Selling event photos on location, same day

[Destin]

Alright, so I've been shooting sports on the side, and making a small amount of money from it. Mainly just enough to cover my expenses, no real profits unfortunately. But I've only been handing out cards and selling the photos online. The main sports I'm talking about are Footgball, Basketball, Baseball, Motocross, and Mountain Bike racing.

I just feel like there is a good potential for income at these events, IF I can give the parents the ability to leave with prints in their hand. More people are going to make that impulse purchase, than go home and order prints online, right?

So, I've been looking into what I would need in order to shoot, and sell photos on location, but I'm looking for any feedback/ideas on my plan. Basically, I'm going to be the photographer, and I'm going to pay one of my friends to come and transfer photos from my cards to a laptop, sort them so they are somewhat organized (by tagging them with the athletes number?), and then have them available to display on computer monitor (I've got a 21" cheap acer monitor I could bring, but its 1080p and good enough for the purpose). So the parent comes up, looks at the photos, and places an order, which my helper then prints and/or burns a disc (for digital files) and collects the money.

I'm just wondering, is this a practical idea? Anyone out there that has tried/is doing it and could give me some feedback or ideas? I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[KmH]

You're going to need to discuss your plans with the schools/event organizers before you get to involved.

It is a practical idea and the best way to make money from shooting events. You will need to invest in the appropriate type of printers.

Since many schools/event organizers may require you provide them with a COI (Certificate of Insurance) that identifies them as an additionally insured, you may need to have a legally registered/licensed business and business liabliity insurance.

 

[imagemaker46]

From all the photographers that I've talked to at events that are selling onsite, two things happen, thay make good money or they lose money as they still have to pay the "helper" to do the work. There isn't time to rename photos or do much editing, the photos from the card go right to the laptop to the monitor, including all the garbage, which doesn't make the photographer look to good. It can be a good money making opportunity, but it is time consuming and considering that if you're working a tournament, you could be shooting from early AM to late PM. The other side is that you will have to work a deal through the host organization and offer them a piece of the action, could be based on net sales or they may want some money up front, either way it cuts into your profits. There is no way around working without the permission of the host, especially if you're shooting kids under 17 years old.

I've been approached many times about doing this type of shooting but tell them the same thing everytime, I don't have all the equipment to properly display the images, most of the setups i've seen have as many as 10 laptops, but the smaller setups usually have 2-3 laptops and monitors running as well. The quality of what you see at these events isn't that great, that is mainly because of looking at the unedited images. You are absolutely correct with one thing, parents are more likely to impluse buy on the spot.

Good luck with it all. It's a lot of work that may or may not net sales, but taking risks is sometimes the only way to move forward.

 

[KmH]

The way I did it was I had albums full of 4x6's I had had printed that were images from previous events that people could browse through. That gave me time to cull and edit but still gave them access to prints they could impulse buy.

It also allowed me to have sample products on display so someone could look at a 4x6 print of them, and visualize how it would look as an 8x12 standout print, a matted and framed team photo, on a coffee mug, or how I could turn it into a 20x30 sports magazine cover ($300 each). I had a 10x10 pop-up canopy that was my portable 'store'. I set up tables for the albums, smaller sample products, and could hang wall sized mounted and framed samples.

 

[Destin]

As far as permission from the organizations/schools, that's not a problem. I'm shooting at a school that I just graduated from last year, and I'm in tight with our athletic director. He doesn't have a problem with any of it. Same for motocross and mountain biking, I frequent both scenes as a rider, and know the organizers very well. They're really chill and told me I can do whatever I want pretty much.

As far as printers, this is where my question comes in. Would I be better off taking pre-orders and just sending the prints to them a few days after the event? What is the bare minimum I can get away with for a printer to use for something like this?

The other thing is that as far as the helper goes, I can get my friend to do it for free. He runs a video business, and we just help each other out with events all the time. One hand washes the other.

Thank you all for the responses and help!

 

[imagemaker46]

Taking orders and send ing the photos out after will cut into your profits as now you have to deal with postage and proper packaging, also you lose the onsite walk up impluse buyers that will pay the money if they can get the picture right away. For the most part people aren't very trusting when it comes to putting cash down and being told they will get the photo in the mail, doesn't matter how trust worthy and honest you are. As a printer goes you will need one that produces good quality, also need good quality paper. It's not always the big things that cost the most money, once you start to add up all the small things it will get expensive to run.

