Footy season may be some months away, but Ted's Master Michael Willson is flat out!
Find out what it takes to photograph all 26 AFL & AFLW teams around the country, in just a couple of months...
One of my key responsibilities during the pre-season is to take all the AFL and AFLW team photos. With 18 men's and 8 women's teams now, December to February is a busy time. Team photos involve a lot of preparation, organisation and travel!
Generally, we have two photographers assigned to each team photo. Armed with all our camera and lighting gear, we will arrive at the club at least 90 minutes before to set up. We generally set up three stations: the team photo station, the head and full-length station, and the creative station.
Having so many set-ups requires A LOT of gear. We carry 6 x Elinchrom ELC Pro HD flash units, accompanying stands and soft-boxes, snoots and umbrellas. Coupled with 4 x Canon 1DXMKII bodies and associated lenses, you're looking at nearly 80kg of photo gear. This can be a challenge when travelling for interstate team photos, but our friends at Virgin Australia make the process as smooth as possible.
We are generally given an hour with the players to get everything we need. It is up to the clubs as to how the day is structured but usually, we shoot all the head and full-length shots and creative portraits first, and then shoot the team photo at the end.
As you can imagine, trying to keep the attention of 45 players for more than an hour can be a challenge at times. This is where organisation and preparation is key. Little things like having allocated positions for players in the team photo can make the process that much smoother.
The creative station is my favourite to shoot. Generally, we are given creative freedom with these pictures, so the possibilities are endless. But as always we are also limited with time. We may have 1–2 minutes with each player so you need to work quickly.
Coming up with ideas for portraits can sometimes be a challenge as well. You want each team to look different and also different to the year before. And when you have team photo shoots day after day — or even sometimes two in one day — it can really test your creative energy. It's also important to communicate to the players what you're trying to achieve with the portrait.
The headshot/full-length station kind of works like a conveyor belt! The player stands there and alternates 6 different positions before exiting and the next player poses.
The photos we take on team photo days have a multitude of applications. They are used on AFL.com.au and club websites, social channels and mobile apps, as well as the AFL Record and newspapers. TV stations use all of our head shots for their broadcasts, and AFL corporate partners also utilise a number of pictures taken on team photo days.
Team photo days are intense and exhausting, they take a lot of preparation and are physically taxing, but they can also be great fun. And it is worth all the effort when you get the results you're after and begin seeing the finished products out there being used.
If you'd like to see more of Michael's work, check out his galleries and website below
www.michaelwillson.com
Instagram — @michaelcwillson
Twitter — @michaelcwillson
All Images Copyright Michael Willson/AFL Media
Best Cameras for Sports and Action Photography
Shooting AFL team photos demands professional-grade camera bodies capable of handling fast action, low-light indoor environments, and high-volume shooting sessions. Michael relies on the Canon 1DX Mark II — a favourite among sports photographers for its 14fps burst rate and exceptional autofocus tracking. Whether you're photographing elite AFL players or capturing birds in flight, the same principles apply: fast shutter speeds, reliable autofocus, and a robust camera body. If you're exploring sports or action photography, look for cameras with at least 10fps continuous shooting and professional-grade weather sealing. Ted's Cameras stocks a wide range of sports and action cameras suited to every level.
Professional Lighting Gear for Indoor Photography
One of the biggest challenges Michael faces during AFL team photo day is replicating consistent, flattering light across dozens of players. The solution? Elinchrom ELC Pro HD flash units paired with softboxes, snoots, and umbrellas. This studio-style lighting setup eliminates harsh shadows and ensures every player looks their best regardless of the venue's existing lighting conditions. Understanding how to control flash power, light shaping, and colour temperature is essential for professional portrait and team photography. Explore Ted's full photography lighting range to find the right setup for your needs.
Telephoto Lenses for Sports and Wildlife Photography
The lens choices used in professional AFL photography have a lot in common with wildlife and birdwatching photography — both disciplines demand sharp, fast glass that can capture subjects precisely. Long telephoto lenses allow photographers to isolate subjects from backgrounds, whether that's a footballer mid-kick or a bird in full flight. For beginners exploring action or wildlife photography, a versatile telephoto zoom in the 100–400mm range is an ideal starting point. Canon, Sony, and Nikon all offer excellent options at various price points. Speed, optical stabilisation, and autofocus accuracy are the three most important factors to consider. Visit Ted's Cameras in-store or browse our camera range online to find expert advice tailored to your photography style.