A young female rugby player wearing a red and black uniform, holding a black rugby ball, standing against a yellow background.

Photographer Checklist

Photographer Checklist

Equipment List

  • Full Frame High-end camera

  • Flash Trigger for your brand camera

  • VND Filter 2-5 stop

  • Tether Cable

  • Laptop

  • Tripod / Monopod

  • Extra Battery/s

Camera Setup

  • Make sure the time is set correctly on your camera. This is really important so that participants can find their photos. To set the time on your camera please pair it with the official time at your location: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/australia/. Choose your location on the map and it will give you the exact time. 

  • Photographs should be Medium JPEGs. Make sure that each photograph has a file size between 7 and 8Mb. Please do a couple of test shots with similar camera settings prior to the event make sure that the file size is between 7 and 8 Mb.

  • Set up the picture profile on your camera so that your photos are ready to go straight out of camera.

Camera Profiles

  • Fine Detail Profile:

    • Strength: 4

    • Fineness: 2

    • Threshold: 1

    • Contrast: 1

    • Saturation: 1

    • Hue: 1

  • Rich Tone Portrait:

    • Quick Sharp: 0

    • Sharpening: +2

    • Mid Sharpening: +1

    • Clarity: +1

    • Contrast: +1

    • Brightness -1.5

    • Saturation +2

    • Hue: -2

  • Standard Profile:

    • Contrast +1

    • Sharpness +1

    • Saturation +1

Pre Shoot Day

PhotoLink

Step 1

Install Netlife PhotolinkPro 3

Step 2

Access Login setup area

Step 3

Open Photolink and access Setting via

NetlikePhotoLink > Preferences

Screenshot of the Netlife Photolink Pro 3 software menu on a computer screen, showing options for preferences, services, hiding the application, and quitting the app.

SetUp Working Directory.
This Automates on a make into your User files

Than fill in Portal Site as shown in image below.

Your Username is your email and Password Will have been supplied via the briefing email.

Step 3

Screenshot of Netlife Photolink Pro 3 preferences window showing directories and portal settings.
Screenshot of image settings interface with options for scaling images, subject info, EXIF rotation, overlay, general options, and upload threads, including checkboxes and dropdown menus.

This one is simple scroll down and mirror what you see in the below image.

Step 4

Once done, Save setting in the bottom right corner (Save Setting)

A storage bar shows 2 TB free out of 4 TB total; a green online status icon is below.

Check your online. Look at bottom right of screen there should be a green dot with word online beside it.

Step 5

At this point you should be able to see you job in the window. for now leave it till shoot day.

Screenshot of Netlife Photolink Pro 3 photo management software showing a scheduled activity for Helensvale Hornets Junior Rugby League Club, with details about team and individual photos, stored on Sports Media Queensland, ready for download.

SmartShooter5

Install Smartshooter5

Step 1

Step 2

Open up SmartShooter5 and access Preferences

Screenshot of the Smart Shooter 5 software menu, showing the File menu expanded with options like Preferences, Services, and Quit Smart Shooter 5. The main interface shows tabs for Preview, Photos, Cameras, and Backup, with the Cameras tab active.

Step 3

Step 2

Step 4

Step 5

In the photo download directory click, Select and located the Spool folder in netlife.

Search this to find it. NetlifePhotolinkPro/Spool

Select Spool Folder. (This is where all the images will be placed during the shoot.

Screenshot of the 'Smart Shooter 5 Options' settings window on a computer, showing tabs for General, Name Policy, External API, and Lightroom. The General tab is open, displaying options for Photo Download Directory, External Editor, Application Behaviour, and warnings. The directory path is set to a user folder, and several options are checked, including Auto Load Script, Check for Updates, and Show Warning About Auto Scan Barcode Performance.

Make sure you Check the same boxes as shown in image above then select apply, Followed by OK.

Check all these camera options and toggles are set to match image below.

Screenshot of a camera settings interface showing options like Auto Connect Cameras, Auto Synchronise Time, Show Warning, and Show Popup Window, with some checkboxes ticked. Additionally, there are default settings for Camera Storage, Control Mode, and Focus Mode, and a tab labeled Filmstrip.

PLug in Camera via tether cable and make usre it turns on like image below.

Screenshot of camera control software interface showing camera settings and status. No physical objects are visible.

Thanks for setting that up in advance of shoot day

On Day Reference

Hey team,

Below is a quick reference guide on how we’d love you to shoot both individual and team portraits. Our goal is to deliver high-quality, consistent imagery so that every athlete goes home with a curated gallery that reflects their personality and team pride. You’ll find a lighting diagram and camera settings included to keep things simple and aligned. Rachel and/or I will be there to help set up the studio spaces with you on the day, and we’re always around if you’ve got any questions.

Team Portrait

  • Shot in Landscape

  • Focal Length: 35mm

  • Shutter: 1/125 to 1/200

  • Aperture: f9 to F11

  • ISO: 200

Camera Setup:

Sitting groups

You can utilize anywhere from 1 to 4 rows as needed for optimal arrangement. We request that there be no more than 8 individuals positioned in the front row, ensuring a clear and engaging view. Additionally, coaches should be strategically placed on the sides of the players to maintain a well-organised and professional appearance in the portrait.

If you have one row plase make them all stand.

If you have two rows front is to be seated on stool bench or chair and back row standing.

If you have Three Rows, front is to be seated on ground, row to seated on stool bench or chair and back row standing.

If you have four rows, front is to be seated on ground, row two seated on stool bench or chair and row three standing. and row for standing on lift boxes.

A rugby team in light blue and yellow uniforms posing outdoors on a grassy field with goal posts in the background.

Framing reference

Lighting Diagrams:

Lighting Diagram for Indoor setup or confined space

Lighting and photography setup diagram for indoor tight setup, including two 7-foot parabolic umbrellas with diffusion lights, a backdrop with a central subject, and overhead fans, with measurements and specifications for equipment.
Diagram titled 'Open Setup Outdoors' showing camera and lighting arrangements with specifications for a photography shoot, including two large reflector lights, two parabolic umbrellas, and their positioning details.

Lighting Diagram for Outdoor setup.

Individual Portraits

WHen working with Juniors please make sure all subjects are smiling parents and clubs want happy athletes/children.

For Teenagers and Seniors they may rather look “Strong” and that is fine but we do require at least one shot of them smiling happy.

PLease follow the supplied photo guide you will see upon working within Photolink we require all 5 poses for every subject and each subject has around 1 minute.

Camera Setup:

Shoot of a tripod or monopod as to keep framing consistent

  • Shot in Portrait

  • Focal Length: 50mm

  • Shutter: 1/160

  • Aperture: f8

  • ISO: 100

Female rugby player holding a rugby ball, wearing a red Queensland Reds jersey and navy shorts, standing against a yellow background.

Framing reference

A young woman in a Queensland Reds rugby uniform holding a rugby ball against a yellow background.
A woman wearing a Queensland Sevens Rugby team jersey and shorts, standing against a yellow background with her hand on her hip and smiling.
A woman in a Queensland Sevens Rugby uniform stands against a yellow background, smiling slightly and looking at the camera.
A young woman wearing a Queen Elizabeth 7s Rugby shirt and black shorts, holding a signed rugby ball, standing against a yellow background and smiling.
A young woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling, wearing a maroon and black sports jersey and navy shorts, crossed arms, standing against a bright yellow background.

Lighting Diagrams:

Diagram of a two-light photography setup with a backdrop, softbox, and strip box, including specific measurements and lighting details.

Lighting Diagram for a two light setup.