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jjmaccrimmonI promised a little announcement yesterday and by the time I could get back to the computer again at home, I was too scatter-brained to thoughtfully write this up. Recent events (lack of paying clients, computer crash and increasing fuel costs) are making me seriously re-evaluate my options in the photography business. When I started into this, I planned to keep it a fun, side project, with the hopes of earning some much needed added income. The show photos, event sets and modeling shoots have been a blast. I’ve also met some incredible people so far and have been very appreciative of the various opportunities.
Taking photos is a joy; however, the image processing is genuine work. In the last two months, I’ve found myself increasing getting behind in getting to photos. The home computer I work on photos with, is also the only one hooked to the net in the house currently so I have to share it so some extent. That’s going to change in the near future, however, time resources for that set-up is limited. I’ve also tried to load Photoshop on the kid’s computer so I could work there while they get on-line, but we're having some issues there. Processing a 200+ photos set, takes about a week (4 hours per day over 6 days) to select photos, edit them, attach tags, upload and post them. More importantly, my kids want (and deserve) my attentions. They have gotten righteously annoyed when I’m on working on photos excessively and without benefit.
Photography isn’t a cheap hobby. Many folks had commented on how they wanted photos done and would be interested in paying, but those gigs never materialized. In some cases, I’ve allocated time and resources over and above what I probably should have for several TFP shoots. Perhaps the same can be said for event/show photography. Driving to Los Angeles several times a week for shows gets pricey when gas hits $3 / gallon (plus it’s an hour’s drive to LA / Hollywood from Lancaster). I have appreciated being admitted gratis to a number of events, but those are few and far in between. I’m looking for some help and / or advice here.
Until I’m able to become independently wealthy or find some other options, here’s the plan. I’m not giving up on photography, shows and such by any means, but I am going to restrict it a bit.
TFP shoot policy & cost sharing
After this month, I’m going to cut back TFP photography to a limited basis (only people I’ve made previous arrangements with or have been actively pursuing). I’m still trying to decide what’s reasonable so far as travel arrangements, but if I need to travel more than 60 miles to shoot a subject, help with gas costs is a necessity. It takes a half tank of gas to get down to central Los Angeles and back (7 gallons @ $3.10/gallon is about $20). Hint hint..
If you’re paying me for a shoot, then obviously the costs for travel are negotiated in the price of the photo set. Same goes for art projects I’ve contacted a subject for.
Show Credit or Access
For shows, I’ve always provided my photos as a benefit to the performers, but please help me by getting me into a guest list (edit: if it exists). We all benefit this way. This is the arrangement (for the most part) I have for shooting Fright Night LA. It works well and for the most part I act as a member of the event staff. Genuinely, I’d love to be considered (and noted as) the “official photographer” for specific shows or troupes. It’s a resume and credit thing. I don’t know if this is reasonable though.
Highlights versus Extensive-Sets
With the exception of Fright Night, I’m now limiting the number of highlight photos from various shows. I’m going to go through each set and select a number of photos from a given performance or artist for processing and publishing. In doing this I’ll be able to get photos of individual events out faster for promotional use. It will also ease some of the time crunch in trying to process, edit, and post photos on-line. The other photos will be available privately (details, to be worked out shortly). If you like the highlight shots selected then get with me for further images.
Basic Cost for supplies and service
Additionally, as of 1 April, I have to start charging $5 for each CD-r of an event/show/modeling shoot. This is a very minimal amount to recoup my cost for CD’s, jewel cases, envelopes, stamps and on-line archiving (Photobucket). Sadly, I have to start transitioning some aspects of this to a business format now or I won’t be able to afford to do this in the future.
Overall, I believe these are incredibly reasonable. What do you the readers, viewers and potential customers think?
Taking photos is a joy; however, the image processing is genuine work. In the last two months, I’ve found myself increasing getting behind in getting to photos. The home computer I work on photos with, is also the only one hooked to the net in the house currently so I have to share it so some extent. That’s going to change in the near future, however, time resources for that set-up is limited. I’ve also tried to load Photoshop on the kid’s computer so I could work there while they get on-line, but we're having some issues there. Processing a 200+ photos set, takes about a week (4 hours per day over 6 days) to select photos, edit them, attach tags, upload and post them. More importantly, my kids want (and deserve) my attentions. They have gotten righteously annoyed when I’m on working on photos excessively and without benefit.
Photography isn’t a cheap hobby. Many folks had commented on how they wanted photos done and would be interested in paying, but those gigs never materialized. In some cases, I’ve allocated time and resources over and above what I probably should have for several TFP shoots. Perhaps the same can be said for event/show photography. Driving to Los Angeles several times a week for shows gets pricey when gas hits $3 / gallon (plus it’s an hour’s drive to LA / Hollywood from Lancaster). I have appreciated being admitted gratis to a number of events, but those are few and far in between. I’m looking for some help and / or advice here.
Until I’m able to become independently wealthy or find some other options, here’s the plan. I’m not giving up on photography, shows and such by any means, but I am going to restrict it a bit.
TFP shoot policy & cost sharing
After this month, I’m going to cut back TFP photography to a limited basis (only people I’ve made previous arrangements with or have been actively pursuing). I’m still trying to decide what’s reasonable so far as travel arrangements, but if I need to travel more than 60 miles to shoot a subject, help with gas costs is a necessity. It takes a half tank of gas to get down to central Los Angeles and back (7 gallons @ $3.10/gallon is about $20). Hint hint..
If you’re paying me for a shoot, then obviously the costs for travel are negotiated in the price of the photo set. Same goes for art projects I’ve contacted a subject for.
Show Credit or Access
For shows, I’ve always provided my photos as a benefit to the performers, but please help me by getting me into a guest list (edit: if it exists). We all benefit this way. This is the arrangement (for the most part) I have for shooting Fright Night LA. It works well and for the most part I act as a member of the event staff. Genuinely, I’d love to be considered (and noted as) the “official photographer” for specific shows or troupes. It’s a resume and credit thing. I don’t know if this is reasonable though.
Highlights versus Extensive-Sets
With the exception of Fright Night, I’m now limiting the number of highlight photos from various shows. I’m going to go through each set and select a number of photos from a given performance or artist for processing and publishing. In doing this I’ll be able to get photos of individual events out faster for promotional use. It will also ease some of the time crunch in trying to process, edit, and post photos on-line. The other photos will be available privately (details, to be worked out shortly). If you like the highlight shots selected then get with me for further images.
Basic Cost for supplies and service
Additionally, as of 1 April, I have to start charging $5 for each CD-r of an event/show/modeling shoot. This is a very minimal amount to recoup my cost for CD’s, jewel cases, envelopes, stamps and on-line archiving (Photobucket). Sadly, I have to start transitioning some aspects of this to a business format now or I won’t be able to afford to do this in the future.
Overall, I believe these are incredibly reasonable. What do you the readers, viewers and potential customers think?
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