Question for student and renters!

[Boss_BlueAngels]

I've recently been taking some small steps towards a goal of selling my services as a photographer at the airport I work and fly out of.


I haven't gone to my boss (airport owner/manager) about this yet as I want to be as prepared as I can before hand... so here goes.

So as a student (including instrument student, commercial student, CFI student, etc. ) pilot would you be willing to pay an extra optional $50 or so on top of your introductory course packet that included 5 8x10 prints of your flight training??? (haven't figured exact number, but it would be no less than 5)

Right now I'm thinking it may be possible to spread the 5 shots out over a few weeks as I'm available, or even all in one day if it's for something like a first solo.


As for renters, would you be willing to put up the one time $50 for the 5 shots?

Anyway, thank you for any input/suggestions! I'm just looking for a way to help make a dent in my flying costs.

[Brett_Henderson]

I certainly would. I'd love to have photo-documentation and some fond memories. I took my initial training back before most of you were born, but my instrument, commercial, CFI stuff happened fairly recently. I took it upon myself to get as many digital photos as was possible, convenient and safe.

Are you talking about doing this as an instructor.. or.. third party ?

Most of the photos I'd want would be of me flying/landing, taken from the ground. That would probably entail you as a passenger. For example; Many solos (prob the best photo-op) happen at other than home-base airports... Or.. would you wanna be along for ride from the back-seat, for an instrument student's first REAL IMC (cant catch a peek of the horizon) when he learns how easy it is to get the wings perpendicular to the ground during climb-out while changing freqs, contacting ATC (happened to me)..

[beaky]

My money was so tight when I started my training that there was no way I'd spend a loose $50 on anything but flight time. Other than that, I'd have loved a souvenir shot of my first solo landing or whatever... it's an idea worth pursuing.

But other than primary students ("that's me landing the plane by myself for the first time!"), I don't see much market for it. Maybe the "just passed my advanced-rating checkride" pics would be worth something, but I dunno.

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Alrighty now, I've done some more searching and have found an amazing site geared toward professional photographers... I setup an account for myself and here it is.


This would be my alternitave to the $50 for 5 pics/whatever thingy.

I have two SAMPLE galleries open at this time and both are private and require passwords. Also, I haven't set any prices/print sizes at this time so none are available for purchase.
The Password for McChord AFB Open House is [airshow] and for "RC Races!" is [home]

http://www.backprint.com/fight-2-fly
So, go take a look, then come back. lol

OK, here are the advantages...
1. It allows you to password protect individual galleries... so if I shoot some pics for Pilot Joe I can upload the good shots, give him a card with my website, and he can pick and choose whatever pics he wants.
2. There are several "package deals" I can setup featuring several different size pics from wallet sized images to 20x30 posters.
3. I can also set up the site so each individuals gallery is available for any period of time I want... so I could say they've got 2 weeks, a month, or whatever before the gallery is taken away... after that it will have to be by special request.
4. I set MY OWN prices to determine profit... and even have the option of creating "coupon deals" at will. This takes all the guesswork out of the process.
5. Makes it easy to advertise events and enables you to send out messages to a mailing list of customers.

This could be good for those people who are rather panicky about having their picture on the internet... this way it is, but ONLY to those with the password. (I'd probably just use the last name or something)


I will try to order prints myself before I offer any to anyone else, so I can check out the quality of the images.


but yeah, what do you guys think of this?


Oh yes, and another thing... you can order "Commemorative Plaques" where you enter your own text on the right half.  And I can upload a number of different overlays that would allow ther person to have something like, "FIRST SOLO FLIGHT" for example, on the lower corner of the IMAGE.  

So yeah...I also don't recommend buying any prints on my McChord AFB site as those are all the "suggested" retail prices... a bit high I must say.  But nonetheless... let me know what you all think.

[beaky]

That seems like a good way to take a stab at it... good luck!

[finny]

Photos are nice to have but $50 is a fair bit. I don't think I could afford much more on top of lessons.

BTW: How do you like the Revo? Looks nice and clean

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Thanks... the prices I've got set right now on that site are still quite high but it was just an example.


Finny... yeah, the $50 is a bit high...  with the options I have with this site the prices will be much more reasonable and customizable for customers.

Oh man, that truck is AWESOME!  It's a T-Maxx and I've had it for over a year now... and race every weekend at my home with my dad and brother in law.  Quite fun!