Using Lightroom at events - advice please

[theMusicMan]

Hi All

I am fortunate that I have been asked by my daughters rugby team (yes, she plays with the U12 boys team) to be their official tog at games and events etc. I am seeing a gradual increase in the number of requests for shots I take at games, and have had an idea.

I don't have the money right now to invest in an on-site printer, so am wondering how I can make use of my Mac with Lightroom after the game.

I have plenty of time after the game to get the images loaded from the camera into Lightroom, as the teams shower then come into the clubhouse to have a snack/lunch etc. During this time I thought I could try showing the parents the images I have taken, and take orders at that time. I am sure it is worth a try.

So, how would you experts consider the best way to use Lightroom to tag an image with the details of the contact name and email address of the person who might order an image? How is this best achieved...?

Thanks in advance folks.

 

[Victoria Bampton]

I find paper and pen works well... Sometimes the simplest ways are the best.

 

[Denis Pagé]

I sometimes do the very same thing except that my wife handle the printer and only for photos taken at previous matches that I already tweaked in Lightroom. The battery operated printer is an epson Printmate ±1''$.

To be more specific to what you are asking for, this is what I have in mind:

1. Empty the Quick collection first.
2. Don't take orders from more than one person at a time.
3. For images they want, just click the little circle top right of the previews or filmstrip to put them in the quick collection.
4. Once done selecting, go to Quick Collection to confirm with the client.
5. Once OK, from the Quick collection, create a Collection with Date/ClientName/Phone.

Those Collections can have a Parent Collection with the name "Orders" for example...

Others may have some nice ideas too... So come back here again.

 

[Denis Pagé]

I find paper and pen works well... Sometimes the simplest ways are the best.

Yes Victoria. This was my very first idea!
Just tought that it would be funny to try finding a solution for Lightroom alone.
No more "forgotten pencils"...

 

[Kiwigeoff]

I would take orders only. My experience is that there is plenty to do without printing as well, concentrating on one thing at a time leads to a much more friendly and satisfying customer experience.
I take photos of people having hot-air balloon rides and at the champagne breakfast I take orders of CD's and named group shots - all they see is samples from earlier flights. They fill in an order sheet with email, address etc and they are sent their order plus I email all with a link to where they can view the images on-line.

Victoria - that's just gorgeous !!

So yes I use pencil (or pen really) and paper,,,:lol::lol:

 

[theMusicMan]

Thanks all for the ideas, much appreciated. I don't intend printing on site, I can't afford the equipment to do that just yet.

I just want to try showing people the images I have taken of their kids during the game, at the time, rather than relying on people to remember to visit the site, look through the images and then possibly contact me.

I would consider there to be a greater chance of impulse buying if I were to be able to show people their images.

I had considered using a colour label on images that were selected by parents, then using one of the caption fields to capture the contact details.

 

[DonRicklin]

I had considered using a colour label on images that were selected by parents, then using one of the caption fields to capture the contact details.

I think you will have better luck with the Quick COllection to named Collection idea. You could at home, then use title/caption to set each image with the same information for each Collection.

You could actually practice this with a dummy set of images and someone to play client, before going out with it.

Don

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Thanks all for the ideas, much appreciated. I don't intend printing on site, I can't afford the equipment to do that just yet.

I just want to try showing people the images I have taken of their kids during the game, at the time, rather than relying on people to remember to visit the site, look through the images and then possibly contact me.

I would consider there to be a greater chance of impulse buying if I were to be able to show people their images.

I had considered using a colour label on images that were selected by parents, then using one of the caption fields to capture the contact details.

Pencil and paper would work best (IMHO), you don't want to keep people waiting while you enter data.
I just have a made up template with relevant info and fill in the name, ph, email, file no, size, cost, payment etc. After two or three goes it will start to come together.

 

[Denis Pagé]

I had considered using a colour label on images that were selected by parents, then using one of the caption fields to capture the contact details.

Got that idea too but immediately saw the limit given by the number of colors. Not only that! What if two clients want that same great shot with a couple players in action?

Depending on the number they select, if many, this may be more efficient just clicking to add in Quick Collection than writing down filenames. If ordering only one or two per client, paper is faster. See yourself.

 

[theMusicMan]

Could I not then create a Virtual Copy and tag that one separately...?

If I were taking one or two orders per client, I'd be a happy chappy! The benefit of having the Mac present with the images being shown in LR is that they can actually see the photos...

 

[johnbeardy]

Don't forget the target collection. Instead of using quick collections, set up a new collection per customer and set it as the target. Then as you hit B, the image is added to this collection. If they order two copies, add a VC to the collection.

 

[Mark Sirota]

I agree with the Quick Collection/Target Collection approach, making one collection per customer.

I wouldn't actually enter their contact info on site; have them fill out a little card with their contact info, and just take their name or phone number or something and use that as the name of each collection, then put it back together later when you have the luxury of time.

 

[Brad Snyder]

I shoot nothing but events. I second the pencil/paper and/or quick/target collection methods.

I'd add, don't discount the value of web-based display/ordering after the event. While follow-up may slip the grown-up's minds, I guarantee the kids will remember forever. Here in the US, they're totally networked via cell phones/online. Don't know about UK/Wales.