Hello all! My name is Jacob Vaughn and you can call me Jake. I have an idea and would like your input on it. Heres the idea: Set up a backdrop and a printer on the street and take pictures of people who want to and sell prints right on the spot. Would this be worth a try?
If the city lets you do so...I'd say it might be a worthwhile project. Interesting to say the least! Spontaneity often appeals to people.
We did that once on a whim and I still have the pic and love it!!
Oh ok. Is there any such thing as a portable printer? Or would I need access to a power supply?
Welcome Jake!
I have heard of portable printers that people run from their van or SUV. I don't know if they are powered directly by the vehicles DC or if they use an inverter. If printers that run on DC don't exist, then I would think that you could either power the printer by a bank of car batteries and an inverter or use a tiny generator that I have seen in use at art shows.
I like your idea and I think that you should continue to explore the possibility of making it work for you.
I actually laughed when I realized what you said was a joke. :) Oh and I am going to try and figure out a way to make this work. The only problems I forsee are getting permission to set up( not from the town but from a property owner) and what to actually charge people per picture.
Hi Jake, they do make portable printers, such as the Canon Selphy and printer battery. If you can get the necessary permissions, setting up at landmarks and tourist spots may do well for you.
I did it once during a beach fest in PCola (though I had a trailer to draw power from for printer) I bought clear plastic frames (very cheap) in 2 sizes 5 x 7 and 8 x 10... sold the 5 x 7 for 15 and the 8 x 10 for 25 make a pretty penny.
Okay doing some calculating if I sold the pictures for $2 I could make $300 in a month if I sold 6 a day. While this is definately not amazing money it would be worth it for me as I am in high school and don't want a regular job. :)
And sales would fluctuate do to community events.
The one time I had it done, I think I paid $8 ro $10 for a 4x6. AND we got no frame. Took it home and put in our own frame. Lots of peeps were having it done!
I think the way to do this is to set yourself up in a town or area with lots of tourist traffic or restaurants on the weekends and you'd probably get a lot of opportunities for people who want souveniers, especially for couples and group shots. Create examples of photographs you are capable of producing and mount them on a wall or easel for people to see what they can expect and provide the product in a protective sleeve with cardboard backing to prevent creasing. I think if quality is good to make this profitable you can charge $5 for a 4x6. But printing costs are expensive as it is and overhead for this business may put operating expenses in the red.
Hello all! My name is Jacob Vaughn and you can call me Jake. I have an idea and would like your input on it. Heres the idea: Set up a backdrop and a printer on the street and take pictures of people who want to and sell prints right on the spot. Would this be worth a try?
More serious, make sure you have a half nude good looking girl as prop and you may have something coming.
Selphy uses dry toner cartridges and printer paper,no ink as such, all comes in a pack complete. Various number of paper in a pack with enough toner to do them. I have one and the quality of the 6X4 prints is damn good. Why not do prints at 6x4 and take details of anyone interested in larger so you can do them through a printroom or at home and mail them to your customers?
The only problem is the start up cost. I do not own the printer nor the backdrop. And my town and nearby towns are pretty small so the list of events are also small. It is still something I would like to try though. Also I have a friend who sells hotdogs out of a cart. Would this be an ideal location for setting up?
...Also I have a friend who sells hotdogs out of a cart. Would this be an ideal location for setting up?
On the one hand, yes, as people are slowing down and hanging around to get their dogs cooked, and may as well get their picture taken in the meantime. However, just watch for people bringing food onto the set - hotdogs and condiments can be pretty messy! But could work, just check with bylaws and licensing. Good luck! :-)
