When the moments are fast and unforgiving, you don’t get retries – you either get the shot or you don’t. San Francisco 49ers DP and Senior Producer Sarina Soriano lives that reality every game day. In the video below, she breaks down how she approaches filmmaking on the biggest stage in football. We’ve distilled her sideline wisdom into a practical guide sports photographers and videographers can put to work, no matter the level of football they’re capturing.
The Gear Advantage: Focus, Stabilization and Speed
Sarina’s take is simple: there’s some luck in sports, but technical readiness closes the gap. Her core kit leans on Sony Alpha bodies purpose-built for fast action:
Alpha 1 II: Soriano highlights its autofocus reliability, five‑axis in‑body image stabilization and high‑resolution files (she cites ~50MP). The stabilization lets her stay mobile while maintaining a stable, usable image when she’s hustling down the field.
Alpha 9 III: For stills, Sarina calls out 120 fps continuous shooting at roughly 24MP, describing it as “insane” for capturing peak action with headroom to choose the decisive frame.
What that means for you:
- Trust AF and IBIS so you can prioritize composition and timing. Let the camera handle subject lock and stabilization while you think about angle, background, and storytelling moments.
- Use resolution and frame rate strategically. High‑MP files help for large prints and cropping; ultra‑high FPS helps freeze critical instants. Match the tool to the play.
Game Day Workflow: From Arrivals To Final Whistle
Sarina and team arrive to Levi's Stadium about 5-6 hours before kickoff. Their sequence is a solid template for any level – from high school to the pros:
1. Arrivals: Players entering the stadium in style. Social‑ready moments happen early – capture clean entrances with good light and clear backgrounds.
2. Real‑time Edits: Build a fast delivery pipeline for social channels; tag the best clips on ingest.
3. Audio Prep: Mic pads and set bench‑sound frequencies for both cameras and mics. Sideline sound elevates edits.
4. Warmups & Pregame: Establish character and tone. Sarina likes the FX6 + 16-35mm for dynamic pregame coverage, then gimbal work as players exit the tunnel.
5. The Game: Keep multiple bodies ready. Sarina’s team runs FX6s and FX3s for cinematic motion and swaps to Alpha 9 III / Alpha 1 II as needed for speed, stills or specialty angles.
Pro move:
Tunnel run coverage: Sarina often puts an Alpha 9 III or Alpha 1 II on a Ronin and follows a player from the tunnel to the field. The result is an exhilarating, immersive sequence that fans feel as much as they see.
Field Positioning: Let The Action Come To You
Great sports coverage is partly geometry. Sarina’s rule of thumb:
- Stay ~20-50 yards from the play and position so subjects move toward your lens.
- For offense at the 50, she’ll be 20-30 yards ahead, waiting for the approach.
- For defense, she works angles where tackles and sacks face her, not away.
Why it works:
- You get cleaner faces, clearer emotion, and stronger eye lines.
- AF has an easier job on approaching subjects, and compression looks better as players fill the frame.
Tell The Whole Story, Not Just The Highlights
New shooters often lock in on the ball. Soriano challenges creators to capture the game’s atmosphere:
- Crowd energy before the snap – anticipation sells the stakes.
- Wide scenics to set location and scale.
- Cutaways – sideline reactions, coaches, equipment, weather details.
- Lens variety – Don’t live only at 100–400mm. Mix wides for context and intimacy:
- 16–35mm: entrances, team huddles, sideline walk‑throughs.
- Telephoto: isolations, hands, eyes, grip on the ball.
- Mid‑range zoom or fast prime: player portraits and quiet in‑between moments.
Together, these edits feel less like a highlight reel and more like a lived experience.
Frame Rate Myth‑Busting: Slow Motion Isn’t The Only Cinematic Look
Sarina’s biggest creative note: 120 fps doesn’t automatically equal cinematic. Broaden your palette.
Try:
- 23.98p for primary coverage and authentic motion cadence.
- Slow shutter (e.g., 1/30–1/50 at 23.98p) selectively for stylized motion smear during entrances, celebrations, or crowd surges.
- Reserve 60/120 fps for specific plays where you need to analyze a moment or luxuriate in detail—use it as a spice, not the stew.
Result:
Your edits feel intentional, not uniform. Contrasting motion textures make big plays pop even more.
Quick Sideline Setup Tips
- AF Mode: AF‑C with subject recognition; prioritize face/eye for people. Assign a custom button to cycle subject recognition or AF areas quickly.
- Shutter Speed: Start around 1/1000–1/2000 for action stills; 1/500–1/1000 for video action at 23.98p, adjusting for light and desired motion blur.
- IBIS + Support: Let five‑axis stabilization smooth handheld movement; layer with a monopod or gimbal for longer lenses or tunnel runs.
- Picture Consistency: If multi‑cam, match picture profiles and white balance before pregame to simplify grading.
- Audio Lanes: Keep a dedicated channel for bench sound/FX and one for field‑level dialog to speed post.
San Francisco 49ers DP/Sr. Producer Sarina Soriano
A Repeatable Shot List You Can Steal
- Arrivals: player fits, coaches, equipment cases rolling in.
- Tunnel: lights down, smoke, footsteps, breath—then burst into the field.
- Warmups: QB mechanics, tape jobs, studs on turf, helmets clicking.
- Crowd: anxious faces pre‑snap, band/drums, flags.
- Sideline: tablets, position groups, adjustments, camaraderie.
- Big plays: angle yourself so the winner runs toward you.
- Post: handshakes, quiet moments, fans lingering.
Why This Works At Any Level
Sarina’s approach scales. Whether you’re covering the NFL or a Friday night lights matchup:
- Positioning and anticipation are free, and they pay off immediately.
- Story beats beyond the ball differentiate your cut.
- Smart use of Sony AF/IBIS and frame rates keeps you sharp while moving fast.
Bring intention to where you stand, what you show, and how it feels – not just how it looks.
Want to see Sarina’s approach in action? Watch the accompanying Alpha Universe video, follow her on Instagram @sarinasoriano_, and check out more work on the San Francisco 49ers social channels.
