I don't have any experience with them, but reading through their agreement, they pay commission only. So, I would assume you'll need to promote quite a bit when at the event you're shooting in order to get many sales.
I have been shooting for them on and off since February - they are part of the reason why I got into sports photography.
I haven't worked with them for a few months now, so I am no longer familiar with their system, but they changed from an hourly rate to commission.
I've worked directly with John and Mike (the two heads) and they are good guys - they called me this morning for a Saturday shoot which I cannot make. I've stopped, in part because I am a little too busy with college now.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask me, though I would recommend contacting them for further information.
Scott: I was looking for a vehicle to get into the local sports scene here in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis. Came across this and thought I'd put the feeler out here. I haven't looked into any of the other hosting companies, as I'm under the impression that NSP provides you with some events to cover. Perhaps Ben can clear that up for me.
Ben: do they let you choose all your own events and just let you do all the marketing for yourself? Do they only specify an event for you if it's a special event/seperate contract?
P Alesse: Thanks for the link, wasn't aware of that site. That's exactly what I would not like to get into. Hopefully Ben can clarify a little as well.
I really am not into shooting team photos and working events that I'll need a table and on site ordering set up. I've shot for local weekly newspapers when I still lived in Arizona, and also NAIA sports for a university. I'm more used to editorial style sports photography, and after some of the replies here, and exploring the site a bit more, I don't think this is something I'd be interested in doing. I just don't have the contacts here in Minnesota now that I've moved that I had in AZ, and I'm looking to develop them I guess.
Anyway, enough rambling. Thanks for the input and replies everyone. It's appreciated.
If you're looking for work were you shoot the photos and someone else does the marketing, access, school contacting you might want to check out MaxsPrep or Prep Sports Online. Both those companies use freelance photogs to shoot photos for games. They each have there own style, expectations and requirements. But they sound like what your looking for. They also seem to be the 2 largest players(MaxPreps recently bought by CBS, 'i think CBS') in the high school sports photo game. I've thought about going with one of them but for now I'm going it alone.
I checked into Maxpreps, but I only shot one football game with flash, and have not shot any basketball with strobes or flash. Honestly, I don't like the look of using flash with either. I don't have the access currently, so I have no way to create those shots either. That's one of the issues. I haven't looked into prep sports online yet.
Anyway, thanks for the heads up. I'll poke around Prep Sports...but I might just do it the old fashioned way...and start calling around and setting up contacts.
