Sport Photos Packaging Info

kelleejeandesigns

HI!!

I've been a photographer now for a couple years, but am finally really focusing on being a business person as well, and make good choices to help my business grow.

I am a martial artist, and the opportunity has come up for me to shoot individual shots for my fellow martial artists. I am very excited about this and have been brainstorming all day. I set up a first draft of what my order form will look like, and have done a little research. So I know it is good to get payment ahead of time. However, as I'm deciding on what types of packages to offer and what prices to set, I realized that what if I have 4 different shots of a kid, and want to give the parent the choice to order the one they like the best? Or order a couple of each?? How can I set up an order form so that they can chose after the fact?? I know I could just have them view them and order through Smugmug, but I wanted to have control of the print process and deliver photos to the Studio, rather then just have the photos show up at the client's door. Perhaps I should just not give them options??

Or, after I take the photos I could just run to my local Proex and get some proof sheets made. But those aren't very professional.

HELP! IDEAS! ADVICE! PLEASE!!

kellee
www.kelleejeandesigns.smugmug.com

LUCKYSHOT

kelleejeandesigns wrote:

HI!!

I've been a photographer now for a couple years, but am finally really focusing on being a business person as well, and make good choices to help my business grow.

I am a martial artist, and the opportunity has come up for me to shoot individual shots for my fellow martial artists. I am very excited about this and have been brainstorming all day. I set up a first draft of what my order form will look like, and have done a little research. So I know it is good to get payment ahead of time. However, as I'm deciding on what types of packages to offer and what prices to set, I realized that what if I have 4 different shots of a kid, and want to give the parent the choice to order the one they like the best? Or order a couple of each?? How can I set up an order form so that they can chose after the fact?? I know I could just have them view them and order through Smugmug, but I wanted to have control of the print process and deliver photos to the Studio, rather then just have the photos show up at the client's door. Perhaps I should just not give them options??

Or, after I take the photos I could just run to my local Proex and get some proof sheets made. But those aren't very professional.

HELP! IDEAS! ADVICE! PLEASE!!

kellee
www.kelleejeandesigns.smugmug.com

I realize this may not be the answer you are looking for.. But IMHO post them to SM and let them order what they want. When you take portraits of people for schools or sport leagues life is just a matter of shoot and delivery, but action shots tend to be multishot deals where the Best shots sell. You cant make proofs of all the action, and you dont want them to miss any good shots .. so I say post it and let them decide what they want. If you photograph a lot of action and hopefullly have many customers, would you reallly want to self fulfill?
All the best
Chris

sweet caroline

I've been doing some school photos and here's what works for me- I take the photos and upload them to smugmug. I create an order form that has print sizes up to 11x14 and attach three poses. There's a section for each pose to choose sizes and quantity. There's no package, just a la carte pricing. I also offer a photo CD. I send home forms, which are returned within a week and a half. I also offer online ordering at the same time.

For online sales, you could always post just the shots you want to offer, and do the delayed printing thing. The advantage to online sales is that it's easier for you and it gives relatives the chance to place orders.

Caroline

Noelimages

For baseball I have taken action shots and uploaded them to SM. However, for those teams teams that I will be seeing the parents on an onging basis I will go to a local lab and print out my top 50 images and at .39 for a 5x7 I quick recoup my costs at $10. $50 5x7's cost me 19.50(.39x50) and all I have to do is sell 2 photos. I bring those images to the park in a three right binder and pass it around to the parents. Self serve, take a photo put 10 into and evelope. I might end up with 20-30 images that don't sell but again I have already recouped my costs. It's important to establish a relationship with your consumers.