any photographer need a hand

sikahunter

just wondering if any one needs a hand im not working at the min and need money to pay some bills thank you

DotOrg

if you need money, being a photographers assistant isn't really the best way i'm afraid to say. it's hard enough these days for photographers to make money for themselves

PCPhoto

just make sure you dont mistake being a photographers assistant with tagging along for the experience.

anyway - photographers assistants dont get paid (or get paid very little).... they are assisting for the experience ....otherwise they would be photographers.

AnCatDubh

have you thought of selling some of your prints?

local markets, etc..?

from what's been said elsewhere on the forum, I think the best way to sell is in person and perhaps best with a regular stall.

good luck.

smelltheglove

Good point for by ancatdubh, assistants dont get paid much if at all, the amount I get mailing me looking to work for free for a day never mind wanting to be paid.

sikahunter

stall sounds good but its finding some where to set up and what sort of pix sell

humberklog

sikahunter wrote: »

stall sounds good but its finding some where to set up and what sort of pix sell

It's kind of something you've got to prepare for well in advance and not something that you could make a buck quick enough on if it was to pay bills. Before you find your feet it'll wipe you out financially for a good few months as you've got to pour every bit back in in order to continually build stock.

smelltheglove

Well said, I have a studio in an indoor market, you need to build repurtation, connect with the regulars, you need a thick skin, be able to have a laugh and have the right product at the right price. I'm still at a stage where pretty much all I get in goes back out again, not only do you need to build stock, you need to build samples, and display boards, advertising etc etc etc.

PCPhoto

smelltheglove wrote: »

Well said, I have a studio in an indoor market, you need to build repurtation, connect with the regulars, you need a thick skin, be able to have a laugh and have the right product at the right price. I'm still at a stage where pretty much all I get in goes back out again, not only do you need to build stock, you need to build samples, and display boards, advertising etc etc etc.

you need to have money to make money !!

sikahunter

PCPhoto wrote: »

you need to have money to make money !!

thats me snookered

smelltheglove

sikahunter wrote: »

thats me snookered

Dont let that deter you, my husband lost his job so I had very very little to put in. I made do with what I had initially, thankfully I already had most of the equipment required and was able to start right away, with canvasses being the most popular items there I was lucky as I have a canvas printer so I could cut the price to the previous stall holder, so in the first few weeks I had a fair amount of orders for that which brought in the bucks to build the stock and buy what needed to be bought, 3 months in I still have a few things to get, a bit at a time but it will be worth it in the end. Fairyhouse market is probably your best bet if you can get in there, I did a test day for print on the spot portraits last year and I have to say there wasnt much going in that area but if you have framed prints you could do well.

humberklog

Indeed SMT although the 2nd part is much more for permanent stall or gallery. My gallery work is now planning all that (samples, advert, etc.) but if just doing a stall (by that I mean fly selling or car booty/art fair) it really is all just about two things quantity of variety of images and then maintaining stock. But even reducing it down to fly selling (railings in the city for e.g.) it really takes a few months before you can comfortably buy yourself a burger at the end of the day.
Although they are essentially the same job: selling pics. There is a difference in where one has to concentrate to make it successful.
However as Sika was asking about making a few quid in order to pay bills I'd sense a bit of urgencey in needing the money in and I really wouldn't recommend spending whatever cash he has on what is essentially a punt.
If you're very stuck now Sika this could sink you if you haven't prepared.

smelltheglove

humberklog wrote: »

.
If you're very stuck now Sika this could sink you if you haven't prepared.

Good point, think it through whatever you do. When I accepted the space at the end of January, believe me, we were in a bad way, husband was out of work months and really couldnt afford it. I was lucky that I had most of the equipment required, I also won a few bob that week and was able to go out and get myself a second hand dye sub, the market manager was very good also, I had covered the spot before for the previous stall holder and he really wanted me back in there and offered to help out whereever possible so luck was a big part of it.

