First Portrait Session Questions...HELP!

[Karebear98]

Hey guys, I am a new member here who has posted some of my photography in the photo sharing sections in Nature, Transportation, and General I believe. I have 2.5 years of experience and although people have asked me to do portraits or weddings before, I have been very hesitant because I take it very seriously and people are my weakness due to lack of experience. I have declined all. I have come to the realization that you have to start somewhere however....

I have a friend who would like me to shoot her (pregnant) and her husband and although she is super laid back and doesn't need anything "fancy," (her words) I am still nervous!

She has asked me to do it and I am only charging $50.00 total for the session and she just wants a CD with her edited images. Should I be doing it for free to build my portfolio or is that fair for time, gas, editing and cd?

Also, can you please provide me with any tips or advice for doing an outdoor/casual photo shoot??? Pitfalls to avoid? Things to remember? ANYTHING WOULD BE HELPFUL. Also, I am using just my Canon Rebel EOS with 18-55 mm and I have a tripod.

[texxter]

Originally Posted by Karebear98

She has asked me to do it and I am only charging $50.00 total for the session and she just wants a CD with her edited images. Should I be doing it for free to build my portfolio or is that fair for time, gas, editing and cd?

It's a personal decision. If you charge, there will be expectations and if you don't meet those expectations, there may be disappointments later. Given that you have no experience with portraits, it may be advisable to shoot at no charge, and let them know that if they like the images you'd be happy to accept a dinner invitation as a thank you gesture, or something that's not a fee for the work. It's tricky to mix friends and business, especially if you're not in business.

Also, can you please provide me with any tips or advice for doing an outdoor/casual photo shoot??? Pitfalls to avoid? Things to remember? ANYTHING WOULD BE HELPFUL. Also, I am using just my Canon Rebel EOS with 18-55 mm and I have a tripod.

This is a very open ended question. I'd suggest that you use ambient light if you can, shoot in the shade, perhaps use RAW so that you can correct white balance more easily later, and try to get your subject composed so that it's not dead center in the frame. One thing to look for shooting outdoors is very bright areas and very dark areas in the same frame - cameras are not good at dealing with this. Try to exclude the sky if it's very bright compared to the area where you're photographing your subject. If you use wide apertures you'll blur the background - dont get your subject to close to anything, so that they stand out against an out of focus background. Watch for distractions in the background, like branches growing out of heads and such.

Have fun and connect with the person you're photographing.

[Karebear98]

Thanks for the advice. She does know my skill level and experience and I reiterated it several times. I have a good eye for composition and that has always been my strong point. I am wondering do I have the equipment for the job? Also, what is the best method for correcting white balance?

Is there truly a best time of day with outdoor/natural light photography? If so, when should I shoot? Also, and this may sound stupid but I typically use a uv filter for my camera on a bright day...is this good to use during portrait photography or a big no no?

[thatsridiculous]

I would say, don't ever shoot for free, personally. Whether you're brand new or not, its still your time, your equipment, and your art that's being produced. $50 is a good start, and sets you up for not having her refer you to 20 friends expecting free sessions from the newbie as well. As you gain experience, raise your prices accordingly. Compare your work to other photographers in your area, gauge what you're worth, and calculate your time vs. costs and make sure you're always striving forward with pricing and your business plan. At this point, finding a few respected professionals to take out to coffee and to ask your questions would be an extremely intelligent move. There's only so much you can learn by posting and reading on a forum (especially one where people usually don't have time or care to answer questions like this). Sometimes its best to talk one on one, and then tag along to learn the ropes.

Big To-Do for you -- if you charge $ and give a product (i.e. a cd) you need to pay sales tax on the entire session amount. Get set up with a business, just in case, it never hurts to be prepared. First- run by city hall and apply for a dba (doing business as) and register yourself as a sole-proprietor. It's $10. Then - apply for a sales tax license = free. The last thing you want to do is to wait to do that, get a bunch of clients, and get audited. I've seen it happen and its bad.

Equipment wise - I personally do not shoot with any lenses with apertures greater than 2.8. Its possible to, but its not fun. If you have the means, pick up a 50mm f1.8. They're always floating around on here and CL, and $100 new. The low f-stop will help you out if your client chooses a funky time of day, and it makes for some beautiful out of focus backgrounds at an unbeatable price.

To correct white balance - you can buy a gray card, a white balance lens cap, or any number of things to help with that. Personally, I do a few test shots and attempt to decide the best WB possible just by looking at the screen, shoot in RAW format, and adjust the images at home with Lightroom. Correcting overly cool pictures is way easier than overly warm ones, so at least change it off of auto WB if your camera is giving you orange people.

