Events

Paul_Payne · #1 03-28-2001, 08:58 PM

Boy am I glad to see this forum..I am just starting out in digital and am getting the equipment put together to do events like large family reunions-class reunions-sporting events-dance events and whatever else I can think of. I have used a Dennys preview system for years shooting film sync with digital and it has really paid well.(I own two complete setups) but I am ready for the digital age. Ive recently purchased 2 Kodak 8670 printers, the Kodak event pro software and today Im sending a deposit for a DCS520. I have been using a Canon D30 for about 2 months but the aquireing of images in the Kodak software is two slow of a process so I am looking forward to the use of the firewired 520. I plan on being able to print packages on site at an event with both 8670's running but the types of events I plan on doing should not require any proofs for prepaid packages(I'll pick the best)I'd be interested to hear from others on what the trials and tribulations I can expect in my journeys. One of my conserns is that for 20 yrs in my prepaid events I have been able to accept checks or take Credit Card numbers and run them at home. If the credit cards or checks didnt clear I was usually paid because the people didnt have there photos yet but If I print onsite I expect to have a few problems. How are others making sure that they are paid for their work and are not stiffed. I know I can run cc's on a cell phone but try and find a digital system that works with cc's - everthing Ive looked into in the past has been analog and I also know that they make satelite systems but I have been at some events in convention centers where people couldnt get them to work either. Any suggestions?

onlinedashpics · #2 03-28-2001, 09:31 PM

I have been looking onto both the cc and checks clearing on site and the only answer that I could fine that would work no matter where I was in the US was to use an analog system the an old style bag cell phone.

The Digitals would work as long as you were in there coverage area, and if you look that does not cover much area.

Let me know if you find something

Thanks
Tim Chipman
Online Dash Pics

Joe_McCary · #3 03-29-2001, 06:43 AM

I don't do this yet, but my CC house allows me to use software to process the credit cards. All I need is a laptop with a modem and a printer to print receipts and I would be in business. In another facet of my business, I accept credit cards for copy work done as a vendor with the National Archives. They order images either on line or by mail and I make the reproductions and process the credit cards. I several years I have only had one image that was not delivered because CC was declined (I happen to have a second sitting on my desk now and am worried about the eventual outcome). So I don't see this as a big problem. The computer makes it simple and quick, no little box to have around and to lease.
Joe

petehalsted · #4 03-29-2001, 08:19 AM

I have not accepted CC on site yet, although I have the ability to run them when I get home, so I am considering it. In our last 2 events we had close to 75 checks and not one of them was returned. My guess is that unless your working in a bad neighboorhood your cost of processing on site would be more, that eating one or 2 bad transactions would be.

Paul_Payne · #5 03-29-2001, 11:54 AM

I travel and shoot in the Dog Show world and those people are always on a shoestring. I will come home from an event and there are always 1 or 2 cc's that dont clear and I have to call them for another number but since they do not have their photos yet they will make arrangements to pay or give me another credit card. In 20 yrs I have only been stuck twice and they were with checks that took over 4 weeks before it was returned.

Paul_Payne · #6 03-29-2001, 04:29 PM

I set up a studio at the event and do portrait work. My smallest sale is 41.60 for an 8x10 including shipping and I have had sales in the neighborhood of $2500.00 for a single order. My average is about $125.00 per sale. I shoot on film using a digital capture system so that while I am shooting another dog my wife or helper can show the previous setting and take orders while I still work. I retired from IBM 6 yrs ago and now my income is 3 times what I made while I was "gamefully" employed and I only work about 6 months a year. I dont do any summer shows except for national championships. I want to stay closer to home tho so I am looking at doing more special event photography in the Michigan area.

Paul

petehalsted · #7 03-29-2001, 05:19 PM

Do you have any samples of your work on the web? I would be interested in seeing what types of settings you are doing. Obvouisly people like your service based on your sales numbers, but other than impluse why would they have portrait work done at the show instead of just taking to studio anytime?

I guess the animals are all dolled up for the show so that might help explain it. By no means trying to knock what your doing, just trying to understand the niche a little better.