How to Organise a Stress-Free Team Photo Session
Let’s face it — organising a team photo day can feel a bit like herding cats in kit. Between last-minute no-shows, missing socks, and trying to get kids to smile at the same time, it can quickly go from exciting to overwhelming. But with a little planning (and a photographer who knows the drill), it doesn’t have to be chaos.
Here’s how to make your photo session smooth, simple, and — dare we say — even enjoyable.
1. Pick the Right Time & Communicate Early
Choose a date that avoids fixture clashes or major events, and communicate it to the team as early as possible.
- Send reminders via email, WhatsApp, or team apps.
- Include key info: arrival time, full kit required, location, and estimated finish time.
Top Tip: Schedule photos before training or a light session to avoid muddy kits and tired faces.
2. Make Sure Everyone Has the Right Kit
Nothing throws off a team photo quite like mismatched socks or missing shorts. Send out a checklist a few days before to help players (and parents) come prepared.
- Full match kit (top, shorts, socks)
- Clean boots/trainers
- Optional: club tracksuit for informal shots
- A list of full names for all players, spell-checked
Don’t forget to remind coaches to wear club kit too — they’re part of the team photo!
3. Create a Simple Photo Schedule
If you’re photographing multiple teams on the same day, stagger arrival times slightly to avoid big queues or restless kids. Even a rough schedule like this can help:
- 10:00 U8s Team + Portraits
- 10:15 U10s Team + Portraits
- 10:30 U14s Team + Portraits
4. Plan for Individual & Informal Photos
Allow time for individual portraits, coaches, and informal group shots. These are just as important and often the ones families love most.
Think beyond the formal team line-up — those in-between moments can be gold.
5. Have a Club Contact or Helper on Hand
Assign someone from the club to help manage the flow — gathering players, checking kits, and keeping things moving. It’s a small role that makes a big difference to how smoothly things run.
6. Leave Buffer Time for the Unexpected
Someone’s late. Someone forgets their shirt. Someone drops juice down their front. It happens! Leave 10–15 minutes of buffer time in your schedule just in case.
No stress — a good photographer (like us!) is used to rolling with it.
7. Choose a Photographer Who Specialises in Teams
Not all photographers are created equal. A sports team photographer understands how to work with groups of all ages, keep sessions moving, and still get great shots — quickly and confidently.
At TeamFocus Images, we bring years of experience in working with clubs, players, and parents to make photo day fun, fast, and totally stress-free.
Final Thought
With the right prep and a photographer who knows the pitch as well as the lens, your team photo session can be a breeze. Remember — these are the photos your players and families will look back on for years.
Let’s make them great.
