trackday photographer
Discussion
Right, I think many topics have been posted around this theme, but I'm looking for advice to get into taking photographs at track days for a bit of extra cash. What advice can people here offer up for me, not so much in terms of technique, but the business practise of it all?
I'm after advice along the lines of:
Who'd I need to approach to get the correct passes and to make sure that the drivers know I will be around.
A fair cost that will make me a little money after I've paid for the petrol to get me there.
Services that people would want
What income I'd have to declare for tax?
Toying with the idea of hiring out my bullet cam and in car video setup.
Should you contact the person first, focus on their car during the day, or just take as many pics as possible and then try and sell them to the drivers?
Opinions thoughts and comments always welcome.
Hope this makes sense today, feel like cr*p and nothing I type seems to make sense!!
I'm after advice along the lines of:
Who'd I need to approach to get the correct passes and to make sure that the drivers know I will be around.
A fair cost that will make me a little money after I've paid for the petrol to get me there.
Services that people would want
What income I'd have to declare for tax?
Toying with the idea of hiring out my bullet cam and in car video setup.
Should you contact the person first, focus on their car during the day, or just take as many pics as possible and then try and sell them to the drivers?
Opinions thoughts and comments always welcome.
Hope this makes sense today, feel like cr*p and nothing I type seems to make sense!!
unfortunately for you all of the main trackday organisers have agreements with a photographer or a photography company to do the pics on their days. I started my "pro" life by doing photos for RMA, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, I think they were the last company not to have anyone working for them. I did it for a few years and stopped about 6 months ago.
from a business point of view, you aren't going to make millions. the main reason I did them was for fun, and as I and my company started making a lot more money on other jobs on saurdays that aren't trackdays it just didn't make sense any more. It also can get boring after years of doing the same thing repeatedly, I think it would be like doing the same wedding with the same people at the same venue twice a month.
but i did really enjoy seeing all the new cars - now i have to wait until i see one on the street
from a business point of view, you aren't going to make millions. the main reason I did them was for fun, and as I and my company started making a lot more money on other jobs on saurdays that aren't trackdays it just didn't make sense any more. It also can get boring after years of doing the same thing repeatedly, I think it would be like doing the same wedding with the same people at the same venue twice a month.
but i did really enjoy seeing all the new cars - now i have to wait until i see one on the street
OK I'm not a photographer - but I AM a businessman and I've seen a few people doing this...
The business model appears to be:
1) Stitch up a deal with a TrackDay Organiser
2) Take a LOT of photos - digital ideal for this
3) Display photos on laptop at lunchtime to work up interest
4) Post a "contact" sheet to all participants
OR
5) Run a website organised by TrackDay date showing the pictures - hand all attendees a car with the URL on
6) Provide means by which attendees can purchase prints and/or digital files either by cheque/post or (better) on-line credit card.
People I have seen doing this superlatively are Picman. www.picman.co.uk
Can't talk about image quality - I'm not photographer - but that's the business. Typical cost for a CD with 20 or so images on is about £50. If you get two or three people on a day who buy then its decent pocket money. If they buy prints etc you could be on to a living.
There seems to be a ton of infrastructure you need to do it properly, though.
The business model appears to be:
1) Stitch up a deal with a TrackDay Organiser
2) Take a LOT of photos - digital ideal for this
3) Display photos on laptop at lunchtime to work up interest
4) Post a "contact" sheet to all participants
OR
5) Run a website organised by TrackDay date showing the pictures - hand all attendees a car with the URL on
6) Provide means by which attendees can purchase prints and/or digital files either by cheque/post or (better) on-line credit card.
People I have seen doing this superlatively are Picman. www.picman.co.uk
Can't talk about image quality - I'm not photographer - but that's the business. Typical cost for a CD with 20 or so images on is about £50. If you get two or three people on a day who buy then its decent pocket money. If they buy prints etc you could be on to a living.
There seems to be a ton of infrastructure you need to do it properly, though.
Thanks for the feedback, not looking to make a new living at this, but I love watching cars on the track and love photography. So I'm guessing it could be a good way to combine things.
I've only been to 2 track days so far, and neither of them had a photographer on site. My girlfriend spent most of the day snapping and people were always asking her to get pics of their cars.
I'm guessing the first route would be to contact the companies who arrange the events and see if I can go along.
I've only been to 2 track days so far, and neither of them had a photographer on site. My girlfriend spent most of the day snapping and people were always asking her to get pics of their cars.
I'm guessing the first route would be to contact the companies who arrange the events and see if I can go along.
www.megapixl.net were doing this, handing out little business cards with the url on at a local trackday.
theboyfold said:
HankScorpio said:
Public liability insurance (5 million for MSV venues).
I have to take this out? I'm guessing against me getting the way of the cars etc?
You will probably find that most circuits will now insist on you having public liability insurance before you are let trackside and as has already been said you may have to pay the circuit in order for them to allow you to sell your photos. In this litigation obsessed society, circuits are trying to keep as many people away from trackside as possible.
Cheers
Ian
>> Edited by Ian_H on Friday 14th October 14:28
Hi,
Megapixl.net has been set-up to allow photographers to upload their photo's and sell via megapixl.net.
We are limiting the amount of photographers that use Megapixl.net though.
If you are interested in using megapixl.net and want info on getting started drop me an email and telephone number, some photo's and your equipment list.
£5mill PL insurance is only about £110-£140 per year, it's the getting trackside with organisers that's the tricky bit.
Cheers
Jason
Megapixl.net has been set-up to allow photographers to upload their photo's and sell via megapixl.net.
We are limiting the amount of photographers that use Megapixl.net though.
If you are interested in using megapixl.net and want info on getting started drop me an email and telephone number, some photo's and your equipment list.
£5mill PL insurance is only about £110-£140 per year, it's the getting trackside with organisers that's the tricky bit.
Cheers
Jason
megapixl said:
Hi,
Megapixl.net has been set-up to allow photographers to upload their photo's and sell via megapixl.net.
We are limiting the amount of photographers that use Megapixl.net though.
If you are interested in using megapixl.net and want info on getting started drop me an email and telephone number, some photo's and your equipment list.
£5mill PL insurance is only about £110-£140 per year, it's the getting trackside with organisers that's the tricky bit.
Cheers
Jason
You have mail!
megapixl said:
If you are interested in using megapixl.net and want info on getting started drop me an email and telephone number, some photo's and your equipment list.
Why the equipment list? Isnt the quality of the photographs the important part rather than what was used to take them.
dcw@pr said:
unfortunately for you all of the main trackday organisers have agreements with a photographer or a photography company to do the pics on their days. I started my "pro" life by doing photos for RMA, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, I think they were the last company not to have anyone working for them. I did it for a few years and stopped about 6 months ago.
from a business point of view, you aren't going to make millions. the main reason I did them was for fun, and as I and my company started making a lot more money on other jobs on saurdays that aren't trackdays it just didn't make sense any more. It also can get boring after years of doing the same thing repeatedly, I think it would be like doing the same wedding with the same people at the same venue twice a month.
but i did really enjoy seeing all the new cars - now i have to wait until i see one on the street
Your pictures were excellent. I for one was sorry when the contract went elsewhere.
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