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The Best Sports Photography Portfolio Examples of 2025

Once you’re ready to give your sports photography business the professional home it needs–a website–you’ll be faced with the next step; choosing a design for your new online portfolio. To help you on your path to creating a mobile-friendly website that not only includes workflows to save you time, but makes it easy for your customers to navigate–and shop!–we’ve rounded up twelve portfolios with fresh ideas for your own sports portfolio website.

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Armstrong Media

Dustin Armstrong is the owner, photographer, and creative mind behind Armstrong Media. Based in Oklahoma, he specializes in capturing the heart of local sports, senior portraits, and custom graphic design. Since formally launching Armstrong Media in 2022, he has worked with incredible athletes, families, schools, and local organizations across Oklahoma, creating a customer experience that is personal, creative, and one-of-a-kind.

Melissa Weber

Melissa Weber is a sports photographer and creative in the Georgetown, Ky area. Her passion is photographing sports and theatre, especially when it involves capturing her two daughters doing the activities they love! She wants young athletes—particularly girls and young women—to see how incredibly talented, confident, strong, powerful and amazing they are, and strives to capture it in her images.

Brian Bates Photography

Brian Bates is based in Atlanta, GA and excels at capturing the emotion of an event, whether it is a sporting event, reception, or special occasion. Always pushing himself to learn and try new things in the world of photography, he feels the most joy in his work when he knows he’s captured the emotion of an event or the personality of the person in front of the lens.

Shannon Thompson Photography

Shannon Thompson is a sports and portrait photographer based in South Carolina. Shannon started out as a newborn and wedding photographer. Now, with over 20 years in the photography industry, she has expanded into sports, family, and senior portraits and enjoys creating banners for travel baseball and softball teams.

Matt Fleming Photography

Matt Fleming is a UK-based photographer covering multiple genres of photography, including Sports, Event, Lifestyle, Wedding, & Commercial. A passion since his childhood, he enjoys the ever-evolving and challenging nature of photography. Matt is driven to find and capture the real, unscripted moments and how they spark different emotions in those who view them.

Misty Huss Photography

Misty Huss is a sports, family, and senior photographer based in Colorado. A former sports mom, coach, and sports administrator, sports photography is as second nature as breathing. As someone who loves to try new things, Misty pushes her own limits (and sometimes the limits of her equipment) to gain new perspectives. She states: “Being a full time photographer has been literally the hardest job I’ve ever loved!”

Seth Fontenot Photography

Seth Fontenot is a photographer and videographer based in Woodlands, TX, who captures powerful still shots and creates electrifying hype videos for high school sports teams and their athletes. Seth’s experience has taught him that collaborating with athletes to blend their ideas with his creative vision results in the most authentic and powerful images. A story teller at heart, he uses cameras to deliver emotion in both his still and motion work.

CLLiK Photography

Andrew Elsdon is the owner and lead photographer at CLLiK Photography. Originally from the Eastern Townships in Quebec, Canada, Andrew now lives in Midland, Ontario. Specializing in sporting events and portraits, Andrew captures athletes at their best in every season, whether racing down a snowy mountain or pushing toward the finish line in a road race.

The Posh Pics

Joe Dent is a sports photographer based in Peterborough, United Kingdom, and as the man behind “The Posh Pics, serves as the official photographer for Peterborough United. In this capacity, Joe captures the match action from all of the Posh teams, fan shots from matches, behind the scenes images capturing the work of their foundation, and photographs league events.

Paul Mitchell Photography

Paul Mitchell is a passionate motorsport photographer based in the South West of the UK. For 15 years, Paul has been dedicated to capturing the raw intensity, speed, and emotion of motorsport events, ensuring every photograph tells a compelling story. 

John Hill Imagery

John Hill is a sports and event photographer based in British Columbia, Canada, with a passion for capturing the action and emotion of events. Sports have always been a significant part of John’s life. As an athlete, he understands the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice that goes into achieving greatness. He finds it truly inspiring to capture the moments that define these accomplishments and the athletes who achieve them.

BL Sports Photography

Brad Loff is a sports photographer based in Pennsylvania who got into photography, like many, because of his kids. While standing on the sidelines listening to all the parent chatter, he found a hobby that merged with his passion; watching his kids play sports. Over time, capturing those lifelong memories for his own family turned into doing the same for others in the sports community.

