Friday night lights demand a specific approach. Craig breaks down the exact camera settings and positioning strategies he uses at Texas high school games.

Settings That Keep Up With the Game

Friday night football is one of the toughest assignments in photography — fast action, difficult stadium light, and no second chances on a game-winning play. We shoot with the shutter pinned at 1/1000 of a second or faster to freeze a receiver mid-stride. Under most Houston-area stadium lights we’re running a wide aperture and pushing ISO into the 6400 to 12800 range, which is exactly why we shoot bodies built for low light.

Gear That Earns Its Place

A long, fast telephoto lens is the difference between being in the action and watching from the stands. We track plays from the sideline, pre-focus on the line of scrimmage, and use continuous autofocus with subject tracking so the camera stays locked on the ball carrier. For programs that want full-game coverage, we also run the XbotGo Falcon — an AI tracking mount that follows the play automatically — so we can deliver both highlight stills and complete game film.

Timing and Anticipation

Great sports photos come from knowing the game, not just the gear. We watch the down and distance, read the formation, and anticipate where the play is going before the snap. Between plays we’re shooting the sideline emotion — the celebrations, the coach’s reaction, the seniors on their last home game — because those frames matter as much as the touchdown.

Whether it’s a recruiting reel for a player chasing a scholarship or full-season coverage for a program, our approach is the same: be ready before the ball is snapped, and never miss the moment the family will want to keep forever.