Athletics Photography 101

Every great sports photograph tells a story beyond mere motion—it captures the raw, split-second intensity and human drama that make athletics extraordinary. From the explosive power of a sprinter bursting from the starting block to the graceful arc of a high jumper suspended mid-flight, athletics photography is an art form that freezes moments of human potential in their most electrifying state.

For aspiring photographers, the world of athletics photography is where technical skill meets creativity. It's a challenging field that demands more than just pointing a camera—athletics photography requires an understanding of motion, split-second timing, specialised equipment and an intuitive sense of athletic storytelling.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive deep into the world of athletics photography. Whether you're a budding photographer looking to break into sports photography or a passionate enthusiast wanting to elevate your athletic shots, we'll cover everything you need to know. 

This article will cover:

• How to Get Your Start in Athletics Photography

• 7 Expert Tips from Professional Sports Photographer Iris van den Broek

• The Best Camera for Athletics Photography

• The Best Lenses to Use for Athletics Photography

• The Best Accessories for Sports Photography

How to Get into Athletics Photography

Remember, even the most experienced sports photographer started exactly where you are now. Patience and persistence are key to gaining success in this game. But how do you actually break into athletics photography? Here’s our advice. 

1. Start with local athletes and schools 

Begin your journey by connecting with school and university athletic programmes in your area. Reach out to athletic coaches to offer your photography services during games, meets or training sessions. This provides valuable practice in a low-pressure environment, and helps you understand the different rhythms of photographing various running, throwing and jumping sports. 

2. Contact local publications

Local newspapers, sports websites and community magazines often need quality sports photography. Send your best work to editors and sports journalists, offering to cover local athletics events. Many publications work with freelance photographers, and this exposure can lead to regular assignments and valuable industry connections.

3. Offer services to smaller athletics clubs

Youth sports clubs, amateur leagues and local athletic organisations provide excellent opportunities for aspiring sports photographers. However, these venues often lack professional photography coverage, creating a perfect niche for newcomers. To secure consistent work, consider offering package deals for season coverage or special events.

4. Network with athletes and teams

Try to build relationships with athletes, coaches, and team management. Follow some local sports teams on social media and reach out to them. Engage with their content and see how your photography could complement their posts.

Attend sporting events regularly to try and make personal connections, which often lead to exclusive photography opportunities and referrals. Consider creating athlete-specific packages for action shots and portraits as well. 

5. Build a portfolio

Curate a strong portfolio showcasing your best athletic photography work. Include diverse sports, different types of shots (action, portraits, team photos) and various lighting conditions. You could create a website to display your work, and organise your images by sport and event type for easy navigation.

6. Market yourself

Consider making a professional website as a place for you to send potential clients to see your work. You could even share behind-the-scenes content, photography tips and passion projects. 

People still appreciate physical business cards as well, so get some printed to give out at sporting events in a pinch. But fear not, if you don’t have any to hand, then sharing your social media handles also works well now.

7. Be persistent and patient

Success in athletics photography doesn't happen overnight. Consistently deliver quality work, maintain professional relationships and continue improving your skills. 

7 Expert Tips for Athletics Photography

Iris van den Broek is a professional sports photographer who predominantly shoots Athletics and Gymnastics. In 2024, Iris was shortlisted in the World Sports Photography Awards (WSPA) and covered the 2024 Olympic Games. 

Want to take what you learnt in this article and enter a competition? Check out the World Sports Photography Awards. 

1. Be Prepared

Iris van den Broek: “I don’t think it’s necessary to know all the rules of each sport you are shooting. But it definitely helps if you understand the sport, and know when and where the athletes are going. I have been shooting gymnastics for over 15 years now. I know the sport very well, which is an advantage when choosing angles. In athletics, keeping an eye on everything that is going on can be tricky. Pole vault may start at 15:00, but if your athlete decides to start at a higher height, you never know when they’re going to compete. This can be difficult, especially if you’re shooting sprint finals at the same time.”

2.  Find Angles and Move Around

Iris van den Broek: “Depending on the sport, I can move around a lot. As gymnastics rotates between multiple apparatuses, I usually move together with the team I am following. In an athletics arena, things like the shot put or discus throw are often on the opposite side of the arena—compared to the finish line for the 400m, for example. That can be a long walk. Because of that distance, sometimes I decide to stay in a less great position, just to make sure I don’t miss anything important.”

“Often, photo positions are not very good, which is frustrating as it prevents you from getting the shot you ideally would like to take. So, you always have to work with what you get. That means standing behind TV cameras and coaches or working with ugly billboards in your background. 

I always try to get my shots as clean as possible, with as few distracting elements as I can. But sometimes, you just have to admit defeat and accept there is this TV camera in your background. If a sport allows me to move around, I will. But in a sport like rowing, for example, there’s nothing else to do than just sit along the water line. It’s very one-dimensional.”

3. Get Creative 

Iris van den Broek: “Try to do different things than everybody else. That’s not always possible. But whenever you can, look for different angles or try a position that nobody else is taking. Of course, not at the deciding moment, when you have to have the shot. But usually, during qualifications, I try to play around a bit. There’s no medal pressure, and it’s not as important to get the finish or an emotion.

For me, sports photography is not only about getting the action. Whenever possible, I try to take photos from a different perspective or create multiple compositions. A close-up is great for emotions or to really capture a movement, but a wider shot—with a gymnast flipping on the beam in a huge arena—gives a totally different feel. Especially at the Olympics, it can be nice to include more of the venue or the Olympic rings, for example, to give a sense of place rather than just an action shot.”

4. Use the Right Camera and Lens

Iris van den Broek: “I use two Canon EOS R3 camera bodies and sometimes my Canon EOS R6 as an extra camera. Attached to the R3 are usually a 400mm f/2.8 L IS and a 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS. Sometimes I use the Canon24-70mm f/2.8 L IS on the R6, just in case I want to have a wide shot or an athlete comes really close.”

