BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Printing Digital Pictures

Photography Question 

Tim S. Hales
 

To Print or Not to Print


Hi there,
I have a plan to start my own photography business - just a bit of extra cash on the side as I already have a full-time job that I will keep. Anyway, let me give you a quick overview of my idea. I want to take photos of children playing sports on weekends and then sell to parents. I am having problems working out how to get the prints to them and also how to get them to see what I am doing. I was thinking about taking a photo printer with me and then printing out a contact sheet from the game and taking orders on the spot and then using the printer to print out the pictures they order right there and then. Alternatively, I thought about posting them on a website and then dishing out my business cards at the end of the game. Do you think it is cheaper to do my own prints or to get a lab to do them? And how's the quality with the top-end printers? I am using Canon gear.
I'd be interested in hearing any advice especially from someone who does the same sort of thing themselves. Thanks.


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July 23, 2005

 

Joe Jarosz
  Hi Tom, great idea. I'd go for the post on a Web page idea. Printing on-site seems like it would just be too much of a hassle, plus getting the parents to hang around while you print them, possible technical glitches, hot summer days ... Pass out the cards.
As for printing vs. sending in: I have the Canon i9900, and the quality and speed are incredible. I've never figured out what the cost per print is, but my guess is a lot. Uses a lot of ink, and the higher quality paper is a little expensive. Not sure what you plan on selling these prints for. Believe it or not, some of the local quick-print labs have great quality and reasonably cheap prices. You just take your memory card over and print whatever you want. I've printed at CVS before and the quality is photo quality. They use the same print system they use for their film prints. Wal-Mart, I've heard, is very good also, and the prices are hard to beat ... not as convenient as printing at home, but may be an alternative. I'd suggest taking some pictures and getting some test prints done.
As an aside, BetterPhoto has some new enhancements to their Deluxe Web Sites, which allow for password-protected galleries. Maybe an idea, since I'm sure parents wouldn't want their kids pictures posted on the Internet. You can put them in a gallery titled whatever the game or date was. Then, on the cards you hand out, give them what the password will be for those pictures.
Hope this helps.


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July 23, 2005

 

Rachel Tribunella
  Dear Tim, I am a stay-at-home mom with an on-the-side photography business. I, too, would recommend posting your pictures on the web. Go to www.lifepics.com, and click on "professional photographers". They offer several different programs for "pros" which allow you to upload your images, set your own pricing, and have all orders sent directly to a local lab, which in my opinion is much better, and safer, than a CVS or Wal-mart. (A good lab can make your work look better, a not-so-good one can make you, and your work look bad.) Having a link to a pro site alone makes you look better, and more trustworthy. I use what is called a "seasonal" plan... $30.00 set-up fee, plus a 15% commission charge on all orders generated. The site is password protected, too, so parents needn't worry. If you have a website, they'll link to it, but you don't need your own. I highly recommend it! Also, orders can be picked up at your place of business, the lab your work is sent to, or mailed directly to your clients. The lab can even handle the money for you and then cut you a check for your profits. Have cards made after you "get" your site with your name and web address, and a blank box that says "event code" next to it. The event code can be the parents name... You make a record of the name and frame number and upload accordingly; parents sign on, enter the event code you assigned and purchase. You collect your check at the end of the month! You might also consider doing the same thing to random visitors to a park or playground; just ask before photographing, and have your cards ready. It's a lot of fun! I wouldn't do it any other way! Rachel@transcendingtime.com


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July 26, 2005

 
- Shirley D. Cross-Taylor

BetterPhoto Member
Contact Shirley D. Cross-Taylor
Shirley D. Cross-Taylor's Gallery
  You can have someone else print your photos, but I would not trade the control that doing your own printing gives. After the initial investment in a good quality photo printer,in the long run, it ends up cheaper to do your own prints. You can find papers and inks online much cheaper than locally. One good source is www.lexjet.com. I'm sure there are many others.


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July 26, 2005

 

Tamara Lynn
  friend has an epson 4000 and he says it cost way more, lot of ink and sometimes things go wrong with borders and such. He just likes doing it himself, then he doesn't have to wait


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July 26, 2005

 
- Shirley D. Cross-Taylor

BetterPhoto Member
Contact Shirley D. Cross-Taylor
Shirley D. Cross-Taylor's Gallery
  For what you're planning, you don't need a huge printer like the Epson 4000. I have an Epson 2200 and rarely have problems with printing.


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July 26, 2005

 

Tim S. Hales
  Thanks for all the suggestions. I am still undersided. I'm leaning towards a website and just dishing out my business cards out games.


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July 26, 2005

 

Maria Melnyk
  I've done this sort of thing also. What you need to do first is photograph an event so that you have samples. If you get some orders out of it, fine, but your main concern here is to get samples. Then take a few of these to the next event and show them to the parents, and ask if they would like similar photos of their children. This will show that you are already an established photographer, and you might even get orders and money on the site.
But - Walmart or CVS? No, no. You must use a pro-lab if you want credibility and respect. At least for your samples. Then, if you like, you may do your own printing after that, but in either case, don't use the same labs that your amateur clients use.


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July 26, 2005

 

Kevin d. Miller
 
 
 
Hey Tim, I do this very thing as well and use a website from Better Photo. It has taken me a couple of years but I have gotten a great following. Something else to think about. Print some out and have them for sale at the concession stand. Donate some of the money back to the association or school. It pays dividends in the end. Also, as far as printing, I print with an epson 2200 and it does an outstanding job without a glitch so far. Good luck


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July 27, 2005

 

Justin Cogley
  Hi Tim, I'm based in Australia and do something similar with dance concerts. I have set myself up with a both options; namely a Canon i9950 printer(i9900 I think in the US)and a website PRO version with www.smugmug.com at US$99 per annum. No monthly fees. Maybe commission on prints though.

I love the printer and the control that I have over printing but it is costly. I am looking at reducing costs possibly with bulk refills for the inks. The website is great and I don't even get to use the printing option as I'm based in Australia but worth it just to show photos and take orders. I would compare websites like smugmug and the other one's mentioned in previous replies.


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August 20, 2005

 

Bobbi S. Tomes
  I use to print my own images, but I was never really happy with the photo paper, and I bough the best sold in my area. It is aslo very true that you just never know when you might have printer problems and ink is outragious! I am now using an online lab that was recomended to me by other betterphoto members called mpix.com and I am so happy with the quality and price. They print on copyright protected kodak proffesional paper and you can get an 8x10 for only 2$. They also have many options, like adding a luster coat, metallic paper, canvas, and giant print sizes. I love them, and doubt I will ever print my own work again.


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August 21, 2005

 

Michael E. Johnson
  Tim,
I started doing jut what you described a few years ago while I have been following my children around at all kinds of ball fields. I use a service from Printroom.com. It cost 100 dollars a year plus a 13% commission. They set up the web sight handle all of the orders and send you a check. You set your prices upload the pictures. Check out my sight www.printroom.com/pro/chinsaw

I am still trying to figure out how to create my own web page instead of there timplates.

Right now I only have one event up do to the change from baseball to football.

Mike


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August 22, 2005

 

Sandra Wortmann
  What do you charge per picture?


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August 22, 2005

 

Michael E. Johnson
  It veries on size or if they buy a mug or other picture product. 5x7 run 6.00 and 8x10 12.00


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August 22, 2005

 
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