At the same time if you put your thinking cap on, price up supplies etc maybe get a few done up and try car boot sales first to see how you go. If you decide to go ahead give me a shout and I can help you out sourcing cheap frames.

pixbyjohn

Sikahunter,
Try the 2 nearest carboot sales in your area. St. Joseph's on Tivoli road in Dun Laoghaire last Sundays of the month and the other one is at Cornelscourt every Sunday.

sikahunter

id say at this stage even if i made 100 euro a week id be very happy

positivenote

where is your stall STG as a matter of interest?

smelltheglove

positivenote wrote: »

where is your stall STG as a matter of interest?

The liberty market in Meath Street.

humberklog

smelltheglove wrote: »

The liberty market in Meath Street.

Are you selling prints SMT or are you offering services? (As in doing portraits etc.)

smelltheglove

humberklog wrote: »

Are you selling prints SMT or are you offering services? (As in doing portraits etc.)

Services, I do studio portraits and print out chosen pictures there, also photo restoration and canvas prints, key rings, that kind of thing. Its a small spot so its generally only kids portraits but the odd time I have adults come in for pics to.

humberklog

Ah...nice work if you can get it I'm sure. Funny thing is is that someone asked the other day if I did weddings ...the coffee spurting out my nose in laughter kinda answered that question for them. It's not that I wouldn't give one a go, in fact I'd love to do film back up 2nd 'tog for such an event some day, but how in their right mind they thought to ask after looking at my stuff.

All the same though if Sika could go financially wrong in printing up prints etc. to sell in markets looking to make a quick buck and without deep preperation I do think he could go terribly wrong if setting up a mobile studio without a lot of experience.

smelltheglove

humberklog wrote: »

Ah...nice work if you can get it I'm sure. Funny thing is is that someone asked the other day if I did weddings ...the coffee spurting out my nose in laughter kinda answered that question for them. It's not that I wouldn't give one a go, in fact I'd love to do film back up 2nd 'tog for such an event some day, but how in their right mind they thought to ask after looking at my stuff.

All the same though if Sika could go financially wrong in printing up prints etc. to sell in markets looking to make a quick buck and without deep preperation I do think he could go terribly wrong if setting up a mobile studio without a lot of experience.

Lol, that would be my reaction if someone asked me to do landscape most likely. Just dont feel it so no point in doing it although I admire those who do it and do it well.

True experience is definitely required not only in taking the images but in dealing with the clientelle and knowing what to push. It would be quite expensive to set up a studio, even just a market studio so wouldnt really be recommending that given his current situation, I was lucky enough that I already had most of the equipment required to get started, otherwise I would not have been able to accept the offer.

bullpost

sikahunter wrote: »

just wondering if any one needs a hand im not working at the min and need money to pay some bills thank you

Heres an idea for you - not sure how realistic it would be but maybe worth a shot!
Was thinking the other day about the feasibility of going to your local junior sports clubs and working with them to photograph matches. You could then offer prints to parents of their little darlings scoring a goal or saving a peno etc. If you gave a cut to the club for each print sold and work with the club to get personal details on any images you take it might generate a nice income for you and provide a nice momento for parents and it would all be done officially. There must be loads of junior clubs who do not have photographers present at under age games and I know I would have purchased a high quality image of my fella playing hurling if it had been offered.

Borderfox

bullpost wrote: »

Heres an idea for you - not sure how realistic it would be but maybe worth a shot!
Was thinking the other day about the feasibility of going to your local junior sports clubs and working with them to photograph matches. You could then offer prints to parents of their little darlings scoring a goal or saving a peno etc. If you gave a cut to the club for each print sold and work with the club to get personal details on any images you take it might generate a nice income for you and provide a nice momento for parents and it would all be done officially. There must be loads of junior clubs who do not have photographers present at under age games and I know I would have purchased a high quality image of my fella playing hurling if it had been offered.

