Suggestions on School Basketball Photos

[HaleyH90]

So I was asked by a local school to do school basketball photos for their team. This is my first time doing a gig like this! They are grade school ages. My question is..what is the best lighting options? I could do just flash, or I could set up studio lights and do it that way. I was thinking 3 poses per child, team photo, etc.

If anybody has any experience or input I would greatly appreciate it!!

Thanks!

 

[ac12]

In my mind, simplest for individuals is:
- shoot in the gym, lots of space
- use a LARGE umbrella for even light and so you don't have to move the umbrella

Team pic can be tricky.
If you use flash, I would put it over the camera, maybe about 2 feet higher.
The reason is 2nd row shadow.

If you use 2 flashes at 30 or 45 degrees from the camera. Each flash will cast a shadow.
The problem is the shadow from row 1 will fall onto the people in row 2.
And without a modeling light, it is difficult to visualize what the shadows will look like and whose face will be in the shadow.

Been there, done that, was not happy ​

And because the kids are short, you need to get the camera down to their height, so you are not looking down on them.
I hate those looking down pics. It makes short people look even shorter.

 

[tinatin007]

I think the best advise is already up in first reply, remember that kid sports photos are very important for parents and school as they have a sense of emotional attachments. You can go ahead and add a little bit more charm to it by using something like Obsbot Tail and make kids jump around with ball in court for their video DP etc or short intro. Its good for your word of mouth as well as kids love geeky stuff like AI cameras and can be comfortable posing.