Photographing local youth sports

[raevyncent]

As some of you might have seen, I recently graduated to the ranks of dSLR-slingers (sans the fringed leather chaps and holsters ) . I live just a half-block from a popular practice field, usually for softball and Little League stuff, all youth. It is actually part of our local middle school complex, but gets alot of use starting about now. I was thinking about ambling down there some day with my 10D and shooting a few action shots.

What I need to know is, should I get model releases from parents for their children? Initially I only plan to do this for experience and to practice with my new camera; but I may end up doing print sales for the parents (provided my work is good) or other such goodies. Being only 4 blocks from one of the largest Parks & Rec ballfield complexes that hosts even large regional events, this could snowball into some decent workflow, but I want to make sure I am covered in all the legal sense.

Please let me know how you would proceed, or have proceeded in the past.

Thanks in advance,

Anthony

[xjben]

You don't "need" a model release to shoot pics, although if you're going to post them online to a public gallery, etc... might be good to know it's okay with them first. Could always chat with parents in the process, maybe even give them some of your early shots as you practice, and then as you build experience and relationships sell down the road.

If the 80mm is your longest lens, and you want to shoot baseball, you should get a longer zoom too, in case you weren't already planning to do so. You can start with 80mm, but won't be able to shoot a lot of areas on the field from that range.

- Ben

[CallMeAl]

I would suggest you talk to the coach first and let them know who you are and what you are doing. Although, I've never had a problem with middle school or high school sports, our local little league baseball and soccer both asked me to stop and leave the park. Although it was a public park and I had a right to be there, I left to show my willingness to work with the league. They ultimately said that they had asked me to leave due to their concern for child safety (I'm a police officer and have been through quite a more extensive background check than any of their coaches or refs). The true reason was that they wanted a kick back for me to shoot photos. Child safety wasn't an issue if I'd pay them $500.
I still shoot occasionally in my home town at the specific request of a parent or coach, but mostly shoot in neighboring towns or at the middle school and high school level. The coaches and athletic directors are more than happy to have me at their games and help me promote with the booster clubs.
If you can get the support of a parent or coach, it will go a long way in establishing your credibility.

[Wes]

I usually shoot baseball tournaments. I show up and talk to the tournament director to make sure that they don't have an "officially hired" photog for the event. Most usually don't. Next, I go to the fields and talk to the umpires. I have yet to find one that will not let me onto the field during the game, but they always warn to stay in foul territory and to stay out of the way. Next, I talk to coaches on both sides to make sure that it's okay with them for me to take shots of their kids. I've never had one say, "no". I then hand out cards to parents on both teams. Images are on the web within 24 hours in a passworded gallery. I'll get sales from that tournament for several months.

I've never had any kind of a run in with the league, parents, or coaches. Oh, and (IMHO) an 80-200 or a 70-200 (minimum) is a must.

[raevyncent]

I'm looking into a Canon ef 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III, guy's got it for $130. Hope to have it by next week.

[NathanJK]

I've had a very similar experience to CallMeAl when it came to shooting action on my own. I was asked to leave for the "children's safety" or some nonsense such as that, the president wouldn't return calls, e-mails etc. After that, I spent time working for a small company that did T&I for youth sports. In my experience, youth sports just aren't worth dealing with the horrid parents and rude league management. I generally liked most of the coaches though, they really had to put up with a lot from what I saw!

[paul cacciapaglia]

Originally Posted by NathanJK

I generally liked most of the coaches though, they really had to put up with a lot from what I saw!

Thanks for the compliment. I'm not only a photog, but I coach may sons little league baseball team. We do put up with alot, but it's worth to work with the kids and give them a positive adult figure in their lives. Sometimes their coach is all they get to make a good impact on their young lives.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by NathanJK

I've had a very similar experience to CallMeAl when it came to shooting action on my own. I was asked to leave for the "children's safety" or some nonsense such as that, the president wouldn't return calls, e-mails etc. After that, I spent time working for a small company that did T&I for youth sports. In my experience, youth sports just aren't worth dealing with the horrid parents and rude league management. I generally liked most of the coaches though, they really had to put up with a lot from what I saw!

I couldn't disagree with you more. As a parent I can understand their concerns especially with todys predators out there. I'm not sure how many bad expericnces you encountered but the leauges, presidents and parents we talk to are great!

It all starts with the parents. They are the key to getting your foot into a league of any sport. Earn their trust and support! It may take a while (took me two years) but it's worth it. Then word of mouth starts to spread from one league to the next. Let's say Little Johnny plays football, then he moves on to baseball. If the parents liked you enough they will recommend you for the baseball stuff and so on.

I'm not saying it doesn't have it's bad times but those are generally a few bad apples which I've dealt with on may occasion. Sorry you had a rough go but it's unfair for you to generally say youth sports are not worth it.

[t-mark]

I will be shooting action shots for the local little league here, and they had issues with putting the younger kids images out on the web. Even if it were password protected with just league parents having the password. Finally setteled on individual shots and giving each individual there on password. Now with the older kids they had no problem posting them to my web site.

[LSCSN.com]

Kind of hard developing a relationship with parents when you are asked to leave the fields :) I have contacted several leagues in this area to just check and see if they have a photographer that shoots their leagues and I have yet to have a return email or phone call.

Personally I don't see how taking photos of kids playing a sport is dangerous. And I am the father of two kids. I don't see how having my son's/daughter's photo posted on a random photogrpaher's website is putting them in any "more" danger than exists by just being alive and being a kid.

I think little leagues are lot like anything else. There are good ones and bad ones. You just hope you can latch on to one of those good ones before they are all taken :)