Page 21 - Unleasing Your Social Media Potential

MEDIA DAY
To maximize the impact of your social media, it is highly recommended to conduct a media day with professional, posed images. Combining these with game action shots yields the best results. We offer services for media day, in- cluding execution or consultation on how to run a successful media day, even remotely. We can guide your photog- raphers to ensure optimal outcomes.
Before scheduling the media day, it is advisable to develop a strategy and review templates and social media graphics from other teams that inspire you. This will help create a comprehensive plan to address your specific needs. Captur- ing the necessary shots during the media day is much more efficient than organizing individual photo shoots later, although occasional one-off sessions may still be required.
Setting clear expectations is crucial for a successful media day. Ideally, you will have up to 100 athletes participating, but the number can be adjusted as needed. Our proven approach involves categorizing athletes into two groups: general athletes and those who lend themselves to special shots due to their role, position, past achievements, or in- teresting attributes. For the first group, capture basic shots that will be commonly used. These include head-on shots with different facial expressions, side profile shots with folded arms, shots with relevant sports equipment, and any additional shots that showcase unique aspects of the athlete.
Ensure that the setup includes proper lighting equipment, a suitable photo backdrop (white or gray depending on the uniform colors), and an X-marked on the floor for precise positioning. All photos should be taken from head to toe in RAW format to allow for editing and address any lighting issues that may arise.
Efficiency is key, aiming for 2-3 minutes per athlete in the first group. Inform the coach and ensure the photogra- pher works at an appropriate pace. An assistant can help monitor poses and address any issues before each athlete steps up.
For the second group, identify the specific individuals in advance. Consider featuring a social media tile with their photo and name, incorporating a desired pose or style for the season. These athletes may require specialized equip- ment or poses based on their roles. Allocate around 5 minutes per athlete in this group.
By carefully planning and organizing the media day, you can accurately estimate the required time and ensure a productive session.
Of course, it should go without saying that you will have a year of media days. You won’t know who’s on the team until right before the season (likely). You will probably also need a second mini media day for a sport that drafts from subvaristy to varsity through the season to get the shots you need for those players. If someone misses the me- dia day for a sport, you can possibly include them in a subsequent media day shoot for another sport.
PRO TIP:
A pro tip we’ll share is get a dry erase board. Have someone with clear handwriting print the athlete’s name and number on the board. Have them hold it in the first photo. This gives you a record to go back to. After the first shot, your assistant can erase the board and write the next person’s info on it.
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