Trail Marathon- lots of questions

[josh_shelton]

<p>I run a portrait photography business and am a landscape hobbyist, but am totally unfamiliar with race/sport/stock photography. A former roommate-turned-race developer has contacted me regarding shooting future races. The first is a trail marathon near the end of August, which I've agreed to as a way of determining if it's something I'm interested in continuing/pursuing.<br>

My questions:</p>

<p>Is someone willing to walk me through the basics of the post-race process? What options (services?) are worth considering for posting proofs online, selling images, etc.?</p>

<p>What's the most effective way of getting word out to the race participants once their images are posted? I always receive an email notification when I run races... how can I do that?</p>

<p>Finally- what else? What should I be thinking about that I may not have already considered?</p>

<p>I'm imagining there are (at least partial) answers to these questions already. I couldn't find them. If prudent, don't hesitate to reply with some key words that I may want to use in a photo.net search.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance,</p>

<p>Josh Shelton</p>

[cochranb]

<p><img src="http://www.bcochranphotography.com/racereports/Chippewa50/boardwalk/boardwalk/images/img_5801.jpg" alt="" width="534" height="800" /></p>

<p>One main factor in covering a trail race, esp if its marathon or longer - get some good running/hiking shoes and get in shape. The best locations won't be near a road. Chances are you will need to hike in a bit. Check out Trail Runner Mag or Ultra Marathon Mag for same photos. <br>

As for selling - in getting started, I have found making images available for people to add to their blogs is a good way to get some exposure to the market. People who do trail runs like to give full race recounts on their blogs. Once you are established then they will come to you. Also talk to the race director ahead of time and offer some of the images for race promotion. They will be able to give you insites on good places to shoot.</p>

[daverhaas]

<p>Josh -<br>

1) shoot in Jpeg - that way you cut out a step in post processing (or jpeg + raw - but then you need some big memory cards0</p>

<p>2) decide how you're going to organize the photos - races - (I don't shoot them for reasons given in another post that is active on this forum) - typically could / would be organized by participant #</p>

<p>3) Get set up with a booth / table at the start / finish line of the event. Have computers displaying the photos - (photo parata is what I use) for the participants to view.</p>

<p>4) Have business cards / website information enclosed with the race packets. I use express digitial (photo reflect) for mine - but MPIX and Smugmug are also options.</p>

<p>5) I try to cull out bad (out of focus shots) as I shoot but sometimes that's not possible - For smaller shoots do that before you post... Last 4 days - my wife and I shot over 15,000 photos of the state swmming meet... I'm doing minimal post work on those before they go live on the website....</p>

<p>Good luck.<br>

<br />Dave</p>