As a parent of a sports-mad child, you’ll almost certainly have a camera or phone at the ready for the big moments — the cup final, the stride to the wicket, the winning try or the sprint for the finish line. These are memories that only get better with a great photo to go with them. Here are some tips on capturing those special moments of sporty children.
Sign up for our free newsletter, packed with ideas, competitions and offers for family life.
Getting the perfect shot — and presenting it well afterwards — is part skill, part practice, and part having the right gear for the job.
Taking Team Photos
For team photographs, take as many shots as you can before the kids lose interest. You’ll almost certainly get some shuffling, head movement, blinking and closed eyes along the way, so a few extra frames make all the difference. A few tips:
- Instead of “say cheese,” try something a bit sillier — kids tend to smile more when they’re caught off guard.
- Watch the direction of the light. If it’s shining toward you as you shoot, faces can end up shadowed or hard to see.
- Look for a contrasting background so the team strips stand out clearly in the photo.
Some teams and clubs have a no-photo policy, so it’s always worth checking with the club — or with other parents — before sharing any photos publicly.
You might also enjoy reading: How to Raise a Good Team Player
Keep Your Phone Charged and Ready
For most occasions, a smartphone is all you need to capture your child in action. It sounds obvious, but make sure it’s charged before you head out the door.
Get into the habit of clearing space regularly — download your photos to a computer or back them up to the cloud so you’re never caught short. There’s nothing worse than having to delete old photos in a hurry just as your child steps up to take a crucial penalty or comes round the final bend.
You might also enjoy reading: 21 Reasons You Know You’re Mom to a Sporty Child
Consider a Better Camera Than Your Phone
One drawback of phone cameras is how they handle motion — fast movement can easily come out blurred. Most phones also rely on digital zoom rather than a true optical lens, which means “zooming in” is really just enlarging the pixels, often making the image blurrier rather than clearer.
If you want to properly capture the action mid-game, a bridge camera or DSLR with a good zoom lens is the better option. If you do invest in one, practise beforehand — take photos of your child playing around at home, or of anything in motion, so you’re comfortable with the settings before the big event.
When You Capture That One Great Shot
If you’ve managed to get that one brilliant photo of your child in action, there are some lovely ways to make the most of it:
- Modern photo resolution means a great shot can be blown up to a large size — think a poster, canvas or wall print.
- A smaller version on a calendar, mug or keepsake makes a great permanent reminder at home or in the office, and a thoughtful gift for grandparents.
- Or put together a photo book charting your child’s journey from wobbly beginner to confident player, ready for a birthday or other special occasion.
You might also enjoy reading: 5 Money-Saving Tips to Reduce the Cost of Kids’ Sports
Over to you now — do you have any tips of your own for taking great photos of kids in action? Tell us in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest way to get better team photos?
Take plenty of shots in quick succession, keep the light source in front of the children rather than behind you, and choose a background that makes their team colours stand out.
Do I need a proper camera, or will my phone do?
A phone works fine for everyday shots, but if you want to freeze fast movement clearly — a sprint finish or a mid-air catch — a bridge or DSLR camera with a good zoom will give you sharper, less blurred results.
Can I share team photos on social media?
Always check with the club or team first. Some have a no-photo policy, and it’s good practice to get the nod from other parents before posting photos that include their children.
What can I do with a great action shot once I’ve taken it?
Beyond saving it to your phone, you can print it as a poster or canvas, add it to a calendar or keepsake, or build a photo book tracking your child’s progress in their sport over time.
Related Reading
- How to Raise a Good Team Player
- 21 Reasons You Know You’re Mom to a Sporty Child
- 5 Money-Saving Tips to Reduce the Cost of Kids’ Sports
Save These Tips for Later
Got a big match or sports day coming up? Bookmark this article or share it with another sporty parent so you’ve got these tips handy before the next big event.
Want more ideas like this delivered to your inbox? Sign up for our free newsletter for weekly family activity ideas, competitions and offers — straight to your inbox, no spam.
