Event Photo's - a different question.

[Pippy_Neville]

I've been asked to be the photographer at a local horse stables event and to supply some photos to anyone who wants to buy them and a couple for the stables themselves. I don't have the kit to do any printing at the event as I don't want to lug down my inkjet and try and use that. I've read the superb thread on event printers here and decided they're too expensive, it's a small event and won't generate that kind of cash. When it was 1st mooted I thought no way, then I started thinking it's the type of challenge I should accept to improve my photography. (And the owners know my level so aren't expecting miracles, although of course I want to do the best I possibly can).

What I was thinking of was taking laptop down there and displaying pics on screen. Anyone who wants a print I can either order from somewhere or just email them the picture? Not sure if this is acceptable though.

Have any of you faced this hurdle and come up with a good way round it? And any other tips for me? I'd much appreciate it, I'm cacking it! (And yes, I'm going to get down there and practice first!).
Blimey that was a long post!

Pip

 

[Tbabe]

Pippy, dont panic, you can either take down your lappy, but then will have no chance to edit etc, or set up an account with Flickr or the like to displaythe images with a watermark, clearly numbered and take orders from it, then you can decide where to get the printed (Tesco etc if you are doing it really cheap and do not want to incur postage charges on small orders) or any of the many online companies that are mentioned on here often.
Enjoy it & practice if you can, as its a small local stable event, I dont think that you will have to be too concerned with the normal worries of feet & ear positions !!
Good luck
Pete

 

[fordpop]

I have a very similar dilemma with a show soon.

What I have decided to do is take along a few prints Ive taken at similar events for a bit of a sales pitch. Ive already had them printed at Photobox at 8x6.

Then I'll take the laptop, and upload my images at the end of each class, which will allow anyone interested to view on the screen, using something simple like Faststone - as someone with no really experience of the software needs to operate it for me while Im shooting.

Then I'll knock up a simple order form and thats it, take the money and then get them printing at Photobox and send them out individually.

As I see it, theres no financial risk to me, as I would be taking the photo's for a web site anyway, so any sales will be a bonus.

 

[SimonTALM]

Based on my experience you will definitely make more printing and selling on site as you will hit the impulse buy market. I've never gone down the sell on the day via order form route though but I'd imagine you might loose a few sales through people being suspicious of you taking their money and not delivering the goods. However it could be an acceptable compromise. Selling afterwards is OK but it will mean less income as they will have time to think about it. Obviously they need to know where to come to look and buy (make sure everyone leaves with your details) and the easier it is for someone to buy the better (i.e. online cart with credit cards will make more than if you rely on them emailing and sending a cheque).

What is the size of the event? Could it be worth hiring the kit (about £100 to hire a pro dye-sub for a week IIRC).