Being able to shoot athletics are some of the great joys of being a photographer! The action on the field, the emotion, the challenge of stopping that decisive moment lasting less than a fraction of a second. But the people, the athletes, the coaches, the fans, They are what makes the games so special.

Creating portraits of athletes, putting them in their element, on the field, in the gym or weight room then adding the light to bring out their grit, determination, skill and power is what sets a sportrait apart from your average studio portrait.

Athletes spend their lives in the locker room, on the field, in the pool or on the track. So much so that these places become part of who they are, where they feel most comfortable, most alive.

Being comfortable is the number one most basic element for a great portrait, No one can look their best if they are placed in an unfamiliar situation where they don't know what to do, how to act or what to think which is why when working with an athlete (or any other profession for that matter) I always try to go to them, their place of work. I've always found that my best results come from me getting out of the studio and meet them where they are at ease.

Working on location brings a set of challenges you won't find in a studio, wind, sun, rain for example but by being prepared for most any situation that could come up, by knowing your equipment and bringing lights and modifiers to wrestle a difficult situation into a beautiful scene you can capture not just the athlete but also what makes them great.

If you're an athlete looking for senior photo contact me at Mark Sauer Photography