Paying for events

Just wondering how everyone feels about photographers paying to shoot sporting events. Ive run in to this a lot more in the past year or so. Events that I have shot for years are all of a sudden off limits to me. All because some local studio paid the group to be the shooter for the event. It really gets under my skin because all I here from everyone then is where where you the pictures the other guy took suck.

Wish I had the extra money to go sit outside their studio and offer to pay people to shoot their Wedding or senior picture! See how they like it!

who are you shooting it for?

Just because you're a 'photographer' doesn't entitle you to anything.

As a freelancer, incurring costs is just part of the job. Your goal should be to make more revenue from your photography than you spend, whether those expenses are travel, equipment, or entrance fees.

I'm a rodeo photographer. I am a paying member of the associations. An I contribute to the news letters so they have something to put in them.

Do they pay you for your contributions for the letters?

Sounds like they are getting maximum revenue from you, and you are getting minimum benefit.

Pete-

Event producers want media exposure to promote events or happy customers to generate losts of $$$. The quality of the photos is a minor concern as part of their overall business. When you can clearly show you can deliver good value to them, they will choose your services. If you are getting locked out-make a new plan.

-Scott

Most do pay for the photographs. I have acouple that helped me get my start so we trade out the pictures for membership. My biggest comlaint that I'm getting at is photogrpahers paying the event organizers $500 $500 and up to shoot a one or two night event.

If the organizers can get away with it, more power to them!

The Long Beach Grand Prix has a special pass known as a 'super photo' pass which can give the 'average' fan access to select 'photo towers'. The pass is more expensive than nearly all passes except the special hospitality passes - http://gplb.com/ticket​_prices.html

Here's the restrictions of the super photo pass - http://gplb.com/super_​photo.html

Of course, working media are granted a less restrictive photo pass gratis, because of the exposure they offer. I assume this is likely a similar situation. Surely the event organizers you speak of aren't telling the local tv station news crew or newspaper that they have to pay $500 to show up to their event and run a bit on it.

I'm not certain that I'm understanding exactly what you're talking about. Are you talking about a commercial venture taking place where a photographer or company is paying to have exclusive rights to the photography for the event and they then sell the photos?....or are you talking about them charging more to private individuals who want access to take photos?
If it's a business buying exclusive rights to the photography for the event, then they are most likely covering those fees through the sales they are making and still turning a profit after that (otherwise they wouldn't pay it). If that's the case, couldn't you offer to buy the rights to the photography for the event and then make the money back plus some? It sounds like you have pretty good connections.

They are probably paying for an exclusive. This creates revenue for the organization and minimizes the liability of the organization by keeping all the GWAC's off the sidelines.

HammerCope wrote in post #14317553
Most do pay for the photographs. I have acouple that helped me get my start so we trade out the pictures for membership. My biggest comlaint that I'm getting at is photogrpahers paying the event organizers $500 $500 and up to shoot a one or two night event.

Its just a way to make some additional cash for an event organizer, since things are tough these days. I know of an organization that wanted photographers to pay for access and give them photos to use for PR also.

These photographers will have to hustle to help overcome that $500+ price of admission, and it may take a few events for them to realize they are getting shafted.