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Life is becoming faster and more complex, but one constant is the valued relationships and cherished memories young people develop during their youth sports participation days.  And when it comes to convenience, cost and capturing the best moments of a participant’s life, there’s simply no other form of photography that tops sports pictures.  Today, these photos can achieve high levels of creativity as well.  Thanks to digital imaging, players have personalized, visually appealing and just plain fun images of themselves – suitable for friends, relatives or home mantles – to celebrate another year of sports and another year of growth.
           
As a professional youth sports photographer, I have many times thought I’d seen it all, done it all and knew all there was to know about the industry I’ve worked in for more than thirty five years.. But, every time I think that way, some revolutionary new product innovation or dynamic marketing idea gets introduced. And, it happens so quickly, it’s hard for an old codger like me to keep up! It seems like it was just yesterday I was loading my camera with, what was it called, film?

Yes, the advancements in Digital Imagery create a wealth of opportunities allowing me to better serve the photographic needs and wants of my most valued customers, the youth sports participants. Now I photograph these youth sports stars with what appears to be a hand held computer with a lens. I can then download onto my computer what my camera has captured to manipulate the images for greater customer satisfaction. These technological advances allow me to operate more effectively and efficiently.

What these advances do not do, however, is assure that I will operate ethically, morally and legally.

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With that being said I must report that without question, the vast majority of photographers in the sports photography industry conduct their businesses ethically and professionally. But, and most regrettably, there are a few, and I must stress a very few, who have compromised the integrity and high ethical standards our industry demands. It’s hard to believe but true that there are those very few who have taken photographs of youngsters only to enhance them in an unethical, immoral and illegal way.

This is a problem to be addressed and you may rest assured a great deal of attention is being paid to this issue by a much concerned sports photography industry. Working with its various national and international photography associations, a photo industry advisory committee is being formed to work with NCYS, the National Council of Youth Sports and NCSI, the National Center for Safety Initiatives. The objective is to screen and examine all youth sports photographers.

As it’s now a common practice to require coaches and managers to submit to background checks, so it needs to be for youth sports photographers. Youth sports organizations from their headquarters to each and every local league must require their selected photographer(s) submit to a criminal background check, and, to have that check performed by NCSI.

As a grandfather of 11 who are all active in sports, I want to do all I can to make sure my grandchildren enjoy their sports participation in a safe and enjoyable environment. The program with a dedicated website is under construction and will be available soon.  Let’s work together and make it happen. The banner is being waved to make all of our children and grandchildren  “Kids Safe”.

Frank Hadfield

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