Hello I am new Here and I have an idea.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

06/05/2010 07:58:41 PM · #1

Hello all! My name is Jacob Vaughn and you can call me Jake. I have an idea and would like your input on it. Heres the idea: Set up a backdrop and a printer on the street and take pictures of people who want to and sell prints right on the spot. Would this be worth a try?

bergiekat

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

06/05/2010 08:02:05 PM · #2

If the city lets you do so...I'd say it might be a worthwhile project. Interesting to say the least! Spontaneity often appeals to people.
We did that once on a whim and I still have the pic and love it!!

David Ey

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

06/05/2010 08:29:44 PM · #3

Sorry, we have to call you jvaughn94. :{
You can probably change it to Jake, but you may have to be a paying member first.

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

06/05/2010 08:34:59 PM · #4

Oh ok. Is there any such thing as a portable printer? Or would I need access to a power supply?

David Ey

Nikon D80

06/05/2010 08:42:04 PM · #5

Hey Jake, I was just pulling your foot. :}

yakatme

Lytro Illum Light Field Digital

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

06/05/2010 08:46:49 PM · #6

Originally posted by jvaughn94:

Oh ok. Is there any such thing as a portable printer? Or would I need access to a power supply?

Welcome Jake!

I have heard of portable printers that people run from their van or SUV. I don't know if they are powered directly by the vehicles DC or if they use an inverter. If printers that run on DC don't exist, then I would think that you could either power the printer by a bank of car batteries and an inverter or use a tiny generator that I have seen in use at art shows.

I like your idea and I think that you should continue to explore the possibility of making it work for you.

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

06/05/2010 08:53:22 PM · #7

I actually laughed when I realized what you said was a joke. :) Oh and I am going to try and figure out a way to make this work. The only problems I forsee are getting permission to set up( not from the town but from a property owner) and what to actually charge people per picture.

fldave

Pentax K5II

06/05/2010 09:36:20 PM · #8

Hi Jake, they do make portable printers, such as the Canon Selphy and printer battery. If you can get the necessary permissions, setting up at landmarks and tourist spots may do well for you.

kenskid

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/05/2010 09:41:43 PM · #9

I live in new Orleans and have thought about your idea many times.....I'm a wimp and never acted on it. I say ....go for it.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

06/05/2010 09:49:36 PM · #10

Okay I just looked up the Selphy but it uses some weird cassetes for ink. Does anyone know how these work?

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

06/05/2010 09:56:28 PM · #11

Originally posted by jvaughn94:

Okay I just looked up the Selphy but it uses some weird cassetes for ink. Does anyone know how these work?

They're ink and paper in one. I think they're only 4x6 size as well.

JustCaree

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/05/2010 09:59:28 PM · #12

I did it once during a beach fest in PCola (though I had a trailer to draw power from for printer) I bought clear plastic frames (very cheap) in 2 sizes 5 x 7 and 8 x 10... sold the 5 x 7 for 15 and the 8 x 10 for 25 make a pretty penny.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

06/05/2010 10:21:38 PM · #13

Okay doing some calculating if I sold the pictures for $2 I could make $300 in a month if I sold 6 a day. While this is definately not amazing money it would be worth it for me as I am in high school and don't want a regular job. :)
And sales would fluctuate do to community events.

bergiekat

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

06/05/2010 10:37:07 PM · #14

The one time I had it done, I think I paid $8 ro $10 for a 4x6. AND we got no frame. Took it home and put in our own frame. Lots of peeps were having it done!

jomari

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

06/05/2010 11:05:57 PM · #15

If you sell your pics too cheaply you'll hardly cover your costs. Besides people will respect the venture more if you charge a little more.

ShutterPug

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/06/2010 12:04:20 AM · #16

Hello Jake. I am old here and have NO idea. Good luck in your photographic adventures

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

06/06/2010 12:12:19 AM · #17

I think the way to do this is to set yourself up in a town or area with lots of tourist traffic or restaurants on the weekends and you'd probably get a lot of opportunities for people who want souveniers, especially for couples and group shots. Create examples of photographs you are capable of producing and mount them on a wall or easel for people to see what they can expect and provide the product in a protective sleeve with cardboard backing to prevent creasing. I think if quality is good to make this profitable you can charge $5 for a 4x6. But printing costs are expensive as it is and overhead for this business may put operating expenses in the red.

SEG

Nikon D7100

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

06/06/2010 12:27:36 AM · #18

Thought this was a sweet setup.

Apple iPhone 5

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

06/06/2010 01:39:49 PM · #19

A new member with an idea?

Release the hounds!!!!

docpjv

Fujifilm X-E1

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS

06/06/2010 01:48:29 PM · #20

Good advise, keep it to yourself. Those who need it won't listen to it and those who do not need it, well....
;-)

docpjv

Fujifilm X-E1

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS

06/06/2010 01:50:05 PM · #21

Originally posted by jvaughn94:

More serious, make sure you have a half nude good looking girl as prop and you may have something coming.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

06/06/2010 01:51:22 PM · #22

Selphy uses dry toner cartridges and printer paper,no ink as such, all comes in a pack complete. Various number of paper in a pack with enough toner to do them. I have one and the quality of the 6X4 prints is damn good. Why not do prints at 6x4 and take details of anyone interested in larger so you can do them through a printroom or at home and mail them to your customers?

06/06/2010 02:08:58 PM · #23

The only problem is the start up cost. I do not own the printer nor the backdrop. And my town and nearby towns are pretty small so the list of events are also small. It is still something I would like to try though. Also I have a friend who sells hotdogs out of a cart. Would this be an ideal location for setting up?