Originally posted by StSanta
Why sell the pics though? Why not just give them away? Unless you're a professional photographer needing to feed yourself and your family.
One does not have to make money outta every opportunity and from what I can tell you're doing pretty good already Rip.
This isn't meant as criticism, just a genuine question. Maybe it's a cultural thing a Yuro-tard like I am too old-Europe to understand intuitively.
I struggled with that question last year. While visiting other teams, I noticed other teams we played in our conference had a photograher that sold pictures to the parents via Printroom. (Booths set up, advertisement, word of mouth) I was the only photographer NOT charging yet I spent 2 hours each game shooting for my sons team. Now granted, I was not shooting for all 5 divisional teams within our Puyallup Roughrider org. It was strictly volunteer work, with the goal of establishing a good reputation as a team photographer on a small scale (if you consider 400-500 pics per game small scale!)
So this year, I thought, if I am going to spend my time doing this, why not let the team profit from it as well? I mean, parents are welcome to bring their own cameras and shoot their kids playing football, but some don't have the right equipment to get GOOD photos (Zoom lens, rain protection for digital lenses, monopods, and a sense of humor with the weather!) What I offer is professional pictures that get inside the big plays of the ballfield. I think I have a service that people are willing to pay for, and this will be a good test.
(examples here)Meanwhile, many parents from my sons team asked me if I plan on shooting all the teams, and I've agreed to as long as I get permission from the President of our divisional teams, which I hope to address tonight when I see him. If he gives me a green light, that will be 8 hours every week-end until Mid-November that I will be working on the sidelines, sun, rain sleet or snow! I think that sort of service deserves a paycheck, especially if its a service that people are willing to pay for.
Mind you, they have Team Picture day, I don't do this(They hire a chain-organization that does this sort of this for all the football teams, and yes, they DO charge for their pictures too
). I only do strictly action shots, as anyone can do a still picture of someone posing and smiling.
