Photo website business

by michaelplies

Posted: 12 years ago 24 replies

OFFLINE MARKETING

Hey guys.

I red a great idea from another member here.

Basically the idea is to take pictures of people on the street and then hand them a card to go to the website and buy the photo. I also noticed lot's of guys doing it at a water park in Turkey when I was there on vacation and almost anyone who had a picture taken end up buying at least one on the way out. I bought 3 or 4 of them. .

I live in a very tourist oriented city, specially in the summer, lots of activities and tourists around here.

I was thinking of opening a website, hiring a photographer and send them out to take free pictures of tourist and letting them know that they can buy it on the website.

There will be a small fee for a digital download and I am looking to sell a framed picture( will outsource and probably find a dropshipper in china for that)

Can anyone suggest the rates for the photos , digital copy and a framed one.

also what would be the best pay rate for the photographer with his own gear.

I'm thinking commission based, hourly rate or small rate for each photo taken.

Would highly appreciate some input and advice to make this business going.

#business #photo #website

grey38 12 years ago

Well commission based, you could guarantee they'd do their best job. That would be the best bet for you, however most photographers would find that a risky job for them to take on. Even if they take stunning photos website issues could always arise, or the way you have the site set up could effect your conversion rates.

I realize that's not a direct answer, but I hope it helps you out.
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abo28 12 years ago

I also think that commission based would be too risky for the photographer. You should hire them with a fixed wage (maybe part time?). Then you should hone your business model in order to to maximize site sales and conversion rates.

Great idea, by the way.
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michaelplies 12 years ago

that's was I was thinking, maybe hire them part time with cheap rate + commission
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emarion1114 12 years ago

I agreee with Michael. Just hire a part timer with fixed rate plus commission.
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dagnyjbarber 12 years ago

I agree. great idea.
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avandrunen 12 years ago

Love this idea...

Wordpress site maybe...simple portfolio template with your merchant account shopping cart.

hmmm...how do you ensure the right people are buying the photos...or does it really matter?

Also...how would you suggest ensuring they are able to find the photos...maybe post the date on the card you hand out...

Coming into tourist season in a majorly touristy city.
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SiteSmarty 12 years ago

Why not take the picture on the street and collect with a smart phone using Square. Then just email them their pic right then and there.

You'll get them when their hot to buy and they don't have to think about going to a website and through that dreaded check out system. I just bought a new apple computer. The sales dude ran my card through his phone or whatever Apple uses. It was so fast and slick I didn't even realize the transaction was completed.

Check out https://squareup.com
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prismkuet 12 years ago

Very good idea. For photographer, commission based compensation will be helpful. Because, if you go for quantity based, they quality of photo may decline and it's not sure that those photos will be sold. For the price of photo, you have to calculate the cost first and adding a benefit, you have to offer that in a reasonable price.
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- Brandon Tanner 12 years ago
  
  Interesting idea. If you're in a touristy area, then go for it!
  
  And for an upsell, you could make an Animoto video for them from the still pics, and then upload it to YouTube. Although it might seem a little creepy if your cameraman followed someone around long enough to get enough photos of them for a video, lol.
  
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onSubie 12 years ago

Hi

This is a good idea. Killington ski club in Vermont has photographers on the hills to take photos of skiers. You can then pick up photos later or ask them to take specific pictures. I don't know if they are paid by the resort or just work for picture sales.

When doing this, make sure the photographer is clearly marked with a sign and business cards. You don't want confusion after an angry father asks why you are following him and taking pictures of his kids...

Mahlon
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eAvenue 12 years ago

Dont forget your going to need to clean and edit all of these images. If you need an editing staff I have about 30 photo editors available full time for image editing. We can also do custom vector / clip art. Hit me up if you need photo editing services. I can tell you more about our services
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Chronic IM 12 years ago

Hello! I just would love to say that it's a really great idea. Very creative and I thibk also very effective.
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limaxa 12 years ago

very interesting idea,,nice post
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maxpine11 12 years ago

In this particular era involving electronic digital image resolution as well as technology, some kind of existence on the internet is utterly required for any professional photographer. Whether it's merely a simple portfolio web site using contact data, or maybe a full-blown storefront, a person certainly not just have to use the net, but not utilizing it can certainly hurt your organization. Envision planning to a physician which doesn't rely on X-Rays. Which is how most of the people feel about photography enthusiasts in which lack a web site. Depending on the style of images you choose to do, the internet may possibly participate in a bigger or scaled-down part. For some, perhaps it will become a company minute card or maybe a portfolio; with regard to others, it may be an entire on the web databases exactly where orders are achieved.

