bigrob
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- Name
- Robin
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Obviously this is a bit of long read, so skip if it gets too boring.
Today was my first experience of being hired to take photos. Up until now I have put photos on my own website with the hope of people buying them. i.e. parents of the teams my kids play in.
We see lots of threads of people wishing to turn pro or make some extra cash at the weekend. Hence the term Weekend Warrior.
For me its the second one. I am being made redundant at the beginning of next from a well paid job. As the job market is so tough I may be doing several different jobs to bring in the money so thought I may as well see if I can get part-time work in the photography field now.
I looked around and saw an event company were looking for freelancers, so I got in touch. After a friendly exchange of emails today was my day. The understanding was I would go, give it a go. If I was crap we both shake hands, walk away & that would be that.
The first opportunity for a trial was at a kids football tournament near Heathrow. Its an hour and 15 mins travelling but I needed to show willing. The company I was working for normally does SE London, but they were covering today for another franchise.
Batteries charged, packed lunch made, clothes for warm and wet weather packed; I set off at 7:45am for a 9:15am meet. 10am kick off. I was there 10 mins before the van so a good start. They were all extremely friendly. After helping setup Clive took me to an U7s game.
All the games were 5 mins each way. He shot the first half for me to watch and then I shot the second for him to watch me whilst giving me tips all the time. Clive explained, faces and balls sell photos. i.e. in 95% of photos if they arent both the ball and a face, bin it. Celebrations are good as well. All photos that are on the card get printed as thumbnails. So dont hand in *****e. Delete as you can. i.e. if there is a long pause in the game, half and full time.
He was looking for about 25 photos per match & said Id probably need to take about 60 to get the 25. Try to get each player in at least one photo.
Off I was sent to cover the U11s. They were playing on 3 pitches next to each other. Groups of 6 on each pitch. So the plan was shoot 3 games on pitch 1, dash my card back to van. Then do pitch 2, do 3 games and card back etc. I get to the first pitch and no game. Eventually find out that the opposition havent turned up. I decided to switch to pitch 2 and come back to 1 later. So I did 2, forgot to take my card back and went to pitch 3. Remembered to take my card back. So it was then back to pitch 1 to finish off.
Card back, then get sent to the U13s. Did a few games there and that was it for now as the group stages had finished.
Time 1:30pm. Take a 25 min break, so out came the cheese sarnies and a can of coke.
Quarter finals kick-off 2:15pm. I get there at 2:05pm to find that they had just about finished. Hmm bummer. So I hung round for the semis. Then back to the van to await instructions. Off to do the U11s finals, card back.
Finish time 3:40pm. Had shakes all round and goodbyes said.
So what did I learn from today.
1) If youre used to sitting on your fat arse in an office all day like me, then your back, calfs and feet are going to hurt like hell after a few hours.
2) The weight of 1D Mk III and 70-200/2.8 becomes really heavy pretty quickly.
3) If you have a weak bladder like me, youre going to wish you had a colostomy bag.
4) The barrier to entry, kit wise for an event like this is not too bad. A 1D MkII an70-200/2.8 with a 2x extender. A couple of memory cards and a plastic bag to cover your kit from the rain.
5) If youre sent to the furthest pitch away on a day it could rain, dont leave your waterproof jacket in the van.
6) You have to find space amongst the parents and kids to take your photos. You dont get a nice comfy chair at the end of the pitch.
7) If you arent used to taking and deleting as you go, you soon will.
8) Fill the frame as much as you can. There is no time for cropping. As soon as your card is handed in, the photos are imported and thumb nailed. If the parents cant see if its their kid or not, they arent going to buy it.
9) Zooming and shooting takes a bit of practise.
10) Dont think you can spray & pray for good shots. There is no time. One to three at a time at the most.
11) Go with a positive attitude. Help out as much as you can. OFFER to do things. I.e. can I get coffee? Shall I run and see what time the finals have been changed to?
12) Make sure you have some type of bath salts at home and an understanding partner who will give you a nice foot massage (after said bath)
I did find the day quite challenging, as I just wasnt used to shooting like this. Clive seemed happy enough and said hed pass my details on to the other franchisees in the London, Kent & Surrey areas.
