unemployed with an idea

[dk]

My friends at dslr users:

I have an idea that I would like to run by you for your thoughts and opinions.

These shots are what fueled the fire for my idea:







I'll be the first to say that these aren't the best representations of motion blur photography, and yet they do have some appeal to the untrained eye. I have had individuals look at these and want me to shoot them in their new car. "Okay", I'd say. "Get out on the road and I'll shoot you".

I've picked a name for my new business idea. And now I'm trying to locate my market. Here's where I need your help: How much should I charge for shoot time, for prints; matted prints; framed prints? What size prints? And, any additional thoughts you might have in helping me work this out. I really want some honest insight so I'm not spinning my wheels on a dumb idea.

Thanks a million.

dk

[birddog114]

#3 photo, is it the new Hummer?
Thanks for sharing.

[Glen]

DK, prices vary with region, most of us are in Aus so may not be able to help you out. I would check local. I did notice a thread in here which had a link to a US photographer doing exactly that charging $2,500 per shoot! That thread mentioned Easton Chang, so try doing a search on Chang, then find the link to the modestly priced US guy

[sirhc55]

To be honest dk you would be better off doing a google for pricing within the US. Pricing here in Aus may not be in the same league.

[marcotrov]

Good luck with the idea, sounds promising dk. You seem to have the motion blur photos well in hand and lighting you seem to also be gettihng a handle. The only thing left is the attention to detail like bacgounds(avoid telegraph posts and other distratcions) and take care with the cropping or initial framing I think Chris' suggestion is the go for pricing ideas
cheer
marco

[Sheila Smart]

I would post this on the American site of Fred Miranda and post it in the Digital Pro section.

Cheers
Sheila

[Onyx]

dk - from what I've come to know, Americans are passionate about their cars, so this idea may have some merit yet... However, I have reservations of the population of 'happy valley' being able to sustain your business idea. Perhaps if you were in SoCal or Arizona... away from the baby factories that is the typical Utahn household.

If you venture in landscape photography of your local area, you may have a willing market (or at least from me).
eg. a panorama from the top of Mount Timpanogus or Mt Pleasant overlooking the Salt Lake area is simply breathtaking and I'm sure if you showed the crowd in this forum some samples they'd agree. I'd certainly be willing to pay a pretty penny for them to hang on my wall (there's hints of the Wasatch mountains in these photos above and I'm salivating to see more).

[Dug]

Do you have Saturday/Sunday markets over there?

Start small get a few prints done choose a price that you make a good profit from and go see what the feedback is people will soon tell you:

(A) your dreaming get real !!!

(B) Man that way too cheap !!!

or hopefully (C) Wow that sounds good when can we book you?

I would try value adding by offering to photoshop some detail shots of the car or bike into the big "Speed" poster shot.


Sell the idea then go "Oh we can also do this it is real difficult but for you I can do it for an extra $##! they will usually go for it.


Good luck

post my 10% commission to:
 PS WATCH THE BACKGROUNDS!!!!!

[dk]

I want to thank everyone for their respective contributions and answer some questions:

Birddog, yes this is the new Hummer 3; isn't she a beauty?

Marcotrov and others said to watch the background. I agree, I guess I'll have to PS the poles out as the highway I'm shooting on is lined with them. There are places up the canyon that is open range and little if any poles.

Sheila, I checked Fred Miranda's site. Wow! I'll be checking the Digital Pro section soon. Thanks for the tip.

Onyx, you are absolutely right about "happy valley". I am considering launching an ad in southern Utah; St. George and into Las Vegas. Do you have a preference on seasons for the Wasatch Mountains? I'll see what I can do to get some shots from the ski resorts at Park City, Sundance, or up north around Solitude, Brighton, Alta, or Snowbird.

Dug, here's an idea of the pricing around here. On location fees range from $40 to $70 for one hour and prints start at $40 for an 8X10; $75 for an 11X14; $150 for a 16X20; $250 for a 20X24; and $350 for a 24X30 (print only). My cost respectively is $4 - 8X10; $6 - 11X14; $19.50 - 16X20; $29 - 20X24; and $45 - 24X30. So I was thinking $25 for the shot and print priced as shown.

Again, thanks to all for the generous and kind insight and thoughts. I feel encouraged.

dk BTW, this is what it looked like today:

[Wocka]

DK,

There are a few blokes here in Sydney that set-up on public roads (where motorbike riders and car clubs frequent), and snap away as people pass.

Note: as a bit of warning, please place a sign before the corner you are on to give riders notice there will be someone there.

Have a sign made up with your website, people will quickly remember your site and pass the word around. Post your pictures at the end of the day and have them sorted via date/ road etc. Place a watermark over the image to protect your copyright.
Photographers also attend race track days, aim more for the ride/ drive days not race meets. Talk to the organisers and see if you can attend. If you have a laptop you can display and take orders on the day etc.

Perhaps this is a lot of time for maybe little income, but you never know how you will go.

By looking on-line you should quickly find riders talking about the local road to fang around on. Easier bet would be to goto the local motorbike shop and ask the sales dudes.

Hope all goes well, good luck

Cheers

[dk]

Wocka,

This is awesome. I'm on it.

Thanks a million.

dk

[Dug]

Dug, here's an idea of the pricing around here. On location fees range from $40 to $70 for one hour and prints start at $40 for an 8X10; $75 for an 11X14; $150 for a 16X20; $250 for a 20X24; and $350 for a 24X30 (print only). My cost respectively is $4 - 8X10; $6 - 11X14; $19.50 - 16X20; $29 - 20X24; and $45 - 24X30. So I was thinking $25 for the shot and print priced as shown. BTW, this is what it looked like today:

Sound good to me if you are happy To quote and Australian phrase

"Suck it and see"

Your trucking photo COOL!! or Bloody COLD!!!

Have you sent any shots to trucking magazines?

I would send a selection and see if they want to do a story about you.

[Willy wombat]

Good luck man - i hope your idea pays off for you. Good to see you trying to make a go of it!

[DVEous]

... Obsolete ...

[skippy]

Hi DK,
As a bike rider who's had his pic up a few times on JPM Photo I'd suggest you should be looking at setting up on some corners. I'd hazard a guess that the majority of bike riders are going to be a lot more interested in a pic of them going around a corner than on a straight, and to get that sort of photo you need to be either on a track or on a well-known scratching road. Um, that's a twisty road known as a good one for bikes, if the slang throws you. I agree with VK about the profile too - front quarter is the selling one, especially if a knee can be seen to be touching the road. We're a vain lot...

The structure of JPM Photo (http://www.jpmphoto.com.au/) works quite well - thumbnailed images linked to larger ones, galleries easily located by date and type of event. I would suggest you not watermark the thumbnails though, it makes it very hard to see the pics you're in. Worth a look at his prices for some ideas, but it is Australian so they may not match your market too well.

Hope it works for you - the pics are good attention-grabbers, which is what will sell them. You need to make it work as an impulse purchase though, if people have to come looking for you it won't work nearly as well.

[ozimax]

Great idea DK, what incidentally is the bike in the first shot?

Max

[dk]

Thanks! I believe it is a Honda 1300cc.

dk