selling sports photography

[AlQ]

I know everyone who gets a DSLR believes they're ready to sell their photos (...I'm not yet), but how does one go about...

1. finding people/publications/organizations that will buy their photos?
2. is it typically per diem (per event) or per picture?
3. I'm sure you have to submit some type of portfolio...what exactly does that entail?

At some point I would like to make some extra change selling my photos and would like to start the ball rolling a bit.

thanks!

Sounds like a Jim Bryant question.

[andyw]

Originally Posted by AlQ

I know everyone who gets a DSLR believes they're ready to sell their photos (...I'm not yet), but how does one go about...

1. finding people/publications/organizations that will buy their photos?
2. is it typically per diem (per event) or per picture?
3. I'm sure you have to submit some type of portfolio...what exactly does that entail?

At some point I would like to make some extra change selling my photos and would like to start the ball rolling a bit.

thanks!

The answers to all three are - it depends.

1. yes, obviously it means finding buyers but that depends on the type of pictures.
it could be the participants, local papers, national papers, magazines, stock agencies.
it depends on the type of picture and how good they are and of what "grade" of event.
For top international events you will not get close enough or images which the "pros" have not already got (and probably better).

2. Per picture normally unless you are being paid by someone to actually attend the event and supply them with images

3. No, not at all.
If you are shooting for the contestants and their relatives then you would obviously need examples to display but for speculative submissions to publications or stock then you don't need a portfolio.
If you are going for a commission to cover the event for a specific publication or organisation then you would need a portfolio of your best sports shots.

[AlQ]

"it depends"....that's what I thought

all the other info is very helpful, thanks!

[Jim Bryant]

1. -- First, you have to have a kick ass sports portfolio to show to those editors who you want to court.

2. -- When you first start out, it's not per picture, but per assignment rate. (there's too many out there that already cheapen the market by doing just that).

3. -- Newspapers run anywhere's from $85.00 to $125.00 upwards per assignment.

4. -- Magazines and wire services..........they only use photographers who have already proven themselves and have the GLASS.....300mm and 400mm f2.8's.

5. -- You must already have a day job and look on photography as making a few some extra change. You must check out the market and what other photographers are making instead of undercutting them. Read number 2 again. Besides, there's just way too many parents with cameras, who give their pictures away for free just to get on the sidelines and get in the professionals way. Most of these types can't get into college or pro games...thank god.

6. Spec.......I'll tell ya now that most parents were rather supersize their happy meals and purchase bud lite (or some other crappy beer) to wash it down instead of buying photos of their kids. there's always someone with a camera kit and lens giving their blurry, soft focus images away for free. And isn't that what it's all about.get is as cheap as you can?

What I do is approach the team parents and taking pictures by appointment only. $45.00 will get them six images on a CD. $99.00 will get all the images of their child on CD. But, you have to have at least five parents who are willing to go that route. Otherwise, you are wasting your time.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

Sounds like a Jim Bryant question.

There ya go..passing the buck again!

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

There ya go..passing the buck again!

Well, hell. If I told them to go over to Sports Photography and Photojournalism for Professional Photographers and Photography | SportsShooter.com they'd just get discouraged and leave in a huff.

I CAN'T WIN!?!?!?

[AlQ]

Thanks very much for your feedback Jim; very helpful, and I appreciate it

Typically, when putting together a portfolio, how many pictures do you include?...I'm assuming it's a hard copy portfolio, not electronic.

Thanks!

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

Well, hell. If I told them to go over to Sports Photography and Photojournalism for Professional Photographers and Photography | SportsShooter.com they'd just get discouraged and leave in a huff.

I CAN'T WIN!?!?!?

True................but one needs to be sponsored to get there.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by AlQ

Thanks very much for your feedback Jim; very helpful, and I appreciate it

Typically, when putting together a portfolio, how many pictures do you include?...I'm assuming it's a hard copy portfolio, not electronic.

Thanks!

Both hard copy and digital. I make a power point presentation for the digital and when asked....just send it off. As for a portfolio and what to choose. A lot of that depends on what market you're trying to crash into. As for Sports....give them 20 of your very best...not only sports action, but sports features, and sports portraits.