Increase Event Sales

jandrewnelson · February 9, 2009

Anyone have experience in event shoots?

I've taken some photos at a few different events and then posted them in my gallery. Next, I let folks who attended the event know about the availability of the pictures and I've sold some.

With spring almost here (at least in SW Georgia), I'd like to make some more $$$ by shooting more events. Non-professional baseball games, equestrian events, etc.

Any suggestions and/or ideas on how to best make this happen? I'm not looking to make loads of money, but rather pick up some extra cash.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Jerry Nelson
Koinonia Farm
Americus, GA
www.meesoon.smugmug.com

catspaw · February 9, 2009

I do horse shows and the best bet is to find them first -- then contact whomever is organizing them and ask them if they've a photographer for the show or not and express your interest.

If you are unsure of the local shows try the local tack and/or feed stores for flyers. Also google is your friend -- your area will always have some type of organization (or six) that list the local events in their website calendar. example, out here in Utah we've the Utah dressage society, wasatch range eventing association and utah hunter/jumper association. I also check the local pony clubs for their rally dates and if I wanted to get into western shows, there's also the horseman's group and the quarter horse association, etc etc.

If you aren't familiar, best bet is to find someone who IS (usually the local tack store owner is one

) and pick their brains.

good luck!

(ps. I'd apply the same reasoning to non-professional baseball and local sports shops/batting cages/etc)

Nikolai · February 9, 2009

+1 What Leah said.

Unless you contact the organizers and get their support (you can offer a percentage of the margin or some other form of "kickback") your chances are very slim. People don't spend the nights and days after events trying to figure out if there was any photographer who took pictures. Especially nowadays when everybody and thier MIL tote a compact P&S that can easily kick 8-year old dslr arse, especially during the broad daylight.

jandrewnelson · February 9, 2009

Thanks for the help, guidance and advice!

Jerry

clcoronios · February 11, 2009

Jerry, if you're thinking of equestrian events, you should limit your inquiries to disciplines with which you are familiar. Each breed and discipline is different - and even if all the horses trot, some like the inside fore up, others want the outside fore up. You'll need to know the levels of what you're shooting (training level dressage is lightyears away from Grand Prix, as are crossrails from GP jumping). You should know what 'ideal' looks like for that particular breed/discipline/level and when you know all that, you have to know when "the moment" is GOING to occur and be able to coordinate eye & finger so you can capture it when it does. A split second later is too late.

Also - most shows have official photographers who have contracts with the show to provide service. Usually this includes an exclusive clause that precludes others from taking photos for the purpose of selling them.

Oh - and learning to deal with indoor or (worse) covered arenas... Although most of your spring/summer/fall shows will be outdoors, I'd think, in GA. Lucky you.

Best wishes,
Carol

jandrewnelson · February 11, 2009

clcoronios wrote:

Jerry, if you're thinking of equestrian events, you should limit your inquiries to disciplines with which you are familiar. Each breed and discipline is different - and even if all the horses trot, some like the inside fore up, others want the outside fore up. You'll need to know the levels of what you're shooting (training level dressage is lightyears away from Grand Prix, as are crossrails from GP jumping). You should know what 'ideal' looks like for that particular breed/discipline/level and when you know all that, you have to know when "the moment" is GOING to occur and be able to coordinate eye & finger so you can capture it when it does. A split second later is too late.

Also - most shows have official photographers who have contracts with the show to provide service. Usually this includes an exclusive clause that precludes others from taking photos for the purpose of selling them.

Oh - and learning to deal with indoor or (worse) covered arenas... Although most of your spring/summer/fall shows will be outdoors, I'd think, in GA. Lucky you.

Best wishes,
Carol

Thanks for the guidance. Actually, I'm thinking more in the line of rodeos, -- calf roping, barrell racing, etc. But I will keep your pointers in mind.

Jerry

clcoronios · February 11, 2009

Same concepts go for rodeo events...

"Unless you contact the organizers and get their support (you can offer a percentage of the margin or some other form of "kickback")...."
PLEASE don't offer to PAY the association/organization for the privilege.... OPs are NOT vendors - they're show officials and should be treated as such - or at least not expected to pay for the pleasure.
In return for 'the title,' our contract generally includes:
1. X number of images for the association to use on its website;
2. an image to be sent directly to a local/regional publication (I prepare & send the image, after contacting the publication for their requirements);
3. an ad in their prize list or program (prize lists come out ahead of time and are, therefore, more efficient advertising); and
4. (sometimes) sponsorship of a class - or a gift certificate to the winner of one or two classes.

