Seeking advice from the Motorsport/Sport photographers....

Hello all!

Im new to the site and surprised to see the motorsport following this site seems to have so Im hoping it's ok for me to ask a business related question.

Im very interested in starting up a part time business in motorsport and field sport related events. I would also love to eventually work my way up to getting credentials at some of the bigger events after a few yrs worth of honing my skills.

My enthusiasm for photography has grown immensely since my 2005 visit to Laguna Seca for the MotoGP, to the point that I'll practice shooting in between my riding sessions during my trackdays.

FWIW- Im an avid motorcycle trackday enthusiast Im hoping that that passion will help give me a better perspective of what type of photo's racers are seeking to hang up on their walls at home/work.
In all the yrs Ive ridden on the track Im amazed at times on the quality [or therelackof] of images that are sold at the track. Anyhow, one of the better photogs has recently had a falling out with management at one of my local tracks, I figured now would be a good time to make a move and send an email out to all the bike/car clubs offering my services for any events held at this facility only, which leads me to my question....

How should I go about taking my hobby to the next level and make an attempt to start a new part time business?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

I would start by contacting a few circuits with a view to shooting their trackdays. Prove to them you can do the job, then they may grant you access to their bigger events.

Some reading for you:

What is an average rate for HS, College and Pro Sports???

How to start selling ball game pictures to parents?

Charging for Shooting Sports Pictures

You've got to be kidding me! (Re: Picture prices)

How to determine what to charge for taking team pictures?

Youth sports photography "idea"?

How to sell unsolicited photos to parents?

Little League Baseball Game

How would you charge parents for kids sports?

A better workflow for selling photos?

Thnx for the reply guys and links.

Obviously, make sure you can take good pictures. You have access to a track, so you're halfway there.

fortisi876 wrote in post #6251444
I figured now would be a good time to make a move and send an email out to all the bike/car clubs offering my services for any events held at this facility only, which leads me to my question....

How should I go about taking my hobby to the next level and make an attempt to start a new part time business?

I put on track events (cars, not bikes) so maybe my input will be useful to you.

Of course you recognize it's generally the hosting club that brings on the photographer, not the track. So those are the right folks to talk to. When I get these contacts from photographers, I ask to see their portfolio, their business license, and proof of liability insurance. That weeds out quite a few of them - I'm not willing to put a guy out on the track unless he's at least gone that far.

The "normal" method here in Calif is that the photographer has a trailer with computers, printer, etc, and sells prints and CD's right on the spot. While I don't use this method for my own event shoots, that is what's normal for track days. So I'd give preference to someone who can do that, but I wouldn't discount completely someone who preferred to post photos on a web site for sale.

At that point, it's only a matter of showing up on time, doing a good job, making the customers happy, and hopefully making it worth your time.

Good luck!

Dave

Dave many thanks for sharing your requirements of a photographer, ie. portfolio, business license, insurance, etc... Ive been putting together a portfolio now and Im looking into the whole LLC thing so Im hoping to have that sorted in the next month.

If you dont mind I have a few questions:
1- Do the tracks in your region charge a vendors fee to the photographer?
2- Do clubs typically pay anything to the photog or vice versa or do they profit solely on sales?
3- Also Id like to hear your take on what you like to see in portfolios???


Out here in the midatlantic region it's pretty much the same, most photogs Ive seen during my trackdays have been with trailer in tow with several viewing stations, printing capabilities and cd's. I dont anticipate getting to that point until Im better established in this field part time and retired from my current career. I know from experience, as nice as it is to see and buy stuff on site, it would seem most ppl are too tired to wait or too broke to spend some coin right then and there. That's not to say I wouldnt like to do it down the road tho.

1. No, the tracks don't charge a fee to the vendors. There have been instances where tracks have "banned" certain vendors (we had a photographer get banned when he started selling t-shirts, in competition with the track's own t-shirt sales), and certainly the photographers need to maintain a good relationship with the track management as well as the club management.
2. I know of one club that charges the photographer a nominal fee, but most don't. I don't, since I have some appreciation for the amount of work involved and I like our photographers.
3. Not to sure I have useful input on the portfolio. I just look for the quality of the photos, since these are the photos my customers are going to be looking at. So I need to make a call on getting my customers the best photos for their money.

Dave

Thnx again Dave, much appreciated.