Becoming a "Party" tog...?

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Betty

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I read something on here the other day regarding “Party Photography” but cant remember who mentioned it, so Ill start over :)

Now, there is a town hall near me that has a do on every Saturday night, be it an engagement do, 18th birthday etc. Now how would I go about approaching them (as in the town hall) to see if they have an official “tog” for these events? I would basically be taking shots of all the people/group shots etc, and would charge very little, if anything, due to my inexperience, would be great to get some experience.

I know this could fall flat on its arse, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get ;)

Any advice? :)
 
sounds like a good idea to me. good luck
 
Generally the venue is just that and it's up to whoever hires it to sort out everything else. You could approach the venue and see if they're willing to put your name forward as an event photographer to anyone who hires the venue.

Event work can be a mixed bag, sometimes you're rushed off your feet and sometimes you wish you'd stayed at home :(
 
Betty, I had exactly the same thoughts - there are a few venues close to where I live that have events like that and I wanted to get in with them too...

Maybe we could share notes?
 
Glitter, arent you going to the FOI show Sunday? If you are, Ill speak to you in Wetherspoons :) If not, PM me for my email address and we can share banter :)

Thanks for your advice so far everyone :)
 
Betty, yes I am... we can have a chat there!!! Looking forward to it x
 
Any more advice? I am going to visit a couple of venues tomoro :)
 
Yes it could well have been that! Thanks very much!

Have you already approached venues then? The thing I am worried about is that venues wont give me names and numbers of people that have booked parties understandably, so how else can I get my name out there? Can I ask that they suggest me to people that book the venue? :)

Ill be armed with business cards, so maybe just one night is all Ill need eh? :D
 
Betty, have a search for local event companies as they can be a good source of info/jobs as well.

Does your local paper do a social glossy once or month or any similar local mags? Normally the paper's staff togs get the jobs but generally hate doing it so offer the paper/mag some free shots and they might send you along to a few things (normally last minute tho).
 
It starts ;)

Ive been to the village hall and got the telephone number for the manager as she wasnt in. At least thats something :)
 
Eeeeep! Ive just called the manageress, and she has a meeting with the committee next Monday, so she wants me to get some details over to her about what it is I do, and how much I will charge for services etc!!!! Better get thinking :D:D
 
Sounds exciting :) and good on you for approaching them :thumbs:
 
Hehe, thanks! Ive never done ANYTHING like this, so I really need to get my head around it :D
 
pxl8 said:
Generally the venue is just that and it's up to whoever hires it to sort out everything else. You could approach the venue and see if they're willing to put your name forward as an event photographer to anyone who hires the venue.
Click to expand...

Seconded.

However, if I were the venue, I would want to make damn sure you can do what you claim you can before I would dare 'recommend' you to my prospective clients. So prepare a portfolio. They'll ask for it.
 
I am way ahead of you guys :)

She said she is more than happy to put my name forward to anyone hiring the hall, and I understand it is totally up to the "client" as such if they need such services.

They havent asked for any shots yet, but I am working on that. It seems unlikely the committee will ask to see anything, but like I said, I wont take that for granted :)
 
congrats on taking the initiative - and good luck
do post back with progress!
 
Thanks mmc! Will post back sometime next week as the committee meeting is next Monday! Its going to be a long and anxious wait :D
 
Congrats Betty,

This is something I'd considered doing recently but haven't managed to pull my finger out. Good on 'ya for doing so!
 
Way to go Betty.....

As you know I am embarking on a similar thing in the Birmingham area - so as promised we will share thoughts and tips, share best working practice etc...

x
 
Thanks Nathan :) My mum knows what a stubborn b****r I am, she said once I get a bee in my bonnet, nothing stops me til I get what I want :D

Honestly, just take that first step and enquire at a few town halls and such, you never know unless you try! Its given me the kick up the bum to get a portfolio done and a price list made up :)

Whens your first "do" then Glitter? :)
 
Not sure Dee - need to wait for the guy to come back re the rugby but I will be out and about when I get some Moo business cards done this week to a number of local venues - I am thinking the Salsa class & northen soul clubs are a good place to start!
 
My mum mentioned something similar at a northern soul night in Mansfield, someone had set up a backdrop and were charging £x per photo, good idea!!!! :)
 
Thats what I thought - being into Scooters, Vespa, Lambretta myself I know how much people adore their northern soul....

