Your opinions on this business idea...

[cbd]

My main focus is for youth sports. I have a good friend who coaches a youth basketball team and thought I could test the waters with his team. What I'd like to do is snap photos and short video clips of the team and each player, (with permission) throughout the season, then compile them onto a DVD similar to what you'd see at a wedding during the reception for example. I'd use ProShow to create the storyline, including practice and game video/pictures with background music, then offer to the parents at the end of the season. While it would probably be more work than it's worth, it would be fun to try it out. And with each DVD being different, focusing on one particular player, the DVDs cannot be copied and shared with other teammates. I figure with a good storyline template, I can quickly plug in 'John' and have his DVD made rather quickly. Anyone do similar work? Is it worth a shot? Thanks.

[Svetlana]

I think it's a great idea!! Kinda give perspective on the whole year. I like it!

[Concretin Nik]

I think it's a great idea too. Though I do see it as a severe organizational challenge. That's alot of pics/vids to keep track of, edit, produce... and then "maybe" sell them. BUT, parents might dig it and eat 'em up.

Please post up if you try this with an example and your results! Good luck!

[cbd]

Thank you for the encouragement! I went to my first game tonight and took some shots just to get a feel for the shots I'll need. I think it will be fun. Thanks again!

[stillinamerica]

I like the idea.....but good luck with the organization....you don't want to hurt anyones feelings. My son turned 3 this past Dec, my job at the party was to take a few shots of my son with each friend (10 kids) and we were going to create a collage as a party favor. I din't get half the shots I needed!

So maybe not announce your full intention to the parents until half way through the season when you have enough footage for everychild!

But the idea is good...and it seems like the main reason for doing it is for the 'fun' factor for yourself....so knock your socks off....post some pics when you are finished!

[Mike R]

Put together a sample to and show it at a meeting of the parents, then have people pre-pay for one of their kid. This way you don't wast time shooting a kid whose parents are not going to buy one.
I sell a slideshow to each team that I shoot for. It's a 15-20 min show for their annual banquets and I charge $265.00 I give them a choice of additional copies at $30 each, or they can copy it themselves and sell it as a fund raiser.

[Dennis_Hammer]

I would produce one video that includes everyone equally. Less work and the kids want to see their friends also.

[Alleh]

Might suck for the kids on the bench all season.

[Karl Johnston]

Might suck for the kids on the bench all season.
This is what I think you should do, instead, based on ^:

Try showing up at practises and doing some staged shots instead. Good ones that parents (even parents with long L lenses) couldn't get themselves, during the season.

Get some Alleh-quality images of the kids, all the kids.

Every single parent wants to see their kids do good, but how many are going to be there, for every game, to see every slam dunk? Moreso, who's kid is it that gets the winning dunk? One kid, two kids...what about the rest ?

What if all the players could have winning dunks? Wicked shots, stuff you would see in sports illustrated. Creative shots. Really nice advertising-quality shots. Work individually with them and then try to sell those products to the parents.

That way you open up a broader market (kids on the bench's parents can also have kickass shots of them) and perhaps, also, a higher quality product could mean higher quality dollars $$$$

[zagiace]

Might suck for the kids on the bench all season.
I coached little league for a park that had trouble getting parents to volunteer. It was awhile ago but I am pretty sure it was a rule of the either the league or park that you had to play every player every game.
OP-
That's a great idea! You may not need it but good Luck...

[pantherphotos]

It will be a challenge to get every kid individually. I do the same thing, but with the team as a whole, so all the DVD's are the same. I have had parents eat them up. I organize the DVD by game, set the pictures of each game in a slideshow with music (that the kids use during practice or in the locker room before a game to pump them up). They and their parents love them! I find there is much more of a market for DVD/CDs, as long as you charge sufficiently for it. (I'm taking cover now) :D

[MJPhotos24]

If you're focusing on one team it won't be as much of a challenge - this is basketball, what 10 kids over multiple games? That really should be a snap as in today's society almost every league has the rule that every kid must play so not too difficult if that's the case. If they don't have that rule and the coach is playing only the top kids then there could be a problem. You're going to run into a few problems though - one being parents actually do want a team one more than just their kid - of course you could make a team one and include more of their kid, so it's still specific but team oriented. Other option is pricing probably won't be worth the time.

