First day of the new business

[amy_bb]

So today was the the day.
I put myself out there.
I stood for 7 hours at the football field and shot 4 games in the hot sun.
I passed out flyers w/my new logo on them. I told everyone there what I was doing. I remembered both SD cards and charged 2 batteries.
I took 1031 pics (already deleted around 500). I got sunburn. I tripped over the fence once and almost broke my ankle.

So I am now "WhenAmySnaps" photography, focusing on Kids in Action.

Here are my mistakes from the first day:
I didn't have enough flyers (my business cards are not ready yet) so I need to have more available. It may be helpful to have a few t-shirts made w/my logo so people all around know what I'm doing and how to contact me.

I didn't move around the field enough b/c I was tentative to go to the opposing side and make my presence known (self confidence issue)

I needed to get down on my butt more (waves to Jim B ). When I did, the shots were better.

I needed to drink more water b/c it was hot and exhausting. This is very physical work!

I did not take enough shots of the kids from the opposing team or their cheerleaders. I can't just continue to sell to our own players.

I need to figure out how to anticipate the action better and it varies by age group (games ranged from 7-8yr olds to 13-14 yr olds).

I should not have been afraid to talk to the other local photog b/c not only did she welcome my presence, she offered me advice and thanked me for taking on action photos. Since she did not care to do those, does not have or want to purchase the correct gear, she thanked me for taking this on and offered to help me market through her website.

I need to rest my eyes b/c editing all of these shots WELL in one night is NOT a good idea.

Phew, I'm exhausted and BOY does this Corona taste good.

When I'm ready to show you my work, I will link to my new website (hosted by Zenfolio).

[Tito87]

Good luck on your new venture.

[Jim Bryant]

What would help you out is find out who the coaches or team moms are in advance and send an email flyer to them and at the game give the team mom pass hard copies to pass out. This would put you face to face time with them and they would get to know who you are.
Also get ahold of the president of the pee wee, little league association or whatever league you are in.

[ChrisAdval]

just curios on what kind of printed flyers you used? high quality color or black and white from a standard printer?

[amy_bb]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

What would help you out is find out who the coaches or team moms are in advance and send an email flyer to them and at the game give the team mom pass hard copies to pass out. This would put you face to face time with them and they would get to know who you are.
Also get ahold of the president of the pee wee, little league association or whatever league you are in.

Excellent idea, Jim. I'm very involved in our side of the equation (our teams) as I'm good friends with the coaches, board and team moms. I can ask the coaches for the email addresses for the other teams prior to games so that I can make contact.

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

just curios on what kind of printed flyers you used? high quality color or black and white from a standard printer?

Uh...these were done on the fly, printed in 5 minutes on my home printer, 2 on a page to save ink and paper, cut in 1/2 5 minutes before gametime and set out at the snackshack.. Strictly a Mom and Pop operation on that one (well, a Mom operation, pop was busy watching the game )

I've had my logo professionally designed and the woman who did them will be printing my business cards this week and maybe a brochure or a more professional looking flyer.

[3bayjunkie]

that sounds awesome! Good job and keep it up!

[Tzetsin]

congratulations! Hang in there.