How does eight miles of walking with 21 lbs. of camera gear in 90-degree heat and Kansas City humidity sound? That was Friday afternoon and evening for me, as I started my second year photographing the Kansas City Chiefs for Associated Press Images.
Here’s what my health app said I did Friday. No surprise that during the course of the afternoon and evening I drank three bottles of water and two diet Cokes.
While photographing the NFL is nothing new (this is my 41st year), 2020 was the first time I was asked to do it commercially, instead of editorially. For editorial, you cover the game, which means following the ball and trying to capture key moments (AP already has two photographers doing that). For commercial, my job is to try to make pictures that can be sold. I’m actually told not to follow the ball as much, but to look for individuals, isolated, so the photo is all about them instead of the game they’re in. I’m also asked to shoot more stuff before the game, like tailgating, the stadium and the two warmup sessions. During the game, I’ll spend a fair bit of time looking for players on the sidelines with their helmets off, as well as making some photos of other things like the cheerleaders and officials.
Last season, due to COVID-19, instead of being on the field we photographers were moved up into the first row of the stands. The disadvantages there were the higher angle (head-on or lower almost always looks better) and being further away from the action. The advantage was fewer people (officials, ball boys, TV…) in the way. And the room where we’d download and transmit from was moved from field level to the top of the stadium, making it much harder to get to, meaning less ability to send photos during the game.
Thankfully this year we’re back on the field, and we’ve got access to our regular photo room, just a few minutes from the field. That’s especially important to me, since I work alone – no assistant or editor to help out. I need to get back to that room to transmit about a half-dozen photos from the pre-game warmups, then 8-10 at halftime, then another 15-20 afterwards. I keep busy!
Friday’s game was at 7:05pm, so I arrived at the stadium around 3:30 to start my day. Taking a smaller set of gear (a Nikon Z 6 II and Nikkor 24-200 and 14-30mm lenses), I spent the first hour photographing people tailgating and making some new photos of the stadium. During the off-season the name was changed from simply “Arrowhead Stadium” to “GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.” I needed photos to show that.
Chiefs and Vikings fans mingle in the parking lot before the game. Nikon Z 6 II, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 200, 1/640 at f/11, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
Luis Campos of Wichita grilling steaks in the parking lot at Arrowhead Stadium. In photos like this, I try to include the stadium in the background whenever possible. Nikon Z 6 II, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 200, 1/800 at f/9, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
With “GEHA Field” being added to the stadium’s name, I needed to show that, so spent some time shooting exteriors. Nikon Z 6 II, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 200, 1/640 at f/11, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
After that I went through security, then to the photo workroom to set up, download those photos and be out on the field by 5pm, which is when some players come out for early, casual warmups. About an hour later, all players come out, in uniform, for their team warmups. When that ends, I have about 30-minutes to go in, download, edit, keyword, caption and send those half-dozen pictures before returning to the field for kick-off.
The unofficial warmups start about two hours before game time, and Patrick Mahomes always comes out for them. Using a smaller aperture, I can keep the background out of focus but a viewer can still read the sign. Nikon D780, Aperture Priority, ISO 200, Sunny white balance, 1/250 at f/7.1, Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, left, and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman greet each other during warmups. Photos that show players’ faces are important, and any emotion is a bonus. Many of the players have friends on other teams, so I try to watch for this type of interaction. Nikon D500, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 200, 1/1000 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
At the end of the first half I hustle back to the photo room, download, edit, caption, keyword and transmit 8-10 game photos, then back to the field for the second half. Then one more trip back to send another 15-20 before heading home, about an hour after the game ends.
The next day I spend a few hours going through everything I shot to again edit, caption, keyword and transmit another 200-250 photos. Those photos, along with the earlier ones, go into the Associated Press archive, and with any luck, will be sold (and as importantly, I’ll earn some royalties).
It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy both the physical and photographic challenge. And with any luck, the next nine games won’t be nearly so hot! Here’s a list of the gear I used, and some photos showing what my day was like:
Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 and Slik CF monopod – 11lbs. (the crop factor on the D500 – a pro-level APS-C body – means I’d need a 300-600mm lens to get the same framing with a full-frame body that I get with the D500 and the 200-400)
Nikon D780 with 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and BlackRapid cross-chest strap – 5lbs.
Thinktank Speed Demon waistbelt (discontinued) with Nikkor 16-35mm f/4 lens, TC 14e-III teleconverter, two spare batteries, extra cards, notebook, pens, misc. – 6 lbs.
If a big moment happens in front of me, even though that’s not what I’m there to shoot, I’ll definitely take it. Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) celebrates his touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings with teammate Demarcus Robinson. Moments like this are why I always have a second camera with a shorter lens. Nikon D500, Aperture Priority, Auto white balance, ISO 1250, 1/600 at f/4, Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
Of course, my longer lens gets most of the work, like this photo from the same touchdown, of Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill celebrating that touchdown with Patrick Mahomes. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 1600, 1/1600 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive back Bashaud Breeland. While most of the time I’m shooting vertical (as requested), there are moments where I’ll switch to horizontal. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 2000, 1/1600 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
This is exactly the kind of photo I’m looking for, full-frame vertical of a player with nothing else in the frame, in this case Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 2000, 1/1600 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
The Associated Press also has a standing request for images in 16:9 format (HD TV framing), so I try to do that occasionally as well. Not surprisingly, there’s always a big demand for photos of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 2000, 1/1600 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
Kansas City Chiefs running back Darwin Thompson is tackled by Minnesota Vikings free safety Xavier Woods. who was called for a penalty. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 2000, 1/1600 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
A good generic officiating photo that hopefully will find use somewhere. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 2000, 1/1600 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
Players without helmets is always in demand, so when Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes came out of this preseason game in the first quarter, I headed to the bench area too. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 2000, 1/1000 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
More non-action along the bench, but a nice photo of new Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 2000, 1/1000 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
And yet another from the bench, Chiefs defensive end Michael Danna. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 2000, 1/500 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (99) throws Minnesota Vikings running back AJ Rose to the ground, and is called for a penalty. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 2000, 1/1000 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
Again, isolated vertical action photos are a high priority for me, so I spend a lot of time focused on someone other than the quarterback, in this case Chiefs wide receiver Byron Pringle. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 2500, 1/1000 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
Chiefs wide receiver Marcus Kemp celebrates his touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings, and it’s just the type of photo I need, full-body, vertical, with reaction. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 2500, 1/1000 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
Of course, I’m there to cover both teams, not just the Chiefs. This is Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 2000, 1/1000 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kellen Mond throws for a two-point conversion against the Chiefs, both an important moment and a nice isolated vertical with a clear view of his face. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 2500, 1/800 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
Once the game’s over, I’m still looking for faces and reactions. Minnesota Vikings defensive back Bashaud Breeland, right, catches up with former Kansas City Chiefs teammates, including wide receiver Mecole Hardman (17) and safety L’Jarius Sneed, left. Nikon D500, Manual exposure, Auto white balance, ISO 1600, 1/500 at f/4, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press
(If you like this story, please share it with your friends and let them know about the links on photography that I post on my business Facebook page. I’m also on Instagram and Twitter, @reedhoffmann. And if you’re curious about the workshops I teach, you can find them here. And, you can subscribe to this blog on my home page.)
Beautiful work, Reed, and very interesting story.
Reed, Great images! Great story! And wow! what a terrific workout!