Pricing/Package models for shows....

[ChristopherCoy]

I have an upcoming show, and I think its going to be a very good marketing opportunity for my pet photography. I will have a full booth, and its been requested that I set up a background, lights etc, and take pictures. I will have an 8' table that I plan to display prints, gallery wraps, and other products on.

Here is my problem: I've never done a booth at a show where I actually SHOOT and sell prints. Its always been an 'information only' kind of setting.

There are 3 things that I want to accomplish -

a. I want to market, market, market.

b. I want to book some future shoots, and secure some return clientel.

c. I want to shoot/sell enough prints at the actual show that I recoup my investment for the booth itself, and the time that I spent there.


Have any of you ever done something along these lines? If so, did you sell prints/packages, digital files, or other items? How do you figure the 'show special' so that its not to expensive for show goer's, but enough to recoup your investments?

[STP Images]

Chris - shoot me a PM and I'll share a couple of things with you that I've learned through my personal slog through the mire.

[ldelacruz]

Be cautious because you might set the bar to low for future bookings. Example: charge $10 at the show and later charge $50 for the same service. Another thought is can you manage it all? Marketing, working the booth and photographing.

[Tom]

Wait - where are the package models?

[ChristopherCoy]

According to their 'vendor agreement', the vendors or 'contractors' as they are called MUST carry...

$500,000/$1,000,000 in general commercial liability insurance.
$500,000 in employers liability insurance.
MINIMUM AMOUNT of workers compensation insurance required by State.
PROPERTY INSURANCE for contractors tools and equipment.

Guess I ain't making this one.

[Tom]

You should carry the liability insurance anyway. It is not expensive and much like

[assumption] Since Modern Mutt has no employees other than the owner (yourself), you don't need workers comp. ALSO, the minimum amount of workers comp in Texas is $0. You can elect not to carry it as an employer.

Property insurance on your gear shouldn't be too expensive.

TCP&Co. - Insurance for Photographers -

This is who I use. They specialize in photographers. Used by most sports photographers and photojournalists, along with Hill & Usher.

I have a $2mm liability coverage policy.
I have $5k in computer coverage.
I have $18k in property/gear coverage.

I pay $175 quarterly. Its too cheap not to do.

[ldelacruz]

Thomas,
You should volunteer your package as an example.

[David Whatley]

+1 on what Thomas said on the insurance and worked comp.
I just did a ballet and I charged 25.00 for one SOOC file emailed after the event. To note, I did do minor post to all files, but they dont know that.
Everyone also got a coupon for a discounted sitting fee with a $50 print credit.
IF I do it next year, I will sell a 8X10 print to be picked up in the studio and I will print a 16X20 or 20X30 that I will offer to them at the time they pick up the 8X10 at a discounted rate.