your team shows up on.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know so you can plan a smooth, organized and high-value Media Day for your athlete or your entire team.

What Is Media Day?

Media Day is a dedicated photo session for teams and individual athletes. It gives you portraits that can be used for:

• senior banners
• posters
• athlete spotlights
• social graphics
• school websites
• programs
• yard signs
• boosters
• announcements

Instead of generic snapshots, Media Day creates intentional, high-impact images that match your school’s identity. Strong lighting. Confident poses. Clean crops. The kind of photos that feel like your team means business.

Why Media Day Photos Matter More Than Ever

Schools and clubs rely on photos more than ever before.
You need images for:

• social media schedules
• roster graphics
• game day hype posts
• fundraising campaigns
• updated websites
• printed materials
• senior recognition nights

When you start with strong images, everything downstream looks better.
Your team looks unified.
Your posts look professional.
Your athletes feel proud of how they are represented.

Good photos change the entire presence of a program.

What Makes Still and Wild Media Day Different

There are a lot of photographers who can take a picture.
My approach is different. I photograph with end use in mind so your images actually work everywhere you need them.

That means:

• lighting designed for banners and large prints
• crops that fit social media formats
• vertical and horizontal options
• clean edges so graphics can be added
• consistent poses for the full team
• expression coaching so athletes look confident, not stiff
• attention to detail on uniforms, hair and hand placement

Your photos should work across platforms without you stretching or forcing them.
That is how you get images with real value.

How a Smooth Media Day Works

A successful Media Day is organized, simple and fast.
Here’s what it actually looks like.

1. Pre-planning with your coach or AD

We talk through team size, timing, uniforms, props and location.
I create a flow so athletes move quickly and efficiently.

2. Team arrives ready

Athletes check uniforms, hair and gear.
Coaches approve any props or poses.

3. Individual portraits

Every athlete rotates through guided poses.
I show them how to stand with confidence, how to hold their gear and how to keep their expression natural.

4. Team photo (optional)

We can create a traditional team image or build a composite depending on your design needs.

5. Parents receive ordering instructions

Parents get clear instructions on how to view, download or purchase images.

Smooth. Organized. No chaos.

What Athletes Should Wear and Bring

Athletes should come in uniform with everything needed for their sport.
Things to bring:

• jersey or full uniform
• shoes
• equipment or gear
• hair ties
• any required accessories
• backup uniform pieces if needed

Uniform checks matter. Every small detail shows up in banners and prints.

How Banners and Athlete Graphics Are Created

This is where the magic really happens.

A well-designed banner requires:

• clean lighting
• strong contrast
• intentional cropping
• gear held correctly
• room for text and graphics
• a pose that matches the athlete’s energy

Your portrait becomes the base of all future graphics for the season.
This is why the quality of the images matters so much.

Individual Athlete Sessions

Some parents want a standout portrait that goes beyond team Media Day.
These sessions are great for:

• senior banners
• graduation announcements
• college recruitment
• highlight graphics
• awards and recognition

I build the poses, lighting and look around your athlete’s personality and their end use.
The result is something bold, sharp and meaningful.

How Schools Benefit from High-Quality Media Day Photos

Schools who use strong images consistently see:

• better engagement on social media
• more recognition for athletes
• improved fundraising efforts
• higher participation in activities
• a unified and professional brand presence

When students feel represented well, they take pride in their program.
It strengthens school culture.

Tips for Coaches Planning Their First Media Day

If you’ve never done Media Day before, here’s the fast checklist:

• choose a uniform that represents the team well
• communicate the schedule early
• remind athletes to bring full gear
• keep the team nearby and ready
• assign a helper if needed
• plan a quiet area for photographing
• encourage athletes to relax and have fun

The smoother the prep, the smoother the session.