Lonestar_Ag09 said:
I have a new to me D500 that I'm looking to start doing some side work for youth sports. Mainly because it's enjoyable to me but also just to have some extra spending cash.
I have a kit 70-300 Nikon lens that is way better than expected but I'd like to get something will better glass and more reach.
I was considering the Sigma 150-600, Tamron 150-600 or the Nikon 200-500…I think I've settled on the 200-500 but figured I'd ask here first you thoughts
The 200-500 is the best lens there, and will allow you to get tight shots of outfielders and across the field in Football.
However, any of those lenses don't have the aperture needed to give teh really blurry/creamy background that higher end sports photographers have.
Additionally, there is not a lot of money in youth action sports, unless you want to do team and individual portraits or you want to put together a huge operation where you print on site. Your best bet is to get some sort of portfolio going where you can get paid simply to show up and shoot. You will never, ever make money selling prints after the fact or via web sales.
The vast majority of people won't pay after the fact, because they don't care if the screenshot it with an obnoxious watermark and printing on site is a huge PITA. Good enough cameras are just too accessible.
Most leagues will have contracts with a photographer or corporation like Lifetouch for the Team & Individual shots. I explored this pretty deeply when I was getting out of shooting Pro and NCAA sports to spend more time at home with my kids and even with my kids in the league, the league would have no problem with me giving the pics to the other players on the team, but couldn't let me shoot for pay, even though the contracted photographer sucked and didn't even show up to get pics of all the kids, especially in action.
If you are wanting to really make meaningful images that someone will want to purchase, you will probably want a wide/normal, a 70-200, and a long telephoto like the 200-500. Peak action is great, but emotion is best. And a lot of time, that emotion is happening in the dugout or closest to you on the sidelines.