 

[KmH]

As far as permission from the organizations/schools, that's not a problem. I'm shooting at a school that I just graduated from last year, and I'm in tight with our athletic director. He doesn't have a problem with any of it. Same for motocross and mountain biking, I frequent both scenes as a rider, and know the organizers very well. They're really chill and told me I can do whatever I want pretty much.

When money is involved, if an agreement isn't in writing, it's worthless.

 

[Kerbouchard]

Why don't you ask the customers that are currently buying from you how they would feel about a price increase in order to have onsite fulfillment? The lack of editing, the financial outlay, the logistics of making it all work, and the possibility that nothing sales would make me hesitate without knowing if the customers I currently have would welcome my change.

 

[gsgary]

No good selling on the day if they can't take it home, you need to get yourself a dye sub printer these are the top sellers at the moment
Photomart - The smallest, lightest and most affordable solution for events photographers. DNP Printers., only just got back from doing a girls football (soccer i hate it called this) tournament

 

[Rekd]

Would I be better off taking pre-orders and just sending the prints to them a few days after the event?

You should do both; offer prints on the spot (un-edited, just cropped) and offer them edited prints within a few days of the event. You should have samples of both that show what they could look forward to, but ideally the most options the better. You should also offer them a CD or thumb-drive with all the un-edited shots in case they like to dabble and just want picts of their kids.

The more options you give them the more people you'll be able to get as customers.

 

[photogirl107]

I have read everyones post but the question is what software combines the downloading the images, easy/quick categorizing, printing and selling? Is there such a beast??
I have been searching for a software but if anyone knows I think that would be the most helpful.
Sony has a good dye sub printer and there are websites that will sell used ones. Start there because they are pricey, but worth it.

 

[PiCharge]

Alright, so I've been shooting sports on the side, and making a small amount of money from it. Mainly just enough to cover my expenses, no real profits unfortunately. But I've only been handing out cards and selling the photos online. The main sports I'm talking about are Footgball, Basketball, Baseball, Motocross, and Mountain Bike racing.

I just feel like there is a good potential for income at these events, IF I can give the parents the ability to leave with prints in their hand. More people are going to make that impulse purchase, than go home and order prints online, right?

So, I've been looking into what I would need in order to shoot, and sell photos on location, but I'm looking for any feedback/ideas on my plan. Basically, I'm going to be the photographer, and I'm going to pay one of my friends to come and transfer photos from my cards to a laptop, sort them so they are somewhat organized (by tagging them with the athletes number?), and then have them available to display on computer monitor (I've got a 21" cheap acer monitor I could bring, but its 1080p and good enough for the purpose). So the parent comes up, looks at the photos, and places an order, which my helper then prints and/or burns a disc (for digital files) and collects the money.

I'm just wondering, is this a practical idea? Anyone out there that has tried/is doing it and could give me some feedback or ideas? I'd greatly appreciate it.

From all the photographers that I've talked to at events that are selling onsite, two things happen, thay make good money or they lose money as they still have to pay the "helper" to do the work. There isn't time to rename photos or do much editing, the photos from the card go right to the laptop to the monitor, including all the garbage, which doesn't make the photographer look to good. It can be a good money making opportunity, but it is time consuming and considering that if you're working a tournament, you could be shooting from early AM to late PM. The other side is that you will have to work a deal through the host organization and offer them a piece of the action, could be based on net sales or they may want some money up front, either way it cuts into your profits. There is no way around working without the permission of the host, especially if you're shooting kids under 17 years old.

I've been approached many times about doing this type of shooting but tell them the same thing everytime, I don't have all the equipment to properly display the images, most of the setups i've seen have as many as 10 laptops, but the smaller setups usually have 2-3 laptops and monitors running as well. The quality of what you see at these events isn't that great, that is mainly because of looking at the unedited images. You are absolutely correct with one thing, parents are more likely to impluse buy on the spot.

Good luck with it all. It's a lot of work that may or may not net sales, but taking risks is sometimes the only way to move forward.

