I've been hired to set up a studio on site at a huge drag event in New York. I've never done anything like this before and need to figure out the logisitics involved. I'm planning on bringing my Alien Bees three light set up with me as well as basic fabric background. My goal is to create some really fun and interesting portraits.
I have no idea how to set up the payments, or how to provide prints onsite. This is not something I'm planning on doing on a regular basis so I'm not looking to invest a lot of money. Is there a printer I can rent for the night perhaps.
Honestly, I've never done this and never been to an event that's had this, so I need some help here.
My ideal situation would be to take the shots at the event along with the clients email and then post them on a private gallery where they can be purchased after the event. I don't have any way of taking credit cards at the event, but can do so online.
If it's a 'one off' deal, find yourself somewhere that's open late and can do the printing. If you have a lab you work with that's near the event, slip one of the guys there $50.00 to stay open later to do your printing, or you might find that the local all night drug store has a printer in it. Shoot until the last possible minute, run off and get all the files printed as 4x6's, and then display them on a table and get $10.00 or $20.00 cash per print. If someone wants a larger print, take down the file number, get a credit card number, and mail them the print the next day.
Printing on location takes a lot of technical know how, and the equipment and materials are really expensive. It's a big investment that takes several big jobs to pay off, and it's a lot of stress and hassle. It's really not something you want to do on a casual basis.
If you want to do on-line galleries, I like Photo Shelter a lot. What I do at weddings is create a gallery for the couple ahead of time, and then print off labels that go on the back of my business card with the web address to that gallery. Give everyone you shoot a card, tell them the gallery will be up in the morning, and they can check it out there. One thing I like about Photo Shelter is that they give you the option of doing the printing yourself, or using their system. They will also do the e-commerce (for a percentage, of course), which works pretty well also.
You will sell a lot more by printing onsite than you will by taking web orders.
However, will you sell enough to make any incurred expenses worthwhile? That is something that I, or anyone else, can really answer for you. Its all down to your business model - your selling price, your expenses, your customer through put etc.
If you do decide to go down the websales route then get plenty of flyers made with your web address on, and hand them out. If you can get email adresses so much the better as you can then notify clients once the images are online.
1. You can't have enough assistents. One to take money, one to sit customers, and one to fill in where needed is minimum. Another photographer to go around and take shots of the action will enable you to sell a profitable slideshow.
2. Cash only, credit cards are a hassle. Sell 8 X 10's for $20.00. Almost everyone has pocket change and that amount is reasonable.
3. K. I. S. S. Keep the lighting simple, one big softbox should do. Ditto the backgrounds. Make a sign on dull finish paper giving the name of the event so the picture is revelant.
4. Devote your time to tripping the shutter. You will prolly get mobbed at some time during the event. Have your systems set up so you can create a flow.
5. Get there early and get things set up so you can handle busy times better. You must assign duties to assistents.
6. Epson makes an awsome cheap printer. R280. It is $99.00 and is only 17" wide. Make sure to order extra ink ahead, Epson has large capacity ink modules available and will ship them to your door really fast. Likewise the paper. If it's very warm, you will need to find a conditioned air area for the printer. Inkjets don't do well in 95 + degrees. Have a dedicated assistent to run the printer. Shuttle memory cards is the simplist. If you like this kind of work, build yourself a trailer and put an A/C in it for the printer.
7. Give out lots of cards and a certificate for a discount on future product. You can never tell, you may just get lots more business.
8. When everything is over, wipe the sweat out of your eyes, pay the assistents, and put the rest in your pocket.
Hope some of this helps.
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