MPB Meets: Sports Photographer Lukas Schulze

Lukas Schulze has been photographing sports events such as the Olympics and World Championship for the last 13 years. Throughout his journey as a professional sports photographer, he learned how to create outstanding and unique l photographs that capture the essence of the athletes. We caught up with Lukas to find out more about his kit and his tips on taking memorable photos. Over to you, Lukas.

MPB: How did you break into the industry as a professional sports photographer?

LS: My career started in 2008 when I photographed local sports events, especially athletics in my hometown Magdeburg. In 2011 I began to study photojournalism and did internships at Germany's biggest news agency DPA and at The Tennessean, a newspaper in Nashville, USA. After finishing my studies in 2014 I worked for dpa as a staff photographer in Berlin and Hamburg and I was part of the photo team at the Olympics 2016 in Rio de Janeiro!

After that, I switched over to become a freelancer and since then I have been working for the world's largest photo agency Getty Images, Adidas, Nikon and local companies.

MPB: What’s the most enjoyable event you’ve photographed so far?

LS: My most enjoyable event was probably the World Swimming Championship in Budapest 2017! I worked for Nikon because Nikon was one of the main sponsors of this event. I had special access and I got the freedom to do what I want to create outstanding pictures!

MPB: What is your go-to kit set-up for sports events?

LS: At the moment I am using 2x Nikon D6 and a Nikon D5 Dual XQD as my main DSLR cameras. 28mm f/1.4D, 105mm f/1.4E ED and 400mm f/2.8 are my favourite lenses! I prefer to use fixed lenses because I like the style of the open apertures and the possibility to focus on the important things.

MPB: Do you have a favorite image you can give us the behind-the-scenes scoop on?

LS: One of my favorite pictures was taken in 2017 at the Swimming World Championships in Budapest. It was my first time photographing High Diving. Men jump from 27 meters, women from 23 meters into a pool and this is in front of the parliament of Budapest - a spectacular setting! I installed a remote camera because the athletes always jump through the same frame. So it was important to which posture they will have in my small frame. My dream was to create a work of art that you have to think about when you see it. And after all, an athlete connected the towers of the parliament with her arms and legs.

MPB: What does it mean for you to be able to earn from a job that matches your passions?

LS: For me, a dream came true! In 90% it doesn’t feel like work at all! I really love my job. It is really important that you are working with passion, especially as a freelancer. You will put more effort into your work as usual and most of the time it pays off!

MPB: Due to COVID-19, we have lost access to live games and major tournaments. How has this changed your approach and practice?

LS: Normally I got really close to the players in the player’s tunnel, mixed zone etc to take pictures nobody else can do. That’s only possible because Getty Images has contracts with different federations like UEFA, FIFA, DFL, etc. But with Covid-19 it’s getting more difficult to find different angles because access is more limited. But we were really pleased with soccer because it was one of the first events we could photograph again. And I would appreciate it if to take off the mask again while photographing because I normally wear glasses and as a photographer, you want to see sharp.

MPB: What advice would you give to any aspiring sports photographer?

LS. Do what makes you happy and try to develop your own style which makes your pictures unique!

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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.