When you’re running a campaign, you need people who understand the bigger picture. For sports brands, that often starts with the visuals that capture energy, identity, and trust in a split second.
Working with a commercial sports photographer is about so much more than getting clean images of athletes in motion. They say a picture is worth 1000 words, and a great commercial sports photographer will ensure those words are all about your brand. Here’s what the process usually looks like when we work together.
First: Getting Clear on What You Need
Before the camera comes out, we talk. That part’s important. I want to understand what you’re launching, where the images are going, and what tone you’re after. Sometimes there’s a creative brief, and sometimes there isn’t. Either way, we’ll get aligned on what success looks like.
Solid sports photography services start with clarity. You don’t want someone guessing, you want someone who listens, understands, and shows up prepared.
Then: Planning Without Overplanning
I’ve shot campaigns in stadiums, gyms, and parking lots. Things go wrong sometimes. That’s why planning is about structure, and experience is about knowing how to adjust on the fly while still finishing the shot list.
When the weather shifts or a moment unfolds unexpectedly, you need someone who knows how to work with it. Not against it.
We’ll lock in what we can regarding location, time of day, wardrobe, and backup gear. But the best images often happen in the in-between. This PetaPixel article captures that idea well; it’s not always about the obvious moment. Sometimes it’s the breath before the push or the quiet just after the movement.
During the Shoot: Direction That Doesn’t Get in the Way
Some brands want high energy, fast cuts, and bold angles. Others need restraint. Either way, I aim to maintain an efficient and collaborative approach. The goal is to get strong visuals without burning out your team or the athlete.
Afterward: Editing Without Overpolishing
Once the shoot wraps up, I go through selects and edit with the campaign in mind. No heavy filters and absolutely no fake drama. I opt for clean, honest adjustments that bring the image into focus. The last thing you want is for your real images to look fake because of over-editing.
Commercial photography for sport brands should look sharp, but not sterile. In most cases, you’re not selling perfection and instead are trying to tell a story through movement, detail, and real moments. The edits should support that, not erase it. The result? A set of photos that feel like your brand, not like someone else’s version of it.
What It’s Like to Work Together
Some clients come in with a full creative team. Others are building the vision as we go. Both approaches can work as long as we’re on the same page beforehand. I’ve worked with a range of brands, from big to small teams, and everything in between. I can lead when needed or follow your direction closely.
Let’s Talk
If you’ve got a shoot coming up and need someone who can handle fast-paced environments, think like a brand partner, and deliver clean, usable work, I’d love to connect. I provide sports photography services for international brands, with a focus on images that move. Not just in action, but in purpose.
