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I started as an horse show photographer and people do buy.



I got an opportunity to shoot some barrel racing this summer and quite enjoyed it! It was for my own interest and experience though. I like horses but know nothing about them.

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I don't know what the coursing photographers are charging in Canada, but, around here, they charge $2.75 an original file.



Wow...that's nuts. How do they cover costs at that price???

Sadly, we rarely have anyone out to cover our trials. We had an experienced lure coursing photographer out a couple of years ago...I think I paid ~$5 per 4x6. A fair price, IMO, though the images I purchased were just mediocre.

I attended an event in another province in '07 and that photographer was charging $20 per 4x6. Personally, I won't pay that much (well...it would have to be a pretty amazing image...).

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I am also a dog sport person, finished my (then) 12m old whippet's ASFA Fch in 2 weekends at 12m. My daughter wants to start to do agility with my older bitch. My youngest whippet should be an amazing courser.



Excellent! I really like to see show dogs course too. I'm always shocked when I attend a conformation match and not recognize ANY of the whippets from coursing (other than my dogs breeder)...kinda sad if you ask me.

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Your images are plenty good enough to sell. It is very hard to be at an event in a professional context and participate.



Thank you Interestingly, event photography, in the true sense of the term, is not something I'd take on. Photography is fun until people start bitching. I'm a dog person...don't have a lot of patience for people who are not respectful. So...if I'm there, I'll take some pics, but I don't have to live up to anybodies expectations or accept their criticism as I owe them nothing

Also, as you suggested, you can't properly cover an event and participate at the same time. My dogs come first...my whippet gets properly warmed up, cooled down, pottied, watered, and my staffords get play time as well. The crappy part about that is that I end up missing a lot of whippets.

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And as far as event photography goes, everybody has a DSLR now. So, it is getting harder and harder to make it a worthwhile business. People like Dave have multiple proofing on site computers and I believe he also prints on site.



Totally agree...I am one of them But...not everybody can take an action shot, has the "eye", or the desire to learn how to use the camera.

And really, if people aren't buying I'm not losing anything.

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Though, do check to see if there is an official photographer there. If there is, don't shoot and sell also. That will bite you on the butt down the road if you ever do want to do it as a profession



Would never do that. Actually, I was at an event where there was no official pro hired or invited but one showed up later in the day. He saw me shooting, looked a bit uncomfortable, and left I felt sooooooo bad I wasn't there to cover the event or sell photos...just there because I really enjoy it and want to improve my skills. Next time that happens I will definitely have a chat.

Thanks again for the great dialogue

Kim