Michael Reeves (Kennett, PA)
Michael Reeves is a freelance photographer from Kennett Square PA. He graduated from Kutztown University in 2015 with a BA in Communications. Michael has been a professional photographer for over Four years. He currently is a freelancer for the Delaware County Daily Times and a sports photographer for the University of Delaware. Throughout the year, he photographs The Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Union along with various other Professional and Collegiate teams. He has worked for companies such as ESPN, ProCamps, Philadelphia Union, and Tiesta Tea. Michael has also worked directly with athletes including, Zach and Julie Ertz, Saquon Barkley, DeShaun Watson, Kyle Lowry, Ben Roethlisberger, Sam Darnold, and numerous others.
What made you want to become a Freelance Sports Photographer? Were you always interested in photography? How and where did you start, and why specifically sports?
I have always been a huge sports fan. I grew up playing sports and continued through High School. My love for photography probably started around Middle School. I always thought about how cool it would be to one day be a photographer and travel the world. I think I thought it wasn’t a realistic thing at the time so I put it to the side and ended up returning to it after college. As a big sports fan I knew right away Sports Photography was the avenue I wanted to pursue. |
I saw that you have your own Photography website, and you have some amazing photos up there!What would you say was the coolest job that you have had the opportunity to do so far is? Also, who was the coolest athlete that you’ve met so far?
Thank You! I have had the opportunity to cover some amazing games so far. Two full seasons of the Eagles and Three with the Union. But, so far I would say The 2018 Eagles Home Opener. That was the first regular season Eagles game I ever got to shoot. It was when they unveiled the Super Bowl banner and the stadium was electric the whole game. The Unions first ever playoff win last year against New York Red Bull in the rain was a great game too. I also absolutely love shooting the Penn Relays every year! As far as Athletes go, it was a lot of fun to work with Zach and Julie Ertz, they are so cool and down to earth. Also, I had the opportunity to work with Saquon Barkley twice last year and it's always a blast working with him. |
Where does your inspiration for your photos come from? Do you go into a photoshoot with an idea in mind, or is it a spur of the moment decision on the angle that you take?
For portrait sessions, I go in with an idea of what shots I definitely want to accomplish but it's only a couple. I always want to make the subject as comfortable as possible, then I'm bound to get a lot of solid improvised and spontaneous shots and those are always the best. When covering a game for the paper, there are always certain players I know I need to get. You have to know any storylines happening in the game. Usually the best shots from games are celebration photos. It's all about knowing the sport your shooting and it has a lot to do with luck, being at the right place at the right time. |
What are some of the most common struggles that you find with taking photos for clients or in the sports industry in general?
Sometimes during games you get unlucky. There are times i’ll shoot a soccer game and not much happens and the final score is a 0-0 tie. No celebrations, not much action.
Sometimes during games you get unlucky. There are times i’ll shoot a soccer game and not much happens and the final score is a 0-0 tie. No celebrations, not much action.
What has been the most fulfilling thing about being a photographer?
I think the most fulfilling thing is being able to share my work to the world. It is always an amazing feeling the day after shooting something to look in the paper and see my photograph blown up on the back page. Also seeing the reactions from clients when I send them over their finished photos is always fantastic. What words of advice would you give to people just starting out in photography, who may want to pursue it as a career? I would say to always be trying to shoot something and always be networking. Networking is absolutely key. Networking is key because you never know when that next opportunity will come up. For me opportunities pop up randomly all the time so I try to keep my schedule flexible. I also do a lot of cold emails to people and companies. I'm a firm believer in “the worst they can say is no”. Get out there and make things happen. |
Would you say you have a certain style with your photos? Is there a certain look that you go for when working with clients?
Editing is always important. I know that I can go through Instagram and without seeing who took the picture I already know who took it just based on their personal style. I personally am a big fan black and white photos. I have always felt it adds an extra element to the photos. For a client, to me it's important to know what style they are looking for. Usually, If they are hiring me directly I know they have seen my work and like my style.
Editing is always important. I know that I can go through Instagram and without seeing who took the picture I already know who took it just based on their personal style. I personally am a big fan black and white photos. I have always felt it adds an extra element to the photos. For a client, to me it's important to know what style they are looking for. Usually, If they are hiring me directly I know they have seen my work and like my style.
What equipment do you use? Is there any specific gear that you recommend all photographers to have, or any that you don’t recommend?
I’m a Nikon guy. Gear really depends on what you are shooting. I think that Mirrorless camera bodies will take over the photography industry within five years if not sooner. If your looking to get into sports, you have to have a camera with a fast shutter speed. A 70-200 2.8 lens is a definite for any sports photographer. The industry puts out new equipment every year. I feel that a common misconception is that you HAVE to have the newstest photo equipment to be good. You really don’t, it's all about how you use the gear. I'm hopefully going to be upgrading to a mirrorless camera before the next football season.
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Where do you see yourself in 10 years with your future? Do you have a specific goal in mind for your career?
In Ten years… Hopefully I'm a full time staff photographer for either a newspaper or a for a professional sports team as a lead photographer. Whether it’s here or somewhere else in the country those are the two things I definitely want to be doing. But you never know what opportunities will pop up next!
In Ten years… Hopefully I'm a full time staff photographer for either a newspaper or a for a professional sports team as a lead photographer. Whether it’s here or somewhere else in the country those are the two things I definitely want to be doing. But you never know what opportunities will pop up next!
Website: https://www.typeonephoto.com/index
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