DESTINATION GOLF GLOBAL GUIDE 2026
DG: What common misconceptions do people have about golf course photography? Many people think it can be straightforward to capture your own photo with the same level of quality from their own smartphone versus a professional photographer using a system camera with high end lenses that are specifically designed for that particular conditions. The big difference here though is not the equipment, it is in my opinion the person behind who is the key.
DG: Which courses do you find yourself most excited to return to and photograph time and time again, and what keeps drawing you back? I prefer visually spectacular golf courses, courses that are dramatic and character. Courses like I mentioned earlier here and that got something special and exciting about them.
DG: Which golf courses have been the easiest to photograph, and what made them so visually cooperative? The easiest golf courses to shoot are often the ones that stands out as most visually appealing. In my opinion there are many special courses in this category like: Lofoten Links, Old Head, Tara Iti, Banff Springs and Point Hardy to mention a few.
DG: On the flip side, which courses have proven the most challenging to shoot, and why? That’ s a hard question, first I would like to say that every course has some kind of an ultimate formula in how they successfully can be showcased with a visual identity, ideas and concepts.
The most challenging project for me has probably been the ones where I need to deliver stunning material from an unfinished golf course that’ s still in construction. A golf course that has no grass on fairways or sand in the bunkers and maybe pipes running across fairways.. I like to be challenged and that’ s probably why clients hire me, I think they know they will getting the best. They feel safe I’ ll deliver something that sells and get them visitors / clients.
DG: Are there any courses you feel demand multiple visits to truly capture their character and layout? In a perfect world you would like to capture all courses in the world on multiple visits. You want to capture all the seasons, get the variety in photos and videos. Include people, show details, execute ideas, create iconic images.
It is naive to think that if you get there 1 day and then you got everything. That’ s far from the experience and it wouldn’ t be fair to the course I’ m visiting either.
DG: You’ ve travelled extensively for your work, but what’ s the funniest or most unexpected mishap you’ ve experienced on assignment? Oh, there are so many crazy and fun things that happened over the years I’ ve been out traveling. One time I met a bear when shooting at Jasper Park Lodge in Canada, I’ ve lost my passport on my way to Asia and one time a playful monkey stole my lens out of a golf cart in Singapore. The most unexpected is probably to be invited to a dinner where a president later show up to their seat. right next to me!
DG: How do you adapt your approach when shooting classic links courses versus modern parkland or resort layouts? I see every course as an own individual and do a deep evaluation how to approach and plan for each project. My personal opinion is that every course and client is unique and should be treated individually for the best outcome. To me there is no copy & pastesituation.
DG: How has drone photography changed the way golf courses are presented and marketed? It has definitely changed, for good and worse I would say. Just because a photo or video is captured and coming from air it doesn’ t mean it will look the most visually pleasing or showcase the best picture of a course or location. Far from.
Many of my clients prefer and expect to see creative high end material from air. But clients also wants to showcase visuals captured from ground as well. From a players perspective and how it is seen naturally. I generally deliver 50 % from ground and 50 % from air, in some cases more based on what clients needs and what I recommend.
DG: What advice would you give to aspiring photographers looking to break into golf or sports landscape photography today? Always believe in yourself and do the work to get better. You will fail along the way but the important thing is to tajs the opportunity to learn from your mistakes. Talent can take you a long way but learning something new every day will take you much further.
JACOB SJÖMAN, INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER http:// jacobsjoman. myportfolio. com /
@ sjomanart on instagram https:// www. instagram. com / sjomanart / Golfway-Blog: https:// golfway. se / blogger / jacob-sjoman / jacob @ sjomanart. com / http:// www. sjomanart. com
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