Getting into little league photography

[cgillespie]

I'm just now getting into little league photography. For those of you who have done it, what is the standard operating procedure in getting your name involved without stepping on toes at the same time. Does anyone have a sample letter they have used? I'd like to approach the little league office, but I want to have a letter that covers everything. Thanks!

[NetJohn]

What do you want to shoot: action or posed (T&I)? Do you have a child playing in the league? A lot of times, it's "who you know" that helps out on these things.

One recommendation: Don't just show up and start shooting! You will get escorted out of the ballpark by the police.

John

[Mr. Pickles]

Originally Posted by NetJohn

One recommendation: Don't just show up and start shooting! You will get escorted out of the ballpark by the police.

Where does this happen? I'd seriously doubt that the police could do anything about it. Unless it was a private game, and you jumped the fence or didn't pay to get in, or there was a sign that said no cameras, they would pretty much have to ask me what I was doing and then stand there and watch.

[NetJohn]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

Where does this happen? I'd seriously doubt that the police could do anything about it. Unless it was a private game, and you jumped the fence or didn't pay to get in, or there was a sign that said no cameras, they would pretty much have to ask me what I was doing and then stand there and watch.

Absolutely not. Either the little league owns their own land or they lease it from the park system. Either way, during the game, legally the land is theirs. They may file trespassing charges if they don't want you there. Generally, they won't file charges immediately, but I have heard (third-hand, admitted) of leagues calling for police to be present when they ask you to leave.

Yes, America, free-country and all that. But you're not free to be places where people don't want you.

Go ahead, go to some game, and just start shooting. Fairly soon some parent will become concerned and start talking to the coaches, league officials, etc. Soon after someone will be coming up to you and asking what you're doing. If they feel threatened, there will be police presence requested.

If the league requests the police to escort you out, you really have two options: go peacefully, or attempt to fight back. Honestly, I wouldn't dare try to go against a police officer's request.

John

[Mr. Pickles]

I don't have to "Go ahead and go to some game", because I have gone to them. I have also paid to get in. There have actually been no signs saying you can't shoot images. And if I was asked to leave, they would have to have a pretty good reason for it, because trespassing isn't it.

[NetJohn]

If they weren't comfortable with you taking photographs, expect them to ask you to leave, regardless as to whether or not you paid for a ticket.

Look, at my local soccer league (that I shoot the action photos for), there was a gentleman standing alone taking the occasional picture. I wasn't concerned for my contract, but some parents were, as no one knew who he was, and someone contacted a league member. A few minutes later, two league officials and a police officer came up to ask what the man was doing. Ends up he was the grandfather of a player but was feeling ill, so he wanted to stay away from the kids to make sure he didn't get them sick. Had his story not checked out (they asked the player, and also the mother, who wasn't there at the beginning when people were trying to figure out who he was), he was going to get escorted out of the park. Even though the park is "public land," the league leases the land for the games, and has all rights to ask people to leave.

You've been lucky, or people knew who you were.

Do you really want to risk the OP on the chance that he would get in trouble? Kinda like the "I never got burnt playing with matches, so go ahead!" mentality.

John

[Mr. Pickles]

Oh, so now this old man was going to get kicked out of a soccer deal because someone thought that him taking pictures could cut down on the "leagues" official photo contract? Interesting.

And your last sentence can be removed, because I never said squat about him just going and shooting like all was right. He asked about how to get his name out there without stepping on toes. I never told him to just show up and take pictures. You offered some advice, and then went sideways with the they will call the police comment.

[NetJohn]

Seems what I wrote led you to read it incorrectly. Re-reading I see my error. It should have read "I wasn't concerned for my contract, but some parents were concerned as to who this guy was and why he was taking pictures, as no one knew who he was...."

Let's try it that way and maybe now you understand.

And my recommendation about not showing up and just shooting was a truthful warning. You want to play the trouble-maker, go ahead; I'm done.

John

[sheppardmando]

As a cop (mostly for this thread) and a parent I will have to agee with John, if you are not a "normal" part of the goings on of the event, or have a child in the game, more than likely you will have to answer to the reason of your activity. Not all will lead to your removal but some will!

[cgillespie]

My question is more along the lines of how should I approach the organizations ahead of time in order to take either action or posed pics. I'd like to do this before I ever put foot on the field. I have no intentions at all of just showing up...I'm not quite that brazen.

[Mr. Pickles]

Originally Posted by sheppardmando

As a cop (mostly for this thread) and a parent I will have to agee with John, if you are not a "normal" part of the goings on of the event, or have a child in the game, more than likely you will have to answer to the reason of your activity. Not all will lead to your removal but some will!

As a cop, you may agree with John, but you also agree nobody is leaving...

[sheppardmando]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

As a cop, you may agree with John, but you also agree nobody is leaving...

I didn't say that! I am sure if the "COP" talking to you beleves you don't need to be there, and if it is property is controlled by someone other than the "public" they can have you removed.

[Mr. Pickles]

Exactly

[Steve Buchanan]

And snap back to the question at hand....

This is also something I'm interested in. Would anyone care to share their experience as to how they got their first league? (Im talking posed shots) Is the 20% share back to the league standard, if you're working with your local county parks and rec. division is it a pain? Please shower us with nuggets of wisdom.

FWIW, There is no limit to how much parents will react poorly to seeing someone they don't know at and event with their kids. As a parent I can understand this. I'm not saying it's right or rational, I'm just saying it is.

SB

[FatNakedGuy]

I've been at a park before shooting my daughter while waiting for a customer only to have some stupid parent rush up to me and get in my face about what I was doing, etc... I'm thinking parents need to switch to decaf and relax a little..

As for a cop asking me to leave because he doesn't believe I need to be there He can POUND SAND and so can his watch commander.

[cgillespie]

So, this thread has definitely taught me what not to do. So, I'm assuming I should create an introduction letter and submit it to the league office. I'd like to know some examples of what to include, and also, is it expected to give a percentage back to the league? I think I read somewhere that 20% is normal. Also, what are some example packages and prices to include?

[Mark McCall]

Originally Posted by NetJohn

Either the little league owns their own land or they lease it from the park system. Either way, during the game, legally the land is theirs.

Same here in W. Texas.
The reason, I believe, is two fold.
#1. They do not want competitiors poaching on the contracted photographer's turf, but reason 2 is more sinister.
#2. Parents (who pay for, and run the league), do not what their child's photos appearing on some website or gallery somewhere. Security thing. It's just the world we live in.

Yo