Question about specializing

[brewercm]

Here's my question that maybe somebody has already gone through something like this. I work full time as a software developer and have started doing some part time work of portraits and such. My question has to do with something I'd love to do but am somewhat unsure if anyone has ever tried and possibly failed miserably at.

I have loved for years the game of tennis and can still play some but am quickly getting to the point that I will no longer be able to play (medical reasons). I’d love to at some point transfer into photography as my full time or part time and part retired time job. What I’d like to do is specialize in tennis photography or somewhat active tennis portraiture. Has anyone attempted anything like this in the past or does it sound like a crazy idea?

Any thoughts would be helpful.

[brewercm]

Originally Posted by norman.noris

"Becoming enlightened" (or knowing God) is itself a great goal. Christians achieve it through the teachings in the Bible and prayer (meditation). You cannot "master" the elements - they are there for you to use, and they point you to God, their Creator.

I must say I have a little whip lash from that one.

[Some Idiot]

To answer your question, yes, someone has tried it....

Russ Adams

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russ_Ad...s_photographer)

[brewercm]

Maybe I should be a little more specific, not that I wouldn't love to be at that level one day. What I'm talking about is on a more localized level. I would love to have had some photographs to go back on from the days I was playing at a more competitive level but have absolutely none. I don’t even remember anyone ever offering anything like that at any of the courts I ever played at throughout Texas. Granted most were at schools but there were some at some of the larger tennis centers like those that exist today.

Just a thought I had and something I may just put a feeler out at some of our local centers here in San Antonio and see what kind of feedback I get.

[mercphoto]

I would think it could work out well, especially given your knowledge of the game. People specialize in stuff all the time. For me, its motorsports. You wouldn't catch me shooting football or tennis to save my life. :) Study the great tennis shots, work on getting interesting angles, etc.

How active is the tennis scene in San Antonio? Any league play? Tournaments? What about high school or college?

[Flores]

there is always a way to 'farm' your favorite sport. Figuring it out is really the trick.

Approaching the organizations that have tourneys and such is a sure way to get the organization pimping your services to it's members.

once a few of them have bought from you, it's just a matter of time before it's 'normal' to have a picture of your 2015 winning season! maybe call then 'action portraits'?

determining if you can actually make money doing that is a whole other discussion :)

you also ought to consider what your up against. If it's moms with point n shoots, you can probably offer something on another level. If half the crowd has high end DSLRs and pro lenses on them... maybe you won't have as much play.

The nice thing about track days, most folks don't have more than about a 250mm 'long lens' so a 500mm makes a nice impression on the finished product. (wow, look at the stupid grin on jims face! vs wow, thats a pretty color on his car)

[WarrenG]

Clifton,

I actually used tennis photography to get my start and worked pretty closely with USTA in the process. There are some very big pitfalls... I would be glad to share info with you off line. Shoot me a PM or email.

W