Your blade cuts both equally approaches. Even though the rewards can be considerable, using a weak strategy throughout employing an online presence can be costly with time, cash as well as misplaced possibility. Consequently, it can be crucial to understand the aims in advance. It won't suggest you have to know how it is going to look as well as functionality right from the start; you are able to and should strategy that gradually, within a step-wise trend. Just what looks quick and easy at first can be mind-boggling, consequently do not bite away from over you are able to chew.
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- SteveSki 12 years ago
  
  You may want to check this other thread out:
  http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...mera-cash.html
  
  Cheers,
  Steve
  
  Thanks
  
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  www.EnchantedPortraits.com.au
  
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riverview Banned 12 years ago

[DELETED]

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- midasman09 Banned 12 years ago
  
  I know of 2 guys who are STILL making a "good-living"...taking photos of people at;
  
  * Beaches
  ·
  Zoos
  ·
  Parks
  ·
  Sporting Events
  ·
  Family Reunions
  ·
  Tourist Attractions
  ·
  Conventions/Hotels
  ·
  Company Picnics
  ·
  Bachelor Parties
  · Any local hotspot in your area
  
  They simply approach people with their card, hand it to them, let them look at it, and then get ready to take their picture.
  
  Assume the sale. Don't allow them to say no. Hand them the card, and get to work. Don't ask them if you can take their picture. Just do it. This is what they have done countless times without any problems at all. Prople just assume that this is their job and they're paid to take their picture.
  
  Once they're done taking their pictures, they tell them it will be online in 2-3 days. That's all they have to do!
  
  No matter where they go, they're always looking for opportunities to take pictures.
  
  Yes, you will have to get over your fear of approaching people. But once you start doing this and come up with a routine that fits your personality, believe me it's not intimidating at all. You need to realize that you're actually doing these people a service. And you're not charging them a dime. If they like their picture, they buy. If not, they don't. There is no obligation at all.
  
  You can even tell people that you are a professional photographer and that seems to really get people to listen. In some way YOU ARE a
  professional photographer, since you are doing this as somewhat of a profession. It helps to put people at ease.
  
  You set up a website where your "subjects" can go to SEE their photos (You'll have to figure out how to do this)
  
  They offer 3 sizes; 4x6=$12, 5x7=$16, 8x10=$20 Duplicates are 1/2 price. They try to take 100 photos a day and say that 1/3 order with the average order being $18
  
  So....100 photos = 30 orders @ $18ea = $540
  
  Now...they won't tell me their website addy or how they're set up but, you CAN find a way to set this up yourself.
  
  You do NOT need a "professional Photog" to take the photos! ANYONE with a digital can do this however....they must be able to take Good photos and be "outgoing" personality. You can request they show results of what they can do.
  
  I would NOT hire them as "employee". Pay them a Fee Per Photo....like $2 per Photo uploaded (max of 100/day)....then an extra of $2 per Order, as an example.
  
  I'm searching for a way to do this, as we speak. I've found LOTS of people interested in doing this.
  
  Don Alm
  
  Thanks
  
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antac Banned 12 years ago

Your idea is good but I hope it's difficult to do.
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Lucaslee 12 years ago

over at my country, you will be stopped by the security or the staff.
the zoo here has the their own staff doing that
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- midasman09 Banned 12 years ago
  
  over at my country, you will be stopped by the security or the staff. the zoo here has the their own staff doing that
  
  THIS....is WHY...WE....live in a FREE (for now) Country...where INDIVIDUALS... "ARMED" with nothing more than a Digital Camera can go out to a "Band Concert" (held every Tues Eve in MY town) where 2,000 people come out to listen to great entertainers....AND....LOVE to have their photo taken, while sitting on Blankets with their family and friends!
  
  They APPRECIATE having their photo taken with ALL....in the shot. And, when handed a Card telling them the website to go to to SEE THEIR PHOTO....they BUY!
  
  Don Alm....
  
  Thanks
  
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  iInvent 12 years ago
  
  I might be wrong, but I see an issue here with privacy concerns.
  I don't see this working here but maybe it would...who knows!
  
  Thanks
  
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  Thanks for reading!
  
  Chantal
  "Before you try to satisfy the client, understand and satisfy the person."
  
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tx138 12 years ago

Here is a website of a guy that I always see doing this method out at Glen Helen MX.
Full Throttle Photo

He always is at every SRA motocross race and he has a booth setup out there letting people know about his website and that they can purchase pictures off of it. One thing with using this method is that you need to post the pictures that night or the next day because people won't go to the website weeks after the event to check for the pictures. Anyways, you might be want to look into the software he uses for his website because it is quite nice.
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rain21 12 years ago

hiring by commission based not sounds good.
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rhensiong 12 years ago

It is good idea. But occasionally someone will be angry, if someone took a picture without his permission. Perhaps it would be better if we asked him first, and took photographs. BTW, it is very good idea for marketing..
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mattverick 12 years ago

I would never buy a picture from someone who has not even asked my permission.
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