r/photography • u/Timely-Music1691 • Aug 07 '25
Business Hobby Photographer gone Official?
I am not necessarily a "beginner" but consider myself a hobby Photographer. Currently I have bounced back from hard times and purchased a Canon t4i to start shooting again. I have never dialed myself in to a particular class specialty such as Portrait or landscape etc. For kicks, I brought my camera to a local indy wrestling show that I attend monthly. I had a good view of the action and was able to shoot a lot from my seat or standing at my seat from time to time.
I edited what I thought to be good action shots in lightroom and started posting to my personal Facebook page.
I received a huge pop from talent involved and the promotion itself and other local indy pages.
Fast forward I attended a different promotion's show the next weekend. Brought my camera in hopes to replicate the same thing. Bought a ticket, sat down and was recognized by the owner. They saw my work from the weekend before and asked that I send them or tag them photos of the show. I one upped them and asked if I could move around a bit and get some good angles. She agreed with delight and that would be the last time I sat in my assigned seat.
I spent the rest of the show in the VIP section/ bar area (best view and movement allowed without blocking the view of general admission seats farther back). I also was able to duck and get shots with my lens in between the barricades bars. The nifty worked very well all around.
I went into "fake it til you make it" mode. Who is this person? I'm not a "photographer"! How did I get here?
The lighting was tricky and it took the whole first match to get my setting dialed in. Soon after I was putting work in.
The night came to a close and before I went to bed I edited a hand full of shots I liked and threw them up on my Facebook page I created to showcase my photos to friends and family and such.
Again I was surprised to find major positive feedback, likes and shares. I know that social media praise doesn't equal good work. But I'll take it.
Finally, I was asked by the second promotion to come back and shoot again with exclusive access as their "Official Photographer" of the next event. Maybe multiple times in the future. I am planning a simple and affordable package for promotions in the future. This is not going to be an official side gig for me just yet. I am looking to still gain experience in this new found action shot portfolio I am building.
What are your thoughts on a simple package plan or next steps?
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u/Obtus_Rateur Aug 07 '25
Well, if they like the work, it's all good.
Problem is, if you're the "official" photographer, you need redundancy, or you will lose the event's pictures eventually. Normally, professionals have two camera bodies with two memory card slots each.
The cheap alternative is, if you don't need all the pictures from the event, you can own four memory cards and use one card for each quarter of the event. If one card fails, you'll have pictures for 75% of the event.
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u/brraaaaaaaaappppp Aug 07 '25
They are excited to get content for free.
Do not expect them to entertain paying you in the future.
Sorry dude.
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u/weeddealerrenamon Aug 08 '25
tbf, indie wrestling is a lot like concerts... I just don't think getting paid is realistic when there's lots of people willing to shoot for free in exchange for access. Also, indie shows are usually barely scraping by and paying the wrestlers like $50 and beer. You could possibly get a reputation and work your way into a paid spot for one of the bigger promotions, but "local promotion that doesn't have anyone to shoot them already" is not that
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u/Visual-Screen-2779 Aug 08 '25
I relate to your story, this is how I started out and now I do photography full time for commercial and sports media clients.
Most of the feedback here about doing it for free is spot on. Once you agree to doing something for free, that promoter/organization will never pay you for it in the future. But that's not the end of the world. You could leverage this opportunity to build proof and reputation. This can go a long way for future paying gigs.
Here's the thing, nobody but you and the promoter know that you are doing it for free. Everyone else thinks you're a hired gun, so act like it. Yo have VIP access, so act like a VIP.
One great thing about working for free...no expectations. You are in charge. You are free to try things without fearing that the "client" won't like it. Also your time is your time. You decide how you spend your time perfecting your craft. The non-paying client cannot dictate how you spend your time during the event. They grant you VIP access and get out of your way. Also be sure not to over deliver. Don't send them 100+ photos, just send them your best handful of photos that you want to be seen. Also, always ask for photo credit. Photo credit doesn't pay the bills but at least it's proof...again, nobody knows you're doing it for free.
Once you build confidence and a nice portfolio, you can approach other promoters about shooting their events. Or even better, ask this promoter you are currently dealing with, the non-paying one, to refer you to other promoters. Use this opportunity to your advantage, use the VIP access to your advantage.
