SNAP VIP. Questions and Concerns

[SNAP!]

SNAP VIP SHOOTS. Questions and concerns. We, as a group, must figure out the best way to solve the problems.

On June 13th, my friends at Berit-NY, a clothing company dedicated to creating gorgeous steampunk clothing, featured their line for a SNAP VIP event. At SNAP VIP events, a select group of photographers get together and shoot models wearing a designer's fashion for a couple of hours. Each photographer offers their own unique skills and techniques to the designer through their photography and editing. Everyone walks away with new portfolio images. There is a general deadline to submit at least 1 high resolution image of each model within 3 weeks. Generally all the photographers who contribute have been extremely honorable and abide by the rules. After all, everyone is volunteering their services to keep the shoot low-cost. The price is usually $50-$65 to shoot with 10+ models, 1 major designer complete with a least one hair-stylist and makeup artist in an actual studio space to hold that much activity.

I have to say, generally the outcome of the shoots have been pretty great. Brittany, from Berit-NY had stated that the SNAP VIP shoots are a "goldmine" for new images. Although sometimes, rounding up each photographer to actually submit their images has been a hassle, such as that at the PINUP VIP on August 29th. Many of Aug 29th photographers have really let me down, in which case, they will no longer be invited back to a VIP event. As I cannot maintain such a low cost, without giving anything back to those who put in hours of volunteer work in agreement for the exchange of new portfolio images.

2010 will bring new changes to the way the events are run. Now that Primal Stare Studios have been gracious enough to work with SNAP to bring such large scale photoshoots, we, as a group, need to find a way to make it worth it to everyone involved.

I have some methods I am toying with in my noggin', along with kinks in each idea.

1. Photographers pay a base price and get half back once they submit at least 1 image of each model 3 weeks post event.
Problem: Keeping track of 10+ photographer who took pictures of 10+ models and making sure each model received an image.

2. Photographers who have shot at a previous VIP event and returned images receive the initial low cost discount price. First time photographers who have never shot at a VIP event pay double and then receive initial discount price for next event. OR First time photographers pay double and receive half the money back once they submit images.

3. Photographers pay larger price and do not have to return images and 1-2 collaborative photographers are invited for free in return for images.


What are your thoughts?

[Victor R Naumann]

Option 2 seems fairest to me. Unfortunately for me, I'm so far away that I can't make many of the events. Perhaps in the Fall
it will be easier for me to make it up that way.

Vic

[canonrt]

2B looks the best!

To make it easier getting the photographers to submit their images back, make it a requirement before any discounts are given!

I haven't participated because Primal Stare Studios is just too much of a ride. I wish it was back in Bayonne! Can you maybe use both locations?

Thanx for your efforts.............John

[Anooba Images]

Maybe a combination of #2 and #3: Photographers in good standing pay the discount price. New photogs and photogs who are not in good standing pay the full (or "double" as you say) price. I just don't know how you would be able to keep track of this.

-AND-

Invite a collaborative photog or two

[Visual Distress]

I see both sides of the issue. For me, at our free group shoots I expect every photographer attending to provide models with their edited images. No charge = the expectation that you will provide images, both for my promotional use for further events, and to the models that are graciously donating their time. At paid events, the photogs have put their monies down, and I don't have any expectation that they will provide either me, or the models anything. For these events, I seed the attendees with at least 4 photographers, that we work with here at the studio, who's work I find consistently to be of the highest caliber, and that I know are reliable and will get participating models outstanding images.


Oh and John, its worth the ride... You are really missing out working in a large scale professional space, with equipment and sets that a bar or event hall just can't provide, and the images that come out of our events are a testament to that. Its only an extra 25-30 min from bayonne.