I also thought the same thing about Salsa - not when they are dancing but prior to dancing, posing in front of a backdrop.

How are you going about finding out charges.... ?
 
Good luck - there is a fair bit of money to be made at such events and if you are a half talented phtogographer with a decent amount of sales skills this really can be a gold mine.

If you are looking at event photography you should look at the cost of hiring / buying a dye sub printer and selling shots on the night. Apparently it's more profitable than simply shooting and selling via the internet. Basically it turns in to an impulse purchase more so if the there is alcohol on tap :D.

Also if you read up on it there is potentially greater profit to be made if you print all the photos and sell the prints rather than viewing on screen and printing to order. All down to the psycology of people actually being able to hold and see the finished article before handing over the cash.

Base your prices on what the event is with black tie being more expensive than a children's show but single photos between £7 to £15 are not uncommon. Remember that 3 for 2 type promotions are always a good way of getting people who would normally buy 1 to pay for 2 (the cost to you of printing 3 rather than 2 is marginal).

Just remember to tell the tax man and that equipment costs are offsetable against tax though an accountant will help here.
 
Thanks for that Simon and John-oh :)

Deb, I am going to have a nose around the tinterweb tonight for guide prices, the first few events I get (if any :D) will be testing the water so will prob be heavily discounted :)
 
i'm surfing too Dee - its nice to be able to share findingswith eachother.
 
im v interested in starting up in the borders region, pricing seems to be the difficult bit.

That along with the getting business

Printing on the night - might be a good idea, but I think you would need 2 folks to be able to pull that off.

In terms of the legal side - can anyone help? (Tax man was mentioned above)
 
For my first few events, as I mentioned earlier, prices will be very low, and Ill be lucky to make a small margin, if one at all. Ill still charge for my time, but I wont aim to make any money from prints or albums, better get the experience first.

With regards to the legal side, I work for a firm of accountants, so they can fiddle my earnings :D Just joking, but I do have that on my side at least. I am sure I read somewhere earnings under a certain limit dont have to be declared if you are working for yourself, I could be wrong though.
 
Betty if the committee say it's OK for the manageress to pass on recommendations.. why don't you give her a stack of business cards to pop in with any mail correspondence she makes with potential clients, or indeed to give them in person. Make sure your card has a web link on it to your best work in this field as well as the rest of your contact info ;).

And good luck :clap:
 
Thanks for that Jo, I already have some cards made, but no website at the moment, I cant afford to pay anyone right now :lol:

But I am taking it all on board :thumbs:
 
I do nightclub/event photography every week... and as was said earlier it's either really busy or really dull. All depends on the crowd really.
What I must stress is that you must be very calm and patient, as you will get "Oi-Oi'd", grabbed and sworn at by people at various points, due to the wonder that is alcohol.
I'm proud to say I've not hit anyone yet lol, I've had a few people ejected from clubs though!
 
Thanks Chicca, I doubt it will be *that* rowdy at a birthday party, but its something to bear in mind :lol:
 
Anywhere where people consume alcohol means at least 1-2 people will be overly drunk and a bit lairy. I've worked at small, family only events and been called some terrible names!
 
Seriously? Thats a bit worrying. Not that it would bother me, but why on earth would people want to abuse you? Makes no sense :(

Anyways, Ive emailed the village hall just now. Not expecting a reply until next Monday, but hey, the ball is in motion :D
 
They might get back to you sooner, if they have events on this coming weekend they'll most likely check their emails.

The "reason" I get hassled at work is because either people want their picture taken and can't wait til you've finished taking someone else's, or they don't want their picture taking. In the first instance, just take their pic and then delete it. In the second instance, all you can do is be polite and leave them alone. They usually come back later and want lots of pictures taking.
 
The reason they wont get back to me sooner is because the hall is charity run, and everything has to go to a committee, the next meeting being next Monday :) They might *read* the email sooner, but wont reply straight away :)

Ill no doubt take hundreds of pics on any given night, but thats not to say Ill use all of them. Ill certainly delete the ones of people acting the arse :D
 
Ignore my negativity anyway... because the truth is you'll meet some lovely people, and being able to record people's night out/party makes them, and you, smile.
 
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