Minor Hockey Week started for us at 8:45 this morning so I thought I would do a post with a few tips to all the hockey parents out there who will be busy driving to arenas in and around Edmonton for the next 10 days!  At the end of the year, I like to make slideshows for the team so I approach MHW with that in mind.  Here are a few things to try and capture this week:

• Be prepared – Remember to charge your camera, bring extra batteries so you don’t have any problems during the game, make sure your sd card has lots of room for photos.  Bring an extra in case you need it or you have problems with the card in the camera.
• Bring your camera with you to all the games so you can capture the story of the entire week
• Before the game – I like to wait until all the girls are ready and then quickly go around the room, taking pictures of each of them and then letting them be goofy and do some group photos. 
• Kids and parents -  It can be lots of fun getting shots of the parents tying skates, putting on helmets etc.
• Action shots –  Remember you are going to have to speed up your camera’s shutter speed so the photos won’t be too blurry!
• Get down close to the action – try not to take all your photos from the same place.
• Include the coaches in your shots…I love getting shots of them as they talk the players in between periods, hi-five them after a goal, etc.
• Get a group shot of the parents in the stands.  We spend 6 months together and make some friendships.  Try and capture that!
• Look for unique shots.  How about a shot of all the kids standing at the gate waiting to go on the ice?
• If your teams make it to the finals, once the game is over you will be able to get a team photo of them on the ice if you are quick enough!   Try to get down to rink level so you can get up close.
• Once you are back in the dressing room, take 2 photos of each player with their medal…you always want to take 2 to make sure you get a good shot of each of the kids.  Also, take a look after each shot to make sure no one blinked.

Have fun!