Hockey Tournament questions

[Craig_Furze]

I have been lurking on this board for over 2 years and I have learned a lot it’s a great forum for sharing ideas. Now I have some questions.

Lucky me I have landed a Hockey Tournament.
I wanted to ask you guys if you have any ideas about what works and what doesn’t when taking pictures at a Hockey tournament. It’s a 5 day event with approximately 18 teams. Participant’s average age is from 16 to 20 I think. I have never covered a Hockey game and always wanted to start so here is my chance.

I have been doing gymnastics events and T&I for 2 years the last year full time so I have a lot of experience with low light events. I am set up to use 12 viewing stations. I checked out the rinks and they are well lit. I asked if any team shots were needed and the director said no he was only interested in action shots of every player. So I was thinking when they warm up on the ice would be a great time to capture some shots of every player. I planed to shoot only the first 2 periods per game. It only takes us about 5 minutes to have the images on display after handing in the card. Along with the usually prints I offer a 8x10 with an flag border with the name of the athlete and of the event, that sells good. I also offer a 4 image collage with event border and that also sells good.
Right now I don’t print on site for gymnastics meets and almost all of the parents are happy to receive the prints in the mail. I also sell on Photoreflect.com because a lot of parents just want to go home after a meet and will order on the internet.

Will printing on site be required to make any money? Most teams have to drive 2 to 4 hours from home. What about setting up a green screen for posed pictures with samples of a cool background with the event name in it? I have lots of room to set up. I have the background and lights already. At this stage in the season do you think parents will buy any more action pictures?

Any hints or suggestions that you guys can give me will be appreciated a lot.
Thanks
Craig Furze

[David_Fedorkiw]

The last hockey tournament I did, the parents all seemed to want a photo of just their son, with nobody else around. The warmup would seem to be the place to get those kind of shots, but be careful it doesn't look like warmup ( a bunch of pucks on the ice, etc.) As for teams, even though the organizer doesn't want team photos, you might take shots of the winning teams when they get their medals, and sell those right away. I know that in indoor soccer, these make up about half on my gross
Good luck

[Delane_B_Rouse]

Yeah yeah...the organizaer does not want team pics...only action of every kid. Another case of people requesting the most difficult task. Tell the organizer to pay to (wholesale); something like $5 per kid and he can sell them for whatever he wants to sell them for a make a TON of money. I'm sure this is what he's thinking...that your gonna make a ton of money.

The problem is EXACTLY what you're asking "will you make money?" i.e. "will parents buy your pictures". The answer is "maybe". There is ONE guarantee...you'll tie upo a significant amount of $ in expenses...and after you calcualte your REAL expenses (salary, depreciation, travel, etc) you'll realize that the money isn't that good and probably didn't jsutify the risk (5 LONG days of work + 2 days of prep + 1.5-3 days of post production)

Good luck!

Delane

[Craig_Furze]

David
I think the organizer is thinking that this being a national hockey tournament the kids just want a souvenir of the event. After all it is late in the season for team pictures. Also I forgot to add yes we are covering awards.

Delane
You are right about tying up money for this but I have been successful in doing gymnastics and want to give this a try. If it doesn’t work out I should just stick to T&I... less hours and more money.

Thanks
Craig Furze

[Craig_Furze]

Do you think printing on site is required to make any sales? I normally print at home and mail the photos out.

What about setting up a green screen for posed pictures with samples of a cool background with the event name in it? I have the background and lights already.

Thanks
Craig F.