You see surf photographers out all the time, but rarely do you see kitesurfer photogs.

Seems like kitesurfers probably have more money to spend on pics of themselves though!

How much would you be willing to pay for a high-res shot of yourself kiting/jumping?

Most people want to pay nothing and then whine when you tell them it'll cost them a few bucks. I've had a lot of people think that 10 bucks for a shot is completely unreasonable. "Huh, ill take a photo of you and charge you $10". How about that?". Yeah nice one, it's pretty irritating.

What I hate are some wankers that ride and try and do jumps/tricks right in front of the photograper that SOMEONE else paid for! ie: ME!! ****s me no end.

Hmmmmm, If it was of me in a compromising position, I would imagine a substantial amount of money. Especially if it was in a envelope addressed to my wife.

TSP only charges a couple of bucks
and his photos are awesome
so I wouldn't pay more than that

I got my photos free from another photographer that just asked me to support guide dog charities
"free" is a relative term since I've given hundreds to the guide dogs since then

psychojoe, thank you very much for what you have just said regarding my photos. I think one of the problems with getting good photographers down to do photos, is the damage that can be done to there expensive equipment with salt air & the sand blowing onto the lenses etc in 17 - 25 knt winds. Its something that I've discussed with fellow photog's who reckon I'm crazy being down on the beach like I do. Each trip is followed by a 40 min clean of both cameras & lenses & 15 months ago I had a $750 bill for a circuit in one camera that picked up salt corrosion. Just my 2c worth.

I have to agree with TrueSpirit Photography gear aint cheap.

I currently run Canon EOS and have been shooting for skate, surf and sport companies for years. I was employed as a designer for these guys and I would love to shoot team riders and get a great image for the client.

The best thing is shooting young guys trying to get support from a new sponsor. They are really appreciative of your time and respect what you are doing for them. A lot of the time I am doing it free. This would come back later because when they had the cash to pay of course I was the one they would call.

If you dont want good photos get your mate or missus to take them. If you want great photos that makes your railey look 10 foot instead of 10 inches than get a professional.

The only thing that gets me VERY VERY PISSED OFF, is when kiters who think they are PRO jump in front of me when I am shooting someone else. Most of the time they realise they are not up to the standard and move on, BUT...

If I am walking away from you after you have splashed my gear and nearly hit me... Jesus dont have the balls to ask me for the photos for free... You know who I am talking about... that show pony that thinks he is king of the spot.

The best riders I have ever worked with collaborate and talk to the photographer set up the shot and have mutual respect.

^ nailed it.

Well that depends on the photo. If was just an average photo on a ****ty day then nothing.

If it was some crazy high quality epic shot of me donkey deep in the impact zone or boosting some insane height then i've get my wallet out.

If it was the most epic shot of my life i'd but punting several hunge on it.

People are tight and expect photos for nothing. This extends to brands and magazines.
Very hard to make enough money to cover an expanding camera bag full of gear.
For me it's definitely an expensive passion than a well paying second job.
But I still love it!

I am about to happily pay $75 for one of these photos:

aerialphotographywa.com/

Would have cost quite a bit to capture these guys...

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Davidk said..
I am about to happily pay $75 for one of these photos:

aerialphotographywa.com/

Would have cost quite a bit to capture these guys...

I would too if I wasn't swimming with my kite in the water

Also just happily paid $25 for one from TrueSpirit - good on ya, keep it up!!

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surfingboye said...
People are tight and expect photos for nothing. This extends to brands and magazines.
Very hard to make enough money to cover an expanding camera bag full of gear.
For me it's definitely an expensive passion than a well paying second job.
But I still love it!

Still to this day, one of my favorite shots is of Manny and kye with the sync back mobe. Top shot!!

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Hybrid_Z said...
^ nailed it.

hybrid z can take some seriously awesome shots!!! Definitely worth the $$$

photographers make the most money when they sell their gear!!!!!!! 2x 7d /600ml canon/500sigma/400sigma /300tonika/wide angle sigma/ and all the **** i need. Just for my fun!!!!!!!!plus a jet ski.

Davidk, thank you. Much appreciated. I am interested in this discussion, as I am hoping to offer limited private group shoots early next year, & have been wondering what would be the going rate or an excepted $ figure. So far everyone seems to accept that the conditions play a major role in getting photog's to stand on the beach & get those better shots that are desired, but what is that figure that is not a rip off to the kiter, but also allows the photog to cover his costs for time being there and editing etc., plus possible wear to his pro gear. Interesting. I charge $25.00 for original Hi res at 300dpi or $20.00 for 4mb Hi res at 300dpi (per photo). This goes through my website where the image hosting service takes a % of that figure. I hope this helps from my side.

Ive been in both situations.

A good photographer creates different angles etc. I used to take some big ladders with pine stabilisers and put them in the water, it was like SH@! attracting flies.
The gear costs a fortune and does get wrecked. You can try tarps etc, but they just create vortexes and nothing gained.

Ive always set up not in the primo spot as it attracts mozzies. As for the best shots, lighting is so important. Ive even used milk bottles with string and a brick in the water to "suggest" that you try to do your trick here.
I found the best way is....

See some guys with boardies over their wetsuit , get their email, if they want a photo. show them the setup. some guys will be happy to pay $50 for all the photos, especially fast shutter to see style in tricks. It can be a good coaching tool.
The best shots I ever got from Woodies is when we went down the beach at sunset, a ladder was 30m in the ocean and guys can do frontlit shots of you instead off seeing your back.

If not suggest they keep out of the crap zone, as each time you come in I will turn my back to you and of course my camera.

Seen all the wicked pics of late, none have come from a mobile phone from your mate or your girlfriend

My mate Ben sold one photo

He made enought to buy a house

But it wasn't a kite boarding photo

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TrueSpirit said...
Davidk, thank you. Much appreciated. I am interested in this discussion, as I am hoping to offer limited private group shoots early next year, & have been wondering what would be the going rate or an excepted $ figure.

At my wifes mothers group (20 ppl) they each paid $35 and booked a photographer for Christmas photo's. It wasn't limited to X amount of photo's and the photographer spent 3/4 hours with them. They each got a couple of CDs of all the babies so that would have made it significantly easier for the photographer. Great value for us (most of us got 7-10 photos plus some group shots) but also good money for the photographer considering it's a couple of days work in editing etc and she already been paid.

On cowded beaches it's got no hope of working but on other uncrowded beaches (or events like kitestock) it would work really well.

Or you could take photo's of the prarie dogs at Swannies and Pinnaroo and extort them

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TrueSpirit said..
Davidk, thank you. Much appreciated. I am interested in this discussion, as I am hoping to offer limited private group shoots early next year, & have been wondering what would be the going rate or an excepted $ figure. So far everyone seems to accept that the conditions play a major role in getting photog's to stand on the beach & get those better shots that are desired, but what is that figure that is not a rip off to the kiter, but also allows the photog to cover his costs for time being there and editing etc., plus possible wear to his pro gear. Interesting. I charge $25.00 for original Hi res at 300dpi or $20.00 for 4mb Hi res at 300dpi (per photo). This goes through my website where the image hosting service takes a % of that figure. I hope this helps from my side.

I think you could easily get $50/head for a 45 minute shoot. Maybe target groups of 4 or 5 for $200/$250. Customers get all the raw images, and maybe a couple of the best ones touched up with your expertise. I suspect you could fill your time on every Perth windy day if you were offering that!

This is definitely something for me to think about & how to make it work ( group bookings & private shoots ). The one thing I do want is that guys would get value for money & what is it that they would be wanting. Hopefully give it a trial in early January 2016. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Great info here guys! Cheers for that :)