Professional Photographers

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I've thought about getting into sports photography. I figure something to do in the weekend to earn a few extra bucks to support my hobby. My son is pretty active in Basketball and plays for a couple of leagues in our area. I figure take a few snapshots of the kids and perhaps can sell a few picture packages to parents.

So I picked up a Canon 7D and purchased a 70-200 IS USM 2.8 lens along with my 85mm and 28-135. Well, since the 7D has video capability for fun I've started shooting my sons games and doing little highlight videos for keepsake.. well a few players and parents has seen them and wanted the same for their kids. So I've put together a picture & video package and have actually done a few that its helped fund my hobby, at least for now..lol... Problem is it's really time consuming... But I figure if I can do at least 1 a month I'll have play money for my fish =-)

So now I'm leaning more towards videography than photography...

Below is an example of a video I did for my son..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTvPvpLbxmg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9dA1GMW_CI
 
R1_Ridah;4688657;4688657 said:
I've thought about getting into sports photography. I figure something to do in the weekend to earn a few extra bucks to support my hobby. My son is pretty active in Basketball and plays for a couple of leagues in our area. I figure take a few snapshots of the kids and perhaps can sell a few picture packages to parents.

So I picked up a Canon 7D and purchased a 70-200 IS USM 2.8 lens along with my 85mm and 28-135. Well, since the 7D has video capability for fun I've started shooting my sons games and doing little highlight videos for keepsake.. well a few players and parents has seen them and wanted the same for their kids. So I've put together a picture & video package and have actually done a few that its helped fund my hobby, at least for now..lol... Problem is it's really time consuming... But I figure if I can do at least 1 a month I'll have play money for my fish =-)

So now I'm leaning more towards videography than photography...

Below is an example of a video I did for my son..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTvPvpLbxmg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9dA1GMW_CI
Click to expand...
Dude that's some awesome video, you've got a little star in the making :headbang2

Photography is strictly a hobby for me at this point. Field is too competitive, and people are too cheap for me to even consider making a living at it. I've thought about doing family/portrait stuff on the side, but even then, people I know are cheap bastards lol. It's not even worth my time to shoot then process the photos for a couple bucks.
 
jcardona1;4688675; said:
Dude that's some awesome video, you've got a little star in the making :headbang2

Photography is strictly a hobby for me at this point. Field is too competitive, and people are too cheap for me to even consider making a living at it. I've thought about doing family/portrait stuff on the side, but even then, people I know are cheap bastards lol. It's not even worth my time to shoot then process the photos for a couple bucks.
Click to expand...

Thanks J... yea, he's working to try and make the High school team. We almost pulled him out this season because his grade dropped with one of his subjects. He got a warning for the next season. He needs to realize academics comes first and sports 2nd. I'm just glad he enjoys it which keeps him active and focus. He has a goal set forth and he's out to get it.. good stuff.

Your definitely right about photography being a competitive market. That's why you should lean over to videography. Look at the direction DSLR's are going. Most short production films are now being shot with a DSLR...pictures are priceless, however when it moves it's a whole different level... =-)

In the future I'm looking to do videos such as these.... looking to partner up with a photographer. He'll capture photos and I'll do videos. Something on the weekend for fun and extra cash. Not something to do full time.

http://vimeo.com/11914659

http://vimeo.com/13608363
 
I have found that if you offer prices that are a little more than the people with a Sunday profession going on, and give them results that blow that competition away, you can make a nice little living at it. Sports had me wasting time for years, there are so many companies out there who hire minimum wage photographers and have contracts with rec leagues. It makes it difficult to get a foot in without spending so much hand holding time with customers. Where I have found the least competition and the most profit is commercial photography. Interiors, businesses, products etc. This is a great market. BTW, I had to get a little more reach that 200mm (even on a digital frame) to effectively shoot sports, found myself constantly cropping in to get the image I wanted. Like the videos, that may be somewhat of an untapped market. I am getting sick of shooting people though, they are picky bastards. I just had a santa shoot and had 15 families, 4 of them were unhappy, but is was because of their poses and insecurity, but of course, I got the blame. Oh well. Good to connect and vent with others.
 
I've been fortunate, but Photography is fun first and business second. All my clients are referred clients. I have 3 loyal clients that shoot with me 4 times a year, I am hoping to get 7 more, making it 10 loyal clients, that will shoot with me 4 times a year. I do it all, but most of my shoots are family friendly safe shoots. I don't consider myself a professional, though, a few more tricks to master with lighting, and photo shop. thus far all my clients have tipped me very well. they keep me in the hobby.

I started with Nikon, so I stuck with Nikon, nothing wrong with Canon.

Portland, Oregon is saturated with Photographers. if you are where it's nice and sunny, you may be able to make a living on Photography, but here in the NW, too many Hobbyist like me shooting for fun first and business 2nd, making it hard for others to make a living on photography.
 
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