Best way of being paid...

photographyman

photographyman

Suspended / Banned
Messages
298
Name
Alan
Edit My Images
No
Hello all,

What is the way to make money in sports, i don't mean best or easiest,
What i am getting at, is, how do you offer yourself to a sporting event?

I have recently done some rugby league which was a first time so I just put the images up on facebook and had a very positive result, no money made, no problem. Next I did some local cricket again first time and images for free, no money no problem. Last week I did some extreme sports and nearly every person came over to me and asked where would the images be, I am currently trying to set up a website at the moment, so use facebook as a means of viewing. I put the images on facebook via photobox and charged a very minimal fee due to lack of experience and so on....
But what I am trying to figure out is the way to do the photography for the sports events and not lose money in the process.

After tons of research Ive found that alot of togs charge per event unless employed, but as soon as you mention money, eyes roll, then a mumble then the tumble weed flies past.

I understand start at the bottom which is what i intend to do, it is for future reference and also to apply to my website...


Sorry if it sounds confusing, I confused myself trying to type it. Thanks in advance.
 
Looking at your rugby and cricket photos, I think you need to improve your standard quite dramatically before you can hope to start making money from them. Having family and mates saying 'great pics' doesn't necessarily mean they are. Cropping, exposure all over the place, not to mention taking nondescript pics of players backs, or heads chopped off, or no view of the ball or wonky horizons.

My advice would be to keep taking pics, and you will hopefully improve to the point where you can legitimately and professionally start charging for photos. Not after 1 cricket game and 1 rugby match with decidedly dodgy photos. If you want a proper critique, feel free to PM.
 
I am going to agree with Steva75 there. I am by means the greatest photographer out there but I have improved hugely since I first started shooting sports of any type and it is a combination of reading, listening to what people who are good say and getting out there shooting.

The first thing if you want someone to buy a photo it needs to include the 3 B's Ball, Body and Bonse The leaste important part is the ball actually, get the whole body in shot no cutting off hands or feet and definaly not the head. Bonse is the head but more specifically the face in focus and exposed correctly. the ball is a good thing to have other wise its just someone in a field wearing sports kit. so ditch the ones missing heads, or showing their backs.

Crop tight, unless the scenary behind is picturesq then no one wants to see it really especailly if its builders yard or allotment. Buying a wide apperture lens helps with the backgrounds. The person is the subject of the photo and thats what you should be capturing.

Be very selective over the images you show, put your good stuff out never let anyone see the so so stuff. I have only ever had one person say they wanted to buy every image they were in on my site. Everyone else will buy up to 3 at the most if you get the right shots, Usually a team photo, posed photo and an action shot. Adults rarely buy photos of themselves. I used to put every infocus, head up shot online I now put 2 or 3 of each person up and try to make them all different not doing the same thing all the time.

So how to charge?
Either charge for turning up and shooting or turn up for free and make your money selling prints. Problems with both, you need to produce the goods consistantly if you produce junk they will be upset if they have paid you for the photos or the 2nd option no one will buy the prints.

So have a look at what the guys on here produce got get an idea of what sells.
 
Little John said:
I am going to agree with Steva75 there. I am by means the greatest photographer out there but I have improved hugely since I first started shooting sports of any type and it is a combination of reading, listening to what people who are good say and getting out there shooting.

The first thing if you want someone to buy a photo it needs to include the 3 B's Ball, Body and Bonse The leaste important part is the ball actually, get the whole body in shot no cutting off hands or feet and definaly not the head. Bonse is the head but more specifically the face in focus and exposed correctly. the ball is a good thing to have other wise its just someone in a field wearing sports kit. so ditch the ones missing heads, or showing their backs.

Crop tight, unless the scenary behind is picturesq then no one wants to see it really especailly if its builders yard or allotment. Buying a wide apperture lens helps with the backgrounds. The person is the subject of the photo and thats what you should be capturing.

Be very selective over the images you show, put your good stuff out never let anyone see the so so stuff. I have only ever had one person say they wanted to buy every image they were in on my site. Everyone else will buy up to 3 at the most if you get the right shots, Usually a team photo, posed photo and an action shot. Adults rarely buy photos of themselves. I used to put every infocus, head up shot online I now put 2 or 3 of each person up and try to make them all different not doing the same thing all the time.

So how to charge?
Either charge for turning up and shooting or turn up for free and make your money selling prints. Problems with both, you need to produce the goods consistantly if you produce junk they will be upset if they have paid you for the photos or the 2nd option no one will buy the prints.

So have a look at what the guys on here produce got get an idea of what sells.
Click to expand...

:plusone:
 
Sorry photographyman.
Your images are no way up to sales standard yet I'm afraid :shrug:.
I know backgrounds are a problem with amature RL but take a look at Gary Coyle's amature stuff & you'll get an Idea of what is needed for publication etc.
I just know your gonna reply with the "look at his gear" excuse but THAT is why he sells as a Pro not because!!. Keep shooting & keep posting & you will get either more adept with your current gear or realise that an upgrade is, however painfull, the only way to achieve any sales!. Good luck. Kind regards Graham.
 
Cheers for all this info guys. I will take it all in. I defo knew that my images are no way ready for sale yet and i have no intention of tryin to sell yet. I am doin more and more so going to get more practice, all my images are used by the clubs for free. The original question was for future references and TBH i had been asked if i would sell 2 or 3 images and it got me thinking.
Thanks again chaps.

I love Garys website and will use it for inspiration....

One question I would like to ask is HELP with manual or any exposure in simple terms. I dont seem to be able to get me head around it.
 
Fastworldimages is sort of right when he says if someone will pay then sell but your personal standards should be higher, clubs will milk you if you give images away free for them to use, no matter how much you tell them to not give your photos to anyone they will probably get used. But provideing a few images for use by them is a good way to be allowed to shoot the team without paying for entry.

As for working out exposure thats basic photography, if its a white kit over expose if your using auto or semi auto exposure. Due to the whites it will under expose due to the whiteness of the kit. just like you do when shooting in snow. Do what you need to freeze the action, blured photos can't be sold (normally) so fast shutter if you need to raise your iso raise it. If light is constant then manual works better just keep an eye on the shots to make sure they consistant watching for changes in light.

Your local to me if you want to come out when I shoot some cricket then your welcome. I'm good for the 16th as I have a few very local places I need to get to for a paper just team and individual shots but can shoot the games once I have those in the bag.
 
Hi Littlejohn, thank you so much for the invite, i would love to come along but i shall be on my way home from London on that day. TBH i dont think i will be doin much cricket, it isnt a sport ive ever liked. This time was basically a steep learning curve.
I know i need to higher my standards alot, TBF to myself it was a very first attempt and lack of knowledge, bad prep on my behalf..

Do you do any other sport and would an invite still stand with that? Would love to meet you and learn all i can.....
 
Mainly cricket, I do a fair bit of kids football for myself and more working for others, I hope to get even more this coming season, next one is probably the morning of the 16th a freinds child is playing but the details are not confirmed yet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top