contracts and Kick backs

I have been given permission to shoot at the local school but I have to be shooting for a specific student. That would be the only one I could shoot. Also I can night post pictures to my website. They also mentioned that only way I could shoot the whole team is if they contract with me. Kind of like how things get done with class photos. Who out there has a contract to shoot high school sports. What kind of things are in it. Also what kind of kick back of proffits do you give back to them.

I don't give anything back. Why would you? I provide a service for which they pay me a certain amount just like any other professional service. Sounds like a bad deal to me.

That kind of what I thought. They just said if they did have someone come in they would get a pertion of the sales. They don't let anyone in any other way.

I suppose if a kickback is the only way you could ask what % or monetary amount they want. Then just raise your prices to reflect that. You could take home the same amount and maybe get some future biz/ referrals.

I def wouldn't do it out of pocket if it were me unless I had a proven way to get some referrals and knew I could get X amount from the referral.

Right now I'm at the games any way so I figure I just as well try to make some money. The biggest problem is they have some mommyographers that give the school a cd for free for them and the kids to do what thay want with. I did get 2 maybe threee parents that want me to shoot for them so that should get me started I hope.

I personally would just work with the school as best I could. I think it is worth it in the long run to work with them, and give them a bit of your profits/income from the pictures, in order to keep them happy. That relationship should definitely lead to further opportunities and doors opening.

I do a percentage of the sales to the school if they keep the parents off. It is a concession fee just like the smoothie and hotdog etc concessions pay to be there. I don't consider it a kickback. If they don't keep parents off then I wouldn't pay them a dime. Just had an event today where parents were on the playing service, don't know why they were allowed. Anyway, it's a violation of my agreement so school won't get any proceeds from the event.
Regarding kickback statements, why would a photographer think he has a right to use a school event and property to make money and not pay anything for that opportunity when the other vendors have to pay.

Dan-o wrote in post #14902536
I don't give anything back. Why would you? I provide a service for which they pay me a certain amount just like any other professional service. Sounds like a bad deal to me.

Because other companies do. My wife used to teach before our photo business got so big she had to stay home and run it and I talked with her principal about doing the school photos.

The company they use gives 30% back to the school and that is the principal's only discretionary money for the entire year. No way that principal is going to give up the only discretionary income for the entire year because you are a smart businessman.

I didn't want to deal with it, so I passed.

It's common practice for those companies doing underclass school photography to pay a percentage of their sales to schools, along with a plethora of different service items. It's a part of their marketing model, and it's not going to change. It's built into their pricing, and they can afford it. There simply isn't enough money generated shooting action pictures to pay a percentage to the school.

Do the contract, but work it to your advantage. As others have said, mark up your prices to cover the "access fee", and make sure your contract gives you exclusive access to the side lines, as well as links on their website, in the game programs and over the PA. Be up front with them on the access. Make sure they know you mean the MWC's and the like. If it is worked right, I don't mind paying the schools a kick back, so long as that kick back is also benefiting me...which it can and will. Just don't give away the farm for access. Make it a win-win for both sides.

Thanks everyone. After talking with them more I don't think they will keep others off the field. An they have said absoluty no posting to my web site. Unless a specific parent has asked me to photograph there child. I will keep working it.
Thanks again for all the coments. If you have more keep them coming.
The biggest problem is the Mommyographers that shoot an give the pictures away to the school and students. The other night one mother has a $400 Camera with $2000 lens.

So if I wanted to go take pictures of my child at a school function that would be a problem? Or if I just wanted to sit in the stands and take photos because I need the practice that would be a problem?

No that would not be a problem IQ. The problem is the mommy that thinks they need to be where the professionals are. Then giving their work away to everyone. I have friends and family's kids playing but I dont think I need to be down there for that reason. If friends or family ask for photographs they all pay.

Thanks for the reply.