“I love the Canon RF 400mm, it can get really nice details and depth of field. And often you just need the length, as the action is happening far away. On the other hand, the downside of the 400mm is when an athlete comes very close all of a sudden, and you miss a lot. Before, I had a 300mm, which was excellent for sports like gymnastics and short track, where you can usually get closer to the field of play. But for a sport like athletics, it was often way too short. So I decided to sell my 300mm and get a 400mm. There isn’t one lens that is ideal for every sport.”

5. Invest in Lenses First

Iris van den Broek: “I would advise you to always invest in lenses first. A good lens really makes the difference, more than a camera body that has more frames per second. The Canon70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM is a great starter lens. With a Canon EF 1.4x II Extender, you can extend it to almost 300mm (at f/4). I’d advise you to start with the EF models.”

6. Pros should use Two Cameras, otherwise One is Fine

Iris van den Broek: “When working as a professional, I would say you need two cameras. There’s no time to switch lenses on your camera, as you need to be quick. When an athlete starts on the other side of the arena, I follow them with my 400m, sitting on the finish line. But as soon as they cross the finish line, they’re very close and I need to switch to the 70-200mm—or even 24-70mm—to be able to get the reaction and emotions. So, it’s essential to have that on a second body. 

If you’re a hobbyist shooting your kid’s athletics event, and there’s no pressure, I’d say one camera body is enough."

7. Learn the Right Camera Settings per Location and Sport 

Iris van den Broek: “There are no typical camera settings, as every venue and location asks for a different approach. But I almost always shoot at f/2.8. Especially in inside venues, light is often not that great. You’ll need to push your ISO to at least 3200 to be able to get shutter speeds faster than 1/1600, which is essential to freezing the action. 

Gymnastics venues can be very dark, while athletics stadiums during daylight can be extremely bright or hard to work in. One part could be in shade while the other part is in full sun, creating a very big difference in light situations.”

8. Love What You Do

Iris van den Broek: “The fast pace, the emotions and the chance you will take an amazing shot are the things I love most about sports photography. You never know exactly what is going to happen. It can sometimes be stressful, especially at the moments that really matter. 

If I am sitting there, and I know Femke Bol has a high chance of winning the gold, it’s important that I have the shots and get them out as fast as possible. In that way, athletics photography is also a high-adrenaline performance. But seeing your photos show up all over the internet, just minutes after the event, is really satisfying. And nothing can beat a publication in the next day’s newspaper, a photo in print to me is much more rewarding than online.”

“I love the Olympics, of course. For over two weeks, you are in this hyper-energetic sports bubble, running from event to event. You work 15-hour days, as there is just so much going on. Although I must say the Olympics are 80% logistics and 20% photography. Getting from one venue to the other often takes hours. You spend a lot of time planning your route and schedule, as well as figuring out start lists or photo positions in each new venue. That’s not exactly the fun part, but seeing world-class athletes perform right in front of your lens and trying to capture that in the best way possible sure is.”

What’s the Best Camera Setup for Athletics Photography? 

The best camera for athletics photography will depend a lot on where you are at in your journey. Some people might want to know the best budget options to take photos of their local athletics events, and some people will be on a journey to becoming professional athletics photographers.

The Canon EOS R7, paired with the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS, is an excellent choice for athletics photography. For more of an in-depth overview, check out our top camera setups for sports photography. 

Accessories for Athletics Photography

As you gain experience as a sports photographer, you will naturally start accumulating useful accessories. The most used accessories for sports photographers are teleconverters, file transmitter, flashguns, Monopods, Remote triggers and battery grip. There are more great accessories to make shooting sports easier, so check out our sports photography equipment guide. 

FAQs 

What are the best camera settings for athletics photography?

Shooting Mode: Aperture Priority (with minimum shutter speed set to 1/1000) 

Aperture: f/2.8 or minimum available

Shutter Speed: Minimum 1/1000 a second, or between 1/250 and 1/500 to add body movement. 

ISO: 100 (in full sun), 200 (overcast) or Auto ISO (at night)

White Balance: Auto (adjust as needed for indoor or unusual lighting)

Focus Mode: Continuous (AI Servo on Canon)

Autofocus Area: Expanded AF point (surrounding points active)

Drive Mode: High-speed continuous (burst)

File Format: Full Quality JPEG

Which shutter speed should I use for athletics?

A minimum shutter speed of 1/1000 will help you freeze the action and eliminate most motion blur from your athletics photography.

Which lens do I need for athletics?

A 400mm lens works well for athletics photography, and professional sports photographer Iris van den Broek recommends a 400mm focal length.  

Which f-stop or aperture should I use for athletics? 

Generally speaking, any aperture between f/2.8 to f/4 is ideal for athletics photography. 

What autofocus mode should I use for athletics?

The autofocus mode you use will depend on your camera. However, for the best autofocus results, we recommend using your camera's continuous subject-tracking mode.

How many frames per second do I need for athletics? 

You should shoot at a minimum of 5fps for athletics photography. 

Is 70mm enough for athletics photography?

The 70mm focal length is useful in athletics photography if the action moves closer to where you are. However, you will probably need a 24-70mm lens on a separate camera body to make this work and be able to quickly switch to it. You may want a longer focal length to photograph many athletics events. 

Why are my athletics photos blurry?

If your shots are too blurry, try increasing the shutter speed to at least 1/1000 to ‘freeze the action’. You can also check your camera's autofocus settings to see if it has a dedicated sports mode.

Looking for more sports photography content?

This article is part of the MPB Guide to Sports Photography, our comprehensive look at how to create sports photography, with camera recommendations, advice and interviews with experts.