Asked to shoot a friends kids at a track meet tomorrow...

[mstark70]

Some really good friends of mine and my daughters have asked me to attend their kids track meet tomorrow and try to get some shot throughout the day. She (the Mom) even mentioned to some of the other parents that I was gonna be there doing some photography. I appreciate her confidence and referrals for sure but am a bit nervous to shoot for some people I have never met. I am not sure what to say when they ask me "So what do you charge?" I have a Smugmug gallery and I am not sure if I should just put the photos in a protected gallery on there and let them order whatever prints they want from there. Should I get the prints myself and put together packaged deals or just sell them the images on a disk? Any tips, suggestions or advice on how to go about this is greatly appreciated. Anyone do sports/team shoots before?

Thank you all!

[windrider86]

The smugmug deal isnt a bad idea. That way all you need to do is load them up and they can look at thier liesure.
I'd give parents a card at the event with your web site and write on the back what password they would use to get in.
Not sure if you would want to go this route but if you have aportable printer, take that with you and sell them right then and there for ten bucks (or whatever you want to charge) and put them on the web site for family and friends

[mstark70]

Thank you Michelle for your advice. I appreciate you taking the time to help me out! I was thinking I would probably end up going the Smugmug route just because it would be the easiest way to go. I wish I had a portable printer but I do not.
The entire thing was a bust after all. I am still a bit annoyed by the entire thing. It was a huge track and field meet (lots of kids and parents) and I never did see the Mom that invited me in person. She was busy working out in the field the entire time which was understandable. I was not about to just walk out on the field and start taking pictures. They were pretty picky about who they were letting in. Plus I was never given a schedule to even know who was doing what and when. It was very confusing to an outsider. Any way I hung out for about an hour then I bolted. There was no way I was going to get any decent photos from the grandstands. I was very disappointed to say the least after all her hype about this for weeks. Her daughter and mine were very upset for me leaving early but really what was the point. I did not feel like roasting in the blazing sun with a bunch of complete strangers. I am not exactly sure what she had in mind. Oh well. On to the next shoot! They can't all be winners!