Asking to work with a pro....

Hi There,

I am planning to approach a professional event photographer to see if I can work with him on a race next year. He shoots Ironman Triathlons and has several togs on the course during the day. Can you help me out with how to get my foot in the door?

1. How do I approach him ? - E-mail / Phone / In person.
2. Send a portfolio of shots etc - any tips on what to include or not include.
3. What do I agree to legally ? lifetime non-exclusive reprint rights ? My name on the prints ? OK to hand over the RAWs ? etc...
4. Do I straight out agree to work for free or leave that out and see what he says ?
5. I am starting to study Photography next year - Mention this ?
6. Include a gear list ?
7. I have completed 5 of these crasy events so I know the day and the course etc...mention?

Any other tips. I am really after contacts, experience and exposure.....not $$$ (At this stage)

thanks, Trent.

Many pros work with assistants on a shoot, they may or may not be open to working with you as a shooter especially if you would expect copyright on your images. I would use e-mail or phone to contact him and make your proposal. Maybe you could offer to assist him on a shoot or two before the big event to prove your skills.

I agree with the email or phone contact first, if you bother him while he's working 'no chance'. Tell him that you're about to begin a course in photography and want to be a sports photographer (and you've got some pictures that you've taken if he'd like to see them - keep it informal as possible then legal matters are less likely to raise their head.), you've seen and admire his work (But only if you have and do - make sure that you can give chapter and verse of some of his pictures that you particularly like.) and then say outright " can I follow you around on a couple of events". Leave him to sort out the terms and if you like them follow it up, if you don't well then that's up to you, but remember you're in no position to bargain - he doesn't have to take you with him. You can always say that you're not ready yet to take a full-time commitment until you've done the course - you just want to experience the life of a 'real Pro'. Keep it modest - if he's a decent guy he'll see you right.

Thanks guys - I'll keep it low key and see what happens.

I'll give my opinion as the pro you are planning to approach ............

Dont do it while I'm working. I am working and not interested !

Dont send a folio on CD. I dont have time to look at it.

Dont try and impress with a huge list of equipment. Again not interested, can you go shoot an event and get good results with one lens? (Always makes me laugh when posters on this forum list gear as long as you arm - why?)

Dont offer to work for free - makes you sound desperate!

But there are some Do's -

Do write a letter and include 6 10 x 8 glossies. Instant impact. Even better if they are event photos. Chase it up by phone a few days later.

Do mention you are about to study photography. Shows an interest and knowledge.

Do offer to assist at an event. And be prepared to do anything and everything.

Do mention that you have competed. A good event tog will know that you understand what the participants want from their photos.

btw, your prospective employer will offer you his/her terms. You then have the chance to agree or walk away. Dont dictate. Event photographers are more businessman than photographer and most wont entertain an employee who tells them what they want.

Finally, dont be put off if he says "no" at first. Personally I have two full time photographers and a small team of regular freelancers who know what I expect from them, and I know I can trust them to work unsupervised. However, as my business grows (or the regulars cant cover an event) I hire fresh. If this happens to you, then this is your chance to impress.

Oh, and best of luck to you.

Thanks Gary,

I am getting my 6 best together and will give this a shot....remember, if you never try you'll never know.

Thanks,

Hi Gary,

Did as you said and we're now chatting on the finer details. Thanks for the tips, they worked a charm .

The pro understandably won't use an event rookie on the day as it's kinda important. I have basically said I'll do what ever it takes to get a gig on the day, so we're finding a smaller event I can test out at.

Here's the new question along these lines. How do you get the most out of a practice session with the pro. I assume there are do's and dont's here too.

Happy to take any advice.

be confident in yourself and your gear, and don't be afraid to ask questions and learn. do be respectfull in all you do, which by the sounds you would be anyway. enjoy yourself, and get some good images .

Trent, I assume you'll be an assistant first, and a shooter seccond. If that is the case just make sure you know your stuff. If he hands you a light meter and says "give me a reading at f/3.2" don't get confused and say huh? even if you feel overwhelmed try to act confident. If it does turn out that you are i way over your head, tell him so and keep a freidly relationship, chances are if he likes you as a person he'll give you a second shot at a later date.

But chances are you'll do just fine, try to stay calm and have a good time. I always shoot better when having fun. If you can pick up tips great, but it's not a lesson, it's a job so get your work doe and let him get his work done.

If for some reason he doesn't hire you to shoot the race don't get discouraged, again maintain the freindly relationship, and keep improving. Ask his opinion on your work, and be gratefull for the critique. Dedcation has gotten me and many people I know their jobs. You should be just fine.

Thanks guys, I'm practicing like hell to make sure I know my stuff. His feedback on my images was good.

The pro is checking his calendar for events we can work together at for "familiarisation". Even this would be awesome, but I'm trying not to show that.

Cheers,

Hey Trent,

Thanks for the PM, made me smile at the beginning of the day

I would spend a good part of your familiarisation day watching what he does - what viewpoint he takes, what angles he shoots etc. Then while its quiet as there are always breaks in the action, ask questions and then later shoot yourself and then ask for a critique. And at the end of the day do a full debrief.

Dont forget that the pro will not expect you to be brilliant from day one - that will only come with practice. But he will expect your images to be better than what DWC will take.

Oh btw, Personally I would not expect more than 80% of your action shots to be saleable so dont worry about some oof and bad framing here and there. T&I is different and I would want a 100% success rate.

Let us know how it goes

Gary_Evans wrote in post #2006431
Let us know how it goes

Latest update.....

The pro wants me to do 2 shoots in November with him for free. The first just observing and the second I get to "have my head" <- is that a pro tog saying? . No problems here - you don't expected to get paid for a job interview do you?

After that I'm on the books and working on the team - STOKED!!! He's already talking about events in the new year he'll need me at

I still have to come up with the goods so I am going to be practicing my butt off until then.

I'll keep you all up to date on this soap opera.

Personal thanks to Gary Evans - you're 100% on the money so far.

Lucky Dude!!! Good Luck!!!

Congrats man !

Hey Trent, glad to hear its going well and thanks for the thanks

"Have my Head" is not a term I've come accross in photography - sounds more like a Henry VIII sort of thing.

Post some pix when your shoots are done