We caught up with Anne Laing to talk about sport photography and being awarded the SAB Photographer of the Year for the second time.
We were extremely excited to catch up with local photographer, Anne Laing, who won the SAB Photographer of the Year for the second time last year. Anne sent us a few of her fantastic images and we thought this is a great opportunity to get a little background and find out if she’s got any advice for aspiring sports photographers out there.
Image above: Anne Laing/HSM Images
Image above: Anne Laing/HSM Images
Hello Anne! Please tell us a little about yourself.
I did a law degree then in my final year realised it wasn’t what I wanted to do, so completed the degree but never did articles. I joined the Cape Times newspaper in Cape Town- literally filing negs and selling prints to the public- as there were no photographer vacancies. I filled in when guys were sick and on leave- and then was told I would get a staff photographer position when someone resigned- that took almost two years- but was appointed in June 1983.
In 1986 I became Cape Times Chief Photographer and then in 1996 Picture Editor. I left there at the end of 1998- and moved to Pta- to become Picture Editor of Sports Day- a daily sports newspaper produced by then TML (publisher of the Sunday Times). It wasn’t marketed or distributed very well- and in seven months they closed the paper- so I got retrenched!
I have thus freelanced ever since late 1999. I have a retainer from Highbury Safika Media- who publish several sports magazines- including SA Rugby, SA Cricket and Sowetan Soccer.
Image above: Anne Laing/HSM Images
Image above: Anne Laing/HSM Images
Image above: Anne Laing/HSM Images
How did you end up as SAB Sports Photographer of the Year?
The SAB awards have been around for 35 years, but as far as I know the photography award has only been around since about 2003. The idea is to reward journalists – written, TV and radio, as well as photographers in the sports media industry. I entered for the first time ever in 2011 and won it. I was persuaded by a friend and former winner, Etienne Rothbart to enter that year. One has to enter a portfolio of ten photos. Entries are all done online and the pictures are then judged by a panel of 4.
Image above: Anne Laing/HSM Images
Image above: Anne Laing/HSM Images
Image above: Anne Laing/HSM Images
What advice do you have for aspiring sports photographers?
I think what helped my portfolio was that it included 6 different sports, not just cricket, rugby and soccer. Aspirant photographers must not think they have to shoot the big games to get great pictures, you can get awesome pictures just shooting schools or a local club team.
Image above: Anne Laing/HSM Images
Image above: Anne Laing/HSM Images