Good luck! And have fun! LOVE rodeo!

C

SCP · February 11, 2009

If you are thinking Rodeo's you will need to contact the National Organizations who will be putting on the shows. I have also noticed alot of them require Press or Media passes.

Google is your friend indeed and go right ahead and put in your bid the worst that can happen is they say no.

I would start out first with 4-H shows and Local Chapter shows or open shows and work with the Show secretaries.

Work up a portfolio and then move ahead to the big guys who are going to want to see the portfolio, your rates, your website and may want some test shots.

Good Luck in your adventures and remember to take your advil, standing in the ring from 8 am to 8pm sucks. (I would suggest an assistant too..)

From one Professional Equine Photographer to an Up and Comer.
Don't take on the world.. you will find yourself drowning in it.

snaptie2002 · February 11, 2009

jandrewnelson wrote:

Anyone have experience in event shoots?

I've taken some photos at a few different events and then posted them in my gallery. Next, I let folks who attended the event know about the availability of the pictures and I've sold some.
Jerry Nelson
Koinonia Farm
Americus, GA
www.meesoon.smugmug.com

You post the pictures then let folks know that they are available? That seems backward. There's no way I could track down a whole baseball tournament full of strangers after they have all gone home.

Have you tried getting the word out at the event? You can hand out business cards or fliers or have the organizers make an announcement.
It doesn't matter how many events you shoot or how many photos you post if no one knows where to see them. It's like the guys that buy a truck load of watermelons for five dollars each and sell them for five dollars each then decide the only way they can make money is to get a bigger truck

Marty

SCP · February 11, 2009

snaptie2002 wrote:

You post the pictures then let folks know that they are available? That seems backward. There's no way I could track down a whole baseball tournament full of strangers after they have all gone home.

Have you tried getting the word out at the event? You can hand out business cards or fliers or have the organizers make an announcement.
It doesn't matter how many events you shoot or how many photos you post if no one knows where to see them. It's like the guys that buy a truck load of watermelons for five dollars each and sell them for five dollars each then decide the only way they can make money is to get a bigger truck

Marty

What he means is that he probably emails the club Secretary and lets them know the Photos are up, they in turn make a mass email to the parents and whoever else is signed up for the emailing.

That is how it is routinely done. I give out both Business cards with my site on them. Get individual emails for Newsletters and specials and email the people at the club, whomever is my contact.

Usually I am also featured on the website, in their newsletters. More often though I am present all year at the shows and they approach me. I do make sales at the events as well taking pre-payments and printing them myself for mailing.

DonColorado · February 13, 2009

Events Sales - Model Releases? Restricted Sales?
In this same area of event sales, I shoot some local events for chamber, another business association and some non-profit clubs with no fee for my time. My modus operandi is to edit out any images that might show a person in an unfavorable light, so to speak. I post images in an unlisted Smug Mug gallery and let the organization link to the site for viewing, sharing with members or ordering prints, merchandise or digital files if they're interested. I mark up these product offerings.

One of my concerns is the potential for someone to access a photo of another person, buy it and use it somewhere without the permission of the subject person. Or even if it is purchased for use on a website, and the subject person didn't like it, I presume I could be liable since I made a profit on the image.

Getting signed model releases would be a challenge with 50 or 100 people at a business social event.

I could do restricted sales by making specific images available upon individual request and then turn on specific images for purchases, but that adds admin time and the inconvenience would be a turn off for sales.

Welcome thoughts and ideas about how to manage this situation..........I enjoy doing the events, want to make it easy for folks to buy images, but don't want to end up in a problem of selling image at a profit with a subject who is offended.

DonColorado

clcoronios · February 13, 2009

I'll be interested in responses to this question, Don. Our show galleries are password protected by SHOW only - and while I know some of the folks, I sure don't know them all, so would not necessarily know if they're buying their horse, their kid, their horse with another rider, their kid with someone else's horse, or ?????

When I was working for a video company, we had one parent irate because I let someone else view her daughter's ride in one class. Seems viewer had some issues with the class placings and wanted to see the class to make sure the winning kid really HAD made a serious boo-boo. I immediately made our policy "Nobody gets to look at someone else's tape". But even with hardcopy proofs, everyone got to see everyone else's... So...??????

On the other hand, you are talking more about a business event. At any rate, I'll look forward to what is discussed.

