p.1 #1 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
I know this is a topic we've covered a lot -- but I tend to sit up a little and listen when Peter Read Miller has a take on a topic.
Here's a video he published this week showcasing a company that provides a service aimed at helping photographers make money in this area where many have tried -- and many have failed.
I'm in no way affiliated with the service he refers to but thought I'd pass it along. At minimum you may want to take a moment to subscribe to Peter's YouTube channel while you are there. It's a great feed.
p.1 #3 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
I have a better idea..how about getting to know the parents and their kids in a more genuine relationship first Tough...yes, it is. You are more than likely getting hired and paid than some guys showing up with vests and business cards....because the parents believe that you are involved and personally involved in their kid's sports.... that's generally how I get paid and getting hired to shoot bicycle race series and triathlon.... I am personally passionate about the sports I shoot too....
Is tough out there...trust me. Don't fake it because you won't make it out there...
p.1 #5 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
gordorad wrote:
He must have a "vested" interest to be hawking this.
All I can say is that I don't think anyone could become the next Peter Miller if we follow his path...in the today's photography market and trend. For one thing, there are fewer full time photography staff in many agencies. Big magazine would only employ a handful. You certainly don't need to shoot for big magazines to earn money. There are lot of niche events that don't get many exposures. If you can cover these events and to help the promoters or directors to promote them, you can certainly make some money in doing so. Many of these events use social media like FB and Instagram to promote them. If you are weak in that aspect, you are less likely to get hired.
p.1 #6 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
While I'm sure PRM got compensated, I know Haim very well. He's a savvy businessman and great photographer (Brooks trained too; not that it really means that much anymore). Haim has developed a model for youth sports action photography that doesn't rely on a "shoot on spec" model. He used that model for his Glossy Finish photo trailer.
I stopped shooting youth sports events years ago. But if you want the shoot youth sports action, Haim's program is worth a look.
p.1 #7 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
No doubt GF Crew will not be for everyone and I suspect that Peter is receiving something for promoting the system. However, this is a system that works for those that work it the same way a paper route works (there all motor routes nowadays). Some photographers have a knack for taking photos but don't know how to market themselves or find customers. This system gets you money up front before you shoot and has you concentrating on the people that pay you. If you are trying to turn your love of sports photography into a small side hustle there isn't any reason this couldn't work and because it's a system gives you the basic tools to promote yourself and take payment quickly and easily. Of course they take a cut but so does every other franchise opportunity. Of course you can replicate it but will you? It's not for everybody and it's not for me but if this was something I was interested in doing I would certainly look into it. It appears to be a relatively easy to apply system for those that need a system like it. As far as relationships go there is no good reason this wouldn't work even better once you establish some relationships and start getting word of mouth. If a person can make 40-60 a customer for three or four players in a local game more power to them. It is markedly better than shooting thousands of photos on the hopes of getting paid if that is your alternative.
p.1 #8 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
I absolutely agree. And they seem to have developed a nice network of GFCrew photographers who share best practices etc... That's valuable. I wish them nothing but success and frankly, if this evolves into a widely accepted model for shooting youth action sports, I think that's a win.
Apart from working full time and/or for a media/wire service or corporate clients, I've seen three youth sports photography models that can provide meaningful revenue.
1) T&I (and/or combine action and T&I work)
2) The GFCrew and related pre-pay models and contracts with schools, teams or leagues
3) Using action sports photography as means of marketing senior pictures (and hopefully related weddings, family pictures etc...)
100% sure there are others ... the one model that doesn't seem to work for anyone in our camera-filled world is Spray and Pray for sales.
p.1 #9 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
Here's my issue with GF Crew, there's zero imagery standard. While the model may be sound in general, and I'll agree that some are quite successful with it, they accept anyone and everyone with a camera. Why? Simple, they take a % of each sale. The more photogs they have making sales, the more money they make.
