Anyone shoot running events?

Hoping some of you are willing to share some info. I have shot numerous running events (5K's, 10K's, triathlons, etc) with the bigger named companies and smaller individual companies and I am looking to branch out shooting my own events, mainly to get more work. With the huge rise in popularity of these events, there seems to be a good amount of events that are not officially covered by the local event companies.

So for the people that shoot these events, what is the best way to get exclusive access to these? Just contacting a race director? What is the best way approach them? Any sample contracts out there for events? Anyone give kick backs? I have heard some race directors requiring pay to play type of contract.

I am mainly looking at the smaller events to get started but not having much luck finding a sample contract that is specific to these types of events. I don't want to go into this without some kind of contract with the race officials. I just need that foot in the door to get started. Any info is appreciated.

Thanks

Not sure I can help much, but I do work for one of the bigger running sports photography companies here in the Northeast. From what I can see, and from being a runner myself, a LOT of the events in this are, big or small, are pretty much covered by us, or one or two other companies that operate in this area.

I would assume you would contact the race director to see if they are bidding for the job. In the meantime, you probably would want to work up a contract. And I could be wrong, and hope someone can correct me, but I would also think you would need some kind of insurance for yourself.

I work for Brightroom for the large events but they don't seem to be even remotely interested in the smaller events down here. With the amount of events lined up maybe they just don't know about all of them yet or don't really think they are profitable enough to put the time in, not sure.

Bidding for the job implies the photogs are paying to shoot. Is this the norm? I know with the larger events it is based on how many runners finish and the kick back is on a per runner basis, but with the smaller events I just don't see how that is warranted.

The contract bit is mainly the reason for the post. I have contracts for weddings and portraits but non for events like these. So I was hoping someone has a sample so I could use it to make sure I am not leaving anything out.

Insurance is covered. I have 2 million general liability and I am an official tax paying business.

I help a friend with some triathlons in the Orlando area, we are the official photogs for all there events. In the contract states that a % of sales goes back to the promoter, this % is what you will have to negotiate it is also in the contract that they must promote the photography, links etc.
What we have noticed in the past couple of years is the sales have gone way down. At most of these smaller events we have more and more family and friends with cameras taking pictures and they give there pics away, this something that is hard to control. Good Luck

I started my company two years ago shooting smaller races. There is a reason Brightroom does not go after those races. Check out backprint.com. Its brightrooms spin off company for hosting photos from races. You get to use all the software and they fulfill the orders for you.

ZXDrew wrote in post #14439712
I started my company two years ago shooting smaller races. There is a reason Brightroom does not go after those races. Check out backprint.com. Its brightrooms spin off company for hosting photos from races. You get to use all the software and they fulfill the orders for you.

Already set up with backprint. What is the reason? Just not profitable for them?

gromeo wrote in post #14439508
I help a friend with some triathlons in the Orlando area, we are the official photogs for all there events. In the contract states that a % of sales goes back to the promoter, this % is what you will have to negotiate it is also in the contract that they must promote the photography, links etc.
What we have noticed in the past couple of years is the sales have gone way down. At most of these smaller events we have more and more family and friends with cameras taking pictures and they give there pics away, this something that is hard to control. Good Luck

Thanks for the info. If you guys are ever in need of an additional shooter, let me know.

So a kickback is pretty industry standard? Do you approach a promoter by pitching that kickback or do they normally expect that? I guess I am just unsure of how to approach them.

I never offer kickbacks. I'm there to provide a service to thier runners to enhance their race. My main selling point is the visibly I give to thier sponsors. I make sure as soon as I get back to an internet connection I pull a set of 10-20 promo photos from the event to watermark and put up. I usually include one or two runners at each point I have pictures from then all the sponsors shots.


Promotional for Event - Nightime Trailrun

Promotional for Event - Normal 5k

ZXDrew wrote in post #14439834
I never offer kickbacks. I'm there to provide a service to thier runners to enhance their race. My main selling point is the visibly I give to thier sponsors. I make sure as soon as I get back to an internet connection I pull a set of 10-20 promo photos from the event to watermark and put up. I usually include one or two runners at each point I have pictures from then all the sponsors shots.


Promotional for Event - Nightime Trailrun

Promotional for Event - Normal 5k

Great info! Thanks so much.

I shoot local running races - usually with fields of a couple of hundred people. I reach out to the. Race director and offer to shoot it in return for being promoted as the official race photographer. They'll out my logo somewhere (on a banner, the shirts, the website) and we'll cross promote.

I'll shoot the race, get them some shots of promotors and runners to them ASAP, sell my shots to the runners and after a couple of weeks when the hype and sales have died down, I'll provide the race director with an archive of everything (watermarked).

I (badly) haven't written up a contract yet - its usually agreed in an email chain and fairly casual. If someone screws me around I dont go back to shoot their race. I have a number in mind I want to mke from sales to the runners, that's my "break even" number.

I've had some drace directors work really well with me and the cross promotion keeps people interested and the hype up, and others who have no clue how to market, and things fall flat.