Pro Talk – Sean Chandler – Winning Woman’s Football
Understanding the game
From a photographer’s perspective, one of the biggest advantages in sports photography is having an understanding of the game. I’ve spent my life watching football—not just on TV, but from the stands, following Brentford from League Two all the way up to the Premier League. Seeing the game from ground level has given me a crucial ability to read the play and anticipate key moments, which is vital when photographing a match. Once you’ve developed an understanding of what’s going on and have an innate feel for the range of your lens, you can predict where things might happen, and can then wait for the action to unfold in front of you.
I’m not a long-lens shooter; the 70-200mm f/2.8 I’m working with invariably does the job I need it to perfectly. It’s an outstanding lens that allows me to move easily between vantage points during different assignments. Being able to run n’ gun is a massive advantage, especially in fast-paced situations such as penalty shootouts, where you might need to quickly relocate to the other end of the pitch. My motto is simple: work fast, work smart. There are times when you get so cold, so wet and so frustrated with not getting the shot you wanted. But you have to keep pushing through, because you love football, and you’re always chasing that perfect shot.
Carrying on
On the afternoon of September 25th 2023, I was prepping my gear – my usual 70-200mm lens, a wide-angle, and a back-up body – for a weekend of football shoots when I received a call from my mum’s friend. My mum, who had been battling cancer since 2020, had taken a severe turn. I packed hastily, grabbed my camera bag, and headed to London, arriving in the early hours.
That week, I spent my time shuffling between the hospital and home. On the morning of September 29th, the doctor informed us that her condition was critical. I gathered close family members to say their goodbyes. Amidst it all, my mum insisted I keep my weekend plans. By that afternoon, surrounded by loved ones, she passed away. The emptiness you feel in such moments is something you can’t fully grasp until it happens.
On October 1st, I was contacted to cover the Chelsea vs Tottenham match at Stamford Bridge. Despite the emotional turmoil, I accepted the assignment, knowing my mum wouldn’t have wanted me to be idle. In the rush of preparation, I somehow deleted Lightroom off my laptop – something I only realised when I was at the game. My mind was scattered, but I trusted the skills I’d honed over the past year. I focused entirely on the match, confident I wouldn’t miss anything important. Sorting out Lightroom could wait until I had a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Returning to a large crowd felt overwhelming, but I zeroed in on the game. During this match, I captured a now-iconic shot of Lauren James spinning in celebration alongside Millie Bright (below), looking directly down the barrel of my lens. But fate had other plans. Despite the Lightroom mishap, I published the shot upon returning home, and it soon appeared in various articles.
