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09/08/2011 08:20:15 PM · #1 |
Hey all
I was at a job interview today at a small family-run stationery/gift store, and one of the first things I learned (seeing that I listed Freelance Photographer on my resume) is the slightly horrifying fact that tourists come in, looking for postcards of the area to send home....
Well, there are none. I live in one of the fastest-growing, most recession-resistant areas in all of Ontario, if not the entire country of Canada. And there are no postcards showing off the various architectural styles, local landmarks etc.
Obviously this presents to me a huge opportunity as going out and shooting like mad, getting postcards done up and eh wala, have at least one well-respected local venue in which to sell them. But there is also a local camera club, to which I do not belong. I am sure the members - a mix of amateurs and pros, like dpc - already have amongst them several splendid photos that would make fantastic postcards.
Thing is, should I try to approach this group with the idea of getting images from them (they of course would get credit and their share of the sales) and risk losing my idea to someone in a better financial situation, who could easily steal the idea, or go it alone? I don't really want to be an agent just putting things together, I'd like to make some money too!!!
Any useful comments or suggestions are very welcome. |
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09/08/2011 08:24:14 PM · #2 |
| Nope, Do all the shots yourself. Otherwise, there will be problems. |
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09/08/2011 08:24:56 PM · #3 |
I thought you GOT a job recently, assisting a local pro?
Anyway, you'd be out of your mind to involve the camera club. Run with it is fast and as long as you can, on your own. If you bring in all those others you'll lose control and wind up with nada.
R.
ETA: great minds think alike...
Message edited by author 2011-09-08 20:25:18. |
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09/08/2011 08:26:09 PM · #4 |
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09/08/2011 08:26:49 PM · #5 |
Hey, I have all kinds of shots of that community... call me. I even have some shots of the new sub-division where the golf course is.
Ray |
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09/08/2011 08:28:16 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
,,, If you bring in all those others you'll lose control and wind up with nada.
R. |
I used to date a Russian girl named Nada... or was it Nadia... I digress... trust Bear on this one.
Ray |
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09/08/2011 08:30:24 PM · #7 |
| I'll echo the "go it alone" advice. And especially don't involve Ray. He's shifty. |
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09/08/2011 08:32:45 PM · #8 |
| How do I get ahold of this Nada? |
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09/08/2011 08:33:54 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by David Ey:
How do I get ahold of this Nada? |
 Nobody knows her. |
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09/08/2011 08:47:58 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by RayEthier:
Hey, I have all kinds of shots of that community... call me. I even have some shots of the new sub-division where the golf course is.
Ray |
Check yer email, Ray! Or rather your gmail....
Bear....well like they say, seemed too good to be true...will send you pm. Stay tuned.
Message edited by author 2011-09-08 21:04:32. |
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09/08/2011 09:07:38 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
I'll echo the "go it alone" advice. And especially don't involve Ray. He's shifty. |
*wide-eyed and sniffling* But...but...Ray's my friend! He's responsible for me being here in the first place! And he has lotsa cool shots of barns and stuff in the area! And he's not shifty, he's a Mountie for cryin out loud! Rides around dressed in red serge and funny leggings on a black horse in a double bridle all over the place!!! |
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09/08/2011 09:09:17 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Originally posted by David Ey:
How do I get ahold of this Nada? |
Nobody knows her. |
In the "biblical" sense? |
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09/08/2011 09:14:01 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
I'll echo the "go it alone" advice. And especially don't involve Ray. He's shifty. |
*wide-eyed and sniffling* But...but...Ray's my friend! He's responsible for me being here in the first place! And he has lotsa cool shots of barns and stuff in the area! And he's not shifty, he's a Mountie for cryin out loud! Rides around dressed in red serge and funny leggings on a black horse in a double bridle all over the place!!! |
Yep...poor horse ended up being a (cough, cough)... bit of a swayback ... it did. :O)
Ray |
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09/08/2011 09:39:47 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
should I try to approach this group with the idea of getting images from them (they of course would get credit and their share of the sales) and risk losing my idea to someone in a better financial situation, who could easily steal the idea, or go it alone? I don't really want to be an agent just putting things together, I'd like to make some money too!!! |
they've had more than ample time to have done something by now. your best bet is to get your inventory collected ASAP, because as soon as someone else realizes that you're making money, you're going to have more company than you want (the same way all the boats wind up surrounding the guy that was catching fish). |
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09/08/2011 10:29:34 PM · #15 |
Postcards aren't a big money maker so go at it on your own. If you can get them printed for $0.12 -$0.15ea you would have to wholesale them to the store(s) for $0.25-$0.30. The retailers will then sell them at the going rate of $0.50 -$0.60. You have to sell a lot of postcards to start splitting the money you are going to make. Don't get me wrong you can make some income doing this but not if you are going to do all of the work, pay for the initial printing costs and split the profits.
I am close to the area you live in and can help you out with printing companies that offer small runs for reasonable rates. Feel free to PM me if you want any info. |
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09/09/2011 08:59:19 AM · #16 |
 Enlightened, I'll definitely pm you later today, just getting ready for work. Especially if you're relatively local and have experience with postcards before, I'm all ears. Was thinking of going the Henry's route but by all means would like to know of options.
Guess I'll have to get some boilerplate property releases made up, as lots of the scenic buildings around are privately owned. Not so worried about model releases, unless I am trying to feature someone, but for the most part I plan to have any humans in the shots as just warm background. I was thinking of using long exposures for some images, too, as then that renders humans into interesting blurs that aren't quite so easy to identify :-)
Oh yes...though I don't plan to shoot tons of municipal buildings, there are a couple that are quite lovely. Any ideas as to whom to approach for more or less blanket permission? |
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09/09/2011 09:58:37 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
Enlightened, I'll definitely pm you later today, just getting ready for work. Especially if you're relatively local and have experience with postcards before, I'm all ears. Was thinking of going the Henry's route but by all means would like to know of options.
Guess I'll have to get some boilerplate property releases made up, as lots of the scenic buildings around are privately owned. Not so worried about model releases, unless I am trying to feature someone, but for the most part I plan to have any humans in the shots as just warm background. I was thinking of using long exposures for some images, too, as then that renders humans into interesting blurs that aren't quite so easy to identify :-)
Oh yes...though I don't plan to shoot tons of municipal buildings, there are a couple that are quite lovely. Any ideas as to whom to approach for more or less blanket permission? |
You really don't need permission to shoot buildings as long as you shoot from public property. There are a couple of possible pitfalls having to do with "association" but these won't apply to postcards. Here's a discussion. It's not a BAD idea to get property releases, but realistically nothing you do with postcards can harm the property owner, so you won't be an attractive target for any sort of misguided lawsuit.
Of course, this is all just my opinion, and I'm not a lawyer...
R. |
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09/09/2011 11:23:08 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
You really don't need permission to shoot buildings as long as you shoot from public property. There are a couple of possible pitfalls having to do with "association" but these won't apply to postcards. Here's a discussion. It's not a BAD idea to get property releases, but realistically nothing you do with postcards can harm the property owner, so you won't be an attractive target for any sort of misguided lawsuit.
Of course, this is all just my opinion, and I'm not a lawyer...
R. |
haha--love the disclaimer :-). But yeah, those were my thoughts too--stay on public property & you won't have to track down property release permissions (quite a task in itself)... & yes, that's just my opinion too :-)
Message edited by author 2011-09-09 11:23:38. |
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