I don't know your situation Dave, but why don't you hire in a freelancer or two every now and then? If the other guy can, I'd guess you can too.
I have been running a one man business myself. Not photography, but I can imagine your situation. I _know_ it's hard to split a low(?) profit. I also know that hiring extra arms means more work. But if you do hire in a man or two, you can compete by getting alternative angles. With your knowledge you can train your extra help not to get in the way. Judging from your description you simply have to choose. Let go, or upscale your operation. Going for a beer sure helps letting some steam out, but it does not solve your problem. Sorry about kicking your lower back. I'm kicking you with the best intentions ;-) Tim Mostly harmless (just plain Norwegian) -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David J Brooks Sent: 27. september 2006 20:46 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: OT, I'm going for a beer now I kind of thought that might be the case of late. I know he has a ton invested in gear. Five or six Canon D20's and MKII's, all of them equiped with 70-200 F2.8's. He has 4-5 mac's and 1 for printing, a dyesub printer of some sort, tent etc. When i shoot a rider, i might be able to get 6 shots from their rounds. These guys get about 30-40 from the rounds. They shoot everything, back, front, side etc, but only the odd one is worth buying. I still have a few show managers who are willing to stick by me and my work, so at least i can make back my costs and a few extra for some gear once in a while. Some of the reining shooters only offer on site viewing and print out later and mail. I might look into just doing that and see how it goes. Dave Quoting Bruce Dayton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > Dave, > > If it helps, I am seeing the same thing around here. Basically, there > are a few big companies that have infrastructure for booths, sun > shades, multiple sets of equipment, advertising, web sites, etc. They > get the contracts from all the local events and then hire shooters to > cover it. What they offer is full, fast coverage. What they don't > offer is quality. But the event directors are happy with the overall > package, so they tend to get the business. > > It is very hard to compete as a one man show. My business has shrunk > because of it. The smaller guys are getting squeezed out. > > -- > Best regards, > Bruce > > > Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 9:42:35 AM, you wrote: > > DJB> Dont know Paul. > > DJB> I just heard, from the barn manager, that the owner of the farm in > DJB> question was impressed by buddies operation at the show he took from > DJB> me in May, that she could buy her daughters pictures right on site. > DJB> It was then, apparently, she asked them to do her 2007 show. > > DJB> His prices are higher than mine. He is VERY bilegerent, VERY pushy, > DJB> but, he hires enough photographers, er shall i say, shooters, to man > DJB> all rings, were i can only do one at a time and have to manage it the > DJB> best i can. > DJB> So far, in 6 years i have only one complaint about how i do my job, > DJB> and that was this year. > > DJB> He does get a lot of complaints about his shooting positions and > DJB> spooking horses, were i have never had that complaint. > > DJB> One bright spot, i quess, is that the manager, not this barn owner, > DJB> looks after the one day schooling shows, and will mostlikely let me > DJB> shoot those.Better than nothing. > > DJB> On a side note, i did do onsite printing up until late 2004, early > DJB> 2005. I dedided it was not work the hassle of equipment break down and > DJB> repairs, and my SO didi not want to do it anymore so that meant paying > DJB> an extra person, and more in insurance premiums, so i quess i am sorta > DJB> shooting myself in the foot, STS. > > DJB> Dave > > > > DJB> Quoting Paul Sorenson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > >>> What is he doing to make this happen and what can you do to stop it from >>> happening? Is he just getting to people first...or undercutting >>> prices...or what? >>> >>> -P >>> >>> David J Brooks wrote: >>> >>>> >>>> 2- Just found out Mr does not use a Pentax, out of focus, spook the >>>> horses, guy has taken another of my big three day events for next year. >>>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >>> [email protected] >>> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >>> > > > > DJB> Equine Photography in York Region > > > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > Equine Photography in York Region -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
