How do I get into professional [freelance] sports photography?

How can I get into sports photography? Like taking pictures at basketball/football games?

• I currently have a studio in my home and do wedding and family portraits, but went to the UT/Memphis game yesterday and was thinking about how I'd love to have been down there getting shots of the players...how would I go about starting this? I thought maybe calling the universities and asking them...or maybe offering to take some for free or something...just to try it out...but not sure exactly who I'd call or what department. Any other suggestions?

• Answer:

  You neglected to tell us what camera system you have. I will assume you have some kind of Nikon, Fujifilm or Canon DSLR with at least a good 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens ... that combination will get you started shooting basketball ... for football and baseball you will have to include a 400 mm f/2.8 on a mono-pod and a 600 mm f/4 (on a good sturdy tripod for baseball) Don't ever sell your work for "free" You will never be able to charge them for your work after doing freebies Shoot on spec ... that is do not charge them for showing up and shooting, but do charge them for any images they want to use at the current market price ... you may have to research this before you approach them. Besides, how are you are you going to afford the $7,000 + lenses if you don't charge anything? And what about the replacing of your camera body every 18-24 months? All part of the cost of doing business.