 

Check Out The Best Sports Photography Portfolio Examples of 2025

Creative Sports Photography Ideas for Your Next Photoshoot

50 Creative Sports Photography Ideas for Your Next Photoshoot

Sports photography is a dynamic genre of photography that involves documenting the different activities at sports events, including fan reactions, players’ movements, VIP and stakeholders’ presence. It is also a form of storytelling to ensure specific sports highlights are preserved for posterity’s sake. 

Furthermore, sports photography isn’t scripted and often doesn’t allow retakes since actions are live. Thus, as a sports photographer, you need more than just skill and equipment to make the most of your sports photography shoots. You need to always be wearing your creative hat, leverage unique perspectives, and be ready to click the shutter at the right moment. 

In this article, we explore 50 creative sports photography ideas to spur you. We also look at some diverse sports genres and events high-volume photographers can specialize in. 

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Website Templates for Sports Photographers

Our user-friendly templates can be customized into thousands of distinct design variations, perfectly tailored to meet the specific needs of sports photographers like you.

Feel the excitement and exhilaration as your dynamic images pop off the dark background of this template.

Big images highlight the beauty of your work. Ideal for fine art, landscape, and wildlife photography.

Meriwether

A modern design with a nod to vintage film photography makes this an ideal template for weddings and other special events.

Introducing our latest District template tailored for sports photographers! With its striking fonts and versatile color palette, this template is meticulously crafted to seamlessly enhance your sports photography. It serves as an impeccable backdrop for photographers of all kinds.

Experience a one-of-a-kind carousel with personality, designed exclusively for sports photographers like you. It elegantly frames your work in minimalist aesthetics, ensuring your session types and specialized genres are beautifully presented.

Introducing an eye-catching gallery specifically crafted for sports photographers. This gallery is tailored to showcase your universal, modern, and meticulously arranged photography images with flair and finesse.

Once you’ve expertly captured life through your lens, unveil its myriad facets with this grid view layout.

Allow your captivating images to create a powerful impact within the confines of a stunning single-page website layout.

Passionately portray the narratives of sports with a dynamic and energetic touch.

A remarkable template designed to capture impactful sports photography.

A gentle color palette and sophisticated script font provide the ideal backdrop for showcasing sports photography.

Southwest

The black canvas backdrop sets the stage for high-contrast sports photography, creating an evocative and dynamic mood.

Check Out Website Templates for Sports Photographers

Make A Living

Create Your Online Sports Photography Portfolio  

Build a Sports Photography Portfolio

Your sports photography portfolio is often the very first thing customers see, and it should feel like walking into a dynamic game-day highlight reel—packed with energy, storytelling, and solid proof that you know how to capture the big moments that matter most. It’s a place where athletes relive their favorite moments, where parents can see and feel the pure excitement and joy of play in their kids’ faces, and where clubs or organizations get a true sense of the quality you’ll deliver.

When your portfolio is done right, it doesn’t just showcase pictures. It tells a story, builds trust, and helps you stand out in a very competitive industry.

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Essential Gear and Apps for School Sports Photography: From Action Shots to Team Photos

Gear and Apps to Help You Prepare for Your Next School Sports Photography Shoot

Discover the must-have photography equipment and apps for capturing school sports. Read recommendations from professional school sports photographer Seth Fontenot and get prepared for action shots, team photos, and game-day success.

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Learn It All

Expert Tips for Capturing Dynamic Sports Photographs

Whether it’s the thrill of a game-winning goal, the grace of a gymnast in flight, or the determination on an athlete’s face, sports photography requires great precision and timing. Veteran photographer Jeff Cable not only has a reputation for being a sports photographer but is also deemed a master at freezing the excitement, emotion, and drama of the games. With an exceptional portfolio spanning major sporting events, including the Olympics, Cable has not only witnessed sports history but has also played a crucial role in preserving those moments for posterity. His extensive expertise comes from a combination of photography skills and a deep understanding of technology.