There is in fact a best time of day to shoot, but its very dependent on the season and location of the shoot. If you're in a wide open space, you'll want to start 1.5 hrs before sunset so you can get yourself situated, get into a groove with your client before the pretty light starts. Right then the light is so low in the sky it can be used to light the client's face, or shot into to produce sunflares and hairlights. Either can be beautiful. Until you have more experience, I don't suggest shooting in the afternoon or late morning. If you're forced to, find even shade and have a friend hold a reflector to bounce sun onto the couple. In open bright sun, face the client away from the sun, use fill flash or reflector, and find an exposure that works. Have them close and relax their eyes until you're ready to shoot, then countdown (reduces the awful squinty eye).

Just go test out the UV problem. Take a few of a friend outside with it on and off, and see what you like better. It shouldn't alter it that much, but having a filter on an already somewhat slow lens is probably not the best idea. I'd shoot filter-less.

Good luck with your session and let us see when you're done!

[Tom]

I have a good eye for composition and that has always been my strong point.

I'm not saying you do or don't - I truly don't know and have never seen your work - but absolutely everyone who has ever picked up a camera believes this about themselves.

Also, what is the best method for correcting white balance?

Shoot RAW, use Lightroom 3.

I am wondering do I have the equipment for the job?

You certainly don't have optimal gear by any means. You have gear that will work, but not really the stuff that someone who shoots for money would reach for if given the choice. For just $100, a 50mm 1.8 would be better. But the best lens is the one you are comfortable with. If you are shooting in an automatic mode, it kinda doesn't matter what lens you use - you just have a fancy point and shoot anyway.

Also, and this may sound stupid but I typically use a uv filter for my camera on a bright day...is this good to use during portrait photography or a big no no?

Depends on the photographer. I never use UV filters. Some photographers always use them. I don't want to put a cheap piece of glass in front of my $1000 lens.

Is there truly a best time of day with outdoor/natural light photography?

Hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset.

[texxter]

Here is the thing. Either you're in business or you're not. If you are, then you need not only a DBA, but you also need to have a contract signed. And the contract should be reviewed by a commercial attorney. And liability insurance. And you need to have a separate business bank account. And you need to fill taxes with the state of Texas on a quarterly basis, whether you have income or not. And don't forget to declare the income on your federal tax income. Charging money for your work means a responsibility to your clients and to the IRS, the state and your city as well.

I say this because one should not enter into a business because a friend wants a picture. One should do it because one is committed to being a professional with the all the joys and responsibilities it conveys.

Also, I am not sure that if you become known as "the photographer that charges $50 for a CD full of images" you can one day say, just because you've done a few sessions, that you are going to charge $500 for a session. I don't think it works this way.

So you'll get very different views on this topic. My view is this:

- Work on developing your skills as a people photographer FIRST - forget about the business side, just get good at it by shooting anyone who is willing to give you time. Don't charge money because you're not yet in business. You're learning and friends surely appreciate your practing with them. If the pictures come up bad, that'ok, keep on learning. The outcome of this phase is a good portfolio. If you don't have a portfolio you really can't show anyone what you do.

- Once you feel more confident, start working on your business set up - this is a lot of work and money - business cards, website, logo, DBA and bank accounts,insurance, etc. Decide what you want to focus on, and who is your competition. Define how much money it costs you to run the shop and how much you'll need to make. This is really hard work, and shows whether or not you'r committed. Take advantage of local resources to learn how to run a small business, accounting, taxes, etc.

- Once you have the skills and the business foundation, then you hang your shingle, contact people you've shot for free and let them know you're open for business and you'll welcome their referrals to friends and acquaintaces. You leverage your network to expand the people that know you as a photographer. Now those friends have your business card with a website to direct others too.

There is no right or wrong way. This is one that I think has a chance to take you down a success path. But it may not.

[Tom]

I agree 100% with Paco.

I also don't think shooting for free when you have never done something is a bad thing. I do it all the time. It is called learning. I don't get "oh - he's the free shooter." But it has to be something the does benefit me well or something that I am not real familiar with and want to learn. Or just someone I would kill to work with.

[RickD]

For the sake of experience, you need to do what it takes to gain the experience.

For the business side, your purpose is to have net, positive cash flow. So free is not good.

You at least have the basics, but a flash with a mini softbox might be needed for fills. Keep in mind, any artist can work with what ever tools they have available.

Bring a ladder, maybe a few props, and bring plenty of water.

Lastly, don't put your camera down during break times.

[Karebear98]

Wow, lots of wonderful advice and varying opinions. I def. see both sides to each viewpoint. I will absolutely be investing in another lens before this photo shoot. I wanted another and need another so I need to get it period. I am a bit hesitant on setting up a DBA and everything at this point because I feel if I find that I am not into portrait photography after some sessions then I might be wasting my time. However, it is cheap and doesn't take much so I might do it anyway. It is always in the back of my mind though and something I have done for another business. Downpour-professional bartending services.

I think it is a great idea for me to get some reflectors as mentioned too and I will be practicing with my camera during these "golden hours" with a family member or two to see what works best regarding the UV filter. We all know everyone has to start somewhere and I appreciate all the advice and everyone taking the time to post on my thread.

