Football Photographer - Saikat Saha

What to expect from this interview

From building a career in sports photography with a phone camera to covering high-intensity football moments, this interview offers practical insights for aspiring photographers. Expect actionable advice on breaking into the industry, surviving the early years, building visibility, and adapting to a changing media landscape where both photos and videos coexist.

About Saikat Saha

Saikat Saha is a sports photographer with a deep passion for football and a strong interest in wildlife photography. Starting his journey in 2010 with a mobile phone camera, he gradually built his craft through dedication and experience. Known for his practical approach and storytelling mindset, he continues to document the emotion, intensity, and unscripted moments that make sports special.

Q1 Where did you start your journey in photography? Which Company which genre (Sports/wedding/lifestyle/product)?

I started photography in 2010. I still remember using my phone camera for those first experiments. I fell in love with it instantly, then moved on to a point-and-shoot. In the beginning, I was drawn mostly to street photography.

Q2 What Do you like most about Sports Photography? Which Other Genre Do you like the Most

I love football for its intensity, passion, and raw unfiltered moments. Capturing those through my lens is what I live for. Beyond sports, wildlife photography is another obsession of mine.

Q3 Any mistakes which you had learned the most from? Can be technical as well as Practical mistakes related to photography?

Bring every tool you have, because the shot you need is rarely the one you planned for.

A 35mm might feel too wide until the moment a celebration breaks out in a tight space, like a dressing room and suddenly it’s the only lens that fits the story.

And never rely on a single copy of anything you care about. Backup your files, carry backup batteries. The photo only exists if it survives the day. 

Q4 Any Tips for Sports Photographers Starting their Journey?

Start with what gears you have, better things will come eventually.

Reach the venue a bit early, observe the area carefully and plan accordingly. Take positions according to the gears you have, this helps a lot.

Q5 Any youtube / Instagram Channels or Photographers You follow the Most?

I mainly follow the football clubs around the world on Instagram. 

Q6 Any Financial Advice on photographers Struggling to Stay Afloat?

As a beginner in this field it's very challenging to stay afloat, try to grab every opportunity coming in your way, do freelancing, approch clubs even individual players with your sample work because everyone wants good photos on their feed. 

Q7 Any Tips on How to reach the Big Leagues In Sports Photography? LIke IPL/ISL/Pro Kabbadi League/Indian Polo Season?

You have to constantly showcase what you have done so far. Try to get involve with a promising project in a club or any leagues, you'll eventually get noticed if you're doing good and improving day by day. 

Q8 Everyone Want reels these days? Do you Think Photography is no longer in Demand?

Obviously a huge percentage of people watch reels nowadays but, It takes time to make a reel, but on a busy matchday there's high demand of photographs on news portal, and club and league media pages and other places, so it's not the end. 

Q9 I noticed you have a D850. How does the pictures of a DSLR compare to the ones taken by the latest Mirrorless cameras.?

For me it's a legend, I'm using d850 for more than eight years. 45 megapixel sensor, high ISO performance also whether shield and many more features are good enough. Only one feature that I would like to have is the brust speed, which is 7fps in d850, in mirrorless it's way more than that and that's very useful in sports. 

Final Thoughts

Some of the biggest takeaways from Saikat's journey are to start with the gear you already own, always be prepared with backups, and consistently showcase your work to create opportunities. He emphasises reaching venues early, understanding your environment, and saying yes to opportunities while building your portfolio. Most importantly, he believes photography remains indispensable, especially in fast-paced sporting environments where images are needed instantly.