Chasing The Action: My First 7v7 Football Photo Session

Fast-Paced Fun: Shooting My First 7v7 Football Match

Ever tried photographing something so fast that your eyes almost need a seatbelt? That’s exactly how I felt walking into my first 7v7 football match. Now, I’ve shot plenty of outdoor sports photography before, but nothing quite prepared me for the controlled chaos of football on just half a field. I’m used to spreading out, scanning the scene, picking my moments—but this? This was a whirlwind, and I loved every second.

I’ll be honest: at first, I was just trying to figure out which direction to point my camera. Seven players per team, shrunk down on half a field, meant the action was never far away—and it was happening all at once. Passes being thrown, defenders leaping, players zipping by with a kind of speed that made me question if I’d missed my window before I’d even pressed the shutter. It took a minute (or ten) to get my bearings. Who knew football could feel like photographing a flock of birds?

Lucky for me, I was there to focus on just one player, one of my Featured Athlete’s for this upcoming football season (a blog post for another time).  So that made it a little bit easier since I didn’t really need to follow the football, just the one player.  But since they were not wearing uniforms, and there were not numbers to look for, I just had to find my player in a sea of very fast athletes moving so quickly on and off the field in a very fast game of 7v7!

My Tips for High-Speed Action Photography

• Don’t Chase Every Play: Pick your spot on the field and let the action come to you. Trust me, spinning in circles gets old fast.
• Use Burst Mode: Don’t be shy with that shutter button. Take a bunch of shots—you can sort the keepers when you get home.
• Watch the Light: Sunlight bouncing off faces and jerseys is your friend. Move around to catch those dramatic highlights.
• Capture Faces: Emotions tell the story. Look for grit, joy, and that zone-in that says, “I’m here to win.”

As soon as I wrapped up, I knew I was hooked and that I wanted to come back and try again.  There’s just something addictive about being on the edge of so much action—it keeps you guessing and makes every shot feel like you’ve caught lightning in a bottle. Plus, it reminded me that you’re never too experienced to try something new and feel just a little out of your league (at least for the first few plays).  So this next time, not only am I going after some great shots of my athlete, but I’m also going to see what kind of video clips I can get!  Wish me luck…it will definitely be interesting…

If you’re thinking about booking a sports session—football, soccer, or even backyard tag—don’t sweat not knowing all the Xs and Os. Just bring your energy and let me handle the shutter. Curious about getting action shots of your own team, your kids, or your latest tournament? Drop me a message! I’m always game for capturing more fun (and learning a few new tricks along the way).

As always, you can find me over at Paula Mason Photography!  Let me know how I can help you.

Until next time…