Youth sports photography

mercphoto

Anyone here do youth sports for profit? Team photos, individuals, action shots, etc. How did you sell yourself to the league, to get the contract. If I want to get into this, how should I start? I'm in Central Texas. Thanks in advance.

wxwax

Interesting question. And, how do you simplify the need for a release from everyone who is recognizable in your shot, if you want to do this for profit?

mercphoto

Youth sports

wxwax wrote:

Interesting question. And, how do you simplify the need for a release from everyone who is recognizable in your shot, if you want to do this for profit?

I think I would solve that by having a signed contract with the league director. Outline that you do the team and individual photos, a guaranteed minimum purchase. Then outline what, if any, action and candid shots at games can be taken. Probably password protect the gallery for the league. But I'm sure I'm missing something.

wxwax

mercphoto wrote:

I think I would solve that by having a signed contract with the league director. Outline that you do the team and individual photos, a guaranteed minimum purchase. Then outline what, if any, action and candid shots at games can be taken. Probably password protect the gallery for the league. But I'm sure I'm missing something.

It depends. What kind of a document do parents sign to get their kids in the league? Does it give the league permission to give photo clearances?

Doesn't really matter if a parent is buying a shot of their own kid. But for sales to the general public, it becomes more of an issue, AFAIK.

mercphoto

Youth sports

wxwax wrote:

It depends. What kind of a document do parents sign to get their kids in the league? Does it give the league permission to give photo clearances?

Doesn't really matter if a parent is buying a shot of their own kid. But for sales to the general public, it becomes more of an issue, AFAIK.

I agree sales to general public become an issue. I wouldn't actually expect the general public to want youth sports photos of kids they didn't know, but who knows. I would expect that I would have to password protect each gallery, let each team know the password. But would you have to keep the parent of the linebacker from buying prints of the kid who is the free safety? Dunno. Who knows what other legal issues exist.

Are there any quidelines for how someone, like me, would approach an established photographer to become an extra camera for him? Maybe someone who has business already but not enough time to do all the shoots?

tmlphoto

mercphoto wrote:

I agree sales to general public become an issue. I wouldn't actually expect the general public to want youth sports photos of kids they didn't know, but who knows. I would expect that I would have to password protect each gallery, let each team know the password. But would you have to keep the parent of the linebacker from buying prints of the kid who is the free safety? Dunno. Who knows what other legal issues exist.

Are there any quidelines for how someone, like me, would approach an established photographer to become an extra camera for him? Maybe someone who has business already but not enough time to do all the shoots?

Bill,
I'm pretty sure that the law varies from state to state, especially concerning any photographs of minors. Some states seem to have very strict laws concerning minors. I am interested in doing a similar thing with school events. There was another thread where we discussed some of the issues a while ago. You might want to search the board.

zero-zero

Your best bet is to go to RobGalbraith.com forums and ask in the event photography subforum - a lot of pros and semipros doing it there. Ask there, and don't forget to come back with your findings (or at least a link to your thread).

Two bits of advice: study the archives before you shoot your questions, and don't touch the issue of pricing on the first posts unless you have a Nomex suit. Those guys are no-nonsense and some are rather brash. But the info is top notch.