Year two on the Sierra Canyon courts
This is our second straight season photographing Sierra Canyon girls tennis media day in Chatsworth. Coming back to a program helps. We already know the courts and how the afternoon light falls across them, so more of the day goes to the stylized portraits.
Last season's gallery is here: Sierra Canyon girls tennis media day 2025.
The outdoor setup
Four Westcott FJ400 strobes on a Canon R5, shooting on the 70-200 and the 24-105. Two strobes go behind the players as rim lights and two go in front as mains.
Outside, we start by reading the ambient light with the camera and pulling it down about a stop under a normal exposure. Then the strobes come in to lift and soften the faces. The sun stays in the picture without taking it over. There is no light meter on set, just the camera meter and an eye for it, and the angle and power of each head shift with the sun.
Headshots, then the fun part
We always shoot the team first, then seniors, then coaches. Then the lights get re-rigged for individuals.
Every player gets the standard headshot. After that we ask for real tennis: a serve toss at full stretch, or a player walking straight at the camera with a racket on her shoulder. Those stylized frames are where personality comes through, and they are the ones players post.
Media day for your program
If you run a tennis program or an athletic department in the Valley or anywhere in Los Angeles, see how our high school media day works, or browse athlete work on the sports portraits page.