[texkam]

When you shoot for $50 you undervalue yourself and that tends to undervalue all of us. Do the shoot, put a higher value on it and for payment ask that she simply make it as a donation to an agreed upon charity.

[tukaniray]

For me, I indeed enjoy taking photos on my own time as a growing experience everyday.

Doing it for yourself, "Free-Shooting", as some of you are putting it, is a great way to learn what you can do. I agree with Paco and Thomas and their comments.

I find when you have gained your skill and understand your equipment, you will begin to create a style that you can sell. Like being an intern, you work for free to gain your experience and to show the big shots that you can do what they can do. Then the income will roll in.

I have been in the field for over 5 years now and when I started, I didn't just jump in charging ... because I had no work to show for what I was capable of. So, I worked hard and did a few "Free" gigs, but also stated to them industry standard (average) that way a person will no from the get-go how much the on-going photographer charges and why you are charging what you are charging.

It puts a price in their mind of the what's fair and why the charge is the charge. Many of the people that I do shoots with understand and respect that. So, I have my behind and future behind covered.

And it's good you have friends that are willing to shoot with you. It's nice to have willing subjects.

-Ray-

[dunderwood]

I'm not saying you do or don't - I truly don't know and have never seen your work - but absolutely everyone who has ever picked up a camera believes this about themselves.

Untrue! I have extremely average composition, and I know it.

[Karebear98]

Texcam...while I appreciate your comment, I think it sounds a little ridiculous. Different levels of experience call for different compensation in all fields of creative work. Secondly, why send it to charity when I need the money and it is my time that is being paid for? I guarantee not all photographers started out charging 199.00 sitting fees plus 400-500 for packages. Just an observation but I think it sounds more feasible to do it for free or the small 50.00 charge versus charging twice as much and sending it to charity. Not even sure where a charitable donation would come up in this conversation???

[WarrenG]

Kara,

I disagree completely with your thought process on compensation, as this is why artists, photographers, and designers spend thousands on continued education, workshops, and mentor under, or assist the pro's that they would like to emmulate before venturing out. Granted, this is not the case for everyone, as I know several pro's who did not start this way, but there were other factors involved like education, etc.

At point is the fact that you cannot possibly be making any decent money charging $50.00 for a session and giving away the images, period. If you are not confident enough that your talent warrants the appropriate rate, then do not charge at all until the ability is commensurate with industry average (Mark's point about undervaluing us all). Furthermore, your initial post states that you have 2.5 years of experience, yet in the same post you ask for "tips on shooting outdoors / casual photo shoot?" I think the consensus is you are either an experienced portrait photographer, or you are not. The advice you receive on this forum is more often than not given from experience. All of us were new at one point, heck I am still new and I am in my third year shooting full time. There is so much to learn from the opinions and experiences of those here on the forum. Extrapolate the information you get on here, with that you find out on your own and make it work best for you.

Jeffery Gitomer once said in a class I attended "you eat what you kill" and this is very true. Apply that same mentality to your sessions until you are to a point of confidence. For example, offer your session at no cost at all, but let them purchase only the images they want. If they are pleased with your work (the kill) you will know it right away as they will not hesitate to spend (the eating).

What Mark was suggesting was that if you are not a "pro" instead of charging her directly, you might ask her to make a tax free donation to the charity of your choice, as this saves all the "business stuff" that you will have to keep tidy in order to be an operating business.

With all that aside (and in no way is the aforementioned info meant to be mean) I will say this...

(For me) Maternity photos are generally works of art as they are a once in a lifetime event (perhaps the friend is just pregnant and not looking for "maternity photos?) Even if the woman were to be pregnant again, it will never be "just like the last one". No matter what you do from a business standpoint, I would approach this with all the seriousness of a wedding, and go for the VERY BEST, as this is not "just another session" that they will do again next year.

I hope this info helps.

W

[Karebear98]

Warren,

Thank you for your post, maybe I was hasty in thinking he had a tone in his response that I did not like. I perhaps should have clarified...I do have 2.5 years in education and experience within the realm of photography. I hold a BA in Comm and all of my fine art classes were in photography but I still feel even with several classes, I have just barely scratched the surface of learning all there is to learn with regards to this subject. I have very little experience shooting people specifically. Some of my portfolio can be found here : Wix.com photography created by KaraJRice based on Close Up Shooting stationary objects and wildlife seems like a whole world of difference than shooting people to me and I am less secure because of my lack of experience but have a strong desire to move forward into portraiture. I would love the opportunity to assist or watch a professional shoot a wedding or portrait session! If anyone ever has the time, let me know.

I completely agree on the maternity photos because I am a mother and know that is extremely important. I take it very seriously, otherwise I would not be asking for advice from more experienced photographers or doing everything I can to research and learn about portrait photography and creating the very best I can. I take great pride in my work and I think my portfolio shows that.

Everyone's advice has been very helpful and I will just start asking to shoot my friends and family to gain more experience.