Gun Photographs at the Harrisonburg Show?

[Mark Elliott]

I don't know if this it the appropriate place to ask this or not, but here goes.   I am sure one of the wonderful moderators will move it if not.   

I have been asked about taking pictures at the Harrisonburg,VA show on February 15/16, and offered enough work to about cover my expenses to come to the show.  Whether it is worthwhile for me to come depends on how much other work I may get.    So,  the question is,  who else would be interested in having one or more of their guns photographed at the Harrisonburg show.   The prices would be 5 pictures for $75 and 10 pictures for $115.    I will throw in an extra picture or two if necessary to complete a set.   

Let me know if you are interested.

Thanks,

Mark Elliott

[WElliott]

Mark photographed several rifles for me at the recent Winchester show.  I recommend his work very highly!

[Mark Elliott]

If there isn't much interest in photographs at the Harrisonburg show,  what about the Artisan Show in Lewisburg?   Is there anybody going there who would have something they might like photographed professionally?

[Acer Saccharum]

May I suggest, Mark, that this be moved to the 'For Sale' section? This is for a couple of reasons beyond the fact that you are offering your services for sale.

some suggestions:
1) Your rate seems reasonable for high quality photos.
2) will you have a photo booth set up after hours, in your hotel room, for example?
3) the 'for sale' section is read by almost everyone, every day. your posting would get better coverage.
4) include in the posting a sample photo of what someone might expect as a result.
5)What views will you be taking? Full length, both sides, buttstock shots, both sides, etc?

My big gripe about websites, forums, etc is this: for all the great coverage possible on the web, so many builders are NOT good photographers. Good photos are vital for web-based sales and promotions. anything you can do to help out, I am sure will be appreciated.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you.

Tom

[Mark Elliott]

Tom,

I have a permanent add in in the ALR Members classified section that has all the info you mentioned.   My reason for posting this is to gauge interest that would warrant my attendance at upcoming shows.    To date,  it has been collectors that were interested in having photos taken.   

It is very costly for me to come to a show.    I need to know that at least my expenses are covered.   I have been guaranteed most of my expenses at the Harrisonburg show, but some profit is nice.  I have the travel costs plus the cost for space at the show which is more than just a table.  I need a clear 8'x16' foot area to setup my portable studio.  Shooting in the room just won't work.  It takes 3 hours to setup and two hours to take down.   I bring about $20K worth of equipment with me to do this work aside from any guns or accouterments that I bring.   

My standard rates are 5 images for $75 and 10 images for $115.  There are all sorts of options, and I will generally provide 6 or 12 images for the price of 5 or 10 if the gun warrants it.   I will take whatever views the customer wants and are appropriate for the piece from full length shots to extreme closeups.   This is not Walmart photography.    My work is as good or better than Ric Lambert or Kenneth Orr.    Examples of my work can be seen on my photography website at www.markelliottphotography.com, but you can't really judge the work without seeing it printed out as a 11"x17" glossy.  I bring my photobooks to the shoots.

Thanks,

Mark

[Mark Elliott]

Tom,

I will put and ad in the For Sale section later today with all the info you suggested.

Mark

[Acer Saccharum]

Mark, also post your link from the other section, or at least mention it. For all I get around this site, I wasn't aware of that.

Thanks, Tom

[Mark Elliott]

Here is the link to the permanent classified add.   http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=19413.0

I have also just posted the same ad in the general For Sale section.