That all sounds great but I have found that depending on price you can get a few different reactions

1: How f**cking much for a picture
2: I could do that with my point and shoot
3: sure your only pushing a button
4: (the ideal) thats great where do I pay

I have heard all of them, might be better off selling wholesale to the club for their web, restrict size and sell to the parents also

Barname

smelltheglove wrote: »

Services, I do studio portraits and print out chosen pictures there, also photo restoration and canvas prints, key rings, that kind of thing. Its a small spot so its generally only kids portraits but the odd time I have adults come in for pics to.

well done

PCPhoto

bullpost wrote: »

Heres an idea for you - not sure how realistic it would be but maybe worth a shot!
Was thinking the other day about the feasibility of going to your local junior sports clubs and working with them to photograph matches. You could then offer prints to parents of their little darlings scoring a goal or saving a peno etc. If you gave a cut to the club for each print sold and work with the club to get personal details on any images you take it might generate a nice income for you and provide a nice momento for parents and it would all be done officially. There must be loads of junior clubs who do not have photographers present at under age games and I know I would have purchased a high quality image of my fella playing hurling if it had been offered.

only problem with this is getting the balance between making a profit and getting a price someone is willing to pay for a professional print.

clubs don't want to pay a photographer... parents dont want to pay for prints (in general).... as a photographer you have to remember that when taking pics you are most likely on private club grounds - on a technical point, you might need to seek permission to photograph the game.

I cover a couple of games at the weekends for the Star....I sometimes get asked if they can buy prints, in the past I would give out my number/email...but it rarely turned into profit for the amount of work its not worth the hassle for me - every time I get asked now I simply say to contact the paper - which should in theory just pass on my contact details.

Ballyman

PCPhoto wrote: »

which should in theory just pass on my contact details.

But we learnt recently that this isn't true either sometimes!!

PCPhoto

Ballyman wrote: »

But we learnt recently that this isn't true either sometimes!!

true - but thats down to the person involved working in the paper ...low chance of that happening for other clubs and we also learned its important to keep every pic save them all and you might use them in the future.

Ballyman

PCPhoto wrote: »

true - but thats down to the person involved working in the paper ...low chance of that happening for other clubs and we also learned its important to keep every pic save them all and you might use them in the future.

We certainly have!!! Haven't deleted a thing since!!

smelltheglove

My dad is chairman of a GAA club, he got on to me one day asking would I be into covering games. At a match there was a photog taking pics then passing out her business card. She had taken a team pic which he was interested in, not being computer literate he asked me to check it out. She had a good setup, online purchasing, regularily updated packages, could be worth a try.

Ballyman

Rachel, do you have a link to her website? You can PM it to me if you wish.

smelltheglove

pm sent Andreas. Looks good.

bullpost

PCPhoto wrote: »

clubs don't want to pay a photographer... parents dont want to pay for prints (in general).... as a photographer you have to remember that when taking pics you are most likely on private club grounds - on a technical point, you might need to seek permission to photograph the game.

Thats why I though if he works with the clubs and provides a financial incentive to them to promote his services it might work but I've no practical experience with this , being strictly a hobbyist.
I get the impression the OP is not a pro and therefore may need to be a bit creative in his approach.

humberklog

bullpost wrote: »

I get the impression the OP is not a pro and therefore may need to be a bit creative in his approach.

Now if only the pros got more creative in their approach to taking photos the world would be better place.:pac:

bullpost

humberklog wrote: »

Now if only the pros got more creative in their approach to taking photos the world would be better place.:pac:

I'm all for world peace me

sikahunter

see i need to start getting some proper gear as i was asked to do my brothers wedding coming up in the next few months its not only a big deal has he is getting married but him as his partner would be the first gay couple in ireland to get married as far as i know so im getting stressed over it

Covey

sikahunter wrote: »

see i need to start getting some proper gear as i was asked to do my brothers wedding coming up in the next few months its not only a big deal has he is getting married but him as his partner would be the first gay couple in ireland to get married as far as i know so im getting stressed over it

Sounds like thats the original motivation for this thread. Why didn't you say that at the start?

humberklog

Covey wrote: »

Sounds like thats the original motivation for this thread. Why didn't you say that at the start?

