Photographic charity event idea needed urgently, important.

[Adam Gibbard]

Hi Forum

I need to help raise a lot of cash for a dear friend who as well as being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer has just found out her 4 year old daughter is suffering from an inoperable brain tumour. The prognossis is not good at all for little Billy but their is a shred of hope at a private doctor in the USA. Please check this link if your interested
http://www.channel5.com/shows/5-news-2/features/brave-billies-butterfly-fund.

Has anybody ever managed to raise charity cash using a camera, I thought about setting up a both in my local town and doing a quick portrait day, with a wacky set or something.  I know I can always sell prints etc too, but I want to get coverage for the charity.

Any ideas would be gratefully received.

All the best

Adam

[TURTLEC]

If there is enough interest a big fundraising dinner (black tie etc) would
raise a bit of money in itself
You could then set up as an event photographer which can also generate a fair bit.

Either of your options might also work

[Adam Gibbard]

Thanks Colin

Thats a great idea, I'm pretty sure somebody will be doing an auction or dinner but I didn't think of doing something there. A great idea.
will let you know how we get on.

Come on guys somebody must have done something like this before, we need ideas here.

[Iain Gomes]

this is just a terrible story... I will have a think today.

[Adam Gibbard]

Thanks Ian look forward to hearing back. great work btw.

[TURTLEC]

Well Charity Balls/Dinners are quite common as you orgainse a decent deal with a hotel
in terms of the cost of the meals etc and then round up the price of the tickets a bit.

e.g. If the meal is 25quid per head you round up to 30 so if you have 150 people you are
imnmediately raising 750quid. Most hotels will be willing to do a decent deal because
they can make a good profit at the bar.

If you organise entertainment and a dance you may be able to get someone to do that for
a reduced fee (or even gratis). Again as everyone will eb there all evening the hotel
gets bigger bar sales.

If you then set up an event photography set up and can print off even 8x6 mounted prints
you may be able to sell quite a few. It is worth really capatilising on the 'groups'
of people. e.g. If you have a group of 6 friends you can take each of them individually
and then can also get a big group shot...that should be at least 12 prints .
i.e. 1xindividual and 1xgroup shot for each of them.
Same goes for couples where you may be able to sell 3 prints (i.e. 2 individual and 1 with both)

If that that function they then also organise a charity auction that can also raise a lot,
especially if they wait a wgile until a few glasses have been drunk and everyone is a bit
more willing to bid.

[citation2b]

Race nights and pub quiz nights worked well for me.
Raffle tickets perhaps for sponsored prizes?
Best of luck!

[Gary Evans]

Well Charity Balls/Dinners are quite common as you orgainse a decent deal with a hotel
in terms of the cost of the meals etc and then round up the price of the tickets a bit.

e.g. If the meal is 25quid per head you round up to 30 so if you have 150 people you are
imnmediately raising 750quid. Most hotels will be willing to do a decent deal because
they can make a good profit at the bar.

If you organise entertainment and a dance you may be able to get someone to do that for
a reduced fee (or even gratis). Again as everyone will eb there all evening the hotel
gets bigger bar sales.

If you then set up an event photography set up and can print off even 8x6 mounted prints
you may be able to sell quite a few. It is worth really capatilising on the 'groups'
of people. e.g. If you have a group of 6 friends you can take each of them individually
and then can also get a big group shot...that should be at least 12 prints .
i.e. 1xindividual and 1xgroup shot for each of them.
Same goes for couples where you may be able to sell 3 prints (i.e. 2 individual and 1 with both)

If that that function they then also organise a charity auction that can also raise a lot,
especially if they wait a wgile until a few glasses have been drunk and everyone is a bit
more willing to bid.

hmmmmmmmmm ........................... Good Luck with that!

The only person who works for free at charity event is the photographer, venues will want paying, so will the band and DJ etc etc and to make a good charity event you will probably need another form of entertainer such as a hypntist or comedian etc etc and agin they will want paying.

Also, and this is my real field of expertise - event photography, the only event I wont touch is the charity ball.   They are simply not worthwhile.    Those who attend go to all the local charity balls and there is only so many photos they will want.

I would be tempted to do something slightly different, for example shoot 30 or so local celebrities be it TV presenters, the mayor, local sportsman, business leaders etc etc and run an exhibition, selling books of the images at the same time.

If you dont want to go down that route then run a portrait promotion, dead simple to do, and can generate four figures a week if done properly.    Last one I did when I ran a home based studio bought in 60 sittings and £8k in a fortnight.