Player/Parent Contract Sports Shooting

[CarolinaMoon]

Have anyone ever heard of a sports photographer selling his/her services on a per contract - per player basis. That is, the parents with a contract, "hire" the photographer to shoot their son or daughter during the season.

For example, the photographer may contract to shoot anywhere from 1-4 games or more during this sports season. At the end of season, provide a CD of X number of images. With the CD, also sell special editing services, touch-ups, etc.

Different packages would include different options and number of games.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[Gary_Evans]

Most photographers who offer this service supply books as they have a much higher perceived value than offering CDs.

Prices seem to vary between about £500 and £3500 ($1000 - $7000) per season dependant on the sport.

[Mike R]

I think you have greater potential if you get a school contract, go to all the games and get good action shots of as many kids as possible,set up a web site, then offer the prints for sale to the parents. PM me if you have any questions about doing this.

[NickSimcheck]

Intresting idea.

I think parents will value a book with "Highlight" shots from the season much more then they would going through a million shots of other kids just to find the few of their kids.

Who says you can't do both? Offer it to people, tell'em you'll take extra notice to their kids and tell'em the details and in the end they get a book for $XXX.XX.

[NickSimcheck]

Oh, and payment upfront would be wise.

Wouldn't want them backing out just like a wedding photographer gets the shaft.

[Mike R]

Intresting idea.

I think parents will value a book with "Highlight" shots from the season much more then they would going through a million shots of other kids just to find the few of their kids.

Who says you can't do both? Offer it to people, tell'em you'll take extra notice to their kids and tell'em the details and in the end they get a book for $XXX.XX.

Good idea. along with pre payment. I may think about offering them.

To save parent from having to look at all photos from an event to find their kid, I enabled the search function on my site. Parents can search for shots by the player number. Although I only do this for close up action shots of individual palyers and not large player groups in the same image.

[Strnge]

A guy who shoots photos at the local race track does the same thing by separating them by car number. It works out great for him. However what you will notice is that you will have shot alot more of one person than say another. You have to make sure you "spread the love." You have to be very concious of it.

I like the idea of the book thing, just offer them individual photos as another option.

[CarolinaMoon]

Folks, thank you very much for replying to my message. The concept is still new and trying to develop it.

I may pick one or two of our friends and shoot their children, build the highlight book at no charge, and see what the response is. Our fall baseball season is starting up today so I am going to feel out the scene and see if it could be feasible.

Right now, I am posting the photos to my website and the parent are purchasing photos from there.

[Strnge]

Post some photos or a link to your site so we can see too.