Molly Darlington

Canon Ambassador Molly Darlington has had a dream start to her career as a professional sports photographer. Immediately after graduating from university, she was offered a job as a freelance photographer by Reuters' multimedia sports agency, Action Images, and is now regularly shooting Premier League and Championship football.

Sport has been a part of Molly's life since her childhood in Cheshire, England, where she is still based. "I've been watching football since I was young, and growing up I often played football or cricket in the park with my twin brother – we've always been very sporty," she says. "Football's my main interest and when you love the sport you're photographing it adds to the enjoyment."

Soon after graduating with a first-class honours degree in 2019, Molly covered the FIFA Women's World Cup for AMA Sports Photo. She was then approached by Reuters/Action Images and offered a contract to work for the agency. Since then, she has mainly photographed English Premier League and Championship matches. She also sometimes covers non-sport news stories.

Sports photography is still a male-dominated genre, although the situation is gradually changing. "I can go to a match and be the only woman there, or there may be four or five; it just depends on the game," she says. "I used to feel intimidated going into press rooms, just because I didn't know anyone. But as I started to get to know people it got easier, and now I'll happily walk in."

As with any sports action photography, great football images come from the photographer closely observing events and anticipating what's going to happen. "You always need to be aware of what's going on around you, and where the ball is going next," Molly continues.

"You can also get an idea of the way the game's heading by listening to the crowd. If I'm editing on my laptop and hear the crowd reacting, I know I have to pick my cameras up quickly."

For Molly, the highlight of her career so far has been working at the Women's World Cup. "I hadn't experienced a major tournament before and I had so much fun," she says. "I enjoy shooting women's football and the whole thing was on a much bigger scale than I expected. To see stadiums like the Parc des Princes in Paris full of fans was really nice. It was an important event for women's football."

How do you prepare for a match?
"The night before a game, I put everything on charge, including my laptop, my batteries and Wi-Fi box. In the morning I pack my bags and check I've got everything. I'll also find out which of the teams playing is on top at the moment, which players are in the news and whether either of the managers are on a losing streak."

Have any other sports photographers inspired you?
"A lot of photographers have inspired me, but from starting out I have always thought Cath Ivill's work is incredible – she used to be a nurse, then started learning photography halfway through her career and now shoots sport for Getty Images. I look up to her a lot."

Is social media an important way for young photographers to get known?
"Yes, I definitely think social media plays an important part in getting yourself out there. I know that a lot of photographers in the industry keep an eye on social media for new talent coming through, so it's good to keep posting your best pictures. Even following people might lead to someone clicking on your profile and looking at your work."

What makes a great sports photograph?
"The starting point to any great sports photo is a good background. Capturing players' or fans' emotion is also important. If a picture has those elements and is also taken at a moment when something significant happened, it's going to be memorable."

"My advice for people who want to be a professional sports photographer is to keep taking photos of whatever sport you can find. If you want to shoot football, show what you can do by taking pictures at lower league or non-league matches. If you want professional guidance, there are plenty of people out there who will look at your pictures and send feedback. You just have to build your portfolio and make it as strong as you can. Luck will come your way if you've got what it takes."

Instagram:@mollydarlington

Twitter:@mdarlington_

Website:www.mdarlingtonphotography.co.uk