Photography Guide | USA Goaltimate

Shooting a goaltimate event? Thank you. This is what we look for, and where to stand to get it.

Goaltimate vs. ultimate

The biggest challenge in shooting goaltimate is telling it apart from its big brother sport, ultimate frisbee. A great ultimate photo and a great goaltimate photo can look almost the same: a disc, a face, drama, athleticism. If the picture could have been taken at an ultimate tournament, it doesn't help sell goaltimate.

Shot at an ultimate tournament:

Shot at an ultimate tournament

Shot at an ultimate tournament Gino Mattace / UltiPhotos

Shot at a goaltimate tournament:

Shot at a goaltimate tournament, no hoop in frame Matthew Brooks Images

Almost impossible to tell the difference, right? That's what we're trying to solve.

The essential 4 elements

The best way to show it's goaltimate is to get the hoop in the shot. Our favorite photos have all four:

The hoop
The disc
A feat of athleticism
A facial expression

Athleticism. The strongest shots catch a player trying to get a foot down inside the goal area after a catch. Players come in close to full speed, so expect a lot of contortion.

Faces are the holy grail. The disc and the scorer are often moving the same way, so a player tracking the disc has their back to a photographer behind the key. A face in the frame is rare. When you get one, it's the shot.

A leaping catch under the hoop Matthew Brooks Images

Two players go up for the disc under the hoop Tino Tran Photography

Shooting from behind the hoop

Stand behind the hoop, facing back toward the clear box. The arch frames the play and every catch comes toward you.

Skying for the disc under the arch Matthew Brooks Images

A high catch under the arch Matthew Brooks Images

Reaching for the disc in front of the hoop Matthew Brooks Images

A layout catch beside the hoop's bucket Matthew Brooks Images

Other camera spots

Some photographers catch more of the chaos and closeness of the game from the sideline, level with the hoop or at an angle toward it from the clear box side.

A crowd at the hoop, shot from the sideline Tino Tran Photography

Shot from the sideline toward the hoop Tino Tran Photography

Team photos at the hoop

We'd love a photo of every team in front of the hoop. These have been wildly popular in years past. A team photo without the hoop could have been taken anywhere, so put the arch behind them. With so many teams, this may need its own photographer.

Team photo at the hoop, example coming soon

Unusual throws

The other giveaway is the throws. Goaltimate rewards blades, hammers, scoobers and push passes far more than ultimate does. Most of them travel edge-first, so look for a disc that is thrown or caught standing up on its edge instead of flat.

A blade going up, thrown on its edge Scott May Media

A disc caught on its edge Matthew Brooks Images

Photos to avoid

These say "frisbee" but don't sell the event:

One player throwing or catching alone. Are they playing a game or warming up? Is it goaltimate or ultimate?
A cluster of players without the hoop. Shot too far away for any tension between players, and nothing says goaltimate.

One player catching alone

Two players chasing a disc, no hoop Isolated player throwing or catching. Conrad Stoll / UltiPhotos

A cluster of players without the hoop Cluster of players without the hoop. Conrad Stoll / UltiPhotos

Questions

Email media@usagoaltimate.org.