Important Things You Should Know about BJJ Photographers
While I was fortunate to score a press pass for Worlds, I had absolutely no idea what to expect being a BJJ photographer for the weekend.
Without a doubt, I can say that it is exhausting – physically and mentally… and I wasn’t even there the entire time throughout the duration of the event. To put things into perspective, you’re on your feet most of the time and if you didn’t bring your own chair (because the event doesn’t provide those for you either), sitting on the ground in uncomfortable positions to get the right shot takes a toll on the body. Add a couple pounds of camera and gear to carry plus the aches of having your fingers on the camera all day makes it even worse. Then after the event is over, sorting through thousands (yes, there are thousands) of photos and editing them takes a really, really long time.
What NOT TO DO - don't blur out or try to crop out the photographer's watermark. Give credit where credit is due.
Photo credit: Dion Watts of Shot by Watts
More importantly, **and pay close attention to this part** a lot of the photographers and their work go unappreciated with many people reposting their photos that they did not pay for, cropping out their watermark, and not giving them any credit for the shot. Let me tell you – a lot of these guys don’t do photography full-time. They have other full-time jobs or careers during the week and do this on the side. So before you start complaining about why it takes them so long to upload the pictures on their websites and social media following the event, maybe it’s cause most of you aren’t paying them for a dedicated session for your fights.
Photo credit: Mike Anderson
After 12 hours of sitting in the same spot on the final day of Worlds, I couldn't help but start chatting up my neighbors to keep it lively. In the process, I started to make a mental compilation of quotes that was quite entertaining and stuff only another BJJ photographer could understand:
“God I hope it’s another double guard pull – said no one ever.”
"50/50 guard is 100% boring!"
"Man bun = no pics. Females with alternative hairstyles = lots of pics.”
“Other photographer: ‘Did you catch that submission?’ Me: ‘Damn, no, missed it.’ Other photographer: ‘Check it out…’ shows back of screen with pride”
“That’s my spot… no really, I’m not joking. That’s my spot.”
“Where can I plug in?”
“Where did you get that food?”
“Can I get my chair back?”
(whispers) “Move your ass ref!”
Photo credit: Kenny Jewel of Grapple TV
If you love jiu-jitsu, being mat side is one of the best seats in the house and the details that you see through the lens of your camera cannot compare to the live stream that you watch at home. For example, did you see some of the pictures of Romulo Barral’s foot?? I doubt the live stream picked up on the gnarly details of that dislocation but luckily, most of the photographers paying attention got the shot (and from every angle) and provided it for the whole world to see.
Photo credit: Lance Emery Photography
So with that being said, I hope that you don’t take these guys (and gals) for granted. If you want dedicated photography for your matches (and without their watermark), pay for it. If you repost their photos on social media, give them credit for it and don't crop or blur out their watermark. They are working hard to take great shots and to make you look good so please make sure you return the favor. And also… if you really wanna get on their good side? Bring them food. They will appreciate it more than you know. Especially on black belt finals day.