Team & Individual question (re: schools)

[AZTarHeel]

Hello all, I posted this over in sports but maybe it works better here.

I'm a newspaper photo guy (sports) and have been most of my adult life. Lately, I've been picking up a lot more side work, doing T&I photos and the like. I'm now hoping to pick up a few T&I contracts with area schools, and I was wondering what kind of "kick backs" are common for folks who shoot school T&I sports photos.

Free photos for coaches? A certain percentage of your sales or a set fee back to them? Just curious how this works as I bid on a few of my schools' contracts. Thanks

[Mulder32]

When I was coaching, the photographers the school contracted with gave every coach a free 5 x 7 of the team. Sometimes I would ask for a picture to be taken of me and my seniors, or me and a state qualifier, etc. These prints were usually put in the "free" pile for the coach.

[snaptie2002]

Kickbacks or commisions can range from zero to way too much!

As a general rule I never bring up the issue. If the other party brings it up you should have a figure in your head so you can respond on the spot. 10% to 20% is the range I see most often.

Once you have an agreement you can spread a few strategic freebies around if you like. I have found that coaches and AD's are a lot more receptive to having you in the dugout or on the sidelines if you give them a few photos along the way.

I had a baseball tournament director drop a 20% commision in exchange for photos of his three sons after I gave him a few free action shots.

Good luck with your contract,
Marty




Marty