Creating a Photo Team to Assist with Media Management

In the constantly evolving media landscape, photography is one primary form that has remained constant in a video-heavy age.

Take a quick scan around any administrator’s office and you are likely to see evidence of photography that captures a special snapshot in time and commemorates it forever. Indeed, the value of photography and the precious moments those images represent have withstood the digital advancement of media.

As part of that advancement, professional media photographers aren’t the only individuals presently clicking away at events to capture the scenes of what makes participation in high school athletics and activities so great. It is also common to see freelance photographers, community members and even parents with professional-grade photography equipment assembled along sidelines, end zones, end lines and areas in between.

The increased photography pressure has created management challenges for onsite administrators. While directors of athletics and activities oftentimes have created their own media guidance with assistance from their state associations, solutions are still needed to manage the increasing photography presence, in part, so it does not take away from the experiences of the student-participants.

One solution might be the creation of a Photo Team within your school, district or state association, a concept which has been utilized the past four years by the Minnesota State High School League. The idea was created in the wake of the global pandemic when attendance was limited at postseason events.

The League hired independent-contract photographers to cover the championship games of state tournament events and then shared those images in galleries. A positive byproduct of the Photo Team was that professional media organizations had the opportunities to purchase images, too. Even if a media organization had a credentialed representative onsite, the individual might have missed a game-winning touchdown, last second layup or thrilling goal in overtime. The media organization then had the option of purchasing an image from the gallery, one that often ended up on the front page of a sports section or even A1.

The League’s Photo Team has grown into what is believed to be a first-of-its-kind with a group of 12 photographers under an organized structure that delivers photography services. Minnesota is one of the state associations that shares its images with the NFHS.

“The League really does a nice job meeting an organizational strategy of sharing the stories of these kids and their supportive communities,” said Emmett Keenan, activities director at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, Minnesota. “Through the Photo Team, you can see the organization and professionalism behind it. With the increasing presence of photographers at our events, that program provides many examples of what we could implement at the local level and beyond.”

Jason Wachter, a longtime former newspaper photographer for the St. Cloud Times, is in his second school year leading the Photo Team as the League’s Photo Manager. He serves as the liaison between the Photo Team and the MSHSL Executive Staff.

HST: As a former news photographer now working with a state association, what are your observations on the photo coverage at the high school level?

Wachter: “High school sports and activities are as fun, if not more fun to photograph, than professional sports. Their emotions, actions and the access League photographers get over other professional media just enhance the experience. We get the images most photographers dream of – not just sports, but all competitions and events sponsored by the League.

“Over the past couple of years, photo coverage has transformed from a bunch of action photos to a well-rounded documentation of their events. The depth of coverage at events with a photojournalistic approach is giving the League images they need for their publications and training presentations as well. The member schools love it! I really enjoy seeing a team’s image on a billboard celebrating their state tournament experience along the freeway of cities when I travel in Minnesota.”

HST: Tell us about your role as the Minnesota State High School League’s Photo Manager.

Wachter: “I work as a liaison between the League and the team of independent-contract photographers. I answer a lot of their questions that range from technical things about cameras and photo editing software to the best places to shoot at venues. I help with scheduling the team members for tournaments, knowing their skills and abilities. As photo manager, I am working to find talented photographers for the team. The League has expanded coverage of some events, so we are expanding the team. I work with onboarding new photographers, getting them up to speed on the League’s photo needs and procedures. Most recently we have been adding new technology to send photos during events for social media.”

HST: When you assemble a team of photographers, what criteria do you use to select your members?

Wachter: “A photojournalism background is helpful but not mandatory. Everyone is trainable if they are willing. I am looking for someone with strong technical skills with equipment and ability to create creative images that document an event. I’m not looking for just a bunch of action photos. A couple of our most sought-after shooters have no formal photography training. They “just get it” and understand the League’s needs for images that are more than just a bunch of action photos. And finally, someone with the ability to edit and upload images quickly on location. The team is transforming into a sort of wire service for the League by producing images during and immediately after events.”

HST: How do you think the Photo Team concept is working?

Wachter: “The team concept is really becoming the key to the cohesiveness of the group. We have all become friends over the past couple of years. Member schools and professional organizations see what we are doing and want to mirror it during other times of the year. That is exciting to see.”

HST: What is your advice to a school or state association that is looking to assemble photo coverage of their team or member schools?

Wachter: “Not everyone can take quality images. Find someone that can lead your team and be that go-to person rather than having many individuals that are trying to take pictures with a cell phone. Try to find someone with a photojournalism background like a daily/weekly newspaper or a wire service, or someone with a strong understanding of the concept. There are a lot of us out there as newspapers are cutting back on staff. Try to find someone with a passion and ability for getting good images and documenting events, not just a bunch of sports action images. The League is attracting some amazing photographers with their expanded coverage and quality photos and usage. The presence of a Photo Team member pushes the professionalism of the coverage to a high level instead of having a number of individuals at varying levels of talent trying to navigate things. It just cleans things up management-wise so much and the result is powerful images that will last forever.”

Tim Leighton is communications coordinator for the Minnesota State High School and a member of the High School Today Publications Committee. For more information on the Photo Team concept or other media management solutions, contact Tim at tleighton@mshsl.org.