27 Tips for Killer Race Photos {or at least not awful}

Remember the handsome face that took over social media with the buzz “ridiculously photogenic guy” in 2014, after he managed to take one of the best race photos ever?

It left many of us pondering after years of running…HOW DO YOU GET GOOD RACE PHOTOS?!!!

With Brightroom saying their average purchase rate is around 5% I know I’m not alone in uttering the following after spending a week excitedly waiting to see if maybe they finally snapped a stellar image:

I swear I was running not walking.
I don’t look like that while I run.
Maybe it’s just a bad angle.

The last one is 100% accurate!! How is it ever going to be flattering to shoot upwards…still glad I don’t run in a skirt ;)

27 Tips for Better Race Photos

Over the years, I have mastered the art of the running selfie and I’ve shared all the tips to help you get a great running photo. But things are different on race day. You have no control over when they’ll click that shutter or where they’ll be positioned…why is it often at the top of a big freaking hill?!

With practice though, I’ve gotten more great photos in recent years and am here to spread the knowledge!

1. Improve Your Form

The best thing you can do to get a good race photo is take a second to check your form! I’ve talked about the STAR rules for a quick form check and they certainly apply when you see that photog:

Stand up tall
Speed up to get a better stride, you might even over exaggerate your stride a bit
Think about picking up your feet to prevent the fast walk look {I get that a lot!}
Arms pumping forward and back, no hands hanging limply in front of you like T-Rex arms

2. Be Camera Aware

Be on the lookout for photographers on the course, that sounds obvious but truly if you want a great photo you gotta be watching for them and then moving to get in to position.

Run to the right or left side of the road, as photographers are rarely in the middle except in smaller races. This can ensure you aren’t hidden behind other runners.
Get visible by slowing down or speeding up to clear other runners.
Look right at the photographer if you want to capture the “yes, I love running!” super grin.
Look straight ahead with a relaxed face or smile for the “I’m focused and enjoying it” – don’t try to actually look focused it comes across as a grimace.
Fake it – Tired, exhausted, ready to collapse…SMILE.
And per this photo, if you’re with someone you need to get VERY close to them so they don’t try to crop you separately.

3. Outfit selection

Celebrities take a photo before the red carpet to ensure with a flash their garments don’t become see through…runners should probably just look in the mirror at least once to ensure the outfit really does go together and you’d want to proudly display a photo wearing it.

No baggie shorts, they just look bigger in a photo.
Hats can help to tame crazy hair, but also cast a shadow on the face.
Headbands: Ladies this one tool alone can prevent the crazy hair photo which makes you look more disheveled than excited. As many folks point out, you do your hair for any other good photo…do it here too! A braid, a bun, a clean ponytail.
Bibs in front: You are not in a rodeo, your bib goes on the front of your shirt. Runners behind you do not care what your number is, but the automated programs searching to place your photo do.
Makeup: What?! Truth. Many great photos have folks wearing waterproof mascara and a little bit of make up.
Sunglasses: They hide A LOT from crazy eyes to pain.

4. Get Noticed Without Looking Crazy

Have you ever tried the big arm wave only to end up with an odd look on your face and arms in awkward angles? Without knowing exactly when they will snap a few things can work better.

Bright colors: White and black can wash you out a bit with the surroundings and this makes you stand out
Outfits: After tons of folks streaming past, they might take a second look and a couple more shots when something interesting catches their eye
Move towards them and shout: Not obscenities or anything to scare them, just a big “wohoo” or “I love running” is going to break their shutter finger hypnosis
Give a thumbs up and a smile or stop to do a big jump or be silly…just know the more movement you put in play the more opportunities arise for it to get awkward.

The wave gone wrong from myself.

5. Finish Line Flare

Sure we all want to know our finish time immediately, but assume you took at extra 20 seconds to stop your watch after running all the way through the finish line arms stretched out in victory

If you start to slow before crossing that very last mat, you’ll get some walking photos
Pause the watch after you pass the last mat and walk for a few steps
Bust out the major emotion! Smiles, cheers, jumps, yells, tears…you’ll get a second look from the photographers

Great example from Laduke Photo!
Head over to Facebook and share your good, bad and seriously ugly on my wall. I’ll do a round up post with the best one’s linking back to you on Twitter or your website so leave it in the comments!