Event Photography.

AnCatDubh

There was a little discussion on this being tagged on to the tail of another thread and I was referring to previous posted threads on the subject but can't seem to find them.

So I would like to start a thread such that if people who shoot events (horse shows, communions, cycle races, football matches, etc..) could give their experiences it would be useful and if appropriate I will add to the FAQ's as we don't as yet have something specifically covering this (I think).

So some basic questions to those who are currently shooting events of whatever kind;

a) How did you get into the event niche?
b) How does a typical days shoot go?
c) How do you sell your images?
d) Do you print onsite / if so what setup do you use?
e) Do you offer online purchasing options?
g) How do event attendees know that they can purchase images from you?
h) Do you work with an agency?

Please, if you don't mind, select one or more of the above questions to get the ball rolling.

Thanks.

Paulw

Well, I've done a few events, so will give my experience.

a) How did you get into the event niche?

Well, it always help knowing someone. Otherwise, contact the events organisers and ask about access. Some clubs or organisations may ask about your PL insurance. Some will also look for previous work.


b) How does a typical days shoot go?

In general, they're long days. Make sure to have your camera(s) and flash charged. Make sure you have plenty of formatted memory cards. Arrive early to any event (by at least an hour). Have a good walk around the area where possible, and look for good shooting locations. It will also very much depend on where the event is, and what access you have. Get some test shots, to get your camera setup (shutter speed, aperture, ISO).

Where possible, have some food/drink with you, because you never know when you will get a break.

So some basic questions to those who are currently shooting events of whatever kind;

g) How do event attendees know that they can purchase images from you?

A good relationship with the organisers can really pay off. A link from their site or from the event day news is always well worth it. That way, people will know you are going to be there and will be able to link to your images so they can see if images are worth buying.

h) Do you work with an agency?

I have worked for others, and wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

kensutz

a) How did you get into the event niche?

Like Paul said, it's down to who you know or providing a portfolio so the relevant people can see that your work is of a certain standard.

b) How does a typical days shoot go?

For me it's hectic. Could involve a working day of 10-16 hours depending on where I shoot. Preparation is key to making a day as easy as possible. Knowing the event you're covering such as sporting rules etc will help an awful lot. Also a wide variety of lenses can help because you don't know how near/far from the action you will be.

c) How do you sell your images?

Most of my work now is pre-arranged. I also supply newspapers with images and if people want to buy any shots, they get in touch with the paper who will then forward them on to me.

e) Do you offer online purchasing options?

I do through my site but it's down for the past month or so while I plan a complete overhaul.

g) How do event attendees know that they can purchase images from you?

Depending on the event and the restrictions with sales of images, I will hand out business cards to people who can then email me or phone me to order images.

h) Do you work with an agency?

Did some work and hoping to get into it full time asap

Fajitas!

I shoot the 'other types' of events; parties, award ceremonies, weddings, openings, etc. It's slightly more nocturnal than the races and sports, but I don't mind.

a) How did you get into the event niche?

First events I ever shot were friends gigs, then shot a few other smaller events, went on to bigger and better ones.

b) How does a typical days shoot go?

I wouldn't really say it's a days work. It really depends on what it is, and they're all different. Before the actual day itself, you're finding out dress codes so you're not turning up in jeans and shirt when they're all black tie. Finding out the venue, times, photos that are needed, what's going to happen. Weddings need a bit more research. Some events, I could turn up and do a half hours work, be done and dusted before time and hit the road, other days I could turn up expecting an hour, and end up there for three hours. Weddings are usually quite long affairs.

c) How do you sell your images?

Generally, I provide a CD of high resolution images. I do a lot of work through an event management company, so it's just provided to them, and that's my work done, and my money in the bank. If someone wants something done with them, it can be done through the event management company, which makes my life easier. With weddings, I'm the front man, so I take care of sales.

d) Do you print onsite / if so what setup do you use?

Nope.

e) Do you offer online purchasing options?

I can do, it depends on what the clients are looking for. I wouldn't just set it up and start handing out cards to buy the images. But then again, the general 'crowd' I would do work for wouldn't appreciate that.

g) How do event attendees know that they can purchase images from you?

Depends on the event.

h) Do you work with an agency?

An event management company for some work, and I'm out on my own for other work. Best of both worlds.

smash

kensutz wrote: »

Most of my work now is pre-arranged. I also supply newspapers with images and if people want to buy any shots, they get in touch with the paper who will then forward them on to me.

Do you just send the papers your photos off the cuff or is that pre-arranged also?

Borderfox

a) How did you get into the event niche?
Started taking pictures of my Horse and then other peoples Horses then on to shows
b) How does a typical days shoot go?
Get the early before anybody, have a look at the course. Coffee/Coffee and then start shooting. Leave after everyone has gone home
c) How do you sell your images?
Show on laptop and print on site
d) Do you print onsite / if so what setup do you use?
Laptop with Express Digital and Epson R360 printer
e) Do you offer online purchasing options?
Yes
g) How do event attendees know that they can purchase images from you?
Signage
h) Do you work with an agency?
No

AnCatDubh

Borderfox wrote: »

d) Do you print onsite / if so what setup do you use?
Laptop with Express Digital and Epson R360 printer

Why the choice of the Epson R360 for your onsite printing? Recommendation, reviews or personal experience?

Is print speed an issue?

And if you don't mind me asking, what are the operating costs like - do you work them on a 'per A4 print' basis or are there other cost metrics which you use?