[MJPhotos24]

It will be a challenge to get every kid individually. I do the same thing, but with the team as a whole, so all the DVD's are the same. I have had parents eat them up. I organize the DVD by game, set the pictures of each game in a slideshow with music (that the kids use during practice or in the locker room before a game to pump them up). They and their parents love them! I find there is much more of a market for DVD/CDs, as long as you charge sufficiently for it. (I'm taking cover now) :D
I'd take cover because what you're doing sounds majorly illegal using music you're not paying for the rights to and they could sue the crap out of you for using it commercially like that. ASCAP, BMI, etc. are not forgiving companies and will go after every cent you have and then some!! Especially being a photographer where you KNOW it's illegal to use others work without permission.

If you're paying for the rights - well that has to be one expensive DVD.

OT - but your pricing on the site is all over the place, is there any sound reasoning behind it? Just curious.

[cbd]

Thank you for all the suggestions! For now, my biggest concern is the approach to the parents. I like the idea of carrying my netbook with me to show a sample video. My friend said the best time to talk to the parents is before the game, or during practice. I thought I could print up a form that I can give to them which will state what the service is, and gather their email address, the child's jersey#, and a release signature allowing me to shoot photos of their child. I can offer 1 or 2 game shots that I can email them throughout the season, just to give them a taste, and also because I think they would appreciate quality free shots. My main concern is that I don't want to come off as someone that's trying to make a buck. I want to be genuine and approach them with "What are your thoughts on a DVD at the end of the season for your child?" type of gesture. Does that make sense? Thanks again for all your thoughts!

[cbd]

Might suck for the kids on the bench all season.

The great thing about these leagues is that they are all in the game at some point of the night. I did think about that initially, but knowing that even if they play for 2min the whole night, I can ensure I get a few on-the-court pics.

[cbd]

What if all the players could have winning dunks? Wicked shots, stuff you would see in sports illustrated. Creative shots. Really nice advertising-quality shots. Work individually with them and then try to sell those products to the parents.

That way you open up a broader market (kids on the bench's parents can also have kickass shots of them) and perhaps, also, a higher quality product could mean higher quality dollars $$$$

This is an excellent idea! You are right. In order to make sales, I strongly believe you have to offer the customer something that is not easy for them to do themselves. With everything in my life, I look for ways to do things without the need for a professional when possible. This is a great way to use personal creative skills. I like it! Thanks!

[cbd]

It will be a challenge to get every kid individually. I do the same thing, but with the team as a whole, so all the DVD's are the same. I have had parents eat them up. I organize the DVD by game, set the pictures of each game in a slideshow with music (that the kids use during practice or in the locker room before a game to pump them up). They and their parents love them! I find there is much more of a market for DVD/CDs, as long as you charge sufficiently for it. (I'm taking cover now) :D

Do you think $15 is a fair price for a 12min video? I feel like the viewers may get bored if the video is more than, say 15min. What are your thoughts?

[Frugal]

IDo you think $15 is a fair price for a 12min video?

Sounds low to me but depends where you live (affluent?) I'd figure out your costs first. For me - a videographer when not a photographer - the packaging can cost more than the DVD, depending on whether you go cheap (milky clear poly case) or expensive (Hollywood style DVD case with printed insert)

[Mike R]

Do you think $15 is a fair price for a 12min video? I feel like the viewers may get bored if the video is more than, say 15min. What are your thoughts?
The 15 min limit is good. The slideshows I do for banquets run 15-20 min and the parents/kids love them. I agree that anything longer and people get bored.
If the team makes it to the State Championship its 20, when they s***, it's 15 min.