Giving other parents photos? - DPChallenge Forums

12/13/2006 07:33:41 PM · #1

Even when I just had point and shoot cameras I often would get asked to take photo's of other parents kids at school events by the parents grandparents.

Not because my photo's are all that good, but it seem like I am one of the few that takes a camera or has the guts to walk right up front and take photos, lol..

I don't mind at all and I even print a couple off to give them.
They are often friends of my sons and I send the photo's home with the kids when there over to the house to play.

I now plan on taking a ton of photo's with my new DSLR at the shool sporting events and I am sure without a doubt people are going to ask for photo's.

I was thinking at the end of the basketball season putting together a collection of photos on a CD and just giving a CD to each parent.

This way they could print off what they want and pay for the printing themselfs.

Has anyone done this before?
Anyone see any trouble I could run into doing this?

I was just thinking about a parent not liking some photo I took for one reason or another and putting up a fuss that I went and give it to everyone.

Would love to hear your thoughts....

12/13/2006 07:38:32 PM · #2

I sell parents pictures of their kids at my daughter's ballet studio.

I have permission from the Ballet Studio owner though and she has the parents sign a photo release when they sign up for ballet.

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

12/13/2006 07:41:30 PM · #3

Originally posted by Megatherian:

I sell parents pictures of their kids at my daughter's ballet studio.

I have permission from the Ballet Studio owner though and she has the parents sign a photo release when they sign up for ballet.

Sell, wow that would be awesome. :)

I would just be happy that anyone would want any of my sports photos this first season.

Having people wanting to pay me for them would be a dream for me..

fotomann_forever

12/13/2006 07:42:58 PM · #4

Originally posted by lakota:

I was just thinking about a parent not liking some photo I took for one reason or another and putting up a fuss that I went and give it to everyone.

Would love to hear your thoughts....

In today's law suit crazed society, that is a very REAL concern. While not a lwayer, I'd assume you'd be fine as long as you aren't selling the CD's. If you are selling the CD's, I might advise you only include photos with one child per CD.

Sorry I can't give more advice, haven't been there and not a lwyer. Just watch your hiney.

MrEd

Sony DSLR-A100

12/13/2006 07:45:22 PM · #5

How about just uploading them to a website and have them order anything they want? DPCPrints, smugmug, etc..... But, I believe you will need a release from each parent?

12/13/2006 07:46:21 PM · #6

I was thinking about posting photos to a website, but could see that being a bigger problem.

With internet safty and kids. I don't know if I would care for someone to be posting photos of my kid online.

I will be posting photo's of my son, but my feel different if someone else was doing it.

With the CD the parents have some control over who see's what photos.

Message edited by author 2006-12-13 19:46:53.

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

12/13/2006 07:49:15 PM · #7

It's not too tough. Remember even though it may look like kind of a crap photo to you, that's their child's youth you're shooting.

I don't know if it applies to your situation but the girls I shoot live for ballet. This is their lives and these are their friends. Sure these pictures are great for the parents but really, the pictures I take are for the kids. 10, 15, 20 years from now these are the moments they are going to want to remember, these are the friends they don't want to forget. These photos help keep that little sparkle of their youth alive and help them remember the good times.

MrEd

Sony DSLR-A100

12/13/2006 07:49:53 PM · #8

OK then, Smugmug has the option to make a folder private. You can then give the parent a code to access their kids photos only (each parent gets different folder and access code) and have them printed....nobody else can see them.

Message edited by author 2006-12-13 19:50:30.

fotomann_forever

12/13/2006 07:50:39 PM · #9

lakota, up until this year I shot sotck car racing at a local track every weekend during racing season.

The next weekend, I'd bring 4x6's of all the good shots to the track and sell them for $1.50 each. At 15 cents each to print, I only had to sell one of each ten to break even, although my success was more like 9-10 (plus request for enlargements 5x7 $5 8x10 $10, etc.).

This might be a safer and more profitable way for you to make some extra cash.

Edit for clarity.

Message edited by author 2006-12-13 19:51:22.

12/13/2006 07:53:15 PM · #10

yes, keep in mind I have a signed release from the studio for each child.

I do not post pictures of the kids on the open internet (I have a password protected site that parents buy access to)

12/13/2006 09:02:51 PM · #11

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Yeah, I like that idea, thanks..

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

12/13/2006 09:08:58 PM · #12

Originally posted by Megatherian:

yes, keep in mind I have a signed release from the studio for each child.

I do not post pictures of the kids on the open internet (I have a password protected site that parents buy access to)

Password protected site is a great idea too.

The website idea would be some more work, but I will keep this in mind.

I think to start out with I may just share some photos with my sons closer friends. Maybe even hand them out at a game or practice so then the other parents can see them too. This will give them a chance to ask for some if they are interested.

To start with this will all just be for fun, as I am just learning how to use my DSLR, even thought I had shot a lot with a 35mm slr 20 years ago I have so much to learn about digital. I want to learn how to shot really awesome shot, like all you guys. :)

What I don't want is to be paying for everyones prints that they want.
I would think at some point someone would ask "What do I owe you for these". :)

All very good ideas, thanks!

Canon EOS-60D

12/13/2006 09:09:44 PM · #13

I do this every year for soccer, baseball, or whatever sport is going on. I give out CDs or DVDs of all the best pics and usually a slideshow set to music. It's always a big hit with the parents, and even three or more years later, I still get compliments from parents when I see them in the grocery store or something. I don't ever charge for it because I am not a pro and because I love sharing. It's all about the kids anyway. :)

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/14/2006 12:57:10 AM · #14

I use 4images for my galleries. Easy to set up and use right out of the box.

Sheryll

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/14/2006 02:29:35 AM · #15

The idea's about selling are good. I usually take shots at my sons school for different events but also just out at the playground every now and then when I go pick him up in after school care. What I have done in the past is email the onesies and twosies. But for bigger events I just keep taking shots all over of kids I know but also kids I don't know. Then I burn a CD or two and give it to the office. Sometimes when I take the photo the parent wants to see (because its digital and they can) so I show them and then tell them the office will have a copy if they want to bring in a CD to burn the photo's to. this way I'm not paying for a bunch of CD's I'm giving away. Then the school also has some shots for the yearbook or whatever. I am the marketing advisor on the Board of Govorners for the school so I wouldn't feel right selling them. Hey I just realized I'm published. Because I chose one of the shots I took at the school to use in an advertisement. Cool. Anyway that's what I do. Sounds like you could make some money off of it though. Go for it. I would if I could.

renegade1966

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

12/14/2006 08:24:00 PM · #16

I am doing something similar for my daughters sixth grade baketball team. Since I'm not a pro I thought it would be a great way to practice shooting sports/actin photos. I emailed her coach and told him my idea of giving each parent a 5x7 action shot and selling more copies if they want them. The coach talked to the principal who said it would be fine. Here, each student signs a photo release at the beginning of the school year so everything was covered. I gave out the free 5x7's last night and so far I have 1 order for $14.00. Here's an example of what I gave the parents. I removed her name for obvious reasons...

Message edited by author 2006-12-14 20:39:32.