Onsite Photo Orders

ahphotography · Apr 4, 2008

I've got an event coming up where there will be about 100 - 150 people there I will be taking photos of the event plus couple photos... as far as the couple photos I will be offering 1 8x10 or 2 5x7s packages any tips to handle the volume of onsite ordering? I know it is going to be crazy because I've done events like this before but it was a massive headache even with the assistance that I had and will have this time. I've used a form before but I'm thinking about taking a laptop and small printer this time... How do you handle onsite orders?

Thanks!

Big Mike · Apr 4, 2008

I would use some sort of on-line ordering. That way, all you have to do is tell them where to find the web site.

There are plenty of web sites that will allow you to upload photos and have people order prints. Some of them will even print & send the images for you, so you don't have to do anything...but they take a bigger cut of the profits. Many of these places charge a monthly or yearly fee...although some have a 'per event' charge if you don't plan on using this for a lot of different jobs.
Check out www.collages.net

If you have your own web site, you could use something like Photocart. It is a program that you purchase and install into your web site. You upload the photos and people can sign up to browse and purchase photos. The orders are sent to you and then you print and send the files.

Trying to take orders while trying to keep shooting sounds like too much of a headache to me. I've got a big family reunion coming up this summer and I plan on using Photocart.

JimmyO · Apr 4, 2008

Dont want to hijack this thread, but i was wondering what other options are there for selling your photos online. This summer i plan to do some event photography and would like an easy way to sell my pictures to people. My biggest event will probably be out town big July 4th celebrations. It last all day and there are many things going on like a fun run in the morning, a soapbox derby, pet show, park games, parade, raft race, and other similar stuff.

ahphotography · Apr 4, 2008

I use instaproofs... it's really easy and a very classy site. check out instaproofs.com...

I would totally go for online ordering but I the client has requested that the couples be able to choose which package they want there. Other wise I would totally be using the online opition. I just wasn't sure which way to go. I know in the future I will completely direct everone online because like you Mike, I did an reunion last summer and it was pure crazy! Pretty much out of my hands crazy, thankfully this upcoming client seems to be a bit smoother rather then a bunch of red necks... anywho. Thanks for the thoughts... anyothers?

Amanda

ahphotography · Apr 4, 2008

O and Jimmy O - I just made up a card that says This event photos will be online at:___________ The Username is:________ The Password is:________ and so on... that way I can fill in the blanks to my instaproofs website where the photos will be.

newphotographer · Apr 4, 2008

Big Mike suggested Photocart - I Love it!

I bought and installed it a few months ago, and it does everything I need it to. Custom packages, registries, everything.

My reason for buying was simple - everything on MY site, and no monthly fees. (I think I paid $285, which is not expensive) Collages etc charge monthly fees and that didn't suit me.

When needed any help, it was always there (the guy is called Tim)

Everyone to their own, but Photocart works for me (wow, I know a few people have bought from what I have said, maybe I should get shares in the company!!!

Big Mike · Apr 4, 2008

I would totally go for online ordering but I the client has requested that the couples be able to choose which package they want there. Other wise I would totally be using the online option. I just wasn't sure which way to go. I know in the future I will completely direct everyone online because like you Mike, I did an reunion last summer and it was pure crazy! Pretty much out of my hands crazy, thankfully this upcoming client seems to be a bit smoother rather then a bunch of red necks... anywho. Thanks for the thoughts... anyothers?

My first thought would be to try really hard to convince the client that on-line ordering is the way to go. But if that won't fly...the a good order form is probably the way to go. That shouldn't be hard to make...but I think the hard part will be matching the photos to the people who order them. You could probably just leave a space to write in the file number of the image.

I guess it depends on how much time you have and how busy it is. I guess an on-site printer could work...but I personally like to look at, tweak and/or edit photos before I sell them, so doing that while trying to shoot a lot of people, just wouldn't work.

What about an assistant to take orders and make prints or do whatever...allowing you to concentrate on the photos?

Christie Photo · Apr 4, 2008

ahphotography said:
...any tips to handle the volume of onsite ordering?

I've always used envelopes with an order form printed right on them. The customers fill out the form and puts payment inside. The envelope is handed to me (or my helper) when they present themselves for the photo, and I number the envelope with the exposure number.

Now, I've done it this way for 25 years, and I suspect there's a better (larger order) way of doing this. I've considered including charge-card info on the envelope, but haven't done so as of yet.

-Pete

ahphotography · Apr 4, 2008

Christie Photo said:
I've always used envelopes with an order form printed right on them. The customers fill out the form and puts payment inside. The envelope is handed to me (or my helper) when they present themselves for the photo, and I number the envelope with the exposure number.

Thats a really good idea... I might go that way. Just print the form on the actual envelope. Good thinkin' there, Pete!

Thankfully I will have an assistant to help me. She will be able to help me get all the forms filled out and then I think I just have them give me the envelope with the payment and write the begin and end file #.

Thanks for everyone's help!

68Whiskey · Apr 4, 2008

Check out EPS 2 (http://eventphotosystems.com/) VERY VERY VERY easy to setup, and all you need is around 3 PC's or laptops to run it.

Online orders for events of that size would kill your potential profit. You want to do a point of sale station there, studies show you will sell more on impulse buys.

Basically with EPS2 you can either print them on site, or take orders and print them at home and ship them (I recommend that). It is worth the money, and I would recommend it to anyone doing event photography.

JimmyO said:
Dont want to hijack this thread, but i was wondering what other options are there for selling your photos online. This summer i plan to do some event photography and would like an easy way to sell my pictures to people. My biggest event will probably be out town big July 4th celebrations. It last all day and there are many things going on like a fun run in the morning, a soapbox derby, pet show, park games, parade, raft race, and other similar stuff.

Check out the following;
www.Zenfolio.com (I use these guys)
www.exposuremanager.com
www.SmugMug.com
www.photoreflect.com