Sports event photography takes on many guises. James Jagger shoots a variety of disciplines including tennis, football and rugby. As a participant in the aforementioned, he’s able to anticipate the action and interpret what’s going on during each game for the best shots. It doesn’t stop there though. James is also called upon regularly by Windsurfing UK magazine. Another area of expertise James is an accomplished windsurfer who knows the sport inside out. This makes capturing windsurf action easier. Windsurfing UK’s editor, Tez Plavenieks, tells more.

Windsurfing sessions - sports event photography in its own right.

Each windsurfing session is an event in its own right you could argue. The UK’s weather, and therefore wind, is anything but consistent. So planning windsurfing sessions around Mother Nature’s moods makes it an event.

**When you deal with things like weather a windsurfing photoshoot becomes a sporting event in its own right.**

Organising everything, to ensure we’re on it with the forecast, with the right kit is much like organising a sporting game. Having someone like James Jagger to hand, who’s very used to sports event photography, is most welcome! It makes everything smoother and much more efficient. Which is vital with print media publication production.

Windsurfing experience from a participant’s point of view.

One of the great things about having James Jagger on hand is he’s a windsurfer. And a pretty good one at that. Windsurfing’s a funny sport. It’s sometimes hard to get your head around if you don’t do it.

**James being a windsurfer helps things massively when photographing the sport.**

Being a rider James can anticipate and be ready to click. He’ll spot subtle changes in body position which signals something’s about to happen. Usually a move. At which point he’s ready and able to capture the action. It’s communication but in a very subliminal way. This I guess will also help with his other sports event photography.

get in touch with James

The right camera gear for the job in hand.

Windsurfing involves riders blasting off the beach and heading out to sea. This means riding away from where spectators are. In some cases, the best manoeuvres are performed quite a distance from shore. This means standard cameras and lenses won’t capture the necessary razor-sharp imagery.

**The right equipment for the job in hand.**

Fortunately, James has the right equipment. Long lenses and top-quality cameras ensure the job gets done. Even if offshore James can nail those shots and deliver some cracking results. Being a magazine, we need this for Windsurfing UK, otherwise, it wouldn’t work.

Approachable, amenable, friendly and professional.

When you work with anyone it’s beneficial if you get on. And in sports event photography scenarios this is especially key. Being able to discuss, openly and honestly, what you need. Yet with two-way feedback and adaptable attitudes ready to respond to fluctuating environments Windsurfing UK photoshoots are much easier with James around.

**James - approachabloe, likeable, friendly and professional. Everything a sports event photographer needs to be.**

James is approachable, amenable, friendly and professional. He’ll get the job done but is 100% open to feedback and doing things differently if needs be. There have been plenty of instances where we’ve needed to change the plan. And it’s no hassle for James.

Timely delivery.

Magazine production - whether online or in print - means we’re always up against deadlines. Throw changeable weather in the mix and it can be a headache getting the latest issue signed off. But we always seem to manage it.

**Shooting in all weathers is the only way to get the job done.**

Having James deliver his shots in a timely manner, post-shoot is extremely helpful. I know James puts a lot of effort into post-production. Yet he still gets the finished photos to me in time for the magazine’s deadline. And for this, I’m very grateful!

message James

Final words on windsurfing sports event photography.

In this day and age, there are many ways of obtaining photographs. GoPro and the action camera revolution have made this possible. Yet there’s no substitute for having a professional sports event photographer on hand like James. His images are far more dynamic and serve the sport and magazine much better. From a reader’s point of view this is essential. So big thanks to James for standing on the beach in all weathers whilst pointing his camera out to sea!