Capturing fall sports is about more than freezing action with a fast shutter speed. Where you stand, the lens you choose and how you anticipate plays can make or break your yearbook coverage. This month’s Timely Tips lesson gives your staff a game plan to take photos that go beyond the ball and tell the whole story of the game.
Why positioning matters
When photographing sports, a few steps forward or a slight shift in angle can completely change the shot. Positioning determines whether you capture an athlete’s determination or a referee’s back. The right lens and camera settings work hand-in-hand with knowing where to stand to get peak action, faces and emotion.
For example, football coverage works best when photographers set up between the goal line and the 25-yard line – never in the coach’s box. Soccer photographers should keep both eyes open, anticipating the ball’s next move. Volleyball requires patience and repetition, as the net creates challenges that only volume shooting can overcome.
Equip your team for success
Not every staff has access to long telephoto lenses, and that’s okay. A 70-200mm lens is versatile enough for most sports. A monopod can help steady heavier lenses, while crouching or laying down can cut out distracting backgrounds. The goal isn’t always to zoom in as far as possible; sometimes pulling back to include multiple players tells a stronger story.
Encourage staffers to experiment with different vantage points. Lay on the ground to eliminate extra grass in soccer shots or shoot through the fence at softball games to create depth.
Make anticipation part of the process
Good sports photographers don’t just chase the ball, they read the game. A quarterback’s body language can signal a pass before it happens. Watching formations at practice helps staffers anticipate where to focus. Cross country photographers know the start line and finish chute are gold mines for emotion, but mid-course hills capture grit and struggle in a different way.
Teaching it in the classroom
This Timely Tips lesson provides advisers with a simple plan:
- Start with the “Game On” poster from the 2026 Walsworth Planning Kit to show where to stand for each sport
- Have students map their ideal shooting positions on a whiteboard and explain their reasoning
- Send them to a game with a checklist: capture peak action, emotion, reactions, a wide scene-setter and a storytelling detail
- Wrap up with peer critiques, where staffers share what worked and revise as needed.
Keep the big picture in mind
Yearbook photography isn’t just about sharp focus or dramatic action. It’s about storytelling. Remind your photographers that the ball isn’t always the story. Sometimes it’s the coach’s expression, the teammates on the sideline or the fans with painted faces. The best coverage blends action with atmosphere to reflect the real experience of your school community. Use this week’s Timely Tips to guide your staff and start capturing those moments today — and if you’re not working with Walsworth yet, reach out to your local rep to learn how we can support your program.