In this article, Jeff Cable draws on his wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge to share with you his expert tips and techniques tailored to help you elevate your photography game. Whether you’re a seasoned sports photographer or are just starting out, Cable’s advice can help you capture the dynamic and inspirational moments across sports genres and events and bring you to the next level of success.

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Mastering action photography.

  • Choose the right shutter speed: A fast shutter speed (around 1/1500 sec) will freeze the action, and a slow shutter speed (maybe 1/4o sec) combined with motion panning can result in an image with a sharp subject that conveys motion.
  • Use burst mode: I will shoot anywhere from 5 frames a second to 20 frames per second to capture that one image at the peak of action.
  • Know the sport: As simple as it sounds, this is one of the most important tips. The more you know and understand about the sport you are photographing, the more you can anticipate what will happen at any time.
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Composition and framing techniques.

  • Foregrounds and Backgrounds: Be hyper aware of your environment. I always look for a background which will enhance my photo, not have distractions when choosing my shooting positions.
  • Find the right place: Position yourself where you think you will get the most forward-facing shots.
  • Capture the action and the reaction: When starting out, many people get so caught up in the action that they forget to photograph the reactions of the athletes. Practice looking for and capturing reactions; they can take an image from good to amazing.
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Maximizing lighting in sports photography.

  • Metering: I usually photograph in evaluative metering mode, but sometimes if you have dark subjects against a bright background (or vice versa), spot metering can be a better choice.
  • Backgrounds: I prefer to photograph athletes with an interesting background, provided there are not any elements that will overwhelm or distract from the main subject. It might be a large crowd of spectators, or a colorful banner. My personal preference is a darker background so that it does not compete with my main subject.
4/7

Emphasizing athlete expressions and emotions.

  • Get familiar with the sport: Again, being knowledgeable about the sport you are photographing will allow you to anticipate what will happen at any time. This translates into being more prepared to capture emotional reactions during key moments.
  • Know the athletes: When I photograph for an Olympic team, I study each athlete ahead of time, reviewing images and watching video footage, to know who celebrates big and who does not.
  • Focus on the eyes, but include more: A great reaction is awesome to photograph, but many times it is more than the face. It may be a fist pump, a big kick, or another body motion.
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Utilizing unique angles and perspectives.

  • Depth of field: I usually shoot sports with my lenses wide open (the best aperture possible). This helps keep the focus mainly on my subject, since the low aperture means they are in focus and much of the background is not.
  • Show the location, competition, or event: Look for opportunities to incorporate an event or team logo into some of your shots. Whenever I am photographing at the Olympics, I do my best to have an Olympic logo somewhere in the frame. With something like bobsled, for example; out of the 18 turns, there might only be 4 with the Olympics rings. I will typically photograph at those turns.
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Preparing for sports photography shoots.

  • Photo positions: Before you take any photos, walk around the area to determine the locations for best backgrounds, lighting and peak of action.
  • Prep your supplies: Have your batteries charged, your memory cards formatted, and computer and card readers ready to download. This is especially true when you are under tight deadlines.
  • Have the right gear and settings:
    • Determine the best lenses for that environment, based on your proximity and the sport you are shooting.
    • Check your camera settings to make sure you are in the right modes (burst rate, focus, metering, etc)
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Post-processing techniques for sports photography.

  • Emphasize motion: Techniques such as motion blur or selective sharpening can help you direct the viewer’s focus and convey the speed and motion inherent in sports.
  • Crop for impact: A well-thought-out crop can significantly enhance the overall composition and eliminate distractions so you can emphasize your subject more.
  • Selective editing: Don’t be afraid to make selective adjustments to specific areas of your image. For example, dodging and burning can help highlight or shade specific areas, adding depth and drama. AI tools can help speed up the process of fine adjustments, too.

Sports Photography FAQ’s

How many galleries can I upload?

You can upload as many galleries as you need. Plans are designed to scale with your business: Portfolio offers 15 GB of storage, Portfolio Plus gives you 150 GB, and ProSuite offers unlimited photo storage. ProSuite subscribers also have a 150GB limit for video uploads.

Is there a plug-in for Lightroom?

Yes! Zenfolio offers a Lightroom Classic plugin that lets you publish images straight from your desktop. You can edit, upload, and even update images without leaving Lightroom.

Can I upload multiple folders at once?

