 Carrie Bayless |
Being asked to take family photos... So I've been asked by a few family members lately to take their family photo (or in one case a senior photo) but I have no idea if I should charge them anything. I'm not a professional and feel kind of weird asking them for money but at the same time if I don't charge now and already have a few lined up then whose to say that I'm not going to get more and more which would expect the same FREE family photos. Which I don't want to get in a family feud because I start charging money since it would be taking up my time away from my own family as I work full time also. What would be reasonable if I was to charge? Also if you have any tips on taking family photos I would love the advice!
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Pat Wimpee |
Hi Carrie, My suggestion would be to explain it's free while you are experimenting and practicing. Once you feel comfortable enough with the quality of your work, you'll start charging. :) Pat
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Jerry Frazier |
This is difficult. You are taking work away from a pro, so from that perspective, I would say you should charge. You should probably charge enough to be happy. I'd say around $75 for the shoot, and then they pay for any prints they want. If they want the CD of images, charge for that. Photography is not free. It is work; difficult work. You force people to understand that by charging them for your effort. Let me ask you this, would you walk into your job tomorrow and work for free just because, why not? Of course not. Same thing.
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Debby A. Tabb |
Carrie, I train Photographers every day, and getting to that confidance level that one is really ready to fly on thier own is a difficult one. But after looking at your work, I believe that you should take this step and give this a try. your subjects should be posed at 45 degree angles, and when setting up for groups picture diamonds & triangle shapes. You may want to look at the Studio Photography Threads for more help in posing ect. Here is Part #1: http://www.betterphoto.com/forms/QnAdetail.php?threadID=17534 As far as what to charge, I'd check around and get the prics from local photographers and then cut that in half at least your first few times.
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Denyse Clark |
This is how my business got started.... too many people asking me to just "come take a few photos for us" and it got to be too much. The first few times I did as others here suggested... just charged a little bit to cover my time, and then let them order prints (or give them a CD to get their own, depended on who it was for). Slowly as I gained experience and knowledge, I started charging more. My tip on taking family photos is to do some traditional ones, and some less traditional ones too.... I like to always do a few shots where the family is not all clumped up together. Spread them out and use the surroundings.
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Carrie Bayless |
Thanks everyone on your advice and tips! I've sometimes wondered if I should get into the profession of photography but I'm afraid I wont enjoy it the same being that it would become my WORK and not a hobby any more. Thanks again :)
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Denyse Clark |
I worried about that too... right now I only do it PT, this year about 8 small weddings and 10 seniors, a few other clients here & there and it just fuels my passion! Sure it's WORK but I still LOVE it. Whether that would be true if I did it FULL time, I don't know :)
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Debby A. Tabb |
I shoot all day every day, except maybe one if lucky two. But after all these years I still love it!!!
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