Any questions or tips for the future appreciated.
Today was my first experience of being hired to take photos. Up until now I have put photos on my own website with the hope of people buying them. i.e. parents of the teams my kids play in.
We see lots of threads of people wishing to turn pro or make some extra cash at the weekend. Hence the term Weekend Warrior.
For me its the second one. I am being made redundant at the beginning of next from a well paid job. As the job market is so tough I may be doing several different jobs to bring in the money so thought I may as well see if I can get part-time work in the photography field now.
I looked around and saw an event company were looking for freelancers, so I got in touch. After a friendly exchange of emails today was my day. The understanding was I would go, give it a go. If I was crap we both shake hands, walk away & that would be that.
The first opportunity for a trial was at a kids football tournament near Heathrow. Its an hour and 15 mins travelling but I needed to show willing. The company I was working for normally does SE London, but they were covering today for another franchise.
Batteries charged, packed lunch made, clothes for warm and wet weather packed; I set off at 7:45am for a 9:15am meet. 10am kick off. I was there 10 mins before the van so a good start. They were all extremely friendly. After helping setup Clive took me to an U7s game.
All the games were 5 mins each way. He shot the first half for me to watch and then I shot the second for him to watch me whilst giving me tips all the time. Clive explained, faces and balls sell photos. i.e. in 95% of photos if they arent both the ball and a face, bin it. Celebrations are good as well. All photos that are on the card get printed as thumbnails. So dont hand in *****e. Delete as you can. i.e. if there is a long pause in the game, half and full time.
He was looking for about 25 photos per match & said Id probably need to take about 60 to get the 25. Try to get each player in at least one photo.
Off I was sent to cover the U11s. They were playing on 3 pitches next to each other. Groups of 6 on each pitch. So the plan was shoot 3 games on pitch 1, dash my card back to van. Then do pitch 2, do 3 games and card back etc. I get to the first pitch and no game. Eventually find out that the opposition havent turned up. I decided to switch to pitch 2 and come back to 1 later. So I did 2, forgot to take my card back and went to pitch 3. Remembered to take my card back. So it was then back to pitch 1 to finish off.
Card back, then get sent to the U13s. Did a few games there and that was it for now as the group stages had finished.
Time 1:30pm. Take a 25 min break, so out came the cheese sarnies and a can of coke.
Quarter finals kick-off 2:15pm. I get there at 2:05pm to find that they had just about finished. Hmm bummer. So I hung round for the semis. Then back to the van to await instructions. Off to do the U11s finals, card back.
Finish time 3:40pm. Had shakes all round and goodbyes said.
So what did I learn from today.
1) If youre used to sitting on your fat arse in an office all day like me, then your back, calfs and feet are going to hurt like hell after a few hours.
2) The weight of 1D Mk III and 70-200/2.8 becomes really heavy pretty quickly.
3) If you have a weak bladder like me, youre going to wish you had a colostomy bag.
4) The barrier to entry, kit wise for an event like this is not too bad. A 1D MkII an70-200/2.8 with a 2x extender. A couple of memory cards and a plastic bag to cover your kit from the rain.
5) If youre sent to the furthest pitch away on a day it could rain, dont leave your waterproof jacket in the van.
6) You have to find space amongst the parents and kids to take your photos. You dont get a nice comfy chair at the end of the pitch.
7) If you arent used to taking and deleting as you go, you soon will.
8) Fill the frame as much as you can. There is no time for cropping. As soon as your card is handed in, the photos are imported and thumb nailed. If the parents cant see if its their kid or not, they arent going to buy it.
9) Zooming and shooting takes a bit of practise.
10) Dont think you can spray & pray for good shots. There is no time. One to three at a time at the most.
11) Go with a positive attitude. Help out as much as you can. OFFER to do things. I.e. can I get coffee? Shall I run and see what time the finals have been changed to?
12) Make sure you have some type of bath salts at home and an understanding partner who will give you a nice foot massage (after said bath)
I did find the day quite challenging, as I just wasnt used to shooting like this. Clive seemed happy enough and said hed pass my details on to the other franchisees in the London, Kent & Surrey areas.
Any questions or tips for the future appreciated.
I figured Tony would be along soon.
