Photoshoot - Question

[rbustraen]

I've been approached by a few people now to take some family outdoor shots and provide the CD or possibly even have them printed. I've never warmed up to the idea as this has always been more of a hobby. However, Daddy wants a new body and lens.

Question... how much and how do I go about this?

I have looked at a few other sites and they charge a 'sitting' fee so let's say $50.00 for an hour and then from there a print fee of say $3.50 for a 5x7 and goes up from there. Of course frames would be separate based on frame style, custom frame, etc.

I'm sure a few here have done this. Also with this I am looking at getting a diffuser and an off camera flash cable, I don't want to go 'pro' with the setup but would like some advice to make sure my first few turn out and maybe that new 7D or the D300 might not be too far down the road after all.

[Dennis]

I've been approached by a few people now to take some family outdoor shots and provide the CD or possibly even have them printed. I've never warmed up to the idea as this has always been more of a hobby. However, Daddy wants a new body and lens.

Question... how much and how do I go about this?

I have looked at a few other sites and they charge a 'sitting' fee so let's say $50.00 for an hour and then from there a print fee of say $3.50 for a 5x7 and goes up from there. Of course frames would be separate based on frame style, custom frame, etc.

I'm sure a few here have done this. Also with this I am looking at getting a diffuser and an off camera flash cable, I don't want to go 'pro' with the setup but would like some advice to make sure my first few turn out and maybe that new 7D or the D300 might not be too far down the road after all.

Randy, that is good that you are getting approached by people to photograph them and take family shots and or portraits. The thing here is that it gets you out of that comfort zone to some degree. Let me say that this type of photography is much easier to do, than lets say weddings, now that is pressure for sure. I know I have down that in my film days and have never had a problem touch wood.

I agree that you want to keep this a hobby and I don't blame you, but here is a chance to make some money to put to-wards some new gear down the road.

Since this is new for you, I would look at the cost for all sizes of prints, and than add 25% on top of that, as for the frames that is a tough one, as there are so many different styles out there and again, you would need to price out a few and add 25% on top.

Giving them a CD with all the images on it, is taking away a chance to make some money here, and my way is that if they want the CD fine, but all images would have a watermark on them, and if they want more prints, they would have to come back to you and order them. If you give them all the images without the watermarking you know that they are going to get the prints themselves.

Now, you need to apply charges for travel, the time for photographing the family, and the time to run around and get the prints done and picked up, plus the wear and tear of the camera gear. You can try to see what others are charging and base it on that.

Because you are just starting out with this, I would call the first family on the phone and see what they want done, no charge just get your foot in the door is all that you want at this time. Now take this information and do your home work and come up with a cost that would be a bit less than what is out there. You don't want to come up with prices that are to high and scare them away, but you need to make money.

Once you get this job, you now have a portfolio that you can show others and raise you costs to the standard level, but you need to get that first one and Daddy gets new gear.

In short gain the expirence on the first shoot, charge a little less and this gets you to feel more comfortable with the shoot. Go for it, you never know unless you try it out, and you can control how much you want to do and still keep it as a hobby.

My 2 Cents