Snap Winning Shots of Your Kids’ Sports Moments
By Lucie Wicker, Lucie Wicker Photography
Spring is here and with it comes a whirlwind of soccer games, baseball practices, track meets, and all the muddy, sun-drenched, joy-filled moments that make youth sports so special. Whether you’re cheering from the sidelines or running warm-ups from the car, there’s a good chance you’ll have your phone or camera in hand trying to grab the perfect shot of your child in action.
Capturing great sports photos of your kids can be tricky especially when they’re constantly moving (and you're juggling snacks, water bottles, and folding chairs). Luckily, with a few simple tips, you can start taking better, more meaningful photos that freeze those fast-moving memories in time.
1. Use Burst Mode or Continuous Shooting
Kids move fast. To avoid missing key moments like the big goal, a sprint to the finish line, or a high-five with a teammate, use your camera or phone’s burst mode (just hold down the shutter on your camera or the shutter button on your phone). This takes multiple photos in rapid succession, allowing you to choose the best frame afterward.
Pro Tip: The moment before and after the action can sometimes be even more special than the peak itself (think laughter, focus, or celebration).
2. Shoot in Good Light But Mind the Shadows
Spring brings longer days and bright sunlight, but harsh light can cause strong shadows and squinty faces. Try these quick fixes:
Cloudy days are your friend; they create soft, even lighting.
Avoid shooting at noon when the sun is directly overhead.
Get low and shoot from the side to capture depth and action without harsh glare.
Golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) is a magical time for photos if your game or practice lines up!
3. Get Low & Zoom In
Instead of standing above your child and pointing your camera down, try getting on their level. Crouching or kneeling instantly makes your photo more dynamic and personal. Combine that with zooming in or using a lens with a longer focal length to pull your child into focus and blur out the background. This draws attention to them, not the distracting background or crowd.
4. Look for Emotion, Not Just Action
Yes, the goal-scoring moment is great but don’t forget to photograph the little things:
Their focused face before a serve
A proud smile after a play
A moment with a teammate or coach
The mud-splattered knees and grass-stained jersey
These in-between moments tell the real story of your child’s sports journey and often become the most treasured memories.
5. Capture the Whole Scene (Then the Details)
Try mixing up your shots:
Wide shots: capture the environment (fields, bleachers, the crowd).
Medium shots: show your child interacting with the team or moving through the game.
Close-ups: focus on expressions, hands on the bat, cleats on the line, or numbers on the jersey.
Together, they build a full picture of the experience.
6. Wipe That Lens! (Seriously.)
Spring sports = unpredictable weather + dusty fields. If your photos seem foggy or dull, a quick wipe of your phone or camera lens with a clean cloth can make a huge difference. It’s the easiest fix in the book—and often the most overlooked.
You don’t need a fancy camera or hours of editing to capture beautiful, authentic sports photos of your child; you just need a little planning, patience, and perspective. Whether you’re shooting with your smartphone or a DSLR, focus on storytelling, emotion, and connection, and you’ll end up with images that you and your child will cherish for years to come.
Every once in a while, make sure you ditch the camera and just be a fan. Some moments are best experienced, not captured!
Lucie Wicker is the owner of Lucie Wicker Photography, which specializes in empowering fitness, wellness, and active lifestyle brands through bold, story-driven content that captivates, connects, and converts. Learn more about Lucie here.