BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Denise Griffith

HELP, Big Sports Picture Job coming soon!

Hi all! I'm a newbie to the thread, so please be patient!! I've been reading these things, and they look very informative, so I'd like to ask a question of you professionals! I've shot quite a few jobs (wedding, engagement, maternity, children, tons of my kids...) but I've been approved to shoot the baseball leagues pictures (not action) this year, and I want to know what is my basic setup? Here's what I've got: Kodak EasyShare (which I'm going to get a Rebel XT before this shoot) background bars, muslins, one continuous light source w/ white umbrella, extra flash... that's about it, what else do I need?? I want to really be professional so I can snag this gig every year and get even more business once word gets around. Also, I need a source to produce my pictures that include photo buttons and magnets, any suggestions? Last question, promise! Instead of purchasing an expensive baseball background, would anyone recommend using a standard color background and dropping photos into a premade baseball-themed template? I just want to say ahead of time thank you all for any info you can give me. I'm terrified of taking this step, but I know if I want to make this my business and main source of income, I can't be a big baby ~ I GOTTA DO IT!!!! Thanks! Denise

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January 05, 2006

Debby A. Tabb

Good day DENISE,
it sounds like you have enough equiptment for the job.and as you read further-I belive Liza Franco's templets can help you and for a reasonable extra cost she can sometimes make just what your looking for.Her contact info. is inclosed.
I just wrote all this out for Holly who asked close to the same question, so here you go.
How ever you are doing a this as portraits not actions correct?
if so, some fill light maybe nessisary if these are done outside on a sunny day , early or late afternoon would be best for less shadows.
ok, teams-lets say you have a field that has 6 fields and teams going all day.
staying organized is the most important thing to do -there is a VERY good (but expensive ) programe for this, that if your venture takes off, then I would suggest you concider it, the programe is Digital Darkroom by Digital Express (link):
http://www.expressdigital.com/products/epsdarkroom.shtm

off the subject ,but helpful:
free web store site for you (link):
http://www.expressdigital.com/products/prstorefronts.shtm

But to start. I would develop your paper work: sitting jackets that state team name ____ couch__ palyers:9
T:1 ect. number as you go
and team colors:
then player sitting jackets: P_1,ect. number for each player.
usually sitting jackets should have a place for a discription but this will be hard since they will likly be waring the same uniforms.
this givesyou records to go by year after year. and I contact .
shoot each team and the indivduals and load into 1 file -team after team.
now should you look into the free web site from photoreflect, you could give each child a card with the web address and the date you will have them posted for viewing. then family all over the world can access them and purchese them right there on site.
all paper work for each team could go into a evelope and kept together until home and working on this project.
I will alot of times do these jobs ,each team on a seperate memory card-this card goes in the envelope with all paperwork.

Now Liza franco , made me templetes just for my sporting events and now has them available to thhe public: you can contact her here on BP (link):
http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/free/gallery.php?mem=80412

and I have posted a sample.

i do hope this helps a little if you need more info. just contact me.
there are a lot of programes for this stuff, but I just use my : windows picture viewer (to show on site) and PS7 and Liza's templets.
those I open in PS an djust slide the photo in.
this is a great venture and I wish you the best of luck,
Debby

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January 05, 2006

Denise Griffith

Debby ~ Thank you SO MUCH, you are a DOLL to take that much time to reply. Just sweetness! Now let me ask you this: when you said you take windows picture viewer on site, do you mean you run your camera through the computer and view at the event?? Is picture viewer a program, I take it? I hate to sound to elementary, but truly I am, I love taking photos, but don't know alot about doing so. Also, do you know of any place I can get magnets and photo buttons made?? Thanks so much again!

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January 05, 2006

Debby A. Tabb

if your computer has windows, there is a microsoft picture viewer installed already.
go to a picture in a file, right click,go to open with: if it isn't seen right away then go to browse, it should be there.
this will allow you to show each picture in the file at screen size for the clients to view.
this is different then slide show, because you determine how soon the picture changes and in the top left corner it tells you the image number so you can referance it on the order.
no this is if you are letting people view on site.
as far as the magnets and photo buttons:Mpix has all that. so do many others including costco.
I do hope this helps,
Debby

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January 05, 2006

Denise Griffith

Hi again Debby. Thanks for all the great advice on equipment and soforth. I'm hoping you can help me on the picture viewer thing.. I've got windows but I am unable to find what you're talking about...

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January 05, 2006

Debby A. Tabb

OH DENISE, I DO HOPE IT'S NOT JUST A WINDOWXP THING...
HERES HOW I GET THERE:
*GO TO A IMAGE.
*RIGHT CLICK ON THE IMAGE.
*CLICK ON OPEN WITH.
*THEN CHECK THE OPTIONS OR BROWSE TILL YOU FIND :WINDOWS PICTURE AND FAX VIEWER.
I HOPE YOU CAN FIND IT.

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January 05, 2006

Denise Griffith

you're gonna laugh.... does my camera have to be connected to my computer to find it? Hahahaha.. I'm sure it does and that's why I couldn't do it right! What a ding dong I am!!! Thanks for ALL your help Debby!