The Olympics, The Premier League & The England Team

Capturing Nottingham Forest Via Drone & FPV

as well as Forest vs Bournemouth Coverage

Filming FPV drone footage at Nottingham Forest required detailed planning, strict operational procedures, and a strong focus on Health and Safety due to the complexity of the movements involved. All drone activity was coordinated with production teams, stadium management, and event staff to ensure filming was carried out safely and professionally. Captured shots included flying through the the player dressing room to the pitch and on the roof through the Forest flags.

Comprehensive risk assessments were completed before filming the John Robertson Stand reveal and the live coverage of Forest v Bournemouth on the 24th of May showing the shirt centre circle. These assessments considered flight paths, take-off and landing zones, signal interference, weather conditions, crowd proximity, and emergency procedures. Safe operating areas were established to minimise risk to the public, crew, and stadium staff while allowing the drone to operate effectively within agreed limits.

Throughout the shoot, constant communication was maintained between the drone pilot, spotters, broadcast teams, and stadium safety officers. Weather conditions were monitored continuously, with contingency plans in place if operations needed to change. Careful scheduling and pre-production planning also ensured filming integrated smoothly within the live broadcast environment without disrupting match-day operations.

This combination of preparation, risk management, and teamwork helped deliver cinematic footage safely while supporting the success of the live event coverage.

The England Team

Amazon Prime Video’s The New Generation is a feature-length documentary that follows England’s emerging football stars on their journey to UEFA Euro 2024. The film provides exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the lives and careers of Cole Palmer, Kobbie Mainoo, Marc Guéhi and Ollie Watkins, exploring their rise from grassroots football to representing England on one of the biggest stages in world football. As the Drone Pilot on the series, I was responsible for capturing cinematic aerial footage that helped bring the scale, emotion and atmosphere of the story to life. Combining intimate personal stories with dramatic tournament coverage, The New Generation offers a unique insight into the pressures, challenges and triumphs experienced by England’s new generation of international footballers.

Capturing Cheikhou Kouyaté's Triumphs

Introduction

Being a Nottingham Forest supporter, the opportunity to film a video at the iconic City Ground was a dream come true for me. My allegiance to Forest dates back to my childhood, attending matches with my dad, as evidenced by the photo below. Take a glimpse at my collection of Forest merchandise, signed items, and my Forest-themed gym – a testament to my lifelong devotion. The joy of Forest's return to the Premier League heightened the perfect timing for my involvement in this project.

Olympic Glory

One of the most memorable chapters in Kouyaté's career unfolded on the grand stage of the Olympic Games. A key player for the Senegal national team, he played a pivotal role in securing the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The video captures the intensity of the matches, the camaraderie among the players, and Kouyaté's instrumental role in leading his team to victory. Emotional interviews with teammates and coaches highlight the significance of this achievement not only for Kouyaté but for the entire nation.

Africa Cup of Nations Triumph

Our project also delved into Kouyaté's success on the international stage, particularly at the Africa Cup of Nations. Senegal's victory in the 2021 tournament marked a historic moment for the country, with Kouyaté's leadership and defensive prowess proving integral to the team's success. Exclusive interviews with Kouyaté provided insights into the challenges, triumphs, and the sheer joy of representing one's nation on the continental stage.

Planning of the Shoot

The meticulous planning for the shoot involved crafting risk assessments, storyboards, and shot lists to maximize the limited time with footballers. Efficiency was paramount, necessitating a well-thought-out shooting order.

Lighting Setup

Utilizing professional equipment, our lighting setup included the Aputure 300dii with a Godox Soft Box and grid as the Keylight, focusing the beam of light. Additional Aputure MT Pro and T2c Tube lights, Aputure 60d as a Fill Light, and a reflector for outdoor shots ensured versatile and effective lighting. The smaller Aputure lights, such as the p60c, proved invaluable for their portability and versatility in adding fill or extra light for b-roll.

Camera Setup

Equipped with two FS7ii Cameras, a combination of 70-200 lenses and Samyang Lens Kit, Metabones Speedbooster, and a slider, our camera setup ensured comprehensive coverage. The emphasis on capturing ample football footage, particularly b-roll, was underscored, while employing stabilizing techniques like three points of contact and lens stabilizers enhanced the stability of our shots.

Conclusion

Working alongside the Olympics and Nottingham Forest to create a video tribute to Cheikhou Kouyaté's career was both an honour and a privilege. It was the realization of a childhood dream to collaborate with my favourite team. A massive thank you to all of the crew and to everyone involved!

After concluding the shoot, a visit to the gift shop was a must, grabbing some items for both my dad and myself!

Interview Lighting and Camera Setup

"It's an inexplicable love" | Cheikhou Kouyaté on playing for Senegal | World at their Feet

Forest Gym

Working with Diego Jota (Liverpool FC)

I worked with footballer Diogo Jota to shoot a video for LG, showcasing his brand new TV delivered to his home (LG, please send me one!).

My role was in the lighting department, where I illuminated the green screens and shaped the light for the commercials, creating various looks. Jota was very kind and a pleasure to work with. I secured the opportunity by proactively sending my CV, highlighting my previous experience in sports projects, which was limited at the time. The more people you engage with, the better chances you have of discovering great opportunities! You can watch the final video by clicking on the drone photo of Anfield Stadium below. (RIP to Jota and his Brother Andre)

First Job - Photographer at Barnsley FC

I have always been a massive football fan. I first started working in football as a photographer at Barnsley FC after chatting with some of the people there. I used to work as a steward at the club! I loved the opportunity to work for my local team and capture the academy and first-team players. You can see the full gallery of my photos here! Working at Barnsley FC was my first experience of working in sports which lead to work at Sheffield United and then to a variety of different  live streamed sports. Without this experience, I don't think I would have been able to pursue further opportunities, including working with Formula E and Eurosport.