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.
Flyers, forums, etc...
Try leaving small hand flyers at the events, post up with little tags to rip off with your info, find websites with forums where participants frequent and post them up. Try Facebook...try Twitter...park you car or van with "LARGE" posters detailing your services and where to find your pics....
Try leaving small hand flyers at the events, post up with little tags to rip off with your info, find websites with forums where participants frequent and post them up. Try Facebook...try Twitter...park you car or van with "LARGE" posters detailing your services and where to find your pics....
Yup, picked up a large vinyl EVENT PHOTOS banner (4x6 I think, holy heck) for $47 or so from banners.com in bright red w/ white letters.
If people say they never saw the booth/setup at the event, they were blind as frigging bats.
Yup, picked up a large vinyl EVENT PHOTOS banner (4x6 I think, holy heck) for $47 or so from banners.com in bright red w/ white letters.
If people say they never saw the booth/setup at the event, they were blind as frigging bats.
I have a 2' high x 10' long full colour banner with logo that I hang - and people STILL miss me. I do ask the announcer to repeat my name, location etc. so that people will try to find me - who knows? And yes, websites, Facebook, chat groups - all good.
An interesting thread to read through, thanks. I haven't yet shot an event of any sort solely to make a profit. One of my hobbies is R/C model airplanes and I've been to fly-ins locally to capture some fine pieces of flying art and practice my technique. In May, I'm traveling to one of the years biggest fly-ins with the intent of captureing the festival atmosphere and preparing a photobook from it. I have prepared business cards with my email and my SmugMug site to pass out. Maybe this event will be the first step to future events and sales. As budget allows, I may need to purchase a laptop to bring with me and download the files each night to do post-processing.
Again, thanks for shareing your thoughts and ideas.
One thing you could try, if you'll have electric available, take a small 4x6 photo printer, and make 4x6 prints at the event. I purchased a HP Photosmart A526, and it is small enough to pack in a soft sided bag, along with power cord and a box or 2 of paper. They sell the paper in kits. You get something like 140 or 150 sheets of photo paper, and a ink cartridge that lasts for the amount of paper in the kit. I figured out that it would come out to around $.35 per print. I recently shot photos at an event for an Elvis impersonator, and had no problem selling 4x6 photos of the people posing with Elvis after the show for $3.00 a peice. I also had a table set up aside where I took there photos, and had a digital photo frame with photos of the last event I shot for him. The people waiting in like stood there looking at the photos while they waited their turn to get their photo taken with Elvis. One lady was watching the photos and seen her son and daughter-in-law posing with Elvis after a previous show, and ordered a 20x30 print of it. Next event I do, I'm also going to have some sample 8x10's of other stuff available for viewing.
GaryB “The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it!” - Ansel Adams
One thing you could try, if you'll have electric available, take a small 4x6 photo printer, and make 4x6 prints at the event. I purchased a HP Photosmart A526, and it is small enough to pack in a soft sided bag, along with power cord and a box or 2 of paper. They sell the paper in kits. You get something like 140 or 150 sheets of photo paper, and a ink cartridge that lasts for the amount of paper in the kit. I figured out that it would come out to around $.35 per print. I recently shot photos at an event for an Elvis impersonator, and had no problem selling 4x6 photos of the people posing with Elvis after the show for $3.00 a peice. I also had a table set up aside where I took there photos, and had a digital photo frame with photos of the last event I shot for him. The people waiting in like stood there looking at the photos while they waited their turn to get their photo taken with Elvis. One lady was watching the photos and seen her son and daughter-in-law posing with Elvis after a previous show, and ordered a 20x30 print of it. Next event I do, I'm also going to have some sample 8x10's of other stuff available for viewing.
Good ideas. I like the digital frame idea. I have an event in 2 weeks - a barrel racing show but I don't know what facilities will be available. We'll see how THAT goes
Good ideas. I like the digital frame idea. I have an event in 2 weeks - a barrel racing show but I don't know what facilities will be available. We'll see how THAT goes
I've just put together an album of 8 x 10s of some of my favourite shots. One thing I've found is that people want samples they can pick up - the on-screen display works for quick proofing, but for selling - an album or book seems to be the answer.
I have a Kodak ESP-7 printer that I think I'll take to the next show to see how people respond to "instant" 4 x 6s as a sales device. The downside is that I won't have time to shoot, download and edit as well as print and sell - unless I can get a (cheap) assistant. Guess my puppy doesn't count, eh?
He did, however, work really well as a sales lure during a recent trade show. People came into my booth to see the puppy - and then looked at my photos. Got some bookings as a result.
Same thing goes for babies. Maybe you can find a new mother, and work a deal for her to help you at an event in exchange for free photos of her childs first birthday. Then have her bring her baby with her to the event. People will stop to check out the baby and then check out your samples, maybe buy some while they're there.
GaryB
GaryB “The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it!” - Ansel Adams
Just an aside, I use the photo frame and it doesn't show up in direct sun so make sure you have a tent or can be in the shade so people can see the pics.
Just an aside, I use the photo frame and it doesn't show up in direct sun so make sure you have a tent or can be in the shade so people can see the pics.
agreed. fortunately I picked up an awning on clearance last fall at Target for $50. one of those tent ones. but I get a LOT of response from it and people love stopping and watching the photos and half the time realizing I have ones of them from a show last year, etc etc.
Comments
Great article...thanks for the link.
Try leaving small hand flyers at the events, post up with little tags to rip off with your info, find websites with forums where participants frequent and post them up. Try Facebook...try Twitter...park you car or van with "LARGE" posters detailing your services and where to find your pics....
Portfolio: dejansmaic.com
Stock: sportifimages.com
Yup, picked up a large vinyl EVENT PHOTOS banner (4x6 I think, holy heck) for $47 or so from banners.com in bright red w/ white letters.
If people say they never saw the booth/setup at the event, they were blind as frigging bats.
I have a 2' high x 10' long full colour banner with logo that I hang - and people STILL miss me. I do ask the announcer to repeat my name, location etc. so that people will try to find me - who knows? And yes, websites, Facebook, chat groups - all good.
http://www.imagesbyceci.com
http://www.facebook.com/ImagesByCeci
Picadilly, NB, Canada
Again, thanks for shareing your thoughts and ideas.
www.tangojulietphotography.com
they really do a good job, keep up the good work guys:ivar
_________________
Vinyl Banners | My Sports
“The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it!” - Ansel Adams
Good ideas. I like the digital frame idea. I have an event in 2 weeks - a barrel racing show but I don't know what facilities will be available. We'll see how THAT goes
http://www.imagesbyceci.com
http://www.facebook.com/ImagesByCeci
Picadilly, NB, Canada
I have a Kodak ESP-7 printer that I think I'll take to the next show to see how people respond to "instant" 4 x 6s as a sales device. The downside is that I won't have time to shoot, download and edit as well as print and sell - unless I can get a (cheap) assistant. Guess my puppy doesn't count, eh?
He did, however, work really well as a sales lure during a recent trade show. People came into my booth to see the puppy - and then looked at my photos. Got some bookings as a result.
http://www.imagesbyceci.com
http://www.facebook.com/ImagesByCeci
Picadilly, NB, Canada
GaryB
“The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it!” - Ansel Adams
agreed. fortunately I picked up an awning on clearance last fall at Target for $50. one of those tent ones. but I get a LOT of response from it and people love stopping and watching the photos and half the time realizing I have ones of them from a show last year, etc etc.