Getting yourself "out there"

Hey all,

I enjoy the old photography. My only hobby really. I'd love to get out there more, try and spread myself around the place (:D) and take photos and have a bit of a laugh.

Have only 'covered' two or three 'events' (using the terms cover and event loosely). A Christian Conference (I was invited to specifically asked by the organiser to photograph at it), a Garda Open Day that was held at my local station (that I popped along to after making sure it would be OK to take along my cameras, and ended up photographing on behalf of a Sgt. at the station) and a gig my friends band were playing at (whom I was invited by my friend, who cleared it with the promoter that I'd be there).


My results have been shared on here (and can be seen on my Pix). Nothing outstanding or amazing, but I'm pleased enough considering my lack of practical experience.


So, I was wondering, what kinda routes are there to getting to photograph events and such (I should probably note I spent the last 5 years of my life doing nothing at all, rarely leaving the house and being generally depressed, as such, have lost contact with a lot of old friends and such and my circle of friends is extremely small, so I can't really worm my way into places with the help of a friend of a friend, etc. and also, I hate the thoughts of showing up anywhere randomly with my cameras, and always like to seek permission or be asked to photograph somewhere, like with the above events).




My current theory is to offer to cover people's events for free in return for experience. I'll cover their event or photograph whatever they want, etc. and I'll provide them with digital, watermarked copies of the images (not full sized) that they can use to look at or use online or such, but if they want a full size shot with no watermark; they've to pay.

I think this gives me freedom to make a balls of things (which is sure to happen when ye're just learning, no doubt, though I think I've been lucky so far), means the person who wants the photos taken is under no financial pressure at all so they've nothing to worry about there, and in the hugely unlikely event that I get an amazing shot of any kind, I can try to make money off it by selling it to them, which means I can make money to put one side for when my camera or flash or whatever eventually dies off.


What do ye think? Great idea? Disaster waiting to happen?


Just looking for other peoples thoughts or ideas? I'm sure other people have been here before.


Cheers

Borderfox

Get involved in local groups history/charity/animal/sports if you want to get out and shoot

Ah, I'm not sure I'd be too keen, to be honest. Then I have to pretend to have an interest in stuff that I don't really care about. I'd rather just be a photographer extraordinaire.

My only other real interest outside of photography is the world of wrestling, but not exactly too many photography opportunities there. Have a strong interest in the emergency services, but again, not really much intermingling able to be done there, either.


Cheers for the idea though. Will give me a few things to run through my head, hopefully.

Paulw

I'd also advise joining a camera club.

You don't have to fake interest. I joined a club and have no interest at all in certain topics. I freely admit I've no interest and focus on what I am interested in.

The Snipe

What I like to do is, Check the local paper etc. for a list of upcoming events and gigs, and if you see one you like the sounds of/looks of, say to the organisers you would like to come along and take a few photos; you don't have to say its for them. Then if they like them you can request payment if they want them. Or you can give them for free however they only get use of them for their website with creditiation to you with your contact details or something. That way then they could call you back to do more. I'm a bit like yourself and I'm no expert only a hobby (As I'm only 17) but I still sometimes get some paying gigs, but also I used to do small bits and bobs for free, and got connections out of it.

Ie. I'd do a shoot hand them into the Local Paper for free and get published (Benifit as its building a portfolio) and tag along with their Photog and cover for events he can't make, In doing this I met a lot of local people who organise events such as HMV asking me to shoot for Limerick Live, and doing a lot of work in Dolans Warehouse for The Rubberbandits the Coronas and the likes.

joepenguin

You could always give the likes of IWW and wrestling promotions a shout. I'm sure it wouldnt be too hard to get access, ya'd just need to give them a reason for you been there. Maybe cover it for a website or let the promotion have the pics?
Maybe even local gigs? Bands starting out would think it fairly cool to have a 'tog I say go for it, you'll really enjoy it.

Paulw

Paulw wrote: »

I'd also advise joining a camera club.

You don't have to fake interest. I joined a club and have no interest at all in certain topics. I freely admit I've no interest and focus on what I am interested in.

I acutally meant feigning an interest if I joined a history/animal/etc. related club or such.

Only photography club around me is the Drogheda one (I don't have a car so wouldn't be up for travelling to meath every week at dodgy times) and I don't think they want new members. Besides, even if they did, I hear more bad than good about them. I hear it's mostly competitions and the likes, and I'd have no interest whatsoever in such.

XiledSniper wrote: »

What I like to do is, Check the local paper etc. for a list of upcoming events and gigs, and if you see one you like the sounds of/looks of, say to the organisers you would like to come along and take a few photos; you don't have to say its for them. Then if they like them you can request payment if they want them. Or you can give them for free however they only get use of them for their website with creditiation to you with your contact details or something. That way then they could call you back to do more. I'm a bit like yourself and I'm no expert only a hobby (As I'm only 17) but I still sometimes get some paying gigs, but also I used to do small bits and bobs for free, and got connections out of it.

Ie. I'd do a shoot hand them into the Local Paper for free and get published (Benifit as its building a portfolio) and tag along with their Photog and cover for events he can't make, In doing this I met a lot of local people who organise events such as HMV asking me to shoot for Limerick Live, and doing a lot of work in Dolans Warehouse for The Rubberbandits the Coronas and the likes.

I sort of did that. I contacted a group about an upcoming event they're having, a local sports team, and a local venue, all by email, asking if they wouldn't mind me appearing with my camera at all, and I'd be happy to give them digital copies of the images in return for letting me play about with my cameras with them.


It was about two or three weeks ago that I tried this and haven't gotten a response off anyone. Better luck next time, perhaps.

joepenguin wrote: »

You could always give the likes of IWW and wrestling promotions a shout. I'm sure it wouldnt be too hard to get access, ya'd just need to give them a reason for you been there. Maybe cover it for a website or let the promotion have the pics?
Maybe even local gigs? Bands starting out would think it fairly cool to have a 'tog I say go for it, you'll really enjoy it.

IWW were in town recently, but I wasn't around for the date they had set up. They rarely visit drogheda, and to be honest, as much as I really would like to photograph some rasslin' action, I'm certainly not going to start following them around the country and spending money on travel and such for it.

I'm happy to give people images and not make money from it, but I'm not going to cost myself money in the process, you know.


Covered a local gig a few weeks back as a friend was playing and he cleared it with the promoter to let me in. Next time he has a gig on (the promoter) I'll ask him about photographing at it and see what is said. Can't see there being any real issue to be honest. It benefits us both, but I think he had another guy photographing at his last gig, so I don't know if he now has a few people hounding him to take photos.




Ordered a few business cards which i plan to scatter about the place randomly and hope for the best. Not expecting to really make money or anything, obviously, but hope it'll help at least get the name out there. Just has the website URL, which i feel is grand as the site explains what I'm up to.


"Will shoot for food"


Cheers everyone for the input thus far. It's great to get other people's thoughts on this sort of stuff.

The Snipe

Sick with it, and keep trying events, you are bound to get some. And great idea with the cards too - I did the same thing, and they are a godsend not only do they look more pro, and give a better impression but they save time.