This guide is written for coaches, athletic directors, and parents in Kansas planning a sports media day, specifically for schools and clubs in Northeast Kansas and the Topeka area.

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 Sports Media Day Photography?

A sports media day is a scheduled photography event where a professional photographer comes to your school or facility and photographs every athlete individually, typically in five to ten minute sessions. The result is a complete set of professional portraits used for senior banners, social media graphics, game programs, posters, and school websites. Media days are designed to move through an entire roster in a single session without disrupting your normal schedule.

Media days differ from standard school picture days in one key way: the images are built for marketing. The lighting, poses, cropping, and effects are all designed with end use in mind, so the photos actually work for banners, digital graphics, and high-visibility displays without extra editing on your end.

How Schools Benefit: Sports Media Day Pricing in Kansas

On-Location Team Media Day We come to your school, gym, or field with a full mobile studio setup.

• $1,200 minimum

• $85 per athlete for rosters of 15 or more

• Includes individual portraits, team photo, and organized gallery delivery

• Pre-paid by the team or organization

• Best for schools and large club teams

Studio Team Session (No Upfront Cost) Athletes come to the studio in Holton, KS. Families order only what they want after the session.

• No upfront cost to the team or school

• Packages start at $40 per athlete

• Individual portraits per athlete with private family galleries

• Best for smaller clubs or teams where not every family will order

Individual Athlete Session A dedicated session built around one athlete.

• $265 per athlete, pre-paid

• Full personalized portrait experience

• Multiple poses and looks

• Images for senior banners, yard signs, recruitment, and announcements

• Add-ons available: prints, banners, wall art

• Best for senior athletes, recruitment photos, or athletes who missed team media day

Custom quotes are available for larger programs or specific needs. Contact hello@stillandwild.com to talk through your team's requirements.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Media Day in Kansas

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sports media day? A sports media day is a scheduled photography event where a professional photographer comes to your school or facility and photographs each athlete individually in a short session, typically five to ten minutes per person. The goal is to produce bold, professional portraits the school can use for banners, social media, game programs, and athlete recognition — all in a single organized event.

How long does a sports media day take? For an on-location team session, plan on one and a half to two hours for the photography itself, plus setup and teardown time on each end. Individual athletes move through in about five minutes each. A roster of 20 athletes can typically be photographed in under two hours. Individual athlete sessions run about 40 minutes. We work with you ahead of time to build a realistic schedule so the day runs smoothly.

How much does a sports media day cost in Kansas? On-location team sessions start at $1,200 with a per-athlete rate of $85 for rosters of 15 or more, paid upfront by the team or school. Studio sessions with no upfront cost are also available, with family packages starting at $40 per athlete — families order after the session and only pay for what they want. Individual athlete sessions are $265. Contact us for a custom quote based on your roster size and needs.

Can parents buy individual images? Yes. After the session, parents receive a link to a private online gallery where they can view and purchase images directly. For studio sessions with no upfront team cost, ordering is done entirely through the family gallery. For pre-paid on-location sessions, the full gallery is included and families can download their images.

Do you create banners and graphics? Yes. Custom banners sized for your school's gym or facility are available as an add-on. Because banners require specific poses and cropping, we need to know about banner needs before the session so we can shoot accordingly. Reach out when you book and we will build that into the plan.

What sports do you photograph? Football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, baseball, softball, track and field, soccer, cheer, dance, and club and travel teams of all kinds. If your sport is not listed, reach out. If we have not photographed it yet, we will figure it out.

Do you shoot on a green screen? No. We bring real effects — fog, colored lighting, dramatic backgrounds — that happen in front of the athlete in real time. Athletes can see exactly what the photo looks like as it is being taken. This produces more energy and more authentic expressions than green screen compositing.

How far do you travel for media days? We are based in Holton, Kansas and serve schools and teams throughout Topeka, Lawrence, Atchison, and Northeast Kansas. A small travel fee may apply depending on distance. Contact us to discuss locations outside this area.

What should athletes bring to media day? Athletes should arrive in full uniform with all gear for their sport. Bring the jersey color the team agreed on, shoes, any equipment or accessories that will appear in photos (helmets, balls, bats, etc.), hair ties if needed, and backup uniform pieces if the team wants multiple looks. Coaches should communicate expectations to the roster before the day so no one shows up unprepared.

How quickly will we receive the photos? Galleries are delivered within seven days of the session. If you have a specific deadline — an upcoming tournament, a banner printing deadline, a social media launch — let us know when you book and we will do everything we can to work around your timeline.

What if some athletes miss media day? Athletes who miss the team session can book an individual session at the Holton studio at any point during the season. We keep your team's lighting setup on file so makeup photos match the rest of the roster. Individual sessions are $265.

Ready for Media Day?

If you are planning a media day for your Kansas school or club team, Still and Wild photographs teams throughout Holton, Topeka, and Northeast Kansas. Sessions are available fall, winter, and spring. Book early, dates for fall sports fill by midsummer.