My personal opinion is that this does a great disservice to the overall industry. Imagine paying ahead for a game, the photographer delivers crap imagery. How many of those potential client's are really going to be apt to spend that sort of money again? My personal fear is that it has the ability to tarnish a very select field that's already full of mom's and dad's with cameras and lenses.
Full disclosure, I do shoot for MaxPreps. Now, love them or hate them (more hate than love I know), there's absolutely no denying that they have a very high standard for imagery. There's zero grey area with them, it either meets the standard, or it doesn't. When it comes to selling sports imagery, it's not only the ability to get shots that 99.9% of folks can't get, but getting those shots with absolutely zero compromise in quality. That's what matters, and that's what GFCrew doesn't have, quality control, and honestly that's the only issue I have with their model.
Well that and their "credential" is fake. They aren't media, and shouldn't portray themselves as such. I don't think we will have much issue here in MI. MHSAA is clamping down on non-media access to events (at least in high school). For private/club leagues, have at it! There's some good money to be made, just make sure their is a quality standard.
p.1 #10 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
PureMichigan wrote:
I absolutely agree. And they seem to have developed a nice network of GFCrew photographers who share best practices etc... That's valuable. I wish them nothing but success and frankly, if this evolves into a widely accepted model for shooting youth action sports, I think that's a win.
Apart from working full time and/or for a media/wire service or corporate clients, I've seen three youth sports photography models that can provide meaningful revenue.
1) T&I (and/or combine action and T&I work)
2) The GFCrew and related pre-pay models and contracts with schools, teams or leagues
3) Using action sports photography as means of marketing senior pictures (and hopefully related weddings, family pictures etc...)
100% sure there are others ... the one model that doesn't seem to work for anyone in our camera-filled world is Spray and Pray for sales. ...Show more →
While there are only three MP photogs in all of MI, I do very well in sales in monthly basis on the MP spec model.
p.1 #11 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
I don't know for sure but is there any mention in their plan about existing contracts a league, tournament, event or school may have with a photographer?
As a pro who has several contracts in place with various organizations and schools, you show up with the sole intention of selling photos and pass out flyers, you will be asked to leave.
With most high schools, if you are not media or contracted school photographer, you are not getting on the sidelines.
Some photographers here have those fake lanyards that they are pawning off as legit will eventually be caught.
I hope this program stresses on potential clients to go through the proper channels.
Just because you show up with a 400 f/2.8 and pro style camera doesn't mean you are supposed to be there.
Schools and youth leagues are careful who they can allow on sidelines due to liability and some aspiring sports photographers pay no attention to the rules in place.
You just show up and start taking pictures without proper credentials, you could be asked to leave.
p.1 #13 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
leewoolery wrote:
I don't know for sure but is there any mention in their plan about existing contracts a league, tournament, event or school may have with a photographer?
As a pro who has several contracts in place with various organizations and schools, you show up with the sole intention of selling photos and pass out flyers, you will be asked to leave.
I don't know the ins and out of GFCrew except that they have a contract with Babe Ruth baseball -- that's access to about 1/2 million games a year. Good for them!
The issue of a "valid" credential is a sticky one. At the end of the day it's solely what is accepted by the school or organization.
I don't know how MaxPrep works -- but if you have a MaxPrep credential are you restricted to the schools have a MaxPrep contract/affiliation? Should a MaxPrep photographer expect a school that did not have a contract/affiliation to grant sideline or court-side access?
p.1 #14 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
PureMichigan wrote:
I don't know the ins and out of GFCrew except that they have a contract with Babe Ruth baseball -- that's access to about 1/2 million games a year. Good for them!
The issue of a "valid" credential is a sticky one. At the end of the day it's solely what is accepted by the school or organization.
I don't know how MaxPrep works -- but if you have a MaxPrep credential are you restricted to the schools have a MaxPrep contract/affiliation? Should a MaxPrep photographer expect a school that did not have a contract/affiliation to grant sideline or court-side access?
Many years ago a youth football league had asked me to give a presentation on taking the team and action photos for their group.
They had seen what I had done for a rival league and seemed very interested.
