In the fast-paced world of sports photography, having the right gear can make all the difference. We're highlighting 10 exceptional sports photographers who have mastered the art of photographic athletic brilliance on and off the field. Armed with cutting-edge photo kits, these photographers deliver breathtaking images that bring the intensity and emotion of the sports world to life. From the wide-angle views of a packed stadium to the close-up action of a crucial play, discover how these professionals use Sony Alpha cameras, Sony G Master lenses and other equipment to capture iconic sports moments. 

Get more "kit-spiration" at alphauniverse.com/wimb.

The Pro-Level Storyteller Sports Photo Kit

Sony Artisan Jean Fruth is a sports photographer and storyteller. Throughout a baseball game day, she’s capturing multiple facets of the sport to tell the complete story. She shoots with three separate Sony Alpha 1 cameras paired with three different lenses at the same time. She prefers the Sony 135m f/1.8 G Master and Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master for pre-game portraits, and come game time she turns to the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master, Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II and the Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master. Learn more about the rest of her lenses in the video below as she goes through her kit and read more in Take A Look Inside This Professional Sports Photographer's Bag.

The Full Range Sports Photo Kit

Sony Artisan Jermaine Horton has worked as a photographer for his favorite sports team – The Chicago Bears. He also chooses to use the Sony Alpha 1 for his sports photography. “As a sports photographer as well, the impressive frames per second the Alpha 1 provides is crucial because these moments in games happen so fast and movements are sudden.” His must-have lens for sports is the Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master. Read more about his complete kit for sports in What’s In My Bag: A Complete Photo Kit For Capturing Weddings, Portraits & Sports.

The Pro Double Sony Alpha 1 Sports Kit

From outdoor fields to indoor courts, veteran sports photojournalist and Sony Artisan Patrick Murphy-Racey has spent a lot of time on the sidelines with his camera. He relies on a pair of Sony Alpha 1 cameras for his sports photography, calling it the greatest sports camera ever made. His favorite sports lens is the Sony 600mm f/4 G Master, and he also likes the Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master for its versatility. When it comes to field sports he reaches for the Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G, and for inside court sports he likes the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G. See the other lenses he also uses in What’s In My Bag: Sports Pro's Double Alpha 1 Kit To Catch The Essence Of Competition.

The Lean & Mean Sports Photo Kit

Ali Gradischer (@a_gradischer) is a former Division I athlete-turned-sports photographer creating magic out of Portland, OR. Her freelance sports photography takes her all over to capture gymnastics, soccer, wrestling, football and more. She’s always been a fan of the Sony Alpha 9 series, and she’s had the chance to try out the new Sony Alpha 9 III, and she calls it a beast for sports photography. See her images taken with the Sony Alpha 9 III HERE and read more about her Sony kit in What’s In My Bag: A Lean & Mean Single Lens Kit For Sports Photography.

The Outdoor Winter Sports Photo Kit

Dietmar Körbler (@didi.koerbler) is an outdoor and sports photographer whose photography reflects his love for being outside. In winter, he devotes a majority of his time capturing freeride skiing and he gave us a look at what he takes with him when heading out in the backcountry for a shoot. His main camera for both photo and video is the Sony Alpha 7 IV. “Its flip-out screen is a game changer! Especially for action sports, every second counts. With all its custom buttons and the customizable dial I can change any setting super fast and be ready to shoot when it matters.” He also has the Sony Alpha 7R III in his bag for backup (you can never be too safe out in the mountains). As for lenses, he relies on four G Master zooms – the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master, Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II, Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master and Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. Read more and see some of his awesome work in What’s In My Bag: A Kit For Capturing Outdoor Winter Sports & Adventures.

The College Sports Photo Kit

Hamad Alhendi (@lensbrew) is a hobbyist photographer and the photo editor for Virginia Tech’s Collegiate Times. “College sports opens up a variety of sports I can capture and enjoy watching. I also get the chance to connect with other photographers that have been working sports long before I was born.” His go-to camera is the Sony Alpha 9 II for its amazing autofocus and action-capturing capabilities, and he also has the Sony Alpha 7R IV as his go-to body for capturing coaches stressing on the sidelines or spectators far up the stands. He has a solid arsenal of primes and zooms, and you can read more about them in What’s In My Bag: 2 Cameras & 5 Lenses For Sports & Documentary-Style Travel Photography.

The Double Camera & Lens Sports Photo Kit

Krystina Brown (@krystinagabrielle) is a sports and music freelance photographer based in Washington D.C. Her photography has been focusing heavily on sports photography with women's professional basketball and soccer being some of her favorites to capture. She uses the Sony Alpha 9 and Sony Alpha 7R III cameras for sports, along with the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master and Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master lenses, which give her the range she needs to stay wide or go in close. Read more about her full kit and see some of her sports photography in What’s In My Bag: A Double Camera & Lens Kit For Live Music & Sports Action.

The Lightweight Outdoor Sports Kit

Outdoors and sports photographer Ben Becker (@ben_becker_photo) has a camera kit made for hiking in the mountains.  “It's possible to find good light and landscapes near my house, but more often I have to be on the move to take pictures of athletes, sports brands and events,” he says. “My kit has to be as light as possible, with a lot of opportunities for getting unique images with the least amount of gear." He relies on two Sony Alpha 9 II cameras and the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II as his base lens. He also has the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II to complement the 24-70mm, and the Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master when he feels creatively stuck and needs to shake up his composition. Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Double Sony Alpha 9 II Kit For Outdoors & Sports.

The Underwater & Above Sports Photo Kit

Mine Kasapoglu (@minekasapoglu) is a traveling sports and portrait photographer, Sony Alpha Europe Ambassador and Red Bull photographer. She specializes in photographing Swimming, Alpine Ski and Snowboard World Cup races. In your kit here you’ll find the Sony Alpha 9 and Sony Alpha 9 II and a wide range of G Master lenses. She’s upgraded a bit since then, using the Sony Alpha 1 and Sony Alpha 9 III cameras now. See more of her work and her complete list of lenses in What’s In My Bag: A Red Bull Sports Pro's Kit For Capturing Fast Action Underwater & Above.

The Fast Prime Trio Sports Photo Kit

Kenneth Murphy has been photographing sports for decades. He relies on a combination of the Sony Alpha 1 and a trio of fast primes – the Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master, Sony 135m f/1.8 G Master and the Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master – to capture peak action. “For me and what I shoot, my Alpha 1 and 400mm GM f/2.8 are my mainstay. They get me 90% of what I need and the other 10% I miss due to focal length constraints, well ... I just miss. Accurate and experienced positioning usually gets me past most problems though.” Read more about his kit and see some of his work in What’s In My Bag: A Simple Sony Kit For Capturing Game-Defining Sports Shots.