I need your advice on photo requests from HS coach/school

I like the wording

My shooting is largely high school sports. The teachers, coaches, and administrators aren't getting rich in my area. They are getting hammered by budget cutters. Building cooperative relationships is the most beneficial thing I can do to help me do my job.

Occasionally, that means getting an electronic image or print to a coach, AD, principal, or ref. Free.

I spend pennies and it pays off big.

I've had the volleyball coach give up his bench seat and give it to me because a ref said I couldn't shoot from a certain location. (he just moved down a seat)

The previous football coach would give me a heads up if he was about to run a trick play--just so I could get a shot of it. He also gave me access to the locker room. Pre-game, halftime, and post game.

The AD ran interference for me when we got a new football coach so that I could get the access I wanted (the new coach didn't want any photogs on the field).

The principal cleared a row of bleachers at a volleyball match (student section) so that I could move about freely to photograph.

Sure I had previously given a print of the volleyball coach's daughter (also on the team) to her grandma.

Yes, the football coach got a few prints of the team (+ a pic of his daughter the cheerleader).

The AD got a 5 x 7 for the trophy/plaque when the team finished third in state.

The principal asked for a shot of the crowd at the state tournament for the web site. He not only got the shot of our school's supporters but he was in the middle of the students cheering.

The basketball ref I know delivered an 8 x 10 to the football ref I didn't know.

When the hired photog didn't show up for the new stadium ribbon cutting, the District Superintendent of Schools asked me to shoot it (at the last minuet). Five by seven prints of the VIPs were on his desk Monday afternoon. I haven't had to hit him up for a favor--yet.

None of those deeds cost me any sales. They all know I sell to parents but am willing to help teachers, coaches etc for school use only.

One hand washes the other.

Phil

Phil, Pricless!
For the love of photography and being in the game, I have been there too. Pay it forward!
It helps to shake hands with the right people...but wash them first..

I shoot for the kids and sell to the parents too, but if the AD didnt like me I would be out of the game.

Happy Shooting,
Joe

Phil I do very similar things. Even go as far a charity work. It has gained me access to things I would not normally have access too. One right now is unlimited access given to me, which no one has ever been given in the 150+ year history of this organization.

I have used 3 or 4 of those photos on the flash front page of my website....and wouldn't you know it yesterday I ran in to a sports writer for the local newspaper at a restaurant who saw my front page and loved every shot. He got my number and said he wanted to hire me for some work. If I would have not have done as Phil has done, in the beginning, none of this would have happened.

You never know what will happen and you should always never put all your eggs in one basket.

This has been a great thread!

What if you had a snowballs chance in he'll to get into a facility without giving away shots? I know some of you make a little money at this and even a few or ok, one that I've seen bash the crap out of some parents shooters like me that set their cameras on P for professional lol.

But seriously, I love to shoot the local high school teams. My kids will be there soon and I want access to the gym and field that's they will be on and I can assure you that in my small town, you won't see anyone walking in with a business card and a price list looking around to see where they are going to mount their strobes.

I had a member tell me that I would get zero respect for giving away to parents and players.

I take pictures of players and give them to here and there and even have a site they can access but I know that others have tried to get in there and even offered part of their profit to the school and the school board denied the request from the AD.

C_Heath31 wrote in post #13749925
What if you had a snowballs chance in he'll to get into a facility without giving away shots? I know some of you make a little money at this and even a few or ok, one that I've seen bash the crap out of some parents shooters like me that set their cameras on P for professional lol.

You need to do what you think is best. It's really not anyone else problem.

C_Heath31 wrote in post #13749925
I had a member tell me that I would get zero respect for giving away to parents and players.

I take pictures of players and give them to here and there and even have a site they can access but I know that others have tried to get in there and even offered part of their profit to the school and the school board denied the request from the AD.

Who's respect are you trying to get? If it's the school, then you should be fine. After all they are getting what they want and you're getting what they want. If all you want to do is shoot and give your stuff away, well that's totally up to you. You are only losing respect to pro shooters here who are trying to to use sales to put food on the table. Doing this COULD only hurt you if you have bigger plans for the photography. If all you want to do is get access to your home sports events, then who cares what others have to say, as they really don't have a dog in the fight. But I think the comments you speak of are people trying are just trying to help assuming you have more lofty goals. And I would agree with them, but then again I'm using sports to supplement my income. But again, if you're not looking for respect from peers, what difference does it make? As Phil and other pointed out, there are time you give images away, even for 'professionals'.

Hey Warren I didn't know you had the 400 2.8 - damn

Methodical wrote in post #13760971
Hey Warren I didn't know you had the 400 2.8 - damn

Picked it up during the middle of FB season last year. My back has never been the same.

Nor have your images (in a good way) right.

dwarrenr wrote in post #13761097
Picked it up during the middle of FB season last year. My back has never been the same.

Methodical wrote in post #13761182
Nor have your images (in a good way) right.

LOL...hope they're a tad better. It works out the best for Soccer, but it works really well for FB. Even used it for some Volleyball.

dwarrenr wrote in post #13761097
Picked it up during the middle of FB season last year. My back has never been the same.

And your wallet hasn't been the same, right? Lol...