Expansion/change; I'm soliciting advice

[Terry Zorich]

Wow. It sure has been quiet around here. *tumbleweed rolls by...*

I've reached the end of the rope. The well is nearly dry. The cows have left the pasture. Wait...scratch that last one. The cows are actually still IN the pasture, but they're not buying 8x10's anymore. In fact, they're not buying much at all. Sure, there are a few...just enough to keep me breaking even. But breaking even isn't getting it done for me. It's almost football season; I'd rather stay home and sit on the couch all day than spend an eighteen hour day busting my hump just so I can break even. When my 16-year-old daughter is making more money on Sunday afternoon than I am, it's time (for me) to find a new pasture, so to speak.

I do NOT believe that my product is of lesser quality than it was when we were doing well. I do NOT believe that it is "the economy" or "high gas prices" that is keeping sales numbers low. I do NOT believe that it's increased competition.

What I DO believe is that I've simply tapped out my primary market. I've been covering motocross racing for the same four organizations for about four full seasons now, and we've sold a lot of photos to those folks. We typically see a club 3-5 times per season, and shoot at six different tracks in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. We love them, and we appreciate their support, but they're no longer making it worth our time to get out there anymore.

I also believe that the 'novelty factor' of on-the-spot prints and CD's has lessened. The excitement is not what it once was. People have seen event photographers for years; it's no longer a cool new thing. But maybe there are some untapped markets...

I need some new events to shoot, or a new direction. Adapt or perish, right?

Seeing the decline in event photography sales beginning more than a year ago, I began concentrating on growing my wedding business. At this time last year, I had one wedding booked for 2008; this year I already have four weddings booked for '09.

But I still have a great event photography concession trailer that either needs to be taken to some new, underserved markets, or sold to someone with a better plan and an untapped market. The trailer is great; it sets up in minutes, provides security and weather protection, and is more substantial than a tent or business cards and a website. The trailer itself is an attraction, although admittedly I could do more to spice things up (lights, flags, maybe some music or video playing...); I've even thought about adding the capability of doing T-shirts, or becoming a distributor for energy drinks or something. I have options, and I have the desire, but I lack ideas.

One thing I'd really like to try is T&I, with same-day, onsite delivery. I could get three or four operators in the trailer, each with a printing PC workstation and a dedicated, borderless 8x10 dye-sub printer. We could easliy crank out orders for a few hundred kids in an afternoon. No one has anything like that around here. But I'd like to talk to some folks here who have done T&I with success. If you're within a day's drive, maybe there's opportunity for a joint effort...

The other thing I'm moving towards is senior portraits. It suits my 'people shooting' style very well, and is of interest to me. I'd also like to talk with some people who have done this kind of work with positive results. I need marketing ideas; I need some suggestions on who to pitch it to, and how to reach the students and parents, and create a buzz.

If you're willing to give me some specific suggestions, advice or lessons learned, send me a PM and let me know how best to reach you. (Phone? E-mail...?)

If you have some generic feedback, please post it here.

Thanks, and may this thread breathe a little life back into the event forum!

[Will_Mass]

With all due respect, I think you may be playing down the effect the economy is having. Or at least the media's roll in talking it down in an election year.

We've seen some interesting trends this year. Mainly: The kids days/shows have been soft, and the adult shows/days have been rockin'. I think with all the negative economic talk, parents are keeping their money at home.

Yesterday I heard an interview with a Mom who was out doing her back to school shopping. She was complaining she "had to send her kids back to school with last year's crayons".

I couldn't help but wonder if those same kids also had the latest, greatest, flavor of the week video game...

Somehow in "this economy", The Dark Knight, may prove to the the highest grossing film of all time, at record high ticket prices. Bad economy, but they're still putting butts in seats.

Guess what I'm trying to say is: Those with money to spend are spending it. Others are prioritizing.

[DougAxford]

Sorry to hear that you're in a bit of a 'downer' Terry. I can't help much on Seniors. It's just not a market that wants to bloom here in Canada. My T&I has come through up a bit from last year, even though I thought it would be down earlier in the season. The number of leagues we have contracts with is the same as previous years, but enrollment with most leagues is down.

I found sales were lower in some, but up in others. We have concentrated a bit more on All Star teams this year and the sales there have been up a whole lot. Tonight I did one 9 yr. old boys soccer and it was over $400. for 20 minute job. We concentrate all the house leagues in May/June for the mass volume, then do the All Stars whenever the coach will allow us to later in the summer. We're doing all these teams with player's names. logo, etc. on each and sell the team as 8x10 only. Almost everyone buys team plus a pack of individual.

I would never want to shoot and print 'same day'. That's insanity as far as I can see and it's never been requested by parents. If you can shoot posed action and keep the price reasonable - that's what sells.

Over the next few days I have to make a decision on whether I want to compete on indoor basketball & hockey for the winter season. The competition is 50% below my price and there's no way I will get the contracts unless I bid closer to their prices. It's a real tough call. A lot of work for small returns but cash flow is everything.

DougA

[Peter Phun]

Terry,
You ever consider teaching? I know the naysayers say "Only those who can't teach..."

I started teaching but I don't plan on doing it fulltime because I still love to shoot.

After a year of teaching at the community college level, I find it is giving me a shot in the arm.

I have a new audience, my students, whom I'd like share my work with, so I'm actually trying a lot harder than before.

You could try your hand at that. See if you can be "guest" at the photo class to get your feet in the door.

That's how I got myself going.