Carol

jandrewnelson · February 14, 2009

SCP wrote:

What he means is that he probably emails the club Secretary and lets them know the Photos are up, they in turn make a mass email to the parents and whoever else is signed up for the emailing.

Precisely. Thanks for helping me make it clear.

Jerry
Koinonia Farm

SCP · February 15, 2009

No Problem.

It is the way I do things. It goes in the club Newsletters and as footers in club communication, bulletins and mass emails.

As I build the address book I can then email my clients myself and let them know that photos are up.

davidweaver · February 16, 2009

Nikolai wrote:

+1 What Leah said.

Unless you contact the organizers and get their support (you can offer a percentage of the margin or some other form of "kickback") your chances are very slim. People don't spend the nights and days after events trying to figure out if there was any photographer who took pictures. Especially nowadays when everybody and thier MIL tote a compact P&S that can easily kick 8-year old dslr arse, especially during the broad daylight.

I can't disagree vigorously enough! :-)

What you do as an event professional is:

Show up on time.

Pass out cards. (hint: vista print)

Take cards and names and email addys.

Market (aka: contact) folks you met.

Be in this for the long haul. you won't make much money in the short to mid-term but if you are a regular, over the long-term, you will be the go-to person for shots. Of course, your stuff can't suck. It can be mediocre as long as you are there all the time.

Shooting is only a part of being a pro.

catspaw · February 16, 2009

As an aside, when I go to an event I have the following:

a very very sturdy (not some cheap card table that blows away!) table (Acadia wood from IKEA that folks up, awesome!) with a sign of 'EVENT PHOTOS' bunge corded to the front.

a potted plant

a big basket of horse treats (these ARE horse shows)

a book to sign up for email notices

two booklets of sample shots I've done at previous shows (in slip covers, etc so if it rains they aren't ruined)

pens! tied to horse shoes cause those f*ckers walk away

a clock

a schedule of the show events

IF sunny/bloody hot but not windy I have an awning/tent to set up as well

a cooler (stashed with drinks for me!)

lots and lots of business cards

and a rolling art supply case that carries forms (release, model releases, contracts, my year's calendar schedule, etc) and various office supplies as needed (my mobile office)

many printed lists of the coming events I'll be at

a PRICE SHEET of what they can expect once they log into the website.

... and I'm sure more I'm forgetting. Oh! and two 'event photo catpsaw photography' signs I picked up -- like yard signs that I can put up in various places around the show facilities.

Let's just say YAY for Vista Prints and they insane ass free sales. You can stock up on a lot of 'good' suff that way.

ONCE we have coupons, I'll have a more organized sign up sheet -- $20 in advance, free print and I promise to get a shitload (erm, something more technical than that) photos of that rider/horse combination. At times I have to prioritize, but this way they get to the top of the list AND I get sales out of it.

So there's some form of a sign up sheet, but without an assistant (which I think I'll be recruiting this year... my lesson student would LOVE this stuff), it's difficult to keep track as folks sign up through the day and I'm stuck out at the arenas and away from my set up.

any how. THAT's how it's worked for me. The two shows I had that set up? best sales ever.

catspaw · February 16, 2009

Oh! and this year, for folks who DO sign up for photos (once we get coupons), I'm using my P&S to get a photo of them + their horse, printing it on the Polaroid printer and sticking it in a small flip book I can easily access (with notes) so i don't forget whom I'm being paid to stalk.

SCP · February 17, 2009

a similar set up as above.. but instead of Horse treats.. I put up Cookies and some little jugs of milk (In coolers)

I also offer free win photos. They LOOOOOOVE those.

catspaw · February 17, 2009

SCP wrote:

I also offer free win photos. They LOOOOOOVE those.

Ooooohhhh!

Excellent idea AND a great way to get information (say, email addresses) so you can notify folks when the event is fully loaded up online.

Excuse me if I borrow this one ?

SCP · February 17, 2009

Go right ahead..

It's the perfect excuse to get people to your website. I tell em they will need to go online and pick out their win photo.. then they can email the photo number and I order it from Smug Mug and off it goes. 9 times out of 10 they see the photos from the class they won and order more.

catspaw · February 17, 2009

SCP wrote:

Go right ahead..

It's the perfect excuse to get people to your website. I tell em they will need to go online and pick out their win photo.. then they can email the photo number and I order it from Smug Mug and off it goes. 9 times out of 10 they see the photos from the class they won and order more.

File box (that I can neatly cut a hole into and weigh down with rocks if needed) and small paper pads picked up during lunch.

