What's it like being a professional football photographer?

Mike Will is a prominent London-based content creator, photographer, and creative director who has built a significant reputation for his high-energy, dynamic style.

A former professional ice hockey player, he transitioned into photography and quickly gained renown for his vibrant urban, travel, and commercial work. While not exclusively a football photographer, he is heavily embedded in the culture, frequently collaborating with major brands like Nike and Adidas, and clubs like Manchester City, to create compelling content.

He is particularly known for his "Creators Behind The Content" series, which often gives a behind-the-scenes look at high-profile shoots, including a recent one where he documented the experience of a Champions League match.

Shooting a UEFA Champions League match as an accredited photographer is an exercise in managing extreme pressure with highly specialised gear. The standard kit is uncompromising: typically two pro-grade mirrorless or DSLR bodies are essential.

One is paired with a massive 400mm f/2.8 or 600mm f/4 prime lens on a monopod for tight, frame-filling action from the sideline.

The second body will have a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom for mid-range action, like celebrations at the corner flag, and often a third body with a wider 24-70mm lens is kept nearby for stadium establishing shots or close-range portraits.

The pressure to get the shot is immense; you are competing with hundreds of the world's best photographers for the same 'money shot', and there are no do-overs for a missed goal or a crucial moment of peak emotion.

The pressure is compounded by brutally tight deadlines. Photographers working for wire services like Getty Images or AFP are not just taking pictures; they are transmitting them live.

The workflow is relentless. Immediately after a key moment – a goal, a red card, or a star player's reaction – the photographer must quickly review, select, crop, and caption an image on a laptop (or even directly from the camera's advanced Wi-Fi) and send it.

These images are expected to be on news wires and social media feeds within minutes or even seconds of the event happening, all while the game continues and the photographer must remain vigilant to capture the next play.

You can see more of Mike Wills work on his website, or his YouTube Channel.