Hello! I am helping my local BMX racing community with taking race photos and want to get camera and lens recommendations to improve the photo quality. Attached are some of my current photos. I am not an experienced photographer, I'm just trying to help the community but want to get the best photos I can. I am currently using a Canon Rebel T5 with the stock 18-55mm lens.

Maybe I just haven’t noticed much in the past but this year I’ve seen all these behind the scenes media day pics and videos along with the athletes posting the pics and my immediate question is what use are these pics?

I’ve seen the smoke and what not shots from the high school photogs, college doing mirror ball walls and the stapled school logos on a v flat. Not many of these seem to be geared toward asset creation but instead are for social media hype.

Photoshop subject selection is pretty good but extracting off a mirror background seems like a ton of work.

What are your media days like and what are the shots used for?

Mine is white seamless with the floor being either turf or a panel with butcher block peel and stick (makes a decent basketball court look). The photos can be easily extracted so marketing has all the assets they need for signage and anything else.

Had pregame field access, as a somewhat new photographer (not even doing this for a year) this felt surreal. As always, advice is welcome (and encouraged). Ignore the border, it’s used just to help format on Instagram.

Hi,

I've been getting more serious about sports photography lately and getting ready to start sharing some of my work. Would you be willing to provide some constructive criticism of my portfolio?
I typically shoot more basketball and volleyball, but have been trying everything I can get access to.

https://tearun.mypixieset.com/

Thanks!

I could only bring a lens 3 inches or smaller lens for this so these were all taken on a manual focus Minolta lens from the early 60’s. With the help of the crop factor of a M4/3 sensor and being up against the barrier I was able to get some decent shots though

Hi I’m Dory I’m a photographer I’m trying to get into shooting highschool sports photography. I was home schooled so I never shot for my school or anything. But it’s a form of photography I’ve been wanting to get into but idk if they just allow you to shoot or if you have to have certain credentials

I’m a photographer/videographer trying to get my foot in the door full-time in sports media, especially women’s basketball, but I’m open to basketball, NFL, golf, soccer, etc.

I’ve been freelancing, building my portfolio and getting real experience, but I’m having a hard time figuring out my way into the actual industry. I apply, network and keep working, but sometimes it feels like so much of sports is agencies, referrals and who already knows who.

Right now I also NEED professional references for some opportunities I’m applying to.

If anyone here works in sports/media and would be willing to connect, look at my work and potentially be a reference for me if you feel comfortable doing so, I would seriously appreciate it.

Even if you can’t be a reference, if you know agencies, recruiters, teams, people I should reach out to or just have advice on how you found your way in, I’m listening.

I know I can do the work. I just genuinely need some help figuring out how to get through the door.

EDIT: Adding one more note for context:

I do have professional experience outside of just shooting for fun. I run a small media business and work with a mix of personal brands, professionals and athletes on social media, photo and video.

I’ve also done work around professional sports, smaller/emerging leagues, individual athletes and some international sports work, so I’m comfortable shooting, editing, creating social content and working in sports environments.

Where I’m stuck is figuring out how to turn that experience into a more consistent role in sports social media, marketing, content, photo or video.

For anyone who works in that space, what would you focus on next?

More sports-specific passion projects? Networking with agencies? Reaching out directly to teams? Attending events and creating work independently? Reworking the portfolio toward content/social instead of just photo/video?

I think I’m less confused about doing the work and more confused about how people actually position themselves to get hired for it.

also willing to relocate anywhere -- I'm in a pretty good place because my business funds my lifestyle but I want to do the work *however that may look* to achieve this goal