The way I did it was I had albums full of 4x6's I had had printed that were images from previous events that people could browse through. That gave me time to cull and edit but still gave them access to prints they could impulse buy.

It also allowed me to have sample products on display so someone could look at a 4x6 print of them, and visualize how it would look as an 8x12 standout print, a matted and framed team photo, on a coffee mug, or how I could turn it into a 20x30 sports magazine cover ($300 each). I had a 10x10 pop-up canopy that was my portable 'store'. I set up tables for the albums, smaller sample products, and could hang wall sized mounted and framed samples.

Taking orders and send ing the photos out after will cut into your profits as now you have to deal with postage and proper packaging, also you lose the onsite walk up impluse buyers that will pay the money if they can get the picture right away. For the most part people aren't very trusting when it comes to putting cash down and being told they will get the photo in the mail, doesn't matter how trust worthy and honest you are. As a printer goes you will need one that produces good quality, also need good quality paper. It's not always the big things that cost the most money, once you start to add up all the small things it will get expensive to run.

As far as permission from the organizations/schools, that's not a problem. I'm shooting at a school that I just graduated from last year, and I'm in tight with our athletic director. He doesn't have a problem with any of it. Same for motocross and mountain biking, I frequent both scenes as a rider, and know the organizers very well. They're really chill and told me I can do whatever I want pretty much.

When money is involved, if an agreement isn't in writing, it's worthless.

Why don't you ask the customers that are currently buying from you how they would feel about a price increase in order to have onsite fulfillment? The lack of editing, the financial outlay, the logistics of making it all work, and the possibility that nothing sales would make me hesitate without knowing if the customers I currently have would welcome my change.

No good selling on the day if they can't take it home, you need to get yourself a dye sub printer these are the top sellers at the moment
Photomart - The smallest, lightest and most affordable solution for events photographers. DNP Printers., only just got back from doing a girls football (soccer i hate it called this) tournament

Would I be better off taking pre-orders and just sending the prints to them a few days after the event?

You should do both; offer prints on the spot (un-edited, just cropped) and offer them edited prints within a few days of the event. You should have samples of both that show what they could look forward to, but ideally the most options the better. You should also offer them a CD or thumb-drive with all the un-edited shots in case they like to dabble and just want picts of their kids.

The more options you give them the more people you'll be able to get as customers.

I have read everyones post but the question is what software combines the downloading the images, easy/quick categorizing, printing and selling? Is there such a beast??
I have been searching for a software but if anyone knows I think that would be the most helpful.
Sony has a good dye sub printer and there are websites that will sell used ones. Start there because they are pricey, but worth it.

Hey Everyone,

I have been very active on photocamel but decided to join this forum due to this very interesting topic. As a on-location photographer myself, I have taken it upon myself to create a solution that addresses our needs as photographers who sell photos on location. However I would like to interview as many interested photographers to gain a better understanding of the needs you have while shooting out in the field.

Shoot me an email at [email protected] so you could influence the current prototype.

Much Respect,
Jesse Lara

 

[Rekd]

:twak:

 

[PiCharge]

Hey Rekd,

Do you mean :twak: in a derogatory sense? If this is something that does not interest you that is fine but I am an individual that is trying to bring solutions to this threads needs. So i would appreciate constructive mature criticism like found on photocamel.

Much Respect,
Jesse

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Don't feel like reading it all so I may repeat what has already been said...

Your biggest problem is the printer unless you don't want this to be a long term business. Home printers are totally useless for photography not because of the quality of the image (most of them are quite nice in that respect and some are beautiful) but because of the life span of the print. Unless you keep the prints from a home printer in the dark, they will start fading within a few months. Is that what you want to be known for?

Pro printers use either a photo printing process or better dyes (inks) from what was explained to me, the prints will last just like prints of old. But those printers are not cheap so you need to be wanting to do this for the long term.

Second problem I see: will you trust your helper (the one running the computer) to pick the best shots and not show the other ones to customers? Imho you cannot just put someone who knows how to use a mouse behing the computer and make a decent name for yourself. You will need to train this person.


What you are talking about has existed for a long time even if in a different manner than what you are thinking about. I have shots of myself and my family that are 40+ yo taken by commercial street shooters. With a home printer, those wouldn't exist anymore...