Team Sports .... again LOL

I did team sports back in the '80s and '90s shooting medium format and having the lab process and mount into "Memory Mates. Its a hard biz dealing with all those 60+ teams, players and their parents (who forget their checkbooks). I haven't missed it. LOL

So ... after all these years I have a YMCA sports director asking me about taking over again. I'm reluctant, but may try it if I can do it all digital and internet only ordering. I'll simply show up with the camera at designated times. Not deal with money and ordering at all on the field. I'll just shoot the team and individual players (posed) and hand out cards with the web addy so they can order online. No buttons, no trading cards. Keep it simple to just group photo and individual. Lab will drop ship, so once I shoot and ftp the files ... I'm done.

Anyone else doing it like this and can tell me the good and the bad? I would appreciate any comments. Thanks.

It's clearly better than trying to handle/print/mail orders yourself. Have a couple of weddings and two youth team events on the site now. Fairly short learning curve and the help for this particular site has been exceptional. Once you upload the pics you can arrange them how you want and set prices by the photo or by the gallery.

I just ordered a picture myself today to see how they look (should've done it earlier, I know). Feel free to e-mail me with any specific questions,
--
Bob
rjross.smugmug.com

Beginning last year I started a model of taking team pictures (posed individual and action photos). The proclaimed benefit to the teams was internet ordering, no pre-pay, no checks, no buying photos you didn't like, choice, choice, choice.

During the sales pitch and again during the photo sessions, this approach appeared very popular with the potential clients. Many parents asked for special poses, capture my kid in action doing this, etc.

I did this with 3 youth swim teams, 4 youth baseball teams, 1 youth girls Lacrosse team, and one NCAA Div III College men's lacrosse team.

The results were ... well ... downright bad. Very, very small percentage of orders and they were generally minimum orders. Lots of compliments, lots of promises to order, just very little cash.

Much as I hate it, it appears the cash up front model for photos site-unseen is the only one that works.

My two most recent shoots ... by invitation of the orgs ... 1 upscale neighborhood swim team and one select member youth baseball team have resulted in one (1) order for $98.00. This despite many parents asking for special poses and special action events.

Go figure.

cal516 said:

... The results were ... well ... downright bad. Very, very small
percentage of orders and they were generally minimum orders. Lots
of compliments, lots of promises to order, just very little cash.

Click to expand...

Did you watermark the online proofs? If not ... too many will "right click save" or print screen. Then print a 4x6 photo (blurry) and frame it to sit on their desk. And will be happy with it.

Yes ... all my posted images were low-res and maked with a transparent PROOF in image center and solid white copy-right statement in a corner. Sure, they can be stolen but ... gee ... what more can you do?

The best way to make money form internet ordering is to get you money up front. Everyone likes to look but no one buys.

If you want to do the internet ordering find a site that lets you pre sell photos to the parents, then they go on-line and order the photos they want and if they don't you still have your money.
I think printroom sells them as photo passes.