SPAA 2010 delves into sports photography technology and customer mindset

A key panel session is “SPAA Luncheon: Delving Inside the Mind of the Sports Photography Customer,” which offers a unique chance to learn from the ultimate customers. Tom Hayes, Visual Image Photography Inc., will moderate this panel of moms and kids to reveal their sports photography wants, needs, and desires.

Another opportunity for sports photographers will be the “SPAA Ultimate Field Trip: Lights.Camera. Watch and Learn,” a photo shoot of three San Clemente High School baseball teams with veteran sports photographer Randy Brister, Friday, Feb. 19, 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The proper equipment will be discussed and demonstrated, along with how to set a background, how to pose and light an individual, how to pose and light a team, and how to work quickly but efficiently.

Ben Chen, author and freelance sports photographer, will provide invaluable technical tips for photographing the “Big Two” in youth sports (in terms of sheer participation numbers) – baseball and soccer. Chen’s session, “How to Shoot Action for the ‘Big Two’ Youth Sports,” takes place Sunday, Feb. 21, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Also, NBA photographer Andrew D. Bernstein will educate attendees about how to make money in action photography during his General Session presentation (Monday, Feb. 22, 8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.). Hayes and Pat Taylor will hold concurring sessions on Monday, Feb. 22, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., on the topics of team/group posing and green screen technology, respectively.

Other key highlights from the four days of SPAA 2010 programming include: “General Session: Lights, Camera, Profits with Will Crocket” (Saturday, Feb. 20, 9:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.), discussing the power of technology and in-camera tools and tips for setting the best capture possible, “SPAA/PSPA Lab and Supplier Reception” (Saturday, Feb. 20, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.), an opportunity for attendees to meet with photography product vendors and professional lab owners to learn more about their professional imaging services and “SPAA Luncheon: Leaders, Get Out of the Way” (Sunday, Feb. 21, 12:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.), featuring motivational speaker and former NBA player Walter Bond teaching the fundamentals of leadership, the destructive dangers of micro-management, how to improve employee retention, and – most important – how it all impacts the bottom line.