And you are right -- just getting them to LOOK at the photos results in sales. I might do it as a print or a dollar amount (in case they want a bigger print, etc). The latter would need to involve coupons... yet another reason I cannot wait for them!

thanks again!

femsista · March 3, 2009

I utilize my brother's kids teams to get practice on my shots and this year I am offering both teams my services.

During football, I am always taking photos to work on Christmas gifts for my brother and his wife (I basically give them free photo shoots of their kids each year).

Now that baseball is starting I plan to refine my skills by shooting some of the games and providing a password protected gallery for the parents. It gives me practice and I will be at the games watching family anyway. So I can pick the best shots and post them on my site and let the parents decide if they want to buy or not.

Right now, I am looking for exposure and networking for larger gigs down the road. I don't meet strangers, so this seems like it will work for me.

But thanks for offering tips on materials to have on hand.

jhelms · March 4, 2009

jandrewnelson wrote:

Anyone have experience in event shoots?

I've taken some photos at a few different events and then posted them in my gallery. Next, I let folks who attended the event know about the availability of the pictures and I've sold some.

With spring almost here (at least in SW Georgia), I'd like to make some more $$$ by shooting more events. Non-professional baseball games, equestrian events, etc.

Any suggestions and/or ideas on how to best make this happen? I'm not looking to make loads of money, but rather pick up some extra cash.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Jerry Nelson
Koinonia Farm
Americus, GA
www.meesoon.smugmug.com

Hey Jerry - you are just right down the road from me (I'm in Columbus).

I have been doing a good bit of events and have a lot of room for improvement.

I'm in the mortgage business and cover the monthly realtor luncheons. Every other month or so, I'll pass out a mini-flyer (4 to a page) that has a screenshot of my website and my contact information on it.

I'll usually get 2,000-3,000 hits a day for a few days after each luncheon as people check out the pics, but very few 'buys'.

I get LOTS and LOTS of compliments on how great it is to have the pics and how much everyone likes them (and honestly that's enough for me with this particular situation since it helps me get more exposure to my referral sources).

But as I do more events, I think I'll implement more of these ideas - I've also heard of a few more that sound interesting (note - these are not my ideas and I may not agree with each one):

1) have a limited time to view and order pics to create a sense of urgency. I can't count all the people that tell me all the time "I keep meaning to order some of those pics they are SOOOOO good". If you pass out a mini-flyer at the event that says "pics will be available on the website for ordering from 4/1 to 4/5 and then send out an email reminder or two that might help.

2) offer really cheap low res downloads. This one is a little controversial of course b/c of what people might do with these files. Another similar suggestion was to offer free watermarked really small files for people to use on facebook, myspace, etc. Part of that one was the 'cant beat em might as well join em' theory - if people are going to CTRL-PrtSCrn their pics to get their avatar you might as well give them a decent copy with a legible website watermark on it.

3) gather attendee list / email list from the event organizer. Key to this of course is you have to actually do something with it, send out an email immediately following the event "I enjoyed photographing this event - I'm currently editing and uploading the pics which will be available on xx/xx at www.falkgsagfhsa;ljfas.com"

4) I love the print giveaway idea. I did a charity bike run and gave away a 20x30 print - it was a great way to get the word out and drove a lot of traffic to my website (although another key here, I need to do better at converting those views to dollars).

5) Create a more annoying watermark. That one sounds funny but theory behind it is that if the pics have a small simple watermark sitting quietly in the corner people will just keep looking at the pics every now and then and not buy them. But with a big nasty "PROOF / (C) YOUR NAME" slathered diagonally across the image they might be more inclined to actually purchase or download one.

Again, just passing those along as food for thought - they aren't mine just ideas I've picked up on various websites / forums.

catspaw · March 4, 2009

jhelms wrote:

2) offer really cheap low res downloads. This one is a little controversial of course b/c of what people might do with these files. Another similar suggestion was to offer free watermarked really small files for people to use on facebook, myspace, etc. Part of that one was the 'cant beat em might as well join em' theory - if people are going to CTRL-PrtSCrn their pics to get their avatar you might as well give them a decent copy with a legible website watermark on it..

That's what I decided to do for my events that aren't really there for income but more for me to get exposure and practice. Typically these are horse clinics or other such. I keep the size at Medium for the max (which is really quite small but 'big' enough for facebook) and watermarked. I let them know straight up that they can right-click and save copies. The print costs for these photos are also cheap too, to encourage folks to just go ahead and buy some prints.

jandrewnelson · March 4, 2009

Thanks for all the great ideas!

