Event Photography

andy owen

andy owen

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Andy
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Ok heres the deal............Someday in the future I would like to give up the mundane and earn from what I enjoy doing the most.

I go to events all the time and see these guys walking round with their eqpt and a hi-vis vest on with 'Event Photographer' on the back.
Truth is.... I want that. I feel that If other people can be paid for it then theres no reason why I cant. I just dont know how.

Now dont get me wrong, Im not expecting miracles here. Im not expecting to give up my job and start snapping away with he view to becoming some pap taking snaps of rich vip women getting out of limos with their smalls on display. Im talking about the sports events, the rallies, concerts etc. I watch the motor racing and see the photographers and I want to be one.

Im not on about giving up my day job with the expectancy of photography paying a decent salary. I just want something to build on. I dont see why I cant earn from what I enjoy the most.
For example, I started DJ'ng some time ago and I earn a little bit from that but its never going to be a career option if you know what I mean.

I would even do it voluntarily if it meant getting a start

How do I do it?

some good practical advice would be more than welcome
 
One thing you need to think about prior to doing event photography, is your outcome. For example if I went to a music concernt and did photography, where would I be getting my income from?

I do event photography here on the Island, and the best way to gain income from event, is by an online gallery system, selling prints. For example: I go to a mx event, I sell images to competitors. To keep a good relationship with the event organizers, and to gain a higher reputation, I will normally supply a couple of photos to the event organizers for the local paper, however I make it clear that if they wish to use in leaflets etc, they must pay.

Big events need more imagination, such as creating books for the event and selling as general memorbillia, however always remember your audience, and always get in their first - approach organizers two months prior to the event or earlier.

As for motorsport - I do the photography for my local car club, which means I only need the go ahead from the club organizers however if you are looking to do something more nation wide, such as rallying or tracks you will need to be MSA accrediated, which is not easy and you need work published prior to getting this.

My final point to you is relating to the kit. Event photography is not just about having a camera and lens and taking the shots. Take a look at this video I made last week to grab an idea of what we carry around with us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSRcWjJNqbE
 
This question has been asked on here umpteen times so that means there are others thinking the same thing as you!

1/ Your work needs to be up to sellable standard

2/ You need find events and get permission to attend.

3/ you need to sell your pics, website/print on site?

4/ you need to process the sales enquires, arrange prints, post them out.

5/ reliable equipment inc backups.

plus all the other stuff like flyers/boards/banners/insurance/transport etc etc

There is a thread started by our new Mod Hacker here,

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=18753

do a search on here for EVENT I'm sure you'll get results
 
option 3 seems the best to me




buy yourself a high vis, get "event photographer" printed on the back and jump over the barriers:thumbs:
 
Ah Darren, the IOW, spent many a happy hour photographing around totland Bay, views of the needles. cliched but fun anyway!!
 
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