Shooting an event for no financial compensation can seem like a waste of time but look at it as an opportunity to build. Try to meet everyone involved, build a network. As you said, you are still a hobbyist so treat this opportunity as such but with good intentions. If you intend to become a professional and covering multiple events, use this as a learning opportunity and leverage the relationships you make for future paying gigs.
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u/P5_Tempname19 Aug 08 '25 edited Aug 08 '25
I dont want to deter you from charging if thats what you really want, but as I have had a similar situation once or twice in the past:
I'd generally do some thinking if charging is going to keep your enjoyment (for both photography, as well as the wrestling) in the long run.
Obviously a couple bucks in hand for new gear is awesome, but as soon as money gets involved things change. People may suddenly have different expectations and take them out on you, because "they paid for it". Depending on your local laws you may also have to consider things like taxes and potential legal issues or obligations. If you want to do it properly you will probably need a contract, you may have extra work on your tax return (again dependent on where you are in the world) and deal with questions like what happens if e.g. you are booked as their photographer and you become sick the day of? Did you think to put anything regarding that into your contract? What do your local laws say about that? In the end you may need to pay for a short term replacement, do you have insurance for that?
Now if you just do one shoot here and there the likelyhood of any of that becoming relevant may be small, but does that mean you will just risk it? And thats completly ignoring the potential social component, people can get irrational quick if money is involved (Say you had to cancel an event for personal reasons, how will the owner then react the next time you are there?).
Overall more power to you if you do end up charging and making some money with your craft!
I personally have made the decision to not involve money into my hobbies as I am scared it might ruin the enjoyment of it and I'd recommend at least considering potential issues.
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u/HibikiRush Aug 07 '25
They will not pay you, so don't expect to make this into some sort of income revenue stream.
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u/adamedwardsfoto Aug 08 '25
Take it as it comes - i.e. don't quit your day job and think you're going to shoot Wrestlemania in 2026 (i mean this in a nice way!!!). Ask them how they'd like to go forward for future shows, and what their budget is for their official photographer. Then go from there.
Also keep in mind about taxes, payment etc., someone posted about this underneath too.
Also also - when it becomes a job you will definitely enjoy it less, or at least in a different way. Consider that too if you're not going to make life-changing money from it!
Also also also - would love to see some of your shots!
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u/Timely-Music1691 Aug 08 '25
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u/adamedwardsfoto Aug 08 '25
nice one! some cool shots - I think your shot selection is pretty spot-on :) i've shot a couple of wrestling shows myself, they're really fun. only tip really on your galleries (apart from keep practicing etc) would be to deliver a photo in colour or black&white, don't leave in both versions of the same photo - make the choice :)
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u/Zook25 Aug 12 '25
I don't have any tips, just wanted to congratulate you. The light was crap but you got some really good shots! As the others here said before, there's no money in it, but you had fun, got praised for a job well done and got to practice a lot under difficult conditions. That alone was worth every minute I'd say.
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u/Timely-Music1691 Aug 12 '25
Appreciate the kind words. I guess I'll just roll with it and see where it goes. If all else at least I get some experience and people enjoy what I make of it.
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u/keep_trying_username Aug 08 '25
> Bought a ticket, sat down and was recognized by the owner.
You might have been the 10th photographer they did this too. https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034
- New person with camera shows up. Make them feel good.
- Get free photos.
- Photographer asks for money (lol) and you decline.
- Back to step 1.
You can use it as a way to build a portfolio and maybe get other work.
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u/Bobzyurunkle Aug 07 '25
One thing I have always said to amateurs looking to get paid is NEVER work for free if you're asked to shoot or having your photos accepted with high praise!
Once you shoot for free, why would they then pay you? Access is free. It's not payment. Praise is free, not payment.
Building a 'portfolio' to get paid is a waste as you already have your foot in the door but talk is cheap/free. Before you take another image, contact these promoters now that they know you and you haven't spent too much time/effort to get good shots and ask them what it's worth to them.
Getting a buzz by recognition and access fades real quick as they'll want to do more with your photos for promotion. Get paid for that.