Formula 1, how to make money?

I recently got a press pass and was able to get in to a Formula 1, practice and take some photos. I am very happy with the results, and some of these photos have been published.

http://www.flickr.com/​photos/happysmiler/

I realise that I cannot sell the photos at stock, but they can be used as editorial, how do I get someone / agent / company that will sell these photos on my behalf?

At the event there was a lot of international journalists / photographers, freelance photographers as well, so how do they make their money?

I have found www.motorshots.com and they will sell the photos for me, but I have to send them the high res. file via email and I guess that I'm going to have trust them to pay me as their web site doesn't seem quite as complex as istockphoto for example.

Advice please?

Want to sell them as editorial? Sign up with an editorial agency...

Try http://www.pressassoci​ation.com/contact.html

--dc23

There's so much competition in that line of photography that you're unlikely to find a way to make any money right away. The photographers you saw, including people like Rainier Schlegelmilch and his agency, have decades of experience in the business. They'll be the people that get the first call when it's time to buy photos. The second call will go to the press agencies and people who are regularly accredited to photograph those races. You're not likely to get the call for a money-making sale unless you're known to the people on the circuit.

Here's how tough it can get: at the now-defunct United States Grand Prix, many professional racing photographers could not get credentials for the event. They had to buy tickets and get pictures from the spectator areas.

Go to the smaller lesser known races, take excellent shots, and sell them to the drivers themselves.

thanks guys

Emailed the Pressassociation.com let wait and see!


Been to local go-karting track, it's a great place to practice!

SnapLocally.com wrote in post #9343961
Go to the smaller lesser known races, take excellent shots, and sell them to the drivers themselves.

Thanks guys,

An up date, the Press Association have not answered my email.

I have tired various agencies, only one replied saying that they would take my photos for free! www.FormulaF1.es They said they would give me the credit, ie mention my name.

what should I do, this is the only reply I have had.

Should I make conditions, for example they can't sell my photos to others?
thanks

I'd try phoning the press association. They're good guys - I have a friend there who works on the celeb desk.

One issue you're up against though:

By the time you get home with your images, get them downloaded, edited, cropped, etc... the "regulars" have FTP'd images to their clients and they're on the wires already.

Continue to build your portfolio so you can present yourself in the best possible light, work hard, be patient and your break will come!

DC Fan wrote in post #9343881
Here's how tough it can get: at the now-defunct United States Grand Prix, many professional racing photographers could not get credentials for the event. They had to buy tickets and get pictures from the spectator areas.

Thats because F-1 only allowed 10 credentials per country, same as the Moto-GP....stupid rule. If F-1 wonders why they failed here, they only need to look in the mirror and their rediculous rules for the media.

Realistically... there's no slightest chance to get any money from F1... unless you already have contract with one of bigger agencies. F1 is not low level sport, but big business, and in this business you are competing against Reuters, AP, AFP etc. With one "small" difference.... they have 5 to 10 guys each (from photographers, editors, etc.) covering every single race, while you are all alone. Now do your math

Also getting into races as opposed to tests is a very different thing, much tighter rules. There are very limited places, so unless you are working for a big agency there's not chance. The photographer "guidelines" are extensive as well!

well said.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9538367
One issue you're up against though:

By the time you get home with your images, get them downloaded, edited, cropped, etc... the "regulars" have FTP'd images to their clients and they're on the wires already.

Continue to build your portfolio so you can present yourself in the best possible light, work hard, be patient and your break will come!

Aaagogo wrote in post #9551533
well said.

At the track there is a press office.

All photographers / press, with a press pass have access. The office has fast wi-fi, power sockets, race results, and a notice board of when the press conferences are, the only thing that is missing is food. You have to ask the teams if they will feed you, or go a pay ten euros for a sandwich and a can of coke!


What should I do, about www.FormulaF1.es They said they would give me the credit, ie mention my name, but that is it?

(I'll call the Press Association on Monday)

Don't even think about that website or the other Motorshots.com one, they're not worth it at all. If you can't sell the images to a proper newspaper or what have you, and I'm sorry but you probably won't for the reasons already mentioned, then it's not worth worrying about.

I'm not familiar with this area of photography, but it appears to be exactly like every other setup where photographers are happy to give their work up for free and a mere by-line.

They will never pay. Likely they will never give you a break. Why should they do anything for your benefit as long as there is an endless line of free work almost being thrown at them by willing photographers. We see the same thing in event photography. Take the advice of Snap, DC and Dreamcather. They seem pretty familiar with these rules of the road.

Here's a similar thread - not on racing - but still, on how photographers get taken advantage and how they allow it to happen:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=820287

happy.smiler wrote in post #9552312
.....What should I do, about www.FormulaF1.es They said they would give me the credit, ie mention my name, but that is it?

(I'll call the Press Association on Monday)