Snowgirl · March 6, 2009

Trade Shows too
In a similar vein, I'm going to an equine trade show in early May to promote my services - both as an event photographer and for portraits and weddings. I love the list of 'take alongs' and one thing I have is a 3-panel photo display. I bought one of those room-divider photo panels and loaded it with 15 various shots. People at the last show I went to seemed to enjoy checking it out. One tip - if you use something like that, get some fishing line and tie the top to something so it won't tip over (she said, speaking from experience

).

I'm also taking my laptop an a larger freestanding monitor so people can see the slide show I've created more easily.

Stools - something to sit on!

A part-time assistant: a good friend is coming to the show for a few hours each day to give me a break so I can eat, take shots of the show for the organizers, have 'potty' trips, etc.

Layers of clothing - it's often VERY cold and damp in early May and the event is in an indoor arena and barn complex - not heated or insulated.

WARM footwear and cheap rubber matting to put on the floor of the booth to ease leg and back strain.

Ipod and speakers for music.

Candy give aways.
Ballots for a draw for a free print

I'm going to need a truck to lug all of this stuff!

But, if it works, it's worth it.

Rocketman766 · March 16, 2009

new to event sales
I am new to event sales and feel a little shy about asking...but what is a win photo? I have an idea, but don't really know.

mercphoto · March 16, 2009

jhelms wrote:

I'll usually get 2,000-3,000 hits a day for a few days after each luncheon as people check out the pics, but very few 'buys'.

I get LOTS and LOTS of compliments on how great it is to have the pics and how much everyone likes them (and honestly that's enough for me with this particular situation since it helps me get more exposure to my referral sources).

But as I do more events, I think I'll implement more of these ideas - I've also heard of a few more that sound interesting (note - these are not my ideas and I may not agree with each one):

1) have a limited time to view and order pics to create a sense of urgency. I can't count all the people that tell me all the time "I keep meaning to order some of those pics they are SOOOOO good". If you pass out a mini-flyer at the event that says "pics will be available on the website for ordering from 4/1 to 4/5 and then send out an email reminder or two that might help.

2) offer really cheap low res downloads. This one is a little controversial of course b/c of what people might do with these files. Another similar suggestion was to offer free watermarked really small files for people to use on facebook, myspace, etc. Part of that one was the 'cant beat em might as well join em' theory - if people are going to CTRL-PrtSCrn their pics to get their avatar you might as well give them a decent copy with a legible website watermark on it.

3) gather attendee list / email list from the event organizer. Key to this of course is you have to actually do something with it, send out an email immediately following the event "I enjoyed photographing this event - I'm currently editing and uploading the pics which will be available on xx/xx at www.falkgsagfhsa;ljfas.com"

4) I love the print giveaway idea. I did a charity bike run and gave away a 20x30 print - it was a great way to get the word out and drove a lot of traffic to my website (although another key here, I need to do better at converting those views to dollars).

5) Create a more annoying watermark. That one sounds funny but theory behind it is that if the pics have a small simple watermark sitting quietly in the corner people will just keep looking at the pics every now and then and not buy them. But with a big nasty "PROOF / (C) YOUR NAME" slathered diagonally across the image they might be more inclined to actually purchase or download one.

Again, just passing those along as food for thought - they aren't mine just ideas I've picked up on various websites / forums.

As you mentioned, you're getting lots of traffic but not enough dollars. And that's really key, getting traffic turned into dollars. The compliments are nice and all, but you really want people to voice their compliment with their wallets.

Number 1 is a good idea -- you don't want your website to turn into their personal online photo album, where they can look for free and link all they want for no money. And I think as time goes on, online digital images are going to be more important than prints anyway. A second spin on number 1 is to have the images at a discount for the first week as a means of enticing early orders, an increased price for the next three weeks, then they're gone. Exposure Manager is capable of doing this automatically for you and works well.

Number 2 is controversial for a reason. It sounds like a good idea, but in practice its not going to turn into dollars for you. They probably only want the file for Facebook and don't want a print, so that cheap download is good enough. Even with a watermark. The problem for you is that photo cost you a certain amount of money to capture no matter if all they wanted was a low-res file or a hand-edited 20x30 print. How do you price a Facebook photo high enough to make it worth your time, and low enough that they will buy it?

Number 3 is good, but also get yourself known on the forums they frequent.

Number 4 is a good idea as long as people know about the give away, and hopefully get to actually see it as well, and the winner talks you up to all his friends.