And bills to be paid.


Bills for "proper gear" perhaps?

sikahunter

Covey wrote: »

Sounds like thats the original motivation for this thread. Why didn't you say that at the start?

yea i should have wasn't thinking at all as it is i was on disability i got cut off today thank you hse very hard trying to live off that trying to save for some decent glass

Covey

sikahunter wrote: »

yea i should have wasn't thinking at all as it is i was on disability i got cut off today thank you hse very hard trying to live off that trying to save for some decent glass

Not said in malice, but if you were upfront you may have got a different quality of response.

Well, I'll start and say I'll give you any assistence I can with the wedding.

sikahunter

no got rid of that bill today thank god had to sell some camera gear so back to square one its all ways the same was asked to do a communion this sunday had to say no as now dont have a lens live and learn

humberklog

Sika why the notion of needing proper gear? You're in the family and therefore shouldn't have any issues about stepping over barriers and into peoples personal space etc. Gear won't get you a good shot.
If I were you I'd get 10 rolls of free film and an Olympus Trip 35. Job jobbed.

sikahunter

thanks covey

AnCatDubh

sikahunter wrote: »

see i need to start getting some proper gear as i was asked to do my brothers wedding coming up in the next few months its not only a big deal has he is getting married but him as his partner would be the first gay couple in ireland to get married as far as i know so im getting stressed over it

Hey, be incredibly comfortable in your abilities (after all they are your abilities) and it appears you have a couple of months to perfect the rest. Practice, practice, practice,..... and for goodness sake, you have one of the best photo ops just dropped onto your lap by the sounds of it (the irish gay marriage thing) - wow, get into it - plan, plan, plan, and if you need a second shooter then shout to the forum

Good luck with it.

Covey

Second shooter services offered

smelltheglove

sikahunter wrote: »

see i need to start getting some proper gear as i was asked to do my brothers wedding coming up in the next few months its not only a big deal has he is getting married but him as his partner would be the first gay couple in ireland to get married as far as i know so im getting stressed over it

Oh no they wouldnt be, I did one last year, apparently its quite regular, in embassies but just not spoken about really. My cousin made front page of the paper donkeys years ago when we had the Evening Press for being the first Irish man to marry another man although they did it abroad as far as I know.

Anyway if you need some tips for that get in touch!

AnCatDubh

humberklog wrote: »

If I were you I'd get 10 rolls of free film and an Olympus Trip 35. Job jobbed.

Well you are quite correct, it doesn't actually need anything more in the right pair of hands.

Can i book your hands please for a date in September?

humberklog

AnCatDubh wrote: »

Well you are quite correct, it doesn't actually need anything more in the right pair of hands.

Can i book your hands please for a date in September?

I'm free the whole of September!!

Funny, I'd really love to push myself in an area I've never been and that's in the service lark (such as wedding). Even came up with a rather innovative way of doing payment for produce.

Sika are you sure that they'll be the first?
Friends of mine were married back in the very early 90's. Now I don't know how bona fide the whole ceremony was in the eyes of the law but there was a white dress.

smelltheglove

humberklog wrote: »

I'm free the whole of September!!

Funny, I'd really love to push myself in an area I've never been and that's in the service lark (such as wedding). Even came up with a rather innovative way of doing payment for produce.

Sika are you sure that they'll be the first?
Friends of mine were married back in the very early 90's. Now I don't know how bona fide the whole ceremony was in the eyes of the law but there was a white dress.

My post was lost at the end of the last page, I've pmd sika offering tips, I covered one last year, great fun. They are common place within embassies apparently.

Covey

AnCatDubh wrote: »

Well you are quite correct, it doesn't actually need anything more in the right pair of hands.

Can i book your hands please for a date in September?

Tommy, thats the best choice you'll ever make.

Covey

humberklog wrote: »

Even came up with a rather innovative way of doing payment for produce.

that sounds like photos for kids. Can't stop laughing

sikahunter

as far as we know the bill was passed in march of this year and as for a white dress he better not turn up in one