There is something special that happens when a team goes through their first GameFace GB experience.
Coaches often start the session a little unsure, athletes walk in with a mix of excitement and nerves and parents watch from the side hoping the photos turn out well. By the end of the session though, something changes. Players stand taller, coaches smile wider and even the shyest athletes look like completely different versions of themselves.
This shift is the reason we do what we do. It is not just about taking photos. It is about showing athletes how powerful, confident and capable they look through a lens that has been built specifically to bring out their best. When we talk to teams after their first GameFace GB day, we hear the same reactions again and again. Some make us laugh, some make us proud and some remind us that what we do goes far beyond photography.
Below is an honest look at what teams tell us once they have experienced the GameFace process from start to finish. These comments shape the way we work and they prove that great sports portraits can do more than decorate a gallery. They can build confidence, inject team identity and give every player a moment where their dedication is recognised.
1. They Tell Us They Were Surprised By How Confident the Players Looked
The most common reaction we hear from coaches and parents is simple. They cannot believe how confident the athletes look in the final images. Many assume that great photos come from the most skilled players or the most outgoing personalities. What they discover is that confidence is something you can bring out in anyone with the right environment.
We use clear direction, natural posing, fast shooting, supportive coaching and professional lighting. These elements together create a moment where athletes forget that they are being photographed and fall naturally into a stronger, more focused version of themselves. Once coaches see their players like this, the phrase we hear most often is this feels like a different team.
Confidence impacts more than the photo. It carries back into training sessions. Players stand straighter. They take drills more seriously. They look at their own portraits and feel capable. That visible shift is something coaches truly value.
2. They Tell Us the Session Was More Organised Than They Expected
Coaches usually arrive on photo day expecting a slow, stressful process. They picture players waiting in long lines, confusion about where to stand, chaos with equipment and delays that disrupt training schedules. When they discover how streamlined the GameFace GB setup is, they are genuinely relieved.
We bring everything. The lighting, the effects, the backgrounds, the equipment, the posing guidance and the workflow. Teams move through the process at a steady pace. Every athlete gets clear direction and knows exactly what to do. The system is designed to run smoothly, even with large squads, mixed age groups or tight time windows.
By the end of the session, coaches often say something like this was easier than picture day at school, and the photos look ten times better. For us, organisation is not a bonus. It is a core part of making the experience comfortable for every player, especially the nervous or shy ones.
3. They Tell Us the Players Felt Like Pros for the Day
Even the youngest players understand the feeling of being treated like a professional athlete. They see the lighting setups, the mist effects, the high level equipment and the GameFace style poses and instantly recognise that this is not a standard picture day. This energy shows through in the final photos.
Athletes enjoy being guided into poses that make them look strong and capable. They like hearing the buzz of the strobes. They enjoy the stadium like atmosphere we create through lighting and composition. It is common to hear coaches say the players did not want the session to end.
These photos make athletes feel important. They feel seen. They feel like their sport matters. Teams often tell us that the experience builds pride and strengthens team identity in ways they did not expect.
4. They Tell Us How Shocked They Were With the Detail and Quality
Teams expect good photos. What surprises them is the level of detail, sharpness, depth and clarity they see in the final images. Because we use photographic techniques more commonly found in professional sports media, the results are far beyond what clubs usually receive.
Things they comment on include:
• The sharpness of the eyes
• The quality of the lighting
• The realism of the atmosphere
• The clean colours
• The powerful stance and posture
• The small details like chalk dust, mist, highlights and shadows
• The pro style editing that stays true to the athlete
These details create a look that stands out instantly. Teams often say they look like they belong in a magazine or on a professional club website. That is exactly the effect we aim for.
5. They Tell Us They Loved That Every Athlete Looked Confident, Not Just the Top Performers
One of the biggest concerns coaches have before photo day is simple. They worry that only the most confident or talented players will look good. They worry that shy kids or players struggling with confidence will feel uncomfortable or end up unhappy with their images.
After the session, the comment we hear most often is every player looks brilliant. This is intentional. We understand sports posture, mindset, body language and how to guide athletes into poses that make them look their best. We do not rush players. We do not leave anyone guessing. We help each athlete find their version of powerful, even if they have never stepped in front of professional lighting before.
Coaches love this because it builds team morale. Parents love this because they see their child in a stronger, prouder light. Players love this because they see a version of themselves they did not realise they had.
6. They Tell Us They Appreciated the Privacy, Security and Structure
Public galleries concern many clubs. They worry about who might access images, how easily they can be shared and how little control they have once photos are posted online. One of the immediate things we hear after their first GameFace GB session is relief.
Teams appreciate:
• Private, secure, individual galleries
• Password protected access
• No open browsing of other athletes
• Encrypted storage
• Safe delivery options
• A system that respects privacy and safety
This matters to modern sports clubs. Parents feel safer knowing their child’s images are stored securely. Coaches feel reassured that they are working with a system that takes privacy seriously. Clubs trust us because we are open, transparent and protective of the people we photograph.
7. They Tell Us They Did Not Expect the Athletes to Enjoy It So Much
Most athletes walk in thinking the experience will be serious, stiff or awkward. After their first GameFace session, teams often tell us how surprised they were by the laughter, the excitement and the conversations players had afterwards.
Players talk about:
• The way the lighting looked
• How cool the effects were
• How strong they felt in the final pose
• How easy the guidance was
• How fast the session moved
• How much they want to do it again next season
A fun experience creates more natural expressions. When players enjoy the process, they look more confident on camera. When they feel proud of the final images, that pride carries back into training and competition.
8. They Tell Us They Did Not Expect the Photos to Have That Level of Emotion
It is easy to assume that sports portraits are simply about capturing a pose or a stance. What teams discover quickly is that GameFace photos capture something deeper. They capture personality, identity, emotion and commitment.
These photos show:
• Determination
• Focus
• Pride
• Strength
• Grit
• Calm confidence
• The spark that drives each athlete
Coaches often tell us the photos reveal things they did not see during training. These images become reminders of what athletes are capable of, even when they forget it.
The Final Whistle
The first GameFace GB experience is almost always the most memorable. Teams walk in expecting simple photos and walk out realising the experience is something far bigger. They gain confidence, identity, pride and a sense of professionalism that lifts the whole squad. Coaches see their athletes differently. Parents feel proud. Athletes carry themselves with more belief.
Every team has a unique story, but the reactions we hear are consistent. The experience is smoother than expected, more exciting than expected and more powerful than expected. It is more than photography. It is a moment where every athlete gets to feel like the best version of themselves.
And once a team experiences that shift, they always say the same thing. We should have done this sooner.