Number 5 is a really good idea. I'm telling you, an obtrusive watermark might piss people off, but it does generate sales. I know this first-hand. Its unfortunate but true -- if the watermark is non-existant or unobtrusive people will screen capture. But if the watermark is more severe, if they really want that photo, they will buy it. Even if they complain about the watermark.

Another idea is the Event CD. All pictures of a given participant for a set price. Or of an entire team for a set price. The dollar-per-pic is lower, but you've locked in a certain minimum purchase from the buyer. Again, find a site that will allow you to offer this option from the normal shopping cart. Shameless plug for Exposure Manager again (disclaimer: I benefit/profit absolutely nothing from suggesting them, I was just really, really happy with their service).

Another idea I haven't heard yet is to offer something other than the generic everyday print. Collages, customized posters, etc. Things that people can't get on their own with their own camera.

jhelms · March 16, 2009

mercphoto wrote:

As you mentioned, you're getting lots of traffic but not enough dollars. And that's really key, getting traffic turned into dollars. The compliments are nice and all, but you really want people to voice their compliment with their wallets.

Number 1 is a good idea -- you don't want your website to turn into their personal online photo album, where they can look for free and link all they want for no money. And I think as time goes on, online digital images are going to be more important than prints anyway. A second spin on number 1 is to have the images at a discount for the first week as a means of enticing early orders, an increased price for the next three weeks, then they're gone. Exposure Manager is capable of doing this automatically for you and works well.

Number 2 is controversial for a reason. It sounds like a good idea, but in practice its not going to turn into dollars for you. They probably only want the file for Facebook and don't want a print, so that cheap download is good enough. Even with a watermark. The problem for you is that photo cost you a certain amount of money to capture no matter if all they wanted was a low-res file or a hand-edited 20x30 print. How do you price a Facebook photo high enough to make it worth your time, and low enough that they will buy it?

Number 3 is good, but also get yourself known on the forums they frequent.

Number 4 is a good idea as long as people know about the give away, and hopefully get to actually see it as well, and the winner talks you up to all his friends.

Number 5 is a really good idea. I'm telling you, an obtrusive watermark might piss people off, but it does generate sales. I know this first-hand. Its unfortunate but true -- if the watermark is non-existant or unobtrusive people will screen capture. But if the watermark is more severe, if they really want that photo, they will buy it. Even if they complain about the watermark.

Another idea is the Event CD. All pictures of a given participant for a set price. Or of an entire team for a set price. The dollar-per-pic is lower, but you've locked in a certain minimum purchase from the buyer. Again, find a site that will allow you to offer this option from the normal shopping cart. Shameless plug for Exposure Manager again (disclaimer: I benefit/profit absolutely nothing from suggesting them, I was just really, really happy with their service).

Another idea I haven't heard yet is to offer something other than the generic everyday print. Collages, customized posters, etc. Things that people can't get on their own with their own camera.

Great insight and comments!

I also wanted to add (and it may have been mentioned already in this thread) that another way of approaching events would be to charge what you want to make up front - so that you aren't holding your breathe hoping for lots of post-event sales.

Heck, you could always set a substantial up front price and let that include a non-right-click-protected gallery for them to grab as many as they wanted.

I'm wondering if that might be easy to explain also... "yeah event promoter, basically my event fee of $_____ includes all of my setup time, insurance, equipment usage, photo-editing, uploading and you can order prints online for a nominal markup or can even download low-res watermarked files for use on facebook, etc."

mercphoto · March 16, 2009

jhelms wrote:

I also wanted to add (and it may have been mentioned already in this thread) that another way of approaching events would be to charge what you want to make up front - so that you aren't holding your breathe hoping for lots of post-event sales.

That's why I stopped speculative photography. On the other hand I haven't put enough effort into commissioned photography, so my photo income has been rather tiny the last two years.

But what you mentioned above is why some are only showing up to certain events if they have pre-paid orders from at least one (or two or three) customers. Then hopefully you get other random orders as well, but at least you have something in the bank before you click the shutter.

Heck, you could always set a substantial up front price and let that include a non-right-click-protected gallery for them to grab as many as they wanted.

Depending on the type of event and number of participants that may be easy or very difficult. Who would you charge? How do you guarantee everyone pays? Etc.

mercphoto · March 17, 2009

By the way, Sports Shooter (I used to be a member) has a good thread about the problems of trying to make a profit as an event shooter. Its very much worth a read.

http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=32488

Increase Event Sales

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