Thanks.

melekalikimaka

I work part time during college for event companies, a few, stage crew, event control and general event staff ( tickets, bar, rigging ), through that you get to know the folk and drop the photography convo a bit and eventually you'll get a break, the way i did it was not by offering free work, i offered a low price at start and increased it each time a small amount until i reached a fee i felt was acceptable. for some events, ir oxegen, i'm literally oncall 24 hours a day, very draining but i keep full rights, make an alright amount working, but some shots i make serious bucks selling after, witha aaa pass you get access to places media accred cant go giving excellent oppertunities to get shots no one else has, thats the key to bigger events, for smaller, its all bout the happy faces

kensutz

steve06 wrote: »

Do you just send the papers your photos off the cuff or is that pre-arranged also?

Mostly pre-arranged

PaulieC

how much would one charge for an 8x10 taken at an 'event' ? Asking as I took some pix of a kids GAA match a few weeks ago and some parents are looking for prints...

Paulw

8x10 - €20 (excl P&P). It seems that between €20-25 is normall for an 8x10 size print.

smash

Paulw wrote: »

8x10 - €20 (excl P&P). It seems that between €20-25 is normall for an 8x10 size print.

seriously?

At a lot of track days in the UK there are photographers on every corner, at the end of the day you can buy a disc with approx 50 images for £30 and reads will print A1 for €19.92 now. I've had them print some of my own photos and they turned out great.

mrboswell

steve06 wrote: »

seriously?

At a lot of track days in the UK there are photographers on every corner, at the end of the day you can buy a disc with approx 50 images for £30 and reads will print A1 for €19.92 now. I've had them print some of my own photos and they turned out great.

As Paul said 8x10 print standard is €20 but I have seen people charging up to €35 for a 10x8. To be fair to Paul he could charge a lot more;

There are people, of differing ability and skill, who will give you a disc of photos that are unprocessed at a cheap price but to be honest if you want high quality prints you will have to pay for them.

You also have to factor in that the price of equipment and printing in Ireland is far more expensive than in the UK.

There is no such thing as a free lunch and whether you do it to make money or for fun or just to cover your costs a certain standard deserves a certain price and in most case you pay for what you get.

Paulw

steve06 wrote: »

seriously?

At a lot of track days in the UK there are photographers on every corner, at the end of the day you can buy a disc with approx 50 images for £30 and reads will print A1 for €19.92 now. I've had them print some of my own photos and they turned out great.

I've no idea about the UK, and I'm not concerned about their prices, but if you browse around event photographers/sports photographers in Ireland, you'll see average prices between €20-25. Have a look at Inpho or Sportsfile, as prime examples.

smash

I'm not arguing quality or anything, I'm just surprised that people will pay that much, although it's spur of the moment stuff.

Do you do any PP when selling on site or just print and sell?

Ballyman

steve06 wrote: »

I'm not arguing quality or anything, I'm just surprised that people will pay that much, although it's spur of the moment stuff.

Do you do any PP when selling on site or just print and sell?

This is the key.

If you give people a web link and let them go home to think about it then you'll sell nothing. The initial excitement of seeing themselves/their children up on screen performing at an event is when they will buy anything.

For any amount. Especially if it's pics of their children!!

mrboswell

Ballyman wrote: »

This is the key.

If you give people a web link and let them go home to think about it then you'll sell nothing. The initial excitement of seeing themselves/their children up on screen performing at an event is when they will buy anything.

For any amount. Especially if it's pics of their children!!

Exactly - its amazing what lengths a proud grandparent will go to for something that they want.

Paulw wrote: »

I've no idea about the UK, and I'm not concerned about their prices, but if you browse around event photographers/sports photographers in Ireland, you'll see average prices between €20-25. Have a look at Inpho or Sportsfile, as prime examples.

The average is correct above but for a so called "specialist" in a niche area there can be an extra tenner added on for sure.

For the 2 agencies above I would imagine that they don't depend on print sales for their main income, but I could well be surprised....:o

Paulw

mrboswell wrote: »

The average is correct above but for a so called "specialist" in a niche area there can be an extra tenner added on for sure.

For the 2 agencies above I would imagine that they don't depend on print sales for their main income, but I could well be surprised....:o

True, a niche market can earn more.

I also doubt the agencies make the majority of their money from print sales, however, I'm sure they earn a good bit from it too.

Ballyman wrote: »

If you give people a web link and let them go home to think about it then you'll sell nothing.

I'm not sure about that. Quality images will sell, even after the event.

Of course, an impulse buy can be a better option.

Fajitas!

Just to add in another element to event photography, often you'll be paid by the hour rather than by image, which means regardless of whether I hand over 50 or 500 images, I'll get paid the same, just as long as I have all the essentials the client has requested. It's my prefered way of working, I couldn't handle not knowing how much I'm going to be coming away from a days work with.

Borderfox

AnCatDubh wrote: »

Why the choice of the Epson R360 for your onsite printing? Recommendation, reviews or personal experience?

Is print speed an issue?

And if you don't mind me asking, what are the operating costs like - do you work them on a 'per A4 print' basis or are there other cost metrics which you use?

Thanks.

Last weekend the Epson output 98 prints no problems
If I sub-contract I charge €2 per print

Borderfox

At the event you might be looking at 7-8% and this drops to around 1% on the web, simple decision.

AnCatDubh

This has made an interesting thread. To add to it - an experience based question for wedding togs;

In the church (during the ceremony) where you will no doubt be using every bit of your available aperture, where do you find an acceptable balance between distance to subject, aperture, and an workable depth of field - or do you just stick it at f2.8, not give a feic about how far from the couple you are (you are at what you are at), and allow auto-focus do its thing??

Borderfox

If the ISO is high I will change to primes and get in close, if need be I will try and get the couple on the same focal plane and shoot wide open. Depends on the light and what shape the church is too, my last four-five Weddings this has been a much larger deciding factor because of the layout of the altar and the lack of access from the side