League Photo - who gets a cut of the profit?

[LeftofCenterPhoto]

How are league photos typically arranged. I've been in talks to shoot recital photos for a dance class - individuals of each dancer and class photo. There are six classes total and a minimum of 40 kids, maybe more.

The teacher asked me tonight what her cut would be for bringing me the business and while I had thought a bit about that, my initial thought was that I shouldn't be giving her anything.

I'm offering up a service and not charging her for my time, so the only money I make would be on prints sold - which means I could make nothing and be out a couple hours of shooting.

On the other hand, she is bringing me business so I've thought about scaling it somehow - 1-10 prints sold she gets 10%, 11-20 she gets 20% or something like that.

Is there any standard out there? I've seen that a bunch of folks here have shot league stuff before so I'm wondering how the deal goes down.

[Borderfox]

I have been invited to cover horse shows and then they have turned around and tried to get money off me but I wouldnt stand for that but if I request to go to a show I will give them publicity and web shots for free. Give her 10% and no more..

[LeftofCenterPhoto]

Thanks for the feedback.

I was thinking between 10-20%. I ran some numbers in Excel based on my costs and time and if there are enough kids I can still make what I would consider a good deal at 20%.

Of course, my first offer will be 10%. :)

[Tommy]

Personally, I would give her nothing. Especially if she came to you to ask you to do this.

BUT, if you're in the position where you're just starting up, and need the business and exposure, then bargain with her. Instead of cash, perhaps a few photos for her marketing?

[cosworth]

No one ever got a "cut" of my business. If she wants a cut and turfs you for another shooter willing to give her a cut, you don't want the job.

[Hogloff]

If you have so much business that you can walk away from a job, then do so, but it sounds like you can make a good buck by giving her 10-20%. She gets what she wants, you make a buck...what is so wrong here. Maybe she can bring you other business. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. That is how business works.

[kja]

One thing you might keep in mind, and I'm just tossing it out there, is if she is doing all the organizing, promotion and follow up with the kids/families that relieves you of having to do it. Think of her as an assistant in this scenario - there's lots to do on the day and before the day and you can even conscript her into after the day if you need to.

I certainly wouldn't go over 10% and there would have to be way more involvement on her end than simply signing you up to do it.

[MJPhotos24]

It's not uncommon for a league to get a cut, in this area I haven't seen it but heard it happening many times in other parts of the world. They view it as a fund-raiser pretty much, usually around 10% of sales, but that's if they are doing something to help sell the photos and not just having you show up and think you have to do it all. Also, a lot of 'togs are using that kick-back fundraising idea to land leagues. Kind of to influence them to use there services instead of go with someone that doesn't offer it.

[bwolford]

This is dance, but my experience is a cut for the coach/boosters varies from nothing (band photos) to 20% or more for some sports. This can be very lucrative, especially for younger athletes and dancers. Very lucrative. I would have not qualms about giving her some cut if she pushed the sale AND helped you collect and distribute prints. Put her to work and make her earn her 10%.

[Croasdail]

No one ever got a "cut" of my business. If she wants a cut and turfs you for another shooter willing to give her a cut, you don't want the job.

Well then you haven't done much league shooting, because this is very standard for the event to get a "donation" back. Traditionally 10-20% is very standard.

[cosworth]

Well I have. I just go about it differently. When you are the only game in town, you can learn quickly how to negotiate.

[MJPhotos24]

Well I have. I just go about it differently. When you are the only game in town, you can learn quickly how to negotiate.

True, I do a few leagues and noone gets a cut - this area noone does it that way. So it's just a matter of what is the norm in your region. I can't name one company that gives a cut back around here, but in other areas I can.

[Croasdail]

I guess I can see that. For tennis around here, there is no kick back. For the larger soccer leagues there is. And frankly I haven't had an issue with it. The last league I did I paid them $1800 for their share - for a weekends worth of work. You can figure out my take, so I didn't mind much at all.

They benefited, I did ok as well, plus got a tax deduction as well. Worked just fine.

[LeftofCenterPhoto]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Right now there seems to be only one game in town for doing this - one guy does all the city league stuff as far as I can tell. I landed this because she is new to teaching - this is her second year - and I have a kid in her class. And I approached her to see if she had anybody doing recital and class photos because last year she didn't.

She'll be helping to coordinate the shoot, getting the location, distributing order envelopes. I'll be doing all the print work, stuff the memory mates and order envelopes and delivering them back to her for distribution. So she won't just be sitting around.

She also does cheerleading in the summer so this could turn into that as well, but the other guy in town may already have it since he does football.

I'll probably offer her 10% based on what I saw here.