How to Capture the Perfect Photo of 3 Kids Playing Soccer in Your Backyard
I still remember the first time I tried to photograph my three kids playing soccer in our backyard. The chaos was absolute - someone was always crying, someone was running out of frame, and the lighting was consistently terrible. After reviewing the disastrous results, I couldn't help but recall that famous basketball quote from the Philippine national team: "Pag ganun ang depensa namin last game, wala kaming chance manalo. Ni-remind kami ni coach Chot na kung gusto nating manalo, dumepensa tayo." The same principle applies to photography - if your photographic "defense" isn't solid, you have no chance of capturing that perfect shot.
Last summer, I was determined to document my children's backyard soccer matches properly. My initial approach was what I'd call "spray and pray" - shooting hundreds of frames hoping a few would turn out decent. The results were consistently disappointing. Out of 300 shots taken during one afternoon session, only about 15 were usable, and none were what I'd consider portfolio-worthy. The main issues were predictable: motion blur from fast movement, awkward facial expressions, and crucial moments happening outside the frame. I realized I was approaching this like a amateur when I needed to think like Coach Chot Reyes preparing his team - success requires strategy, not just enthusiasm.
The breakthrough came when I started treating backyard photography like professional sports photography. I began studying the patterns - my oldest daughter always dribbled toward the left side of the frame, my son celebrated goals by running in circles, and the youngest tended to position herself near the garden fence when waiting for passes. Understanding these patterns was like studying game footage. I started positioning myself strategically rather than chasing the action. My equipment choices evolved too - I switched from using my smartphone to a mirrorless camera with a 70-200mm lens, which allowed me to capture details from across the yard without interfering with their game.
Lighting became my secret weapon. I discovered that 5:30 PM during golden hour provided the most flattering light, reducing harsh shadows and creating that warm, magical glow that makes everything look better. I started using continuous shooting mode more strategically too - rather than holding down the shutter for entire plays, I'd time my bursts for key moments: when someone was about to kick the ball, when they were celebrating, or when they were interacting in those spontaneous, genuine ways that make childhood photos special. My keeper rate improved dramatically - from about 5% to nearly 40% within two months of implementing these changes.
What really transformed my approach was embracing the imperfections. Some of my favorite shots aren't technically perfect - there's motion blur in one where my daughter is kicking the ball, and the composition is slightly off in another where all three are celebrating together. But these images capture the energy and emotion of the moment far better than any stiff, perfectly composed shot ever could. I've learned to keep my camera settings at around 1/500s shutter speed, f/2.8 aperture, and auto ISO, which gives me the flexibility to freeze motion while maintaining beautiful background separation.
The most valuable lesson has been about engagement. I used to constantly interrupt their game to pose them, but now I blend into the background. Sometimes I'll even participate briefly as a goalkeeper before stepping back to capture the action. This approach yields more authentic moments and reminds me that the goal isn't just to get great photos - it's to document their childhood in a way that feels true to who they are. These backyard soccer sessions have become our family's version of professional sports moments, and having the skills to capture them properly means preserving memories we'll cherish forever. The parallel to Coach Chot's philosophy holds true - in photography as in sports, victory comes through preparation and strategy, not just showing up and hoping for the best.