Stepping up from Amateur
Mar 17, 2014 14:58:56 #
I have my new Nikon Camera, a TTL flash, and I'll be heading to the Loch Norman Highland games to see if I can have some fun and maybe sell a few prints.
I have a reasonable expectation that I'll sell some, but I'd like to hear from the pros who shoot events regularly. Assuming my pics are reasonably good, out of a hundred shots, how many prints and hi-rez files can I expect to sell?
I have a reasonable expectation that I'll sell some, but I'd like to hear from the pros who shoot events regularly. Assuming my pics are reasonably good, out of a hundred shots, how many prints and hi-rez files can I expect to sell?
ConCarolinas Melee
Mar 17, 2014 15:01:23 #
I'm not a pro but, if 10% of my shots are acceptable to me (and I'm picky), I'm happy.
Mar 17, 2014 15:07:36 #
DanRobinson wrote:
I have my new Nikon Camera, a TTL flash, and I'll be heading to the Loch Norman Highland games to see if I can have some fun and maybe sell a few prints.
I have a reasonable expectation that I'll sell some, but I'd like to hear from the pros who shoot events regularly. Assuming my pics are reasonably good, out of a hundred shots, how many prints and hi-rez files can I expect to sell?
I have a reasonable expectation that I'll sell some, but I'd like to hear from the pros who shoot events regularly. Assuming my pics are reasonably good, out of a hundred shots, how many prints and hi-rez files can I expect to sell?
Step One: get permission from the organizer of the event to sell prints, nothing will leave an "unprofessional" taste in your prospective clients mouths than the vision of you being escorted from the event by security personnel. That is not the first impression of your business you want to leave.
Mar 17, 2014 15:14:49 #
Annie_Girl wrote:
Step One: get permission from the organizer of the event to sell prints, nothing will leave an "unprofessional" taste in your prospective clients mouths than the vision of you being escorted from the event by security personnel. That is not the first impression of your business you want to leave.
I have already received permission from ConCarolinas at the end of May, and several other events as well. My worry is that there is still something I don't know that will pop up and bite me.
Mar 17, 2014 15:23:30 #
DanRobinson wrote:
I have already received permission from ConCarolinas at the end of May, and several other events as well. My worry is that there is still something I don't know that will pop up and bite me.
:thumbup:
you would be surprised how many people don't think about this first and are shocked when security asks them to leave the event.
Do you have a portable printer? You want to sell prints there when you have them, letting them leave with a business card and a web address will give them a time to think about the purchase and your pricing.
Emotional purchasing will be your driving force at events.
Mar 17, 2014 15:27:06 #
Me I would set it up and take it all down a few times...different locations...test run kinda stuff. Power cords...how many...what size..you mite end up with a small office supply box before its all ready to roll.
Mar 17, 2014 16:16:26 #
Bret wrote:
Me I would set it up and take it all down a few times...different locations...test run kinda stuff. Power cords...how many...what size..you mite end up with a small office supply box before its all ready to roll.
I bought a bright orange, hard-shell, wheeled, carry-on. A bicycle lock will attach it to a table near a power outlet. Vent holes will allow me to recharge batteries inside the securely locked suitcase, letting me range around taking pictures instead of needing to sit there protecting my stuff. Friendly neighbors at these events watch out for each other, too.
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The chick's in the mail.
Mar 17, 2014 16:29:24 #
Annie_Girl wrote:
:thumbup:
Do you have a portable printer? You want to sell prints there when you have them, letting them leave with a business card and a web address will give them a time to think about the purchase and your pricing.
Emotional purchasing will be your driving force at events.
Do you have a portable printer? You want to sell prints there when you have them, letting them leave with a business card and a web address will give them a time to think about the purchase and your pricing.
Emotional purchasing will be your driving force at events.
I'm not planning on printing at the event. Each subject will receive an email with their free lo-rez jpeg . . . and a price list for the good stuff.
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Clan McBubba . . . Big, Bad and Plaid
Mar 17, 2014 22:13:52 #
10% maybe on the high side,those worth selling. You have a little more ways to go before you can get "shots" like the pros do.. You will find it takes a lot of practice to get to 20% saleable prints.. Good Luck..