I had numerous examples of various team photos from over the years from many schools and youth leagues...plus tons of action photos of youth sports and several from Ohio State and Cincinnati Bengals games.
The men on the board were very impressed at the thought of action photos for the league plus having an experienced photographer who had covered several leagues and schools taking their team photos.
Bottom line...they gave the contract to a part time company who offered them free photo buttons.
I knew from then and there that action photo sales were on the way out for youth sports.
We have offered pre-paid action photo packages to all of our schools and youth leagues for years and unless the school, league or booster club is buying them, the interest is small.
What most want is access to the images on a website where they copy them with full watermark and post to social media sites.
p.1 #15 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
PureMichigan wrote:
I don't know the ins and out of GFCrew except that they have a contract with Babe Ruth baseball -- that's access to about 1/2 million games a year. Good for them!
The issue of a "valid" credential is a sticky one. At the end of the day it's solely what is accepted by the school or organization.
I don't know how MaxPrep works -- but if you have a MaxPrep credential are you restricted to the schools have a MaxPrep contract/affiliation? Should a MaxPrep photographer expect a school that did not have a contract/affiliation to grant sideline or court-side access?
MaxPreps Is CBS Sports/Viacom, and is a legitimate news media organization.
p.1 #16 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
No one doubts the quality. But is the work for MaxPreps for editorial purposes or strictly for photo sales?
If I'm the AD and have someone who takes pictures of our teams and the parents buy her/his pictures (or if we pay a photographer to cover our games) what is my incentive to allow a MaxPrep shooter sideline access? I understand why I would allow the local press.
If there is no editorial use, and I have contracts in place, it's a little like allowing someone to set up a taco truck next to my concession stand. But I may be misreading the MaxPrep business model.
p.1 #17 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
PureMichigan wrote:
No one doubts the quality. But is the work for MaxPreps for editorial purposes or strictly for photo sales?
If I'm the AD and have someone who takes pictures of our team and the parents buy her/his pictures (or if we pay a photographer to cover our games) what is my incentive to allow a MaxPrep shooter sideline access? I understand why I would allow the local press.
If there is no editorial use, and I have contracts in place, it's a little like allowing someone to set up a taco truck next to my concession stand. But I may be misreading the MaxPrep business model....Show more →
Legitimate media means you are there to cover a game for a story with a sportswriter and not to sell photos. If you are there for file photos or recruiting, that is one thing and if the publication offers images for sale from their website from that story that is an acceptable business practice.
The school, organization, league or promoter must remain loyal to their vendors who are there to offer a service and if the selling of photos is part of the agreement, photographers attempting to steal business should go and find their own legitimate contracts no matter what credentials they say they have.
p.1 #18 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
I've been a Max Preps shooter for 15+ years. Photography is only a small portion of what they offer. In California, MaxPreps is the official photographer of the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation). Photos drive web hits which sells more Ads. MaxPreps is seen as a legit media outlet. I make a decent amount of income from them. They still have my first gallery images on their website for sale. They don't charge me and they give me a 100% of the sale. They piss off a lot of folks who get rejected as their quality standards are high.
p.1 #19 · Making Money from Youth Action Sports Photography: Peter Read Miller
Nothing but respect for MaxPrep shooters and what they do, The vetting process is solid and the overall standard of the galleries is high.
In those instances were there us a contract with an association, school etc... then 110% a legitimate access. No question there.
In those cases where there is no contract it's a great photo sales service offered by a person whose work has been vetted and may or may not be better than a talented parent who just covers that school. And that's fine.
For anyone who doesn't have a contract or a through-line to editorial use to expect not to have your access questioned is a stretch. I know it would be on the sidelines where I work and there are people under contract.
Tough...yes, it is. You are more than likely getting hired and paid than some guys showing up with vests and business cards....because the parents believe that you are involved and personally involved in their kid's sports.... that's generally how I get paid and getting hired to shoot bicycle race series and triathlon.... I am personally passionate about the sports I shoot too....