I just finished a commitment to a league this year. I ended up shooting about 20 games. Total sales.....$75.
The only way I go back next year is on a pre-paid basis.
I do all of my action sales at $xxx/hour uploaded to Kodakgallery, cropping etc is extra, otherwise it just doesn't pay enough to justify one little sale. The best way to do this is to show a wealthy parents what you can do vs a PS, they then collect money from the other parents, you get money upfront, they get pictures of ALL their kids (even the kids that barely play) at a reasonable rate. This works really well for hockey, I haven't tried it at LL baseball yet ditto soccer.
This was for LL baseball. I am in Michigan where the economy is as bad as it gets. Parents just don't have the money to spend. I just had a team this morning put together a $500 order, so that will help. Shooting action on spec is just not worth the time for me anymore.
What works for me is to take better action pictures than the parents can. Let them see you pictures even if you have to print a bunch of 4x6's and hand them out free. Once they see what the quality of your images, they will leave their cameras at home. I have done well this year selling cheaper than I did last year, but selling a lot of my images from mysite.
I might add that I am picking up T & I contracts for baseball, basketball, football, cheerleaders, and soccer. I also sell action shots too two different newspapers. Am I getting rich,NO, but I am paying my bills, maintaining a good lifestyle and having fun.
I just finished a commitment to a league this year. I ended up shooting about 20 games. Total sales.....$75.
The only way I go back next year is on a pre-paid basis.
Andypep:
I wouldn't say action sales are completely dead but I found it necessary...to remain profitable...to only shoot for youth leagues or high schools when you do the team and individual photos.
You can use that upfront money to fund your action shots and the picture packets to advertise pre-paid action packages.
Marketing the action images with posed shots makes for great post-season awards and gifts.
John Thawley wrote:
Can't imagine a wedding photographer stopping the ceremony or reception to insist that guest put their cameras away.
I would think the "exclusive" afforded to a contracted photographer is limited to access and sales. Anything else starts to feel like violation of constitutional rights.
JT
Man, Im so relieved someone of Mr. Thawley's caliber made this remark over a [photography] nobody like me.
I can understand the 'this is what I do for a living' mindset and concerns but ya know WHAT? If it bothers you that much then maybe you chose the wrong career. I mean can you imagine if other businesses used this approach? ie......department/grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations
And then the pure arrogance Im reading from some of you elitists with your, "I wish I had that kind of disposable income" BS is pathetic.
Maybe if you'd get off your lazy ass, you would......that's right I made an assumption about YOU [whiners] in a similiar manner yall make about the users of better equipment.
I'll be the first to say Im a nobody in the photography world and far from being a threat to any pro BUT let me tell ya something, if one of you came up to me while photographing my kid or a friends kid asking me who, what or why am I shooting....I will be real quick in telling you it's none of your business and to go screw.
I work my ass off, I save and I'd like to think Im responsible enough with my earnings to splurge from time to time on something I enjoy. These days, that usually equates to motorcycle racing upgrades and photography equipment and to hear someone moaning over, whether or not, said user knows how to use the camera is ridiculous.
Freaking elitists....you gotta love'em.
BTW- if someone can share some settings for my MkIII Id appreciate it cuz shooting in AUTO is getting boring already.
leewoolery wrote:
I have two youth football photo contracts that state no one besides players, coaches, officials, board members and me, the official photographer, are allowed on the sidelines within the 3 yard safety line or inside the fences. Both of these leagues play on fields which are on public property but this is enforced by the board members.
That's not my rule but their insurance states this plus it is also a safety issue for players from fans who may get too close as well as a means of crowd control. It is not for the benefit of the photographer.
You have to be very careful when shooting along the sidelines at all levels of football, in the penalty boxes for hockey, courtside for basketball, within the fences for baseball and softball or around a horse show or youth rodeo arena. This is no place for amateurs and you could end up hurting a contestant or yourself if you're not paying attention.
Besides...any parent who purchases a DSLR wants to take their own pictures of their own child and can do so from the stands or from outside those safety barriers and if they want to sell them or give them away, that's up to them.
They may also purchase photos done by a professional but it's not that common since money's tight these days and folks are looking to save where they can.
Lee, this may have already been covered but I'm going to play Devil's Advocate.
What if the local newspaper wanted to shoot pics for the paper b/c that kind of stuff makes for good art, especially in towns where there is a weekly paper. What would you do in that situation.
hogband wrote:
Lee, this may have already been covered but I'm going to play Devil's Advocate.
What if the local newspaper wanted to shoot pics for the paper b/c that kind of stuff makes for good art, especially in towns where there is a weekly paper. What would you do in that situation.
Mark
That would be between the league officials and the newspaper photographer...I'd think the league would appreciate some coverage.
It has nothing to do with me....those rules were put in their insurance policy by an underwriter....not a photographer
