When athletes come to me for a branding session, one of the most common questions I get is some version of this: "Should I be doing something in the photos, or just standing there?"
The short answer? Both. And here's why each one does something the other simply can't.
What Action Shots Do
Action shots capture you in motion: mid-jump, mid-swing, mid-stride. They show the physicality of your sport and give viewers a visceral sense of what you look like when you're actually competing.
For recruiting purposes, action shots are powerful because they demonstrate athletic ability at a glance. A wrestler in a stance, a basketball player going up for a shot, a gymnast mid-leap, these images speak directly to coaches who want to see how you move and carry yourself in your sport.
Action shots also tend to perform really well on social media. They're dynamic, eye-catching, and they stop the scroll in a way that a traditional portrait sometimes doesn't.
The key to great action shots is intentional direction. We're not just hoping something cool happens. We're planning specific moments that highlight your strengths. That takes communication before the session about what movements tell your story best.
What Portraits Do
Portraits do something different and equally important: they let people see you. The athlete, yes, but also the person.
A well-done portrait communicates confidence, character, and approachability. It's the kind of image that works on a college application, a team website bio, a LinkedIn profile, or a personal website. It's also often the image that family members treasure the most, because it captures you at this specific moment in your athletic journey.
Portraits give coaches and recruiters a chance to see your face clearly, which matters more than people think. They're imagining you in a team environment, at a press table, representing their program. A strong, confident portrait helps them see that picture.
How They Work Together
Here's the thing: action shots and portraits aren't competing with each other. They're a team.
When a recruiter lands on your profile, the portrait is usually the first image they see. It creates a first impression and draws them in. Then the action shots back it up and prove what your body can do. Together, they tell a complete story: here's who I am, and here's what I bring to the court, mat, or floor.
I always recommend building your session around both. We typically start with portraits while you're fresh and relaxed, then move into action work once you're warmed up and in the zone. The energy shift between the two is natural, and it usually produces some of the best images of the day.
A Note on Sport-Specific Planning
Every sport has different visual language, and a good photographer knows that. The poses, locations, and movements that work for a wrestler are completely different from what works for a gymnast or a basketball player. Before your session, we'll talk through what moments are most iconic to your sport and build a shot list around that.
Spring sports have some of the most visually interesting opportunities: outdoor settings, natural light, space to move. If you've been thinking about booking a session, now is a great time to make it happen.
Have questions about what your session would look like? Reach out, I'd love to help you plan it.