newbie starting out with questions

[SteveRN]

Hello to all! My name is Steve and have had an interest in photograhy for years and have been taking nature-scape pictures.. Took some pictures of my children over the years playing sports and friend liked what they saw....looked into starting a sports action type business on the part-time.

I work as a RN in a local Emergency Room and have plenty of time off. I hope if you all don't mind me asking questions as I start and grow.

First question:: what camera (digital( would you use

2nd...............legally can I show up at a ball field and start taking pictures of the kids in action then go around and pass out brochure offering pictures or so I have a table set-up and as parents come up for game they "contract" me for taking their childs picture while playing.

have many questions and would appericate any input.

[Deckyon]

First of all, I am not a bonified pro, but I have sold a number of photographs.

Question 1 - The equipment is not as important as your knowledge of the equipment. Basically, you could go out, buy a 1D Mark II with a super-fast f/2.8 L lens and shoot it on Auto and get the same quality photos as you could on a disposeable film camera. Decide on your budget and get the best camera and lens you can on that budget. You stated you want to do sports. After selling some photos to a few parents on my daughter's soccer team, that 8.5 frames per second the 1D Mark II fires at is incredible and allowed me to capture shots that only the luckiest shutter release on a different camera would have allowed...

Question 2 - I shoot at my daughter's soccer game. I do not show up and shoot to make money from other parents. I do, however, bring a receipt book and Minor Model Release forms, just in case a parent wants a couple photos. After a couple games, however, my daughter's teammates' parents stop by and ask if I could shoot some good action shots of their kids, and if the photos come out, they would buy them.

Bassically, if you are going to use a person's photograph to make money, you must (in the USA) have a model release, or minor's model release for kids under 18. Again, this is in the USA. I have never had problems getting model releases signed. I almost always throw in a 4x6 "proof" of a larger print, something to put in the scrap books.

Common sense and common courtesy generally rule the field, I have found.

[ralee]

Hi Steve

Question 1) I agree with Deckyon, yes, equipment is important but it is only as good as the person using it. If I were you I would set a budget and then decide how to allocate your funds. I own a camera store and find that some invest too much in the camera body and not enough on lenses. If your budget allows you to get the mark II and the L Lenses then go for it but if not then I would go for the 20D and buy the L lenses. You will have lots of opportunity to buy another body when you start making some money with your photo business.

Question 2) I would contact the league organizers and ask them permission - maybe even offer them a kick back for exclusivity. Generally, when I shoot these type of events I have a sign up table/ viewing table, I only shoot the child athlete when the parent or guardian signs them up - basically this gives me permission to shoot them. I never post them on the internet either because you should have their permission as well. They get to view them at the table at the event and if they miss it for some reason they can email me to view them ( again this gives me their permission) This method does require to have more than one person at the event but it works for me.

I hope this helps a little, and good luck

Rob