How to Photograph a Turkey Trot: Costumes, Crowds and Cold

A turkey trot is the friendliest assignment in race photography: costumes, kids, dogs, families in matching shirts and a lot of smiling. It is also fast, crowded and often cold. Here is how to plan, what settings to use and how to get frames people want to buy.

Plan around the morning

Most turkey trots start between 7 and 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, 2026. Dallas, for example, lists start times of 8:30 and 9:00 a.m., and Buffalo starts at 9:00 a.m. The whole event is often over by late morning, so arrive before the start, scout your spots and be ready for the first wave.

Find the start, a place 200 to 400 meters along the course and the finish.
Check the sun. In late November the sun is low, so side light and backlight are common.
Ask where costume contests and the kids' trot take place.

Settings that work

Shutter speed: 1/800 s to 1/1000 s for adults running toward you, and 1/500 s for walkers and families.
Aperture: f/2.8 to f/4 to separate faces from busy backgrounds.
ISO: auto, with a minimum shutter speed so exposure moves with the light.
Autofocus: continuous with tracking, and short bursts of three to five frames.
Exposure: add a little compensation for faces under hats or backlit by low sun.

The shots people buy

Family groups. Matching shirts and costumes are the top sellers. Shoot wide and include the whole group.
Costumes. Turkeys, pilgrims, pie slices, superheroes and inflatable animals. Shoot them from the front, at eye level.
Kids and strollers. The kids' trot is chaotic and full of joy. Be careful with children and stay in public view.
Dogs. A dog in a costume is almost guaranteed to sell. Some races have a dog costume contest.
The start surge. A wide shot of the crowd before and after the gun gives you a view that no one else can get.
The finish. Arms raised, high fives and medals.

Where to stand

Pick a spot 200 to 400 meters after the start, where runners have spread out and are still smiling.
Stand off axis, at a slight angle to the runners, so faces are visible.
Keep the background clean: trees, buildings or a crowd, not barriers or cars.
At the finish, stand back from the line and use a longer lens, so you do not block spectators or the official photographers.

Dress for the cold

Thanksgiving mornings can be below freezing in the north. Wear layers, a hat and gloves that let you use your controls, and keep spare batteries in an inside pocket, since cold drains them. Hand warmers help. Bring a lens cloth for steam and breath.

Etiquette

Do not stand in the course or block the finish.
Be friendly and ask before close portraits of children.
Remove a photo if someone asks.
Check with the organizer about credentials and photography rules in advance.

Sell what you shoot

Families and runners cannot find you by name. Upload your set to Surf Snaps as a gallery tagged by sport, place and date, and they can find it on Explore. Joining and uploading are free, there is no storage bill, and the Surf Snaps fee of up to 10% only applies when a photo sells. You can pass it on to the customer. For general action settings, see How to Freeze the Action: Camera Settings for Fast-Paced NYC Sports. Check the organizer's media policy before you list race photos for sale.

Turkey Trot Photography FAQ

What shutter speed should I use?

1/800 s to 1/1000 s for runners and 1/500 s for walkers.

What sells best at a turkey trot?

Family groups, costumes, kids and dogs, plus finish-line moments.

How do I handle the cold?

Layers, warm gloves, spare batteries in an inside pocket and hand warmers.

Do I need permission?

Contact the organizer about credentials and rules before race day.

Where do I sell the photos?

On Surf Snaps, tagged by sport, place and date.