Events

[RickD]

One of my kids plays on the marching band and I was asked by couple of the volunteer parents to see if I could be the band photographer. What seems to take place is many parents begin to ask to take a few shots of their kids.

Since I'm trying to get off the ground, what would you all do in cases such as these.

1. Should I make up a contract and have the band director sign it?
2. Should I just post them on my website and allow parents to view and pay for the photos? if so what do you charge or do you consider them give aways.


I've done volunteer work in the past just for experience, but taking photos every weekend will take alot of my time.

[kayumangi]

Personally, I'd take the photos gratis but then upload it on my site where I'll put a markup for every photo print or download order.

I'll also make sure every parent knows the url of my website.

As for the exact pricing it really depends on you, you can start with a $2.00 + actual printing cost and go up depending on the print size. My hosting provider already has a formula algorithm that actually adjusts the price according to my minimum markup set.

[RickD]

Originally Posted by kayumangi

Personally, I'd take the photos gratis but then upload it on my site where I'll put a markup for every photo print or download order.

I'll also make sure every parent knows the url of my website.

As for the exact pricing it really depends on you, you can start with a $2.00 + actual printing cost and go up depending on the print size. My hosting provider already has a formula algorithm that actually adjusts the price according to my minimum markup set.

You almost had me .
Thanks for your feedback.

[kayumangi]

Had you on what? the pricing formula?

Sorry I didn't quite explain properly, I'm using Zenfolio and on their system you have three options to make profit, there's the fixed markup, the formula markup and the combination.

The formula markup simply multiplies the base price with a percentage.

For e.g. on a 4x6 the base price is c0.30, if I use the formula markup, my profit would be negligible so I apply the fixed markup of $2 instead.

But say for the 24x26 the base price is $45, if my fixed markup is only $2 I'm not earning enough so I apply the formula markup say 10% which means I'll be earning a $4.5 profit.

For prints like 8x10 where the base price is $3, I could apply both fixed and formula markup for maximum profit.

And if there is a custom print like a photo album, I can override the fixed markup to just for that product alone.

Anyhow, hope I clarified my pricing setup.

[toverman]

I can't answer all your questions. But as for shooting I would pick two or three events that will be in good light (preferably daylight) and get overall band shots and individual shots of virtually every band member. You might be able to gain permission to do this during a marching contest (if the band is participating). Then call it done. No need to take the same photos of the same kids over and over at every halftime show.

Definitely discuss your plans with the band director, but he wouldn't be the one to sign anything. You'll be working on speculation, as any money to be made won't happen unless you sell prints. See if the director (and the school) will allow you to distribute materials that outlines what you're going to do and where the photos will be available. Or if volunteers regularly send out things, be included in that. Might be too late for this, but if there were going to be any parent meetings of the whole group you could introduce yourself and do a little advertising then.

[RickD]

Originally Posted by kayumangi

Had you on what? the pricing formula?

No you had me going when you mentioned you would put this on your website. I thought you were saying put the images on your website, until I reread your message. I thought it was funny.

Anyways, I appreciate the feedback to all. I like the options you have given me and I know it's not a cookie cut solution. I'm sure I have to price this differently unless I do low grade image downloads.