What does it take to be a photographer who can get the job done? Most of them have regular jobs and do it for the love of the sport and the photos they create. Then there are the guys and ladies who do this full time. In our world, Euro Tech Photography out of Virginia are at the top of our list here in the Atlantic states. John Weiland out in Colorado is another, Bob Feather up in New England, Keith McKenna out in Minnesota, Jon Laye down here in Florida and Cliff Cope out in Arkansas are supporters of np who work their craft all day, every day. We are also blessed with Lee Rigozzi, Dave Lieber, Dr. Peter Clark, Brian Nelson, Matt Singer, Michelle Gagner, Andy Chadwell, and a cast of up and coming part timers. (While I don’t sell photos, I still have to go through the same trials and tribulations as far as standing out in a field, paying for film, food, gas and lots of it and motels).

There is one thing that really makes one of us feel good. That’s looking at a piece of work that just looks great no matter how many different angles you look at it. Sometimes you can tell by looking through the lens that it’s going to be a good shot. There is great satisfaction in getting that shot.

Now the good part comes, contacting the rider and showing him the picture and hoping he will purchase it and a few more for his sponsors (hint).

Here are a sampling of some of the things we hear from the riders:

“Geez, I really like the picture, if I order 10 8x10's can I have them for $1 a piece?”

“Hey, these are great, could you take my girlfriend out with you next time and let her take some of me?”

“I’ll take two dozen and send the bill to one of my sponsors.” (This guy won’t be racing much longer).

“I have one just like it that my buddy took over the fence with his Instamatic™. Well, it’s almost as good. I’m a little small in the shot. It’s not bad really, ah, hey the price was right.”

“I used to buy pictures for half that, why do you charge so much?”

“Let me have that one and I’ll send you a check as soon as I get home.” (The same as the checks in the mail).

“I really like the shot, but I’m not with that sponsor anymore, could you remove his name from the side panel?”
(actually we now have the ability so ask the photographer).

This is only a sampling of what we hear. Grab one of the photographers at your track and I’ll bet they can keep you standing there for an hour with stories. The plain truth is: life would be truly a drag without photos. I keep stressing the fact that you will be old someday like the rest of us. You never get tired of looking up on the wall and remembering the “good ole days.” You’ll also wish you had more.

If one is hanging in your office it becomes a conversation piece almost immediately with every visitor. (Been there, done that). Then there is the sponsor who spends more than he/she should to keep you racing. Sending them a nice 8x10 would be a nice gesture. Chances are they will hang it in a good spot. If it’s a dealership or shop make it a big picture (POSTER SIZE). And putting a frame around it is another good idea. (Thumb tacks look: well tacky). In the case of several of our aftermarket friends, it could end up in their next catalog and in color too!

Let’s go back to last months article on “Why It Costs So Much.” Much of the costs associated with being in the support business also applies to the photographers (and editors). We go to the track, spend the whole day out in a field, in the worse weather known to man and this includes, rain, 100 degree heat, snow (Roebling - February), wind, standing in mud (or clay - Road Atlanta). Then there’s the constant walking from one end of the track to the other and back (after you realize that you have to take a picture of a rider in the next race). Adding to all this is the short lunch break. You make your way in from out in the “boonies,” eat in 10 minutes flat and head back out for the rest of the afternoon.

In the next five hours you shoot off 15 rolls of film at $3.25 each adding to the 8 rolls you shot in the morning. ($74.75 spent already and it’s only Saturday).

Saturday night and everyone else is enjoying dinner, bench racing, getting some rest, out on the town. Where’s our photographer? Off somewhere processing all the photos he/she shot on Saturday and spending more money. Some of our heroes are processing there own photos in trailers or at someone’s house, or shop. Eventually they will make it back to their motel rooms. They pay the same as you do. Big Bucks! Somewhere in between they get to eat some kind of dinner.

Sunday brings on a whole new challenge: Getting you to reach into those “deep pockets with those short arms” and forking over some cash for those pictures of your adventures (or mis-adventures as the case may be).

Of course there’s always the rider (s) who didn’t race on Saturday that now want their pictures taken, so it’s back out into the field (of tall grass, watch out for the snakes. Oh, we contend with that too! And skunks, rats, hungry dogs... another story altogether and a host of other critters).

Another 4/5 hours out in the elements, 5 more rolls of film ($91 spent so far) and off to the pits to make sure everyone you shot is in sync as far as what they want and how they will pay for it. Then it’s back on the road heading home. It’s about this time that you realize you are tired and hungry. The 10 minute lunch is still not sitting very well in your stomach. You drive the 7 hours home stopping in three different rest areas and fall onto the bed.

On Monday you get all your film processed and pictures enlarged. If you are doing it yourself, we are talking about the rest of the week in addition to your day job, if you have one. Then it’s Friday, and you start all over.

In a good weekend a photographer will spend anywhere from $200 (assuming he/she lives nearby) to over $1,500 (10 Days of Daytona). And you thought racing was expensive! Think about all this the next time one of our photographers comes up and asks if you want a great shot of yourself. Your answer...”Absolutely, and one for each of my sponsors, and oh yeah, let’s not forget grandma. Maybe one for the family album too! How much? No problem, sounds like a bargain.”

You bet it is and we didn’t even tell you about the equipment your favorite photographer uses. In some cases it can cost $8,000 for a lens, and he/she has three of them! Yes you can buy a pretty good race bike for that much or a trailer or a used car/truck, or 22 sets of racing tires (except for the ones with the secret markings on them. They will cost a little more). Am I getting through here? I hope so.

Your support of our photographers is a part of “your job.” Without you supporting them I wouldn’t be able to publish the great photos they supply us with. Every one of them goes to great lengths to make sure your smiling face is in here. Don’t forget it!

Remember who needs them? You do and me too! Support your favorite photographer. By him/her lunch or dinner. They love to talk about the sport as much as you do. Thanks. - jm (one of them).