Street Photography-Charging People

Norkie

Norkie

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Hi guys, do I need some kind if licence to take photographs of people in the street and then charge them a fee for doing so? With their permission of course.
I'm thinking an instant camera, Polaroid type and sell them an instant print for a fee.

Much obliged for any pointers :)
 
Norkie said:
Hi guys, do I need some kind if licence to take photographs of people in the street and then charge them a fee for doing so? With their permission of course.
I'm thinking an instant camera, Polaroid type and sell them an instant print for a fee.

Much obliged for any pointers :)
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None too sure what or whether......

But perhaps this throws some light on it???

 
Thanks @Box Brownie , I think it safer to apply for a pedlars licence. I have sent a form to my local council, awaiting a response.
 
Norkie said:
Hi guys, do I need some kind if licence to take photographs of people in the street and then charge them a fee for doing so? With their permission of course.
I'm thinking an instant camera, Polaroid type and sell them an instant print for a fee.

Much obliged for any pointers :)
Click to expand...
I can't help with your question about needing a license, but your idea of taking street photography and then selling or giving prints to the subject, reminded me of this guy in America.
View: https://youtu.be/9j87IP05XWc?si=34nQ3O7z25xAZZ_P
 
Norkie said:
Thanks @Box Brownie , I think it safer to apply for a pedlars licence. I have sent a form to my local council, awaiting a response.
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If all goes according to plan, I look forward to hearing how it goes :)
 
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Norkie said:
Thanks @Box Brownie , I think it safer to apply for a pedlars licence. I have sent a form to my local council, awaiting a response.
Click to expand...
I'm wondering how many sales you'd get for this sort of thing, nowadays.

Several decades ago, I did "banquetting photography" along with a friend, turning up at events with the permission of the organisers, and taking pictures of groups at their tables. We made fairly good money for a couple of years but that was because we only started work about an hour before the event was scheduled to finish. By then, our victims customers were well oiled and thought £1 good value. Actually it was, because each customer got a 10x8 print.

Being in South Devon, we decided to extend our activities to various sea fronts. It was a bust, which we should have predicted from the simple observation that we had zero competition!

Still, perhaps you'll have more success. (y)
 
"Victims' I like that, cheers ;)
 
As well as the street traders licence you should have insurance, some councils will ask for it some wont, but if something happens they'll blame you.
Second ,even with a licence there are some places you cant "trade". Some town have an area near a market, some towns have a "quiet! area with no traders/flag sellers etc. You'd have to check locally. It's also worth noting that some place you think are public are private land legally, and your licence probably wont cover you there, again you need to check locally.
As Phil say I too wonder if it's going to work. The old street photographers normally had a gimic, a monkey was the popular one (dont even think about it now) But you might find some sort of gimic, costumes or a cut-out board or something they cant do themselves.
I suspect mobile phones have kiiled it, probably why nobody else is doing it.
Good luck, let us know what happens.
 
swanseamale47 said:
I suspect mobile phones have kiiled it, probably why nobody else is doing it.
Good luck, let us know what happens.
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Dave Goodier said:
Exactly my thoughts on it :thinking:
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I think it's doable, you just need to create some sort of experience to go along with the print - something that creates a sense of intrigue. I've seen people do it with 'vintage' looking cameras - just a digital camera in some sort of housing. Someone was selling prints when I was in a tourist spot in Lisbon - just him and a smaller Instax camera and he didn't get many takers.. but you only need a few to make it worth while I guess

Good luck
 
benc98 said:
I think it's doable, you just need to create some sort of experience to go along with the print - something that creates a sense of intrigue. I've seen people do it with 'vintage' looking cameras - just a digital camera in some sort of housing. Someone was selling prints when I was in a tourist spot in Lisbon - just him and a smaller Instax camera and he didn't get many takers.. but you only need a few to make it worth while I guess

Good luck
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A pola back for a 5x4 camera was my first thought when I saw your post, they are cheap enough, a 5x4 camera can be had for a few hundred pounds, I'm wondering the cost of the film though, for that matter can you still get it?
As you suggest a mock up is easier. I think a gimic of some sort is needed as well.
It'll probably make a big difference where the OP is too. London, or somewhere like that has more chance, than some small town with no passing trade.
 
Used to see a guy doing this at the Tower of London ,sometimes had a monkey sometimes a parrot , think he did quite well to ,but it was 70 plus years ago
 
I can't imagine the success rate of getting strangers to part with money before they actually get the result is going to be very high. If some random stranger walked up to me and asked to take my photo and "By the way I'll charge you for the image", I know what my answer would be. I think the days of the street photographer of that kind is pretty much over.
 
Thinking about what Keith says above, I'm also wondering about how many carry cash these days. I often dont for one reason or another. I cant see many risking a card to somebody in the street with a card reader.
I did think about suggesting a gallery that they can buy from online, but from my experience and talking to others thats hit and miss even at events.
The only way to to find out is to try it. Who know, it could be the next big thing.
 
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