Mar 17, 2014 22:38:32 #
What sells at events is CLOSEUPS. Random images of groups are boring and a waste of your time. Individuals and small groups are the key.
The lady with the sword: Watch your backgrounds - all those white tents and heads do not make for a salable image. Shoot as wide open as you can to minimize detail in the BG. The plaid tablecloth is a distraction as well. She is way overexposed and the sun hit her nose - turn them to get the sun behind them and use some fill flash if you have to.
I have done these things and they are HARD. You must control them and if you take charge and tell people what you want (positioning) they will respond as they want good images too. If you think you will get good images by walking around and shooting whatever happens, you will be disappointed and your images will suck. I shoot almost everything at 2.8 to 4.0 unless the image NEEDS more DOF. For individuals f/2.8 to f/4 is the ticket.
To the extent possible, shoot INTO the dark.
Images of people facing the sun and squinting is the mark of an amateur - don't do it.
The lady with the sword: Watch your backgrounds - all those white tents and heads do not make for a salable image. Shoot as wide open as you can to minimize detail in the BG. The plaid tablecloth is a distraction as well. She is way overexposed and the sun hit her nose - turn them to get the sun behind them and use some fill flash if you have to.
I have done these things and they are HARD. You must control them and if you take charge and tell people what you want (positioning) they will respond as they want good images too. If you think you will get good images by walking around and shooting whatever happens, you will be disappointed and your images will suck. I shoot almost everything at 2.8 to 4.0 unless the image NEEDS more DOF. For individuals f/2.8 to f/4 is the ticket.
To the extent possible, shoot INTO the dark.
Images of people facing the sun and squinting is the mark of an amateur - don't do it.
Mar 17, 2014 23:57:17 #
CaptainC wrote:
What sells at events is CLOSEUPS. Random images of groups are boring and a waste of your time. Individuals and small groups are the key.
Thanks.
I took these in 2007 with a three meg Fuji consumer camera. I hope I've learned a bit of what you're suggesting since. But don't let that stop you from making suggestions . . . I need all the help I can get.
Mar 18, 2014 02:04:15 #
DanRobinson wrote:
Thanks.
I took these in 2007 with a three meg Fuji consumer camera. I hope I've learned a bit of what you're suggesting since. But don't let that stop you from making suggestions . . . I need all the help I can get.
I took these in 2007 with a three meg Fuji consumer camera. I hope I've learned a bit of what you're suggesting since. But don't let that stop you from making suggestions . . . I need all the help I can get.
OK - but any time you have to make an excuse for a photos is proof you should never have shown it. Learned that over 50 years ago.
Mar 18, 2014 04:54:00 #
DanRobinson wrote:
I'm not planning on printing at the event. Each subject will receive an email with their free lo-rez jpeg . . . and a price list for the good stuff.
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I don't do event shooting but I've been around long enough to know that annie is correct. People will be glad to shell out $20.00 for an 8X10 of themselves in the heat of the moment on that day but if they are allowed to cool off and think about it...they won't.
Mar 18, 2014 04:58:12 #
DanRobinson wrote:
I bought a bright orange, hard-shell, wheeled, carry-on. A bicycle lock will attach it to a table near a power outlet. Vent holes will allow me to recharge batteries inside the securely locked suitcase, letting me range around taking pictures instead of needing to sit there protecting my stuff. Friendly neighbors at these events watch out for each other, too.
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If this is an example of what you intend to sell...then you might want to think again.
As Cliff said; harsh light and harsh shadows, and burned out highlights aren't good.
If you cannot figure out how to manipulate the elements to get a good shot, then you need to practice before tackling this.
Having poles sticking out of people's heads, food debris on tables in the background etc...not good.
Mar 18, 2014 07:04:28 #
DanRobinson wrote:
I bought a bright orange, hard-shell, wheeled, carry-on. A bicycle lock will attach it to a table near a power outlet. Vent holes will allow me to recharge batteries inside the securely locked suitcase, letting me range around taking pictures instead of needing to sit there protecting my stuff. Friendly neighbors at these events watch out for each other, too.
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Great caption for the image. If you can maintain that cleverness for your business, that will help a lot. You have to get their attention.
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