Absolutely. The Zenfolio Desktop Uploader allows you to upload multiple folders directly from your computer, mirroring the file structure you’ve already created. Queue gallery uploads in the background while you keep working.

Does Zenfolio work with other tethering or post-production tools?

While Lightroom Classic has the dedicated plugin, Zenfolio also offers a built-in uploader and the Desktop Upload tool that works with any folder structure.

Do I need to watermark my photos before uploading?

Nope! You can apply watermarks to your images after uploading, and they’ll disappear automatically when a client purchases prints, products, or downloads.

Do I need to manually approve every order?

Orders are managed from your Zenfolio account, but you don’t have to babysit them. Orders can be approved and monitored right from your desktop or mobile device, so you can keep things moving whether your at home, or on the go.

What pro labs can I sell through directly in Zenfolio?

Zenfolio integrates with trusted labs around the world. United States photographers can choose Mpix or Bay Photo, Canadian photographers have Fujifilm and Technicare, those in the United Kingdom have One Vision Imaging (OVI) and nPhoto, and photographers in Europe have nPhoto and Fujifilm. Want more control? You can also self-fulfill.

How are digital downloads delivered?

Once purchased, digital files are automatically processed by Zenfolio and delivered to your customers.

Can I sell high-resolution and low-resolution images?

You bet! Offer high-resolution, low-resolution, or bundled downloads. The sizes range from original down to 0.5MP (800px).

How do I make bundles of multi-image digital downloads?

It’s simple. In your price list, you can build a package that includes multiple downloads at the size and resolution you choose. Parents select their favorite images, add them to the bundle, and check out in one smooth transaction.

Can I sell downloads that include the entire gallery?

Yes. If you want to offer everything at once, use the “All Photos” option to set up a full-gallery download.

Can I offer event organizers free downloads?

Definitely. Add them as a Client in the gallery, then set permissions for free downloads—either unlimited or capped at a certain number of images.

Can I sell high resolution and low resolution images?

You can sell various sizes of downloads including high resolution and low resolution digital products. The sizes range from Original down to 0.5MP (800px).

How can I sell video for my action sports photography gallery?

Simply head to the Selling section of your account and open the Price Lists tab. From there, choose an existing Price List or create a new one, then select Digital. You’ll be able to pick the video resolutions you’d like to offer under Single Video Sizes, or, if you’d prefer to sell the entire gallery for one price, use the All Videos tab to set options under All Video Sizes. When you’re finished, just click Done and Save, and your video downloads will be ready for purchase.

Can I sell bundles of 3 or 5 downloads?

You can create a package including 3 or 5 digital download files and sell this bundle of multiple images for download via any price list.

How do I make bundles of multi-image digital downloads?

You can create a package including multiple downloads in the desired amount and resolution and sell this bundle of multiple images for download via any price list.

Can I sell downloads which include the entire gallery?

You can set up an entire gallery download using the “All Photos” option and sell this digital download option at your desired price.

Can I allow an event organizer to download images for free or a set amount of images for free?

You can add the event organizer as a Client to a gallery, then use client options to allow them to download free images. You can allow them to download them all, or set a specific amount available as free downloads.

Can I sell downloads that include a graphic of the event logo on them?

You can upload images with the logo already included, or use order approval to swap in logo-branded files before the final delivery.

Can I control the frequency of order profit payouts?

Payouts are processed automatically. When a client places an order through your Zenfolio website, your profit from that order is added to your Stripe or PayPal balance. Payment will be paid out within 3-5 business days, after the order has shipped, to the bank account or debit card associated with your Stripe or PayPal account.

What are the fees associated with selling on Zenfolio?

Zenfolio has a 7% fee of the order sub-total–excluding sales tax and shipping. Stripe and PayPal can be set up as payment processors and they have their own fees that are between 2.9% + .30 and 3.49% + .49.

Do I need a DAM (Digital Asset Management) system?

For most sports photographers, Zenfolio functions as storage, a gallery host, and delivery platform, so a separate DAM isn’t necessary. Larger studios with more complex asset needs may still choose to use one, but for the majority, Zenfolio covers all the bases. That said, it’s always best practice to maintain backups of your images in more than one location to ensure your work is secure and accessible long term.

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