Apologies to the wedding photography crowd, but I’d like to step into the NBA world for this post and address several questions regarding how to become an NBA photographer. In the last year or so, I’ve received a few dozen e-mails on how one can get their foot into the NBA photography door. As some of you know, I photograph the games at Staples Center for Hoopsworld, a basketball news service company. I hope my answers to the following FAQs will help point you in the right direction.
November 2nd, 2007: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors – Opening Night
Q: How did you get involved in shooting NBA games at Staples Center (Los Angeles, CA)?
A: Back in the Fall of 2006, I applied for a photo internship with the Los Angeles Clippers’ marketing department. I did this by going online to the Clippers’ website and checking out their jobs/internships page. I was then asked to come in and go through an interview with one of the marketing department managers. At that time, my knowledge of photography was very (and I do mean VERY) limited and my portfolio only consisted of photos of buildings, plants, and random things. Fortunately, the Clippers marketing department just wanted someone to take photos of static things (sponsor signs, LED and scoreboard messages) and people standing and looking at the camera, i.e. NOT NBA player and game shots. But during the game, when I wasn’t assigned to take the static shots, I was allowed to take photos of the players just for my own personal portfolio.
I started with a Digital Rebel XT and a 17-85mm/f4-5.6 IS EF-S lens. I eventually worked my way to a 1DMarkIIN and got myself a 24-70mm/f2.8L and 70-200mm/f2.8LIS lenses once I found out the limitations of the Rebel and kit lens on taking indoor basketball photos. Back in Marh of 2007, after building up a rather mediocre gallery of NBA photos, I contacted via e-mail one of the writers I kept seeing in one of the Clipper forums. Turns out he works for Hoopsworld. I asked him if he and his company wanted to use (for free) some of the photos I’ve taken at the Clipper games. At that time, my photos were just sitting on my computer with a few going up on my website; so I’d figured they would have better use on an actual basketball website. The writer forwarded my request to the editor and he asked me to shoot the 07-08 season as a contractor to Hoopsworld. And that’s how I became involved in shooting stills at NBA games in Los Angeles.
A few wide angle/zoom shots from where you’d be sitting:
Q: What should I do first even before trying to become an NBA photographer?
A: Fortunately, there are many avenues you can take in sitting sideline of an NBA game and documenting it. However, before you even consider these options, I suggest you already know the basics of photography (composition, exposure, what shutter speed and aperture are, etc.) and how to use your equipment (DSLR body and lenses). You should also already have a decent website with some of your favorite photos up, your bio, and contact info. Your portfolio doesn’t have to include sports-related shots, although it pays to have some up. Remember, I started with photos of purple flowers and Downtown LA buildings :). You also don’t need a fancy site; but it does need to look professional. Feel free to contact me at henry[at]henrychenphotography[dot]com and I can give you an honest and thorough assessment of your work and website. Granted I’m very new in the (NBA) photography business and my work can certainly use a lot of improvement, but I can still give you sound advice on how to get to where you want to be. Please don’t e-mail with a one-liner on how you can get your foot in the door without any work to show for it.
Also, be sure your resume is up-to-date, proof-read, and ready in case the editor/manager/employer of the company that you’ll be working for asks for it. Most of the time they want to see where you went to school, what you majored in, what extracurricular activities you participated in, and what you’re doing now – all of which may have absolutely nothing to do with photography (but it’s okay!). They’re just as interested if not more so that you’re a professional, trustworthy, and reliable person. Remember, they are putting you right in the middle of the action with their company name on the line. And if you’re also shooting video like I am, you’ll be in the locker rooms, press conference rooms, and basically right next to and even talking to the NBA players. One blunder and your career in the NBA world may be over before it begins.
You got to time the action shots just right:
Q: I have my work on a website and resume ready. Now what?
A: You’re now prepared to reach out to companies that contract or hire photographers for NBA games. You may think you can contact the NBA public relations group and apply for a photographer job. Sorry to break it to you but a position like that doesn’t exist (at least not that I know of). The NBA already has a few photographers (2-3) for each team that documents their games on a regular basis. Most of these guys have been doing this for years and don’t plan on retiring or moving onto another job anytime soon. So the chances of you taking their place (with little or no experience) are close to none. But that’s okay; all of us have to start somewhere.
I suggest you first find out if the team/city/arena you want to shoot for has an internship or part-time gig that you can apply for. Do your homework first by reading up on their website before calling. Even if they don’t have a photo intern position, apply for one of the others. What you want to do when starting off is just get in the NBA loop. Don’t expect to get a paid gig sitting on the sideline of a game right off the bat. Just like with most jobs that are in high demand and low supply, you’ll have to “pay your dues and work your way up the food chain”. Now if the team doesn’t have any positions available, then I suggest you start looking around the people you already know and seeing if they could help you out. Perhaps a season ticket holder who’s been going to the games for ten plus years and has some “leverage” and can throw out your name to their fan relation representative? Or your friend’s friend might be the sales rep/PR guy for the team you’re interested in shooting. Who knows? So do your research. In this business, as with many others, it’s who you know. So start knowing everyone! Just remember to ALWAYS be professional, courteous, and patient. Ask what you can do for them more than what they can do for you.
Another thing you can do is contact all the news website that you visit. What you need is a company that will talk to the PR guys of the team you’re interested in shooting and have them get you a credential/press pass. For example, the editor of Hoopsworld is the one that got me the credentials to shoot the NBA games here in Los Angeles. Granted you will have little chance with the big names like the Associated Press and Ge
tty, but it never hurts to try. Contact your local newspapers and broadcasting stations and see if they’re hiring any sports photographer. Even if they aren’t, give them your name and contact info and follow up every month or so to see if there’s any opening. Or maybe you can be the back-up to the main photographer and step in when they can’t make a game. This is where having a website and resume is crucial. And remember to be patient and persistent. Don’t give up!
I hope those answers will help you get started on the right path. If you’ve read the above and still have questions that I didn’t address or want me to elaborate more on a particular one, please drop me a comment below. I didn’t go into the details of actually working as a photographer at an NBA game, the necessary equipment and skills to get quality shots, what to shoot for, and simply what to expect at a game. So if you recently got the opportunity to shoot an NBA game (congrats!), let me know and I can answer those questions too. Good luck!
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