PHOTOBILL71 Loc: Corinth, Ms

I am thinking about acquiring a printing system to take to sports events, graduation dances, etc. for taking photos and letting participants on the spot view the shots an print immediately on site. Do any of you have suggestions of what type printer that won't break the bank. I'm not sure how much I will be able to do this so I don't want to invest a lot to start. Also I have a 15" laptop, will that be sufficient to view photos or will I have to purchase a special computer in order to show the photos for the selection process? Any help or suggestions will be appreciated. Oh, I shoot with nikon D-200....can i use this camera or will i have to purchase a special camera with the printer system? Thanks

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

Kind of depends on the size of the bank.

I have seen small event printers starting at around $200 up to $1000+ Remember seeing an ad in a recent photography mag that was thin, tethered to the camera, and was worn by the photog.
Just google portable event printers and some of the lower cost models will be the first hits.

http://www.google.com/search?q=google&aq=0&oq=goo&sugexp=chrome,mod=1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#hl=en&tbo=d&sclient=psy-ab&q=portable+event+printer&oq=portable+event+printer&gs_l=serp.3..0j0i5i10i30j0i5i30j0i8i30.1812.5626.0.5819.22.18.0.4.4.0.186.2029.7j11.18.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.RK7nNHc9n_w&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.cGE&fp=edf8435073bcf94&bpcl=40096503&biw=1680&bih=959

Newsuan Loc: Coatesville

I have a Hiti 510k, love it. Does great photos,

Nikon Newbie Loc: Alberta, Canada

I have seen something simular to this done at track and field events. The gentlemen was providing finiish line photos in color. He used an Ebson printer and a laptop that was connected to the event photo finish data base. This might be difficult for you to do. This gentlemen had his printer paid for in I believe was four events.

I believe that in order to do this properly you would need two people- one to take the shots and then switch out the cards to one at the printer who would download and show/print the pictures for a price.

Athletes don't usually have funds on them as they compete in their event but there are the friends and parents that would be able to visit the photo booth and the athletes would be able to visit as they can.

I think that done right you could have lots of fun and make a little money as well.

Good Luck

lhdiver Loc: Midwest

Your D200 will do fine. You will need a second person to run the computer & printer as you will be busy shooting. Have a backup plan to post the images online for ordering later in case there is a printer problem or someone can't wait for them, it is also easier to offer multiple sizes that way.

dirty dave

I have been doing this for years. In fact I will be doing a New Years party tomorrow night at the local Moose club. Car shows are great here during the summer. One thing that I have learned is not to put alot into the printing. I found the cheap Kodak printers with the cheap ink works the best for these events. If you use the high end printers and ink there is no way you can make any money. I sell a 8X10 for $15.00 or two 5X7 for $15.00. (which I have less than $2.00 worth of materals in it) I also sell frames for $5.00 I purchase those for $1.00. Tomorrow night I will do between 200 and 300 pictures. I have two helpers that keeps the flow going I will pay them $100.00 apiece. I will go home with at least $1500.00 in my pocket. You do have to set up a good back drop and have some lighting. Now a lot of other photographers will tell you this is not quality work and they are right you can print better and edit alot better too. But they won't be going home with at least $1500.00 in thier pocket tomorrow night and I will. When you sell at events you need to be priced reasonable that everyone can afford and not be priced at high end potrait price. Here is a list of what I will be using tomorrow, Two kodak printers. kodak ink alot of that, two back drops one on top of the other and you can flip back and forth, a set of hot lights.two cameras(one for back up) laptop, plenty of photo paper and two helpers. Here is the flow I will shoot the photo and pass it off too the laptop and do minor editing and cropping at which point they will veiw at least three shots and choose. (one of the helpers is doing this while I go on shooting someone else) Then they will pass it off to the other helper that will do the printing and framing if they choose to frame. If you need help just let me know and keep in mind the only thing you have over everyone there with a point and shoot is the backdrop and you can print on the spot. Good luck and there is plenty of money to be made out there. and at first you don't make lot keep going it took me a few times before I made any good money. Another thing to keep in mind if you keep going you will start stepping on other photographers toes as well as others will come along and step on your toes. Three years ago a huge photography company was doing alot of the sports picture here I started stepping on thier toes and it got pretty dirty but I am still here and they are not. Like Nike just do it. ( and yes I know my grammer is bad guess I should have stayed awake during grammer class but I was effected by the 60s and I thought cheech and chongs up in smoke was a oscar winning film)

Newsuan Loc: Coatesville

Were the frames paper or plastic/metal frames. Where can I purchase them ?

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

This is probably the best advice I have seen offered on this forum, and Dirty Dave . . . kudos to you for sharing what many photogs in your situation would consider their deep dark secrets! :thumbup:

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Great idea and suggestions. The Kodak printers use the same print mechanism that is in their photo kiosks at many stores and uses the same ink!! Try to get one of the printers that has two paper trays so you can have 8.5x11 in one and 4x6 in the other. Sounds like a great system you have set up!!

dirty dave

The dollar tree I buy 8X10 by the case they are wood or plastic cost is a dollar and you sell them from 5 to 7 dollars. The people at these events are not looking for wedding or formal pics just a good picture. I might also mention cheerleading competition, dance recitals and basketball games. Parents love to buy pictures. If you don't want to print on the spot you can order sport packages from walmart,sams, and my favorite is wal greens the photo manager worked out a good deal for me and uped my profit. But if I can set up I will print my own. I started working a basketball tourament everyyear now I have a place set aside at the entrance to the gym with electricity and they allow me to put up signs around the gym I also take team pictures. This cost me nothing they want me there. I also had to work deals with sponsors for a percentage of my take but I tend to stay away from these. They tend to increase the cost you have to charge and after so much it just easier for them to pull out thier point and shoot and forget about paying for a pic. The thing to remember $15.00 to $20.00 for a picture anyone can afford but a $400.00 potrait mabe once every 10 years you might get one. Also you will get other jobs from doing this I can't count the weddings and family potriats I have gotten from doing event photography. (of course you charge a lot more for these)

Newsuan Loc: Coatesville

Do you use a backdrop, if so is it sports oriented ? Where do you get your backdrop if you use one ?

dirty dave

my backkdrops come from jo ann fabrics I have a friend that is a artist and hand paints them for me. the one's I will be using tomorrow night is white denim with confetti painted on it. the secound one is black denim with confetti painted on it. I did these last year. I also use a green screen sometimes for sports and different events. each event you must plan the backdrop as well as your lighting. My first lights were flood lights and my first backdrop was white muslin I dyed black it turned out almost tie dyed kinda gray and black. I also started out with a canon rebel 6mp kit lens and the guts just to do it.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Is Dirty Dave for "quick and dirty". Ive did the same thing for young people events for Church. Most dances. I set up with a background and di full lenghth. Took the picture and checked in the monitor to make sure their were no closed eyes. Retake if needed no PP. Take about three on a memory card and send it to the printer. I also had two people printing. Then did the same thing again. Dave gave very good advise - another Dave

dirty dave

I also do church events my son is a pastor and talks me into alot of church events. ( I bought his wife a camera that didn't help he still talks me into everything) Another event I do each year is the special ed prom. This is all free but to me well worth it. (grandpa gave me the name dirty dave as a child because I wouldn't take a bath without a fight)( boy I am glad I grew out of that and everyone around me funny how nicknames stick)

ace-mt Loc: Montana

Thanks PhotoBill, for asking the question, and Thanks Dirty Dave for the excellent advice.