looking for input

[boneaddict]

D-Bone/Mom has asked me to put together a wildlife calender as a fundraiser for I her to go to a tournament in Reno.  I can put together a 11x14 calender and have it printed at Costco and I believe its laminated.   I was thinking about putting together a multi species calender, and one all of muledeer.   I don't know how it will work as I believe after publishing it, having it shipped to me and sending it to whomever buys it, if she just doesn't sell them locally, the calender would probably be in the $25-30 range.  Probably 25 to break even. 

What I'd like to ask  (AFTER THE BACKGROUND).....  is that too much for a high quality calender?

and if you got a deer calender, what would someone be most interested for the months of April/May/June.  Do they like small velvet, or is it more impressive to just post a great photo of a giant deer.    I would love to hear your thoughts as I think about tackling this project.   I couldn't sell a heater to a person freezing to death, but Mom and D are on my case. 

[Coastal_native]

I randomly polled my wife about the price range and she has confirmed that it is acceptable and consistant with many of the mall kiosk calender prices that pop up during the holiday season.  I like to see antler development over time as it relates to the seasons and the scenery, in other words when my calendar is open to April, I want to see something that reminds me of April. 

[boneaddict]

Thank you Coastal.

Keep the input coming folks.

[Ihuntelk2]

Yah ,, I agree 25 is a fair price... and i also agree with a calender that has pictures that coinside with the month it was taken or animal looks like during that month.

[fair-chase]

When I think of may/june I think of fawns. That's just where my mind takes me.  Didn't little bone have some great pics of fawns? Doesn't have to be bucks all the time.

Oh, $25 is priced right.

[Annette]

In my honest opinion you should shop around and get a better price so they can make more money, or you will be loosing money.  A privet , smaller company might donate a half price deal . aka Photo express- longview WA.  Or maybe..you could get a few parents to donate some of the money to produce the calenders and you would donate the photos . That way you could keep the price down around 19.99 and sell MORE calenders.
ALSO... Let us all in on it...ok??
AC

[boneaddict]

Looking at my "portfolio" I have an acute lack of velvet or summer shots.   Might just do a trophy mule deer one.  I have the shots for whitetail, but wanted a muley calender.   

Some other thoughts.....a shed hunting calender, sheep, mixed wildlife.....    or mixed deer.  If I did the mixed deer I could do the seasonal....april, may

[Tony 270]

You mentioned $25 to break even, and if for a fundraiser the point is to make a profit to donate... Personally I wouldn't buy just any calendar for $30(ish), way too much IMHO. Must be something that can be done at a cheaper price that offers more profit to be donated.

What if you took some of your best pics and made some high-quality photos to be framed or made into a poster? Would be less money to get it done and may bring in more money total.

[halflife65]

I would probably not buy one from a store (King's, etc.) for that price.  However, I think that it's a great price that I would be happy to pay if I knew it is going to a cause for someone local and was pictures taken by someone locally of (probably   ) local deer (by local I mean WA).

For the early months, I think that pictures of does and fawns would be great.  We have the later months for the giants (although everyone likes to look at big deer and whatever you decide I'm sure will be great.)

[hirshey]

When I think of may/june I think of fawns. That's just where my mind takes me.  Didn't little bone have some great pics of fawns? Doesn't have to be bucks all the time.

Oh, $25 is priced right.

Agreed.

[lewy]

Got any freshly shed out or one side shed out pics?

[boneaddict]

I have a couple one side shed out pics.    I put together a cool calender last night for fun.  I'm going to publish it at least for myself for work.    I'm a little late this year for doing this as I think most calenders hit the marketplace about October.   I don't have the stock images high enough quality to do the fawn and some of the "boring" months, so for the most part I filled it with big bucks.  Its good research for me as I found a publishing company and am looking at possibly doing a book. 

The images have to be horizontal for the calender.   I take most of mine vertically now because of possible magazine use.   This is a large calender to the image has to be of a certain quality.  Cropping and stuff does fine on here but for this NO.    I am extremely happy that I got the images I got this year at such close range.   

If I actually do this for real next year, I will probably put together an upland calender, songbird, birds and blooms, mixed wildlife, sheep, and deer.     Kind of exciting to have stuff in mind when shooting.  Most of the time I am just thinking of getting an image for this place.

[GoldTip]

Personally I like a mixed calendar, songbirds, upland, different big game.  Does not all need to be huge animals either, can be average size animals with an awesome picture and I am OK.  I also think $25-30 is more than I would pay at one of the local sporting good stores for a calendar.  That being said, knowing it is going to a kid who is trying to raise money to go to a tournament in Reno, (it's not Texas hold'em is it? ) would have me drop that kind of cash no problem.

[boneaddict]

I DID IT!    It was an experience for sure.   I made a premium calender, meaning the size is larger and laminated cardstock versus the cheap crap.  This project started as a thought to do through Cost-co, who does awesome calenders by the way, then evolved into going through a publishing agency.  I'll migrate this post over to the sponsor section as I shouldn't be selling things in this section.   I appreciate the input though the calender had a mind of its own.    It was enlightening to know the quality of the photo had to be crystal clear and full framed (versus cropped) in order to make the cut when blown up so large.   I thought I had some great shots as they look great on here, but that size imperfections explode.  Soooooooo, if you want to support my daughter and help send her to Reno to represent our state on a winning basketball team, and would enjoy a large high quality calender, take a look.   Its not the cheapest calender on the planet, but at least you know where the animals came from and the photographer who put it together.
You'll recognize many of the deer, but I used images I hadn't posted yet.   Enjoy!  THANKS

[GoldTip]

Sent ya a PM Doug.

[boneaddict]

Thanks Goldtip.  I hope you enjoy it.   If this thing comes in the mail and its crap I am going to have some explaining to do. 
http://www.lulu.com/product/calendar/muley-madness-2011/14254034

[MtnMuley]

I'm glad to see you chose my favorite photo of yours for the cover.  Being's they are all public land WA muleys in their natural state, makes this worth the price in my own opinion.  I've been contimplating for a couple years on doing the same of various wildlife for fitting months for friends and family as a Christmas gift, but of the cheaper type.  Glad you did it.

[boneaddict]

Thank you sir.  I've always liked local critters  better than the park critters.  Means more.  My wife keeps preaching I should do a flower calender, or something the girls might like.

[400out]

Thank you sir.  I've always liked local critters  better than the park critters.  Means more.  My wife keeps preaching I should do a flower calender, or something the girls might like.

Stick with what you are known ( well known) for! When do you hear about your contest? I remember you saying it was in dec. sometime 

[boneaddict]

Good question.   I'll query and see if I can find out.

[Hyde]

Very nice!  Ordered mine.

[bak2huntn]

For  benefit $25.00 I would do that in a heart beat . But you are up against dollar stores now day's and state calendars for free!You need to contact you're local grocers and outdoor stores service stations etc.. lock them down on a number and sell sell sell ! They will all get on board even in the toughest of times!

[boneaddict]

Thanks Hyde!

I know, like I said, I am not a salesman whatsoever.  Look how many pics I put on here for free just for all to enjoy.  I think the average download rate is $3-5 a pop nowadays.  Like I said, most of my photo expolits are for you guys to enjoy.  I just enjoy it.  I'm glad I could put something like this together and   I very much appreciate all the support family and friends on here have given me on this project.  Not only are they helping my daughter in her goal, but also hopefully get to enjoy a great product.