I bet most have done this at least once. You wonder around at an event taking pictures of whatever strikes your fancy. You get a few interesting people shots. So you go up to those people, flash them your business card and say if they would to view and purchase the pictures you just took, got online to my website. Think about what you just did. You went up to a total stranger, told them you took their photo without their permission and now you are going to post it on the Internet so they can give you money. What's wrong with this picture (pardon the pun)? It's wrong in a lot of ways but mainly, it's all about you the photographer and very little about them. To say the least, this approach shows an attitude of disrespect for your subject. Plus it is a bad business practice in that you are putting time and expense into a photo that may, and probably will never be purchased. If you goal is to sell a photo and make money, this is the totally wrong approach. Now is you were covering an event for a news organization, it would be a totally different story because you are getting paid to be there and tell a story with your photos.
So how do you make it better? If you want to make money selling photos at an event, always approach the event organizer to see if they will hire you. If they already have a photography, find out who it is and then ask them if they need any help. You will be surprised to find out just how easy it is to work for another photo company. They are always looking for reliable shooters. Or you can approach a local news organization to see if they will pay for freelance photography. Show them what you have and perhaps it will get published with your byline. Never forget to get the byline.
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