Why Photography?

FAQ

Q: Do you charge for taking Marching Band pictures or videos?
A: No, I don’t charge for taking the pictures or videos. I post them on Facebook for students, faculty, and parents to see the band members in action. All videos are posted on YouTube (non-monetized and currently unlisted until after the competition season unless approved by the band directors).

Q: How do you make a profit?
A: Any profit is made through large physical print requests after the fact. Everything is free for digital sharing including YouTube, which is non-monetized.  I just want to make enough to cover costs for competitions, and pay business things like licenses and maybe a new photography toy.  This isn’t my day job, so I don’t need to make a living from it.

Q: Do you require free access or tickets to events?
A: No, we pay our way as well as buying food and merch. Band programs don’t get enough money as it is.

Q: Where do you shoot the videos and stills?
A: We usually shoot video in the press box or above if accessible for the best possible video, and we don’t interfere with the judges. The stills are shot from the stands to get the best view of the band members individually. For awards, I like to be down on the field for the trophy handoff and getting those pics quickly without interrupting the flow or timing.

Q: How do you choose which images to process and share?
A: Each image must:

1. Be structurally correct (photographically: correct speed, action, image sharpness, etc.)
2. Put the band in a good light (no obvious mistakes, and no inappropriate shots)
3. Tell a story in the picture.

Q: How long does it take to get finished pictures?
A: For every hour that I shoot, it takes 2 hours of post-processing. Some contests end up with several thousand images, and it takes a few days to finish.

Q: Why do you post pictures under your personal account on Facebook?
A: To avoid Facebook thinking that I’m advertising. When that happens, the pictures will not show on people’s timelines as they try to get me to “Pay-for-Boosting”. No, Facebook, these pictures are for everyone.

Q: How do you handle DMCA strikes on YouTube videos?
A: Any DMCA strikes on my YouTube videos are handled by me, so Band Directors don’t have to worry. I’ve had a couple previously, and they have all been released for public viewing. Every strike so far has been fully allowed to be played by the copyright holder/Artist.

Q: What is your video quality and setup?
A: I try to make the videos study-level. I had 2 band members of my own, and they both told me to what they wanted to study. The video is stable and 4k (for all the details). There are no edits and no cuts, and it is as recorded but with white balance adjusted for the field, and lighting set so that the details are as visible as possible. The audio is captured cleanly with no adjustments during the recording, with a physical noise isolation setup. I recommend using really good headphones for at least one watching. It’s magical!

Q: What are your concerns about video copyright?
A: I have researched and discussed with Legal Counsel, and this is the specific wording I use for any concerns.  

“All Rights revert to the original Rights holders. However, this is a Public Performance of Public-School Marching Bands and should be considered “Not-For-Profit” and “For Educational Use Only”.  Specifically: Section 107(1,4) of the Copyright Law, Title 17, U.S. Code; Fair Use – “Non-Profit” and “the effect of the use upon the potential market for”, and Section 110(1) allows for “performance or display of a work by instructors or pupils in the course of face-to-face teaching activities